Metro 17 Takes Charm City Challenge Gold

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the first day results it appeared the finals for Sunday in the 15-17 age groups would see Triangle play Metro for all the gold. Before Sunday closed there were a number of surprises. Only the 15 age group created a final between Triangle and Metro. You never know where that ball bounces once you play the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As Sunday closed East Coast Power Kop took the gold in the 18 open, Metro snagged a gold in the 17 open and the 16 and 15 opens were secured by Triangle. In the 18 Club American took Gold, while 540 volleyball club captured the gold in the 16 and 15 age groups. The 15 Premier was won by Northeast. A high five to Metro 14 and 13 for taking the open divisions in their age group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We focused our attention on the Open Divisions. Below is a summary of the 17 to 18 groups. The 15 and 16 will come out in the next post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 Open</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181302"],"_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-65c1cede9db3b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Virginia Elite came one set away from making it back to back tournament championships. Last weekend they won the National Harbor. This weekend they fell short in Baltimore, finishing just one set short of winning the gold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Virginia Elite took the first set off East Coast Power Kop 25-18. They failed to repeat that success in the next two sets, falling 25-20 and 15-7. Despite the loss they had a very good tournament. They won their first four matches without losing a set, then came back to win two sets against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 16 after losing the opening set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180284' first='Chloe' last='Hokenson']</strong> setting she chose her many weapons wisely. The easiest choice for this day appeared to be the 6'5" left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237239' first='Azavia' last='Thomas']</strong>. To think that three years ago she played for an MVSA third team. Now, she rifles kills over the blocks of drifting middles. Her five kills against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 16 in the third set of the semifinals eased them to a 15-8 match win. Another choice the smaller left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181233' first='Aaliyah' last='Howell']</strong>who at 5'8" relies more on placement to spray the ball around the court to achieve her kills. She also plays an excellent back row and has yet to commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One reason the offense runs on all cylinders relies on the steady back row play of libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180301' first='Elle' last='Jubeck']</strong> (pictured above), who has committed to Mary Washington and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180303' first='Karen' last='Cao']</strong>, who has yet to commit. Elle also contributed a number of aces with her tough serve, accumulating four against [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] in the quarter final gold match. Another Mary Washington commit contributing to the offense is middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180298' first='Alice' last='Holoubek']</strong>. She plays a cerebral game anticipating where the sets will travel to successfully put up a double block. The harder the hit the greater the rejection as the ball hits the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A player who opened my eyes was outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180291' first='Claire' last='Burducea']</strong>. While not an explosive player she plays a solid all around game. Her hits from the left side found the floor, she plays a strong back row and finds success with attacks from behind the three meter line. Claire has committed to Franklin and Marshall College.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A surprise team in the 18s was the [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 16 team, entering the tournament as the number 20 seed out of twenty teams. They blew that low seeding up, sweeping the number one seed Synergy Kryponite 25-21, 25-23 while finishing the first day undefeated in pool play. They failed to lose a set until their last two against Virginia Elite in the semi-finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their most impressive player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']</strong> may not have the most explosive jump in the gym and at 5'11" some believe she lacks the height for an outside. However, her right arm fires bullets that frequently find the empty areas of the court. Her frosh and sophomore years in high school she led her team to two state championships, winning player of the year in the process both years. Whoever she plays for does not lose often. An avid beach player, it would not surprise me to see her play beach in college. Prep Dig ranks her as the number two player in the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Kennedy remains the favorite target for setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='520349' first='Lauren' last='Hobbs']</strong> middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320815' first='Tenley' last='Mattison']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='527011' first='Dreu' last='Patterson']</strong> brought success with her sets and also blocked well. They tend to run a more conservative game, with higher sets to the middles. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239323' first='Ava' last='Barwick']</strong>, the younger sister of Greta played some middle at Volley by the James. For the Charm City Challenge she created more offense as a right side. Another beach player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong> covers the back row well with her libero play. Her and Kennedy play for the same championship James Wood high school team and sometimes partner up on the beach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Coast Power Royal Kop brought a talented roster to the tournament as the second seed. They have good length and speed failing to lose a set until they lost the opener 25-18 to Virginia Elite in the finals. The King of Prussia recovered quickly by winning the final two sets 25-20 and 15-7. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It all begins with their setter <strong>Carly Campbell,</strong> who disguises her dumps well when she plays the front row. She lists at 6'0" which allows her to reach high over the net. She made excellent choices with the weapons at her disposal, dishing the ball off to her outsides <strong>Jane Nelson </strong>and <strong>Alexa Mork</strong> while also not ignoring her middles<strong> Breelyn Bender</strong> or <strong>Molly Mishinkash</strong>. At one point in the finals Alexa strung together six consecutive points with her serve. Finally, <strong>Elly Painter</strong> really impressed with her tremendous libero play creating pristine passes for Carly to run her offense. The harder the hit the greater the dig. Elly also brought a tough serve to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Notes</strong>: The Virginia Cavaliers appear to have picked up a pretty good player in <strong>Reagan Ennist</strong>. She plays left side for LVC Black out of New York, is listed at 6'2" and can play six rotations. Initially, she committed to West Virginia but changed that to Virginia after a change in coaches. She would fit into our top twenty rankings for the DMV area....American won the Club Division, losing only two sets, both by scores of 25-23. They are led by an undersized left side 5'7" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235276' first='Taelin' last='Connolley']</strong>, who also led Battlefield to the semi-finals in the class 4 Virginia high school state championships. Some Division III school might want to take a look at her. </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":["181303"],"_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-65c1cede9dbf6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Metro swept through the Charm City Championship, validating their position as the number one seed. This team is so much improved from last year when they struggled with bouts of inconsistency. While they have made some roster changes the core of the team remains the same. They were challenged a few times in this tournament, winning three sets 25-23, including the first set of the finals against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. Last year winning those 25-23 were more of a challenge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'3" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong> has shown massive improvement in her setting that Metro has entrusted her to run the offense in a 5/1. That is something Metro does not do often. They prefer bringing in taller right sides for their setters to create more offense. At 6'3" Isabella is one of their strongest blockers on the team when she plays front row. On free balls the passers like to pass high to give her an opportunity to blister one over the net. With her height it doesn't take much for her to power one down. Her tempo and location for her sets have also improved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another player showing massive improvement is Michigan commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181307' first='Leni' last='Stanton-Parker'].