16U DMV Teams to Watch at AAUs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These teams start play June 21-24 after the 15s finish their tournament. There are 47 teams from the Chesapeake and Old Dominion Regions competing at this age level. That would stand out as a large tournament in and of itself. The order of ranking for skill levels at AAU are 1) Open, 2) Premier, 3) Elite, 4) Club, 5) Aspire, 6) Spirit and 7) Classic. This post will only talk about those teams playing at the top three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Elite</strong> (10/718)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["204152"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667056bd81552"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A very talented setter. Runs a 5/1 well and with her 5'9 height she can reach over the net for the block. A little more work on improving her jump would enhance that skill. She brings those setting skills that you would like to use in all six rotations. Also brings a strong serve to the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She led her high school team in assists as well as finished second in aces. Woodson earned their way to the Virginia State championship but lost in the first round in five sets to Colonial Forge. They lost the fifth set 16-14. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - A sixth place finish put them short of earning a bid at USAV Junior Nationals. They played in a couple National Qualifiers at the USA and Open Division and fell short. For this tournament they rank as the fourth seed in their pool. In the Open Division they have their hands full. No pain no gain. Some talented players to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='204152' first='Sofie' last='Ferrell']</strong> (17 ranked), setter<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='437447' first='Kai' last='Gorman']</strong> (39), Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443558' first='Emily' last='Kolas']</strong> (56), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377336' first='Callie' last='Agniel'] </strong>(63), Libero/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238365' first='Molly' last='Gardner']</strong> (69). Left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377334' first='Josephine' last='Seekford']</strong> (71), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='355124' first='Fiona' last='McDermott']</strong> (75), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377397' first='Ellyson' last='Miller']</strong> (83), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377337' first='Gabrielle' last='Tindall'] </strong>(113), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475903' first='Avery' last='Byrnes'] </strong>(watch list)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181280"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667056bd815da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A very intense player with a high volleyball IQ. She hits outside for her high school team James Wood, despite her 5"5" height. The ball does not travel with lots of velocity but it always finds the vacant area of the court. Brenna started the season as their libero but moved to left side to enhance their offense. The fact they won the Class 4 state championship when the season ended validates the move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Libero is where she shines the best. A lot of beach play makes her quick on the indoor court. She brings a great sense of anticipation to the game, more so that not predicting the area of the court where the attacker will go. She also has a take charge intensity to her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For her high school team she was fourth in kills, first in aces, first in digs, third in assists and second in serve receptions. About the only thing she can't do is block, but she did get four of those.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>757 National</strong> (11/852)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They are listed as the third seed in their pool. A first place finish in the AAU Grand Prix Virginia Beach tournament may have gotten them their entry fee for AAU reimbursed. 757 played in two Qualifiers in the USA Division but failed to earn a bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484751' first='Riley' last='Erwin']</strong> (89), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249294' first='Teagan' last='Emdadi']</strong> (101), Libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='544609' first='Giulia' last='Allison']</strong> (150)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Academy</strong> (39/1912)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They are a fourth seed in their pool. Academy does show a trio of second place finishes in local tournaments, including the Chesapeake Region non-bid tournament. Their only National Qualifier was the Northeast in the USA Division where they did not earn a bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390338' first='Rachel' last='Fagin'] </strong>(104), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='374420' first='Sadie' last='Fester']</strong> (116), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='369263' first='Ryan' last='Heminsley']</strong> (130)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beach Elite Black</strong> (25/1076)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - Another fourth team seed. Only participated in one National Qualifier where they failed to earn a USA bid. A try at the Open Division in the Charm City Challenge saw a 15th place finish out of 16 teams. Beach Elite always brings talent on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525345' first='Emma' last='Mullins'] </strong>(87), setter/left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485079' first='Grace' last='Davies-Hackenberg']</strong> (109)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']</strong> (3/53)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - Ranked number 53 in the country puts them at the number 1 seed in the tournament. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] brings an impressive resume. First place finishes in Mid Atlantic Power League and Shamrock Showdown. A third place finish in Charm City Challenge playing in the 18 Open Division. They also earned a USA bid for USAV Junior Nationals with a second place finish in the one National Qualifier they played in (Northeast).