Big Winners at Volley by the James
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Normally I limit my stories to teams aged 15 and above. But the Paramount 14 team won the gold at the open at Volley by the James and four of those girls played for me either last year or a…
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Continue ReadingNormally I limit my stories to teams aged 15 and above. But the Paramount 14 team won the gold at the open at Volley by the James and four of those girls played for me either last year or a couple years ago. Another player attended clinics at the high school where I coach at. Lots of joy fills my heart from learning about their accomplishment. Other winners include Jersey Jrs. at 18, Richmond Volleyball Club at 17 and Blue Ridge at 16 and 15 years of age.
14 Open
Highlights
This Paramount team is so rich in talent that they could beat many 15 open teams. They will have an opportunity to do just that when they play in the Hampton Mid Atlantic Power League against the 14-16 age groups at the end of the month. When the Volley by the James tournament ended Paramount finished 8-0 in matches, losing just two sets.
Their two middles, Taylor Harrington Taylor Harrington 6'2" | MB Wakefield | 2027 State VA and Jolie Vignier Jolie Vignier 6'2" | MB Battlefield | 2027 State VA stand 6’1″ and already reach 9’9″ on their approach jumps. They cover a lot of territory with their blocks. Eva Collingham Eva Collingham 6'0" | OH South Lakes Reston | 2027 State VA at 5’11” can hammer the ball to the floor from the left side. One of their more athletic but smaller players Kayla Luther Kayla Luther 5'8" | OH Loudoun County | 2027 State VA also plays left side. She stands just 5’8″ but plays all six rotations. A couple years ago she played briefly for Metro as a libero, which may have enhanced her ability to play defense and pass. There are still a couple more years for her to grow into the position.
Paramount runs a 6/2 with two quality setters in Annabelle Kim Annabelle Kim 5'8" | S Heritage | 2027 State VA and Anna Dierks Anna Dierks 5'9" | S West Springfield | 2027 State VA . Both get to the ball quick and use their hands no matter where the pass. Sophie dela Rosa stands 5’10”, hits right side and ranks number 22 in our class of 2026. Libero Diane Nzoupet impressed with her quickness on defense and her tough serve.
A couple of the girls who played for me, Katherine McLaughlin Katherine McLaughlin 5'8" | OH Paul VI | 2027 State VA and Jordan Yun Jordan Yun 5'6" | DS/L Trinity | 2026 State VA , did not play in the game I watched. Katherine brings hustle and enthusiasm to her game. Last year was her first year of club and by the end of the season she was putting balls down consistently from the left side despite her smaller height. Sophie dela Rosa, Annabelle Kim Annabelle Kim 5'8" | S Heritage | 2027 State VA and Kayla Luther Kayla Luther 5'8" | OH Loudoun County | 2027 State VA are the others. Sophie attended our high school clinics and shows a great attitude in her will to improve. The five girls were all great players to coach.
Blue Ridge finished second. They came about as close as a team can get to winning gold. The game scores against Paramount were 27-25, 23-25 and 13-15. They also have some height on this team. Their setter Breeze Johnson Breeze Johnson 6'0" | S Daniel Morgan Middle School | 2028 VA stands tall and sets well, an interesting combination. As with many of the Blue Ridge girls Breeze plays beach. Definitely a player to watch for the future. I also love the name.
MVSA force has Ana Djordjevic Ana Djordjevic 5'7" | DS/L Richard Montgomery | 2027 State MD on their team. She is the younger sister of Ema, who ranks number four in our class of 2025. Ana plays libero for her team, while her sister plays left side.
15 Open
Highlights
The top two teams in this age bracket were Blue Ridge and Paramount . Blue Ridge swept through their opponents without losing a set in their eight matches. I did not get a chance to watch them this tournament because my team was playing in the same wave. They did win a Maryland Jrs Open tournament and I wrote about them there.
Samantha Stephens Samantha Stephens 6'3" | RS Spring Mills | 2025 State VA plays an impressive and intimidating middle, using her 6 foot height to reject a number of tips. She swings left handed so her future may be on the right side. Skylar Norris Skylar Norris 5'9" | OH Williamsport | 2026 State VA plays a dynamic left side. Like many of the of the girls who play for Blue Ridge the beach enhances her all around game. Callie Hose Callie Hose 5'8" | RS Clear Springs | 2026 State VA brings solid offense to the right side. Finally, no Blue Ridge team remains complete without a solid libero. Alycia Miller Alycia Miller 5'3" | DS/L Musselman | 2026 State VA fills that role.
Paramount may have finished second in this tournament but will come out on top in many before the season is complete. Teodora Stamenkovic Teodora Stamenkovic 6'2" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2026 State VA switches between middle and right side. She stands 6’1″ and has incredible wrist snap that can bury the ball to the floor. She ranks number three in our class of 2026.