</strong> Early in her career she blocked middle because of her height. She also carries an incredible approach jump reaching 10'6". She lists at 6'0" so she can fly. Last her she converted from middle to left side. She showed difficulty timing the higher sets. This does not seem to be an issue this season. She still plays three rotations but that is because a number of strong back row players fill the roster. Her back row play is not weak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some argue that tall setters do not run quicks well. That does not seem to be the case with Isabelle. One of her strengths rides with how easily she connects with the 6'5" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235284' first='Caitlin' last='Johnson']</strong> and the 6'2" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181764' first='Kristen' last='Moore']</strong> in the middle. With her height Caitlin can hit it over many of the late blocks. She made a big block to finish off the first set against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 25-23. Prior to that it got a little explosive with the coach earning a yellow card for arguing with the down referee. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not many can hit the ball harder than the 6'0" right side [player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu']. The Lafayette commit hits bullets with her left handed swing and doesn't get fazed when some of those bullets get rejected. She keeps on swinging with velocity that appears greater than last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro has a number of choices in the back row with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='528451' first='Sadie' last='Gladhill'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang']</strong>rotating at the libero position while the other comes in as a defensive specialist for one of the left sides. Sadie strung together a number of aces against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'], including an ace that put them ahead 24-23 in the first set. Others who can play back row can also hit front row are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235293' first='Destini' last='Pickett']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181304' first='Sarah' last='Jeremias']</strong>. The advantage having them play back row comes with the offense they can create from their back row attacks. Destini at 5'8" does not hold back in her swing and hits high off the hands. Her back row attacks fly like missiles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] surprised me by beating a very strong Triangle team in the semi-finals. While they came into the tournament as the third seed, Triangle earned the two seed. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] seems to go underappreciated on the National stage. Triangle is rated in the top 100 in AES (81) while [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] sits at 135. That may change after their 25-22, 25-21 sweep of Triangle in the semi-finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] carries on their roster perhaps two of the strongest left sides in the 17 age group in the 5'11" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181299' first='Ada' last='McCoy']</strong> and the 6'1"<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='243771' first='Berkeley' last='Konrady']</strong>. Max Preps voted Ada the top player in West Virginia. Berkeley stands out with her length and powerful swing. When she hits the ball you have to be impressed by the bounce off the floor after she makes contact. Both play six rotations and contribute to the back row attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Ada and Berkeley prefer the indoor game <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180302' first='Emma' last='White'] </strong>prefers the sand for her volleyball. She ranks as one of the top liberos in the Virginia area but [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] needed help in setting and Emma answered the call. Even at 5'6" [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] plays her some in the front row. She clearly knows how to use the block, tooling a couple players when playing front row. Having the ability to spike when she plays front row does not fails to happen when she suits up as the libero, Emma has committed to playing beach at North Alabama.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'11' <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290899' first='Ava' last='Dickerson']</strong> plays outside for her high school team but plays middle for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. In high school she was voted player of the year for her region while providing offense from the left side. For [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] she hits twos in the middle and can go right or left with her hits. A team that puts just one block against her will lose most of those battles. Even though she plays middle [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] used her in the back row instead of the libero at many times in the game. They even used her in the passing rotation when she played the front row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'3" right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309032' first='Samantha' last='Stephens']</strong> has a powerful left handed swing. Last year she played down at the 15 level. This year she plays equivalent to her high school age. With Emma now setting the libero role has been taken up by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377327' first='Isabella' last='DeWan']</strong>. With a strong beach program [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] builds stellar liberos. If indoor colleges can convince these players to play hardwood at the collegiate level they could find some pretty good liberos for their program by watching [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Triangle out of North Carolina is a team loaded with talent. Before being upset by [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] they just powered past opponents, not allowing teams to reach 20 points against them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BreAnna McMillan</strong> impresses at the setter position, remaining in the front row to play right side. Her favorite targets appear to be right side <strong>Lindley Miller </strong>and middle <strong>Gabrielle Nichols</strong>. Points came easily after their attacks. There was even a play where both went up for quick sets with Lindley crushing the quick back set to the floor. <strong>Taiia Francom</strong> also provides additional length in the middle. <strong>Carys Kerr</strong> climbs high with her kills from the left side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Notes</strong>: 540 Volleyball Elite swept Triangle Blue in the Premier Division 25-18, 25-22. They lost just two sets during the tournament. They are led by the 6'3" James Madison commit [player_tooltip player_id='309022' first='Peri' last='Linterman'] in the middle. Peri ranks number 8 in the class of 2025 DMV rankings. She would have been difficult to stop even in the open division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> T</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->