Ranking the Best Performers for 15U Teams for Chesapeake

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have yet to rank the top 15 and under teams in the Chesapeake Region. Now that a few tournaments have been played it is time to name three of the top 15 and under teams based on performance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210539"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63dd2ec9d20cd"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have played in two tournaments, the Maryland Jrs Open and the MAPL. Both tournaments they won without losing a match. It is an impressive roster with length and talent, a combination tough to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It starts with their outsides. They have some flexibility where they can move them. The 5'11" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> is the most prolific of the outsides, playing all six rotations. She finished with a team high 57 kills this past weekend at MAPL. Others who contribute are the 6'1" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong>, the 6'1" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210539' first='Emma' last='Gardner']</strong>, another 6'1" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220923' first='Soleil' last='Rancourt'] </strong>and the smaller 5'8" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238593' first='Tehillah' last='Garrison']</strong>. Tehillah accumulates aces with her jump spin serve that carries decent velocity for that age group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The middles include the 6'3" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227251' first='Morgan' last='D. Williams']</strong> and the smaller <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321676' first='Gabrielle' last='Wigglesworth']</strong>, who may be the best blocker on the team and hits the quicks well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson'] </strong>can also contribute in the middle, as well as the 6'0" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235324' first='Rowan' last='Johnson']</strong>, who can also hit right side. Flexibility runs rampant on this team as far as the offensive pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two setters responsible for making this engine run are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321677' first='Charis' last='Burge'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238859' first='Sydney' last='Bryant']</strong>, who should not be confused with the Bryant of the same name from the class of 2023 who also plays for Flint Hill and Metro but hits outside. Charis runs a quick offense with her shoots to the outside and her one handed quicks to the middle on tight passes. They both distribute their sets to various locations on the court, impressive for a 15 team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='218149' first='Giselle' last='Norris']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong> share the libero role. Laila can also hit outside and belongs to the class of 2027, so she is playing up a year. Both show tremendous range as they cover the court with their defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And Metro just finished second at the Charm City Challenge in Baltimore, losing two close sets this weekend to Triangle Black 27-25 and 26-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They played in a different Maryland Jrs. tournament and won that, then lost to Metro 15 to finish second in MAPL. The club runs a successful beach program so many of these girls are ball control artists. They also nab a number of players from the West Virginia area to fit on their roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of those West Virginia players is six rotation left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309028' first='Gracelyn' last='Brown']</strong>. As a frosh for Hedgesville High School Gracie made honorable mention on the AAA All State West Virginia team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309027' first='Skylar' last='Norris']</strong> plays the other left side. Though she stands just 5'8" she led her class 2A high school team (Williamsport in Maryland) in blocking playing both middle and outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New to the volleyball circuit is the 6'3" middle [player_tooltip player_id='309032' first='Samantha' last='Stephens']. She also plays her volleyball in West Virginia. Her left handed swing may be best suited for the right side, but her height can create havoc at the net. Last year she played as a sophomore leading her high school team in kills. She also spends quite a bit of time in the water as a swimmer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320814' first='Alycia' last='Miller']</strong> works the back court as the libero. She plays for the West Virginia state powerhouse Musselman High. The setter<strong> Blanca Hutzler</strong> also plays for Musselman High. Musselman High has won the AAA West Virginia state volleyball championship for three years in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828368' first='Tenley' last='Mattison'] </strong>plays middle. She also plays for a state champion, James Wood who won the Class 4 Virginia State championship. When your roster is filled with players from State champion high schools, winning at club becomes the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] finished tied for third in the Charm City Classic this weekend. They lost in the semifinals to the ultimate winner Triangle Black 25-14, 18-25 and 25-21. It was their only loss in the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["221415"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ddc2011fa3a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team finished third in MAPL, their only loss coming at the hands of [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in the semi-finals. They also just easily won the [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] 15 Open (picture above).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This offense starts with the two outsides, who take aggressive swings at the ball. Sometimes they get blocked, but most of the time the ball finds the floor on the other side of the net. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington']</strong> plays all six rotations and leads her team in kills. She also creates a good platform for passing. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='221415' first='Lindsey' last='Canty']</strong> sits second on the team in kills. Both stand just short of six feet and carry some vertical in their jumps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238341' first='Teodora' last='Stamenkovic']</strong> provides some flexibility to the [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] offense. She stands 6'1" and can play either middle or right side. Her wrist snap can bury the ball in front of the ten foot line or find the blocker's hands. With more experience she will learn to hit high over the block or around the block. Her kill ended the gold medal match against St. James Navy this weekend, giving [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] the gold. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238851' first='Piper' last='Xeller']</strong> can also move around between the pins and the middle. She also contributed some key kills on Sunday to earn [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] a gold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='298857' first='Ingrid' last='Smith']</strong> share the setting duties. Avery belongs to the class of 2025 while Ingrid to the class of 2027. During warmups Ingrid showed the ability to hit from the right side, but [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] is loaded with talent there. She has always shown a strong arm to hit the ball. Avery set St. Johns to a third place finish in the tough WCAC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235306' first='Brianna' last='Washington']</strong> and <strong>Kaleigh Williams</strong> share most of the middle blocking responsibilities. Both run the quicks well and move fast enough to cover the pins. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377327' first='Isabella' last='DeWan']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='412055' first='Lilly' last='Kennedy'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807745' first='Madison' last='Phan'] </strong>all share the back row slots. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377327' first='Isabella' last='DeWan']</strong> played the libero role for the gold finals in the [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] 15 Open. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chesapeake Chirps</strong>: In the Ohio 18 qualifiers [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] finished second to earn an Open bid while Metro finished third. Metro had already earned a bid in Florida....At Charm City Challenge Metro took second in the 15s while [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] finished third. In the 16 Open [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] finished second while Virginia Elite tied for third. Metro 17 won the 17 Open. Beach Elite and Columbia Academy tied for third in the 18 Open. Later this week expect a writeup on prospects playing in the Charm City Challenge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->