Paramount carries a collection of girls who can play middle in Brianna Washington Brianna Washington 5'11" | MB Woodbridge | 2025 State VA , Piper Xeller Piper Xeller 5'11" | RS Herndon | 2026 State VA and Isabella Moore Isabella Moore 5'11" | MB Stone Bridge | 2026 VA . Brianna tops the team with her approach jump of 9’10’. Charlotte Arrington Charlotte Arrington 5'10" | OH Loudoun County | 2026 State VA and Lindsey Canty Lindsey Canty 5'10" | OH North Stafford | 2026 State VA are two explosive outsides who can bring a finish to the game. Ingrid Smith Ingrid Smith 5'8" | S Dominion | 2027 State VA belongs to the 2027 class but returns as their setter, playing a year up. Avery Prendergast Avery Prendergast 5'9" | S St. Johns | 2025 State VA set for St. Johns last year as a sophomore and shares the setting duties with Ingrid.
Club 540 finished third. They swept through their competition winning their first six matches without losing a set. When they reached the gold bracket they were swept by both Blue Ridge and Paramount .
16 Open
Blue Ridge almost swept their way in winning the gold in the 16 open. They lost a set to Paramount 25-23. Paramount finished second while Virginia Elite took the third spot. All three clubs were identified as the top clubs in the Chesapeake Region, with fourth place MVSA Sparks also named.
It can be argued that Blue Ridge may have the two most dominant left sides in the 16 club division. Kennedy Spaid Kennedy Spaid 5'11" | OH James Wood | 2026 State VA and Ada McCoy Ada McCoy 5'11" | OH Musselman (WVA) | 2025 State VA are both six rotation players who can hit front row and back row. Kennedy ranks number one in our class of 2026. Libero Brenna Corbin Brenna Corbin 5'5" | DS/L James Wood | 2026 State VA ranks at number five in that same 2026 class. Both play up. It would be hard to find a libero that covers more ground than Brenna. Ava Dickerson plays middle. If you focus on the outsides and ignore her she will make you pay. Alexandra Lynch Alexandra Lynch 5'7" | S Clark County | 2025 VA and Kendall Watcher share the setting duties.
Paramount lost to Virginia Elite in pool play but got a little revenge by sweeping them in the gold medal bracket match. They carry a talented roster with class of 2026 setter Claire Mo Claire Mo 5'10" | S Langley | 2026 State VA playing up to lead the offense. The team is formidable in the middle with Brianna Holladay Brianna Holladay 6'2" | MB Riverside | 2025 State VA and Simone Schaefer Simone Schaefer 5'11" | OH Riverside | 2025 State VA setting up the blocks. Skyler Tennant Skyler Tennant 5'11" | RS Battlefield | 2025 State VA , Adriana Perodin, Zoe Ryu Zoe Ryu 6'2" | OH Georgetown Day | 2025 State VA and Kaitlyn Demitz Kaitlyn Demitz 5'11" | RS Dominion | 2025 State VA give the team depth on the outsides. Sadee Gedse Sadee Gedse 5'6" | DS/L Oakton | 2025 State VA provides incredible hustle to the libero position.
Last year I did not get much of a chance to watch Virginia Elite play. For the 16s Shylah Swope Shylah Swope 5'10" | S Herndon | 2025 State VA ran a 5/1 with Evelyn Jurden Evelyn Jurden 6'2" | RS West Springfield | 2025 State VA used for hitting from the right side. When Shylah plays the front row she loves to jump set and dump to the left corner 4 spot with her right hand. Defenses find it tough to cover that shot. Evelyn at 6’1″ brings the highest approach jump to the team. At 6’0″ Ana Toumazatos Ana Toumazatos 6'1" | OH Langley | 2025 State VA brings power to the left side, as well as the back row with her ability to play six rotations. Another player who impressed is Kadi Pynchon Kadi Pynchon 5'6" | DS/L Flint Hill | 2025 State VA with her libero play.
17 Open
Highlights
Blue Ridge would have preferred a sweep in the 15-17 division but the 17 team seemed a little off. They missed a number of serves, their passing was erratic and many of their hits travelled out. The length of the Richmond Volleyball Club could have created those troubles.
If I had to vote for an MVP for the tournament it would be Morgan Crawford Morgan Crawford 5'10" | OH Atlee | 2023 State VA . Next year she will be playing for Loyola Maryland. This year she dominated the floor for RVC 17. Her back row play was extraordinary with dig after dig of dead Blue Ridge attempted kills. She also terminated sets from the left side. She ranks number 27 in our class of 2023 but after her performance at Volley by the James her rank could be higher.
