Top Prospects and Winning Teams at Charm City Challenge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I could only watch the Saturday action since my team played in a tournament on Sunday. Below are some of the highlights from Saturday at the Charm City Challenge in Baltimore plus the final results.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two teams that impressed me the most on Saturday were <strong>EC Power King of Prussia </strong>and <strong>Beach Elite</strong>. They finished first and third. The only set loss for King of Prussia came at the hands of <strong>Revolution PGH White</strong> in the gold finals. Beach Elite lost just one match, to Revolution PGH White in three games in the semi-finals of the gold bracket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most impressive player for <strong>King of Prussia</strong> was <strong>Margo Kemp</strong>, a 6'3" middle committed to Xavier. She hit the quicks well, put up a good block and scored points with her serve. Penn State commit <strong>Jocelyn Nathan </strong>looked strong at the libero position. The 5'11" <strong>Ava Adamson</strong> hits left side using a fast arm swing to get good velocity on her kills. The 5'9" class of 2024 <strong>Maggie Smith</strong> controlled the offense setting a 5/1. She also put up a good block on the right side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like to put an asterisk next to a girl who really impresses me at a tournament. <strong>Beach Elite</strong> left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233484' first='Aulie' last='Huff'] </strong>earned that asterisk. Last time I saw her play was at the Endless Summer high school tournament. She played middle there. Here she hit right side, played back row and just powered balls over the block with her long arm extension. Her lefthanded swing fits perfectly for a right side. [player_tooltip player_id='233484' first='Aulie' last='Huff'] has committed to East Carolina. She just missed making my high school class of 2023 rankings but after watching her play right side Saturday she earned a spot when the new rankings come out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beach Elite </strong>used the combo of the taller <strong>Brooke Cunningham </strong>setting in the front row and the smaller <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245596' first='Alden' last='Roberts']</strong> setting in the back row. Don't know if they used that combination throughout the tournament. <strong>Adrienne Peji</strong> played the libero position well, scooping up a number of kills before they hit the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 17</strong> team played up and took Beach Elite to three in one of their two match losses. They lost the third set 16-14. [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] swept them in their second pool match loss on Saturday, which knocked them to Division 2 after the first day. Two talented class of 2025s in libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180302' first='Emma' last='White']</strong> and left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243771' first='Berkeley' last='Konrady'] </strong>are fun to watch. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233008' first='Greta' last='Barvick']</strong> sets for them but also plays an explosive right side. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] always likes to challenge their girls and they competed well playing in the higher age division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] 18</strong> won the National Harbor tournament the previous weekend but barely squeaked their way into Division I with a 1-2 record on Saturday. They won the tie breaker in a three way tie for last place. Vienna brings a great back row to their game with DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239319' first='Emma' last='Cortez'] </strong>and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238097' first='Angelina' last='Barrera']</strong> keeping their offense in system with their passing. The 6'1" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309029' first='Prinzez' last='Zeck']</strong> plays a dominating middle with an easy swing that puts the ball to the floor. <strong>Emma Sawruck</strong> and <strong>Zaylie Tamashiro</strong> may lack the power of other left sides but they use the blocks well and find the floor with their spikes. <strong>Marla Scott</strong> does the same with her lefthanded swing from the right side. Not the performance they wanted in this tournament, but hopefully a learning experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbia 18 Black </strong>had the highest Chesapeake finish at third place but I did not get to see them play. Briar Woods high <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237654' first='Jenna' last='Van der Biezen']</strong> sets for them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248621' first='Tatum' last='Evans'] </strong>led <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']</strong> to an 8th place finish. The 6'1" Virginia Tech commit plays six rotations, providing offense in the front and back row. They had to open play against Beach Elite and lost the second game 26-24 on what appeared to be a phantom touch call. <strong>Taylor Domson</strong> and <strong>Jillian Levin</strong> block well in the middle. Jillian impressed with a tough serve. <strong>Megan Thompson </strong>covered the court well with her libero play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["180296"],"_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-63e1f299451f4"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro </strong>won the 17 open but their first match looked ugly. They lost their second set when they switched up the lineup quite a bit against a tough Revolution PGH Grey team and lost 25-22. The original lineup returned for the third set and won 15-9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180295' first='Ryla' last='Jones']</strong> was sidelined for this tournament. After the first match Metro swept through all their opponents, with only one team scoring more than 20 points in a set against them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180295' first='Ryla' last='Jones']</strong> absent <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180296' first='Madison' last='Bowser'] </strong>got the opportunity to block middle and put up a dominating performance against Revolution. She powered her way over the net for at least 5 blocks. Madison combined with 6'5" right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181232' first='Renee' last='Jones']</strong> to bring up a great wall for the left sides to fail to hit through. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233010' first='Mickhaila' last='Murray']</strong> teamed with Ohio State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180288' first='Emerson' last='Sellman'] </strong>to earn kills from the left side. Emerson is just so powerful using her 6'4" length and wing to hit the ball over many of the right side blocks. Clearly the most talented player in this tournament and deserving of an asterisk.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mickhaila brings great enthusiasm to the floor, especially when she puts the ball down. Metro struggled a bit when both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180289' first='Lilah' last='Stevens']</strong> and Mickhaila were in the front row at the same time. They are smaller outsides who swing hard but don't always put the ball down against taller blocks. Newcomer to Metro <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu']</strong> did not play in the opening match. She ranks as our top prospect in the class of 2025 and brings some length to that outside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beach Elite 17B </strong>battled to a seventh place finish. They lost their last two matches. Just love the way <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233007' first='Alexis' last='Keeter']</strong> plays the left side. She still has some growth development in her but she puts some hot sauce on that ball when she hits. The 5'11" left side also plays defense in the back row and can provide offense with her three meter hits. What I probably like most about her is the pleasant attitude she carries on the court. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242358' first='Megan' last='Stone']</strong> and Michigan State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248630' first='Kayla' last='Foley']</strong> shared the libero role in an embarrassment of riches for the position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245600' first='Peyton' last='McGee']</strong> sets and then uses her powerful arm to hit from the right side. The other setter is <strong>Grace Slovensky</strong>. The 6'1" team captain <strong>Victoria Tupy</strong> plays left side and all six rotations. Her platform brings solid passing and her arm puts good velocity on balls, whether hitting left or right side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbia 17 Red</strong> and <strong>Richmond Volleyball</strong> both finished 9th. Columbia has a setter in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235746' first='MacKenzie' last='Calhoun']</strong> who is fun to watch. Richmond relies on the power of their outsides in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231671' first='Morgan' last='Crawford']</strong>, <strong>Catori Crawford</strong> and the 6'2" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232998' first='Campbell' last='Woods']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181243"],"_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-63e2ab0e0fb95"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Volley FX Mantra </strong>from the Western Empire in the Buffalo region won this Division. They knocked off three Chesapeake teams in their journey to the championship, losing just two sets in the process, one to <strong>Virginia Elite</strong> in the semifinals and the other to <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']</strong> in the finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the opening round of the gold bracket they knocked off a competitive <strong>MVSA Sparks</strong> team 25-16 and 27-25. Another loss to <strong>Triangle Black </strong>dropped the Sparks to 8th place. Sparks is led by left sides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic']</strong> and <strong>Jordyn Pallazzo</strong>. Both provide length and power to the position. Ema adds a defensive mix with her six rotation play. The 6'0" <strong>Claudia Balfour </strong>hits right side while the 6'1" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309031' first='Caroline' last='Kaye']</strong> plugs up the middle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235749' first='Kareena' last='Rathnam']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='306543' first='Sherry' last='Ye']</strong> take responsibility for the back row as libero and defensive specialist. Ye made a sliding dive in an attempt to get a ball. Normally girls do not have the strength to do this, relying more on the pancake or roll. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Volley FX gave <strong>Virginia Elite</strong> their only match loss in the semifinals. They had to win the last two sets to get them to the finals, 25-17 and 15-11. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden'] </strong>puts balls away hitting left side or right side, but she can also set. Virginia Elite has the smooth <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181242' first='Shylah' last='Swope']</strong> to take on that responsibility of setting, running a 5/1. At 6'1" Evelyn showcases a powerful offensive game so her setting skills do not get showcased. <strong>Shiraz Benyoucet</strong> can hit both left and right side, a new name sprouting in the prospect circuit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> continues to be the reliable left side to finish off rallies. The middles [player_tooltip player_id='235290' first='Olivia' last='Hatcher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='235325' first='Skylar' last='Giulani'] strung together their share of blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And finally, Volley FX completed the Chesapeake sweep with a 25-17, 20-25 and 15-12 win over <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']</strong>. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] may have two of the best left sides in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181299' first='Ada' last='McCoy']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'].</strong> Both play six rotations, mixing in a blend of quick defense with a powerful offensive game. The 5'5" [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] played left side for her high school team but is more suited to the defensive side of the game as libero. She carries a very high volleyball IQ to the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro </strong>had to be disappointed with their 9th place finish. Ultimately, their only match loss in the tournament came to Triangle Black 25-21 and 30-28 eliminating them from any medal contention. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181307' first='Leni' last='Stanton-Parker']</strong> answered the question of where she will play by hitting left side for Metro. She still needs more repetitions to get consistency, but she brings a good jump and a powerful arm to the position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181805' first='Madison' last='Smith']</strong>, the other left side has really picked up her game. Her spikes have increased in velocity and she appears taller than her listed 6'1" height. Her defense and passing game have also picked up quite a bit. 6'2" setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin'] </strong>will be a fun player to watch. She reminds me a lot of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180281' first='Erin' last='Debiec']</strong> with her height and soft touch on the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang']</strong> belongs to the class of 2026 but her passing and defense put her up there with the best liberos in the class of 2025. She also seems to find ways to score multiple points when it comes her turn to serve. The 6'0" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu']</strong> plays right side with a thunderous lefthanded swing. Sometimes she tries to do too much with her swing and hits the ball into the net or block. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["227251"],"_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-63e2ca0661eed"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Triangle</strong> won this Division, eliminating both <strong>Metro</strong> and <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] </strong>in their championship run. The final against Metro was 27-25 and 26-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The win by Triangle gave Metro their first match loss of the year and their first tournament that they did not win. They have some length on this team led by the 6'3" outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227251' first='Morgan' last='D. Williams']</strong>. She carries a big time cannon in her right arm. The other left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> may be their best all around player. She plays six rotations, stands 5'11" but brings a good vertical to her game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro </strong>lists three right sides who stand six feet or greater in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210539' first='Emma' last='Gardner']</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='220923' first='Soleil' last='Rancourt'].</strong> Nadiya can move to middle while Emma and Soleil can hit left side, if the need arises. This team brings some fire power to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']</strong> (pictured above) had to play Saturday without their 6'3" middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309032' first='Samantha' last='Stephens']</strong>, who competed in a swim event. They finished 3-0 that first day. Don't know if they had her for day two, but Triangle gave them their only loss in the finals of the gold bracket, winning in three with the third game a dramatic 23-21 (AES has the scores incorrect). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309028' first='Gracelyn' last='Brown'] </strong>plays six rotations and hit bullets from the left side. Once the consistency in her game improves she could be a powerhouse. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309027' first='Skylar' last='Norris'] </strong>also brings a good swing to the left side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro North </strong>surprised with their fifth place finish. They may not be as polished as their travel team, but they show they can play some quality volleyball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321678' first='Elaina' last='Murphy'] </strong>lacks the height of some of her sisters on the travel team but she brings a good, quick arm swing to her game. She needs to work on her outside approach so she can attack more sets. <strong>Tailia DoCarmo</strong> also plays the left side, passes well and brings an offensive presence to the game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321679' first='Simone' last='Assasie']</strong> plays one of the middles and showed she could play a pretty good defense in the back row. Usually Metro does not have their regional teams play at the Open level but the North team has shown they have the talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chesapeake Chirps:</strong> Any coach who wants to boast about their team's showing in a tournament can contact me with their results and I can post them on Prep Dig. It is not limited to just teams in open play. I tend to focus on the open play because that level has the players to watch...One of my top 18 teams at the beginning of the year hid at the club level for this tournament. They got to the finals before getting swept by Synergy Kryptonite. They have two quality outsides I want to see play in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181563' first='Emma' last='Kerwin'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231669' first='Dryden' last='Rancourt']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->