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']</strong> (2), Libero [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] (9), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320815' first='Tenley' last='Mattison']</strong> (31), Libero/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320814' first='Alycia' last='Miller'] </strong>(40), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320813' first='Callie' last='Hose']</strong> (100), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239323' first='Ava' last='Barvick']</strong> (111), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525340' first='Olivia' last='Smith']</strong> (112), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='527011' first='Dreu' last='Patterson']</strong> (129), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='520349' first='Lauren' last='Hobbs'] </strong> (30, class of 2025 - pictured above)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbia Black</strong> (7/969)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - Despite ranking number seven in the Chesapeake Region, their lower National ranking puts them at a third seed in their pool. They did not participate in the Chesapeake Regional bid and failed to earn a bid playing in the Northeast Qualifier in the USA Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525341' first='Genevieve' last='Willis'] </strong>(88), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525347' first='Jewel' last='Moore']</strong> (136)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='494491' first='DMV' last='Elite'] </strong>(55/1772) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - Based on their National ranking [program_tooltip program_id='494491' first='DMV' last='Elite'] sits as a fourth seed in their pool. They have done well in a few local tournaments, even defeating USAV junior national bound Maryland Jrs Black. The National tournaments have been a struggle including the Northeast Qualifier (USA Division).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246485' first='Faith' last='Ramirez']</strong> (59), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='526752' first='Ella' last='Wang']</strong> (142)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] Black</strong> (83/3733)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - The motto is always finish above your seed. [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] ranks as the fourth seed in their pool, but the next to last seed in the tournament. They played in one National Qualifier (Northeast Liberty Division) and struggled. They have little to lose. As the saying goes "play with reckless abandon and see where that gets you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - libero [player_tooltip player_id='391519' first='Lauren' last='Kim'] (watch list, class of 2025), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='552700' first='Maya' last='Downs']</strong> (class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["516018"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667056bd8164c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We show her at 5'9". The hope is that she sprouts a few more inches. She already hits the ball pretty hard. She led her high school in kills and played all six rotations. As she gains more experience her accuracy rate should improve. Glenelg finished first in their region. They eventually lost to powerhouse Arundel in the semifinals of the class 3 Maryland state championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't know if she will be on the roster for Orlando, but she will participate in the USAV Junior Nationals in Las Vegas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maryland Juniors Black</strong> (15/808)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They will be a second seed in a three team pool. Maryland Jrs. Elite Black has also earned a bid in the Freedom Division at USAV Junior Nationals after a fifth place finish. The two Liberty Division National Qualifiers did not go so well, finishing in the middle of the pack. Don't know how the rosters will shape out. Going from Orlando to Vegas brings in the frequent flyer miles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch - left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346815' first='Isard' last='Bernades']</strong> (92), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525343' first='Terry' last='Spring']</strong> (102), setter<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='346816' first='Avery' last='Hubbard'] </strong>(140)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro Central </strong>(57/2622)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team info - They find themselves as a third seed in their pool. Metro Central did win the Chesapeake Regional non-bid tournament. There were no National Qualifiers on their schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - We did not get a chance to see them play. No players to watch on the top 150 ranked list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Platform Black</strong> (33/1877)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - A number of high finishes in local tournaments. They played at the club level at a Northeast Qualifier and finished in ninth place out of 12 teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='520366' first='Christianna' last='Sledge']</strong> (96, class of 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Richmond VBC National</strong> (6/101)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team info - A good national ranking just falling out of the top 100. An impressive third place finish in the Charm City Challenge Open Division. They defeated Virginia Elite in this tourney, who will play in the Open Division. A recent first place finish in the Grand Prix tournament where they also beat teams like Columbia Black and St. James White. That high national ranking earns them a number one seed in their pool and the eighth seed for the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='322106' first='Bailey' last='Loving']</strong> (120) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St James White</strong> (46/1953)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - Normally, the second team for St. James. Perhaps not all tournament finishes are listed, but based on AES no top five finishes. They are a second seed in their pool, which is quite high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Absent any top 150 players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Volleyball Academy </strong>(VAVA) (30/1388)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They come into this tournament as the third seed in a three team pool. In the Sunshine Qualifier they finished 25th out of 128 teams while playing in the American Division. Also, a third place finish in the Chesapeake Regional non bid tournament out of 47 teams. This team could surprise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='352831' first='Megan' last='Hiltner']</strong> (55), Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='308751' first='Olivia' last='LeBlanc'] </strong>(70), left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='352832' first='Kiley' last='Robinette'] </strong>(78),<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='483129' first='Louise' last='Z Atiz']</strong> (96), left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='307949' first='Lauren' last='Paris'] </strong>(117)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AAU 14 Results</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 14 finished an impressive tie for third place in the AAU Elite Division. They lost to the eventual champion GJ Stepanie in the third set 15-12. It was only the second set loss for GJ in the tournament. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] is the sixth ranked Chesapeake 14 team and ranked 244 nationally. Three players impressed in a second place finish at Shamrock. Left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536738' first='Avery' last='Fauver']</strong>, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536737' first='Sophia' last='Zimmerman']</strong> and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536736' first='Alexis' last='Stephens']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->