While they lost Hannah Ball Hannah Ball 5'11" | OH Midlothian | 2024 State VA from last year Catori Crawford (no relation to Morgan) uses a good jump to create offense from the other left side. Kyla Johnson is a smaller middle but she carries good reach and creates havoc with her offense. Libero Amelia Tomlinson Amelia Tomlinson 5'8" | DS/L Western Albemarle | 2024 State VA covers a lot of ground in the back court. The class of 2024 libero has committed to Liberty. At 6’2″ Campbell Woods uses her length on the right side that could have created many of those Blue Ridge hitting errors. It can be quite the challenge to hit a ball past her block. Anne Croft has the good hands to find the hitter’s sweet spot. College recruiters will be rewarded watching this team play.
We talked a lot about Blue Ridge last week after they finished second in the Maryland Jrs open. The 6’0″ left side Berkeley Konrady Berkeley Konrady 6'1" | OH Millbrook | 2025 State VA ranks number 68 in our class of 2025. That ranking will rise. She carries a lot of velocity in her kills. A little inconsistent this past weekend against RVC but definitely a six rotation left side to watch. Middle Ashlynn Spence Ashlynn Spence 5'8" | MB James Wood | 2024 State VA places balls well using the deep corners in areas 1 and 6 to finish her hits. At 5’8″ her height is small for a middle but her volleyball IQ makes her dangerous in the front row. You also have to like the enthusiasm and hustle of libero Emma White Emma White 5'6" | DS/L Legacy Christian Academy | 2025 State VA . And finally, Greta Barvick Greta Barvick 5'10" | S Chelsea Academy | 2024 State VA and Hannah McCullough Hannah McCullough 5'2" | S James Wood | 2024 State VA share setting duties. Greta stands out for her offensive contributions from the right and left side.
Virginia Elite was the lone team to take a match from Richmond Volleyball Club . They were swept by Blue Ridge 25-18, 25-13, knocking them down to third. They also lost to Blue Ridge in their opening match, but at that time taking them to three.
The 6’1″ setter Chloe Hokenson Chloe Hokenson 6'1" | S Langley | 2024 State VA churns this offense. She ran a 5/1 in the game I watched but they do have Melorra Arthur Melorra Arthur 5'7" | S Battlefield | 2024 State VA to set if they want her offense from the right side. The 6’0″ outside Claire Burducea played six rotations and impressed. Always good to see a new face in these tournaments A player to watch is 6’4″ left side Azavia Thomas Azavia Thomas 6'5" | OH Archbishop Carroll | 2024 State VA . She ranks number 86 in the class of 2024 but with more club experience that ranking will rise. She is limited to three rotations but she earns points while in the front row. The 6’2″ middle Alice Holoubek Alice Holoubek 6'3" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State VA plays a cerebral middle, consistently moving from pin to pin. Finally, Ella Jubeck impressed at the libero position.
Paramount finished fourth and Vienna Elite eighth.
18 Open
Jersey Jrs swept through the competition to win the 18 open. They finished 8-0, losing two sets, one to second place Club 540 and the other to third place Richmond Volleyball Club .
Club 540 swept Richmond Volleyball Club in the gold medal bracket to take second place. They battled the Jersey team to three, losing the final 17-15. I did not watch a lot of the 18’s but setter Alexis Scipione Alexis Scipione 5'9" | S Colgan | 2023 State VA seems to set her team to a higher level.
Tatum Evans Tatum Evans 6'1" | OH Midlothian | 2023 State VA remains the big name for the Richmond Volleyball Club 18 team. The Virginia Tech commit hits left side and led Midlothian High School to their first ever Class 5 State championship.
Vienna Elite surprised with a fourth place finish. They run an offense with the taller Madeline Schamaun setting in the front row and the smaller Trisha Guevara Trisha Guevara 5'3" | S Stone Bridge | 2023 State VA setting in the back row. Trish has committed to Virginia Weslayan.
New Names Who Impressed
Below are some names whose teams did not make the gold bracket. These players were not included in our recent rankings.
Jordyn Palazzo Jordyn Palazzo 5'11" | OH Watkins Mill | 2025 State VA (MVSA Sparks) – The 5’11” left side from the Class of 2025 shows she can bring the offense.
Caroline Kaye Caroline Kaye 6'1" | MB Richard Montgomery | 2025 State VA (MVSA Sparks) – This 6’1″ middle runs the quicks well. She also creates some buzz with her high jumping prowess in the track and field arena.
Caroline Lang Caroline Lang 6'3" | MB St. Annes-Balfield | 2025 State VA ( Richmond Volleyball Club ) – This class of 2025 middle has some height. She is also new to volleyball and still a bit raw. She can normally be seen on the tennis court.
Peri Linterman Peri Linterman 6'3" | MB Riverbend | 2025 State VA (Club 540) – This class of 2025 plays middle for the 17 team. She stands 6’2″ and showed a powerful swing.
Allison Lach Allison Lach 5'10" | OH Riverbend | 2024 State VA (Club 540) – A 5’10” left side with a good swing. She plays for Riverbend High School with Peri above.