DMV 17U Teams Competing in USAV Junior Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my opinion, competing in the USAV Junior Nationals stands out as a more prestigious event than competing in the AAU Junior Nationals. In the USAV a team needs to qualify to earn a spot to play. An exception is made for playing in the Patriot Division. For AAU it is pay to play. Anyone can enter. When you look at the competitor's National ranking you will find the higher ranked teams playing in USAV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The order of skill for USAV is 1) Open, 2) National, 3) USA, 4) Liberty, 5) American and 6) Freedom. I would argue that USA should move up a slot as the second highest level. There you earn your bid battling different teams from the various regions. At the National level you only compete against teams in your own Region. The USAV reserves the National, American and Freedom Divisions for teams who placed in the top three in their local Regional Qualifier. If one of those teams earns an Open, USA or Liberty bid the Region gets rewarded with an extra allocation. This allows the fourth place team to compete in a lower Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A total of eight teams from the Chesapeake and Old Dominion Regions earned bids. Below, the names of some of the players to watch and how the club earned their bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>National</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro</strong> (1/84)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181764"],"_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-6678436495641"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Most of the players for Metro have announced their college commitments. Kristen and her twin sister Alexander are still available as far as I know. Both bring height to the front row and have the ability to play either middle or right side. They definitely deserve a look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Besides suiting up as teammates for Metro, they also both play for Virginia Academy. Kristen led the team with a crisp .472 hitting percentage. She also finished first in blocks and third in kills. Alexandra finished second on the team in blocks. Both played middle for their high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edit: Kristen just announced her commitment to Florida A&amp;M </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they earned their bid - Metro won the local Chesapeake Regional bid, defeating Virginia Elite in the finals. While they did win the Capitol Hill Classic and Charm City Challenge, Metro came up short in the National Qualifiers in their bid to receive an Open bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - Metro started the season strong. They won the Rock and Roll Jumble in Clevland and the Charm City Classic in Baltimore. They also won the Capitol Hill Classic, something this group did not do well in last year when they were 16s. Metro fell far from earning an Open bid in the three National Qualifiers they competed in. A 26th place finish in Sunshine and a 19th place finish in both Northeast and Lone Star left them competing in National.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong> (2 - Purdue), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181307' first='Leni' last='Stanton-Parker']</strong> (3 - Michigan), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu'] </strong>(10 - Lafayette), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235284' first='Caitlin' last='Johnson'] </strong>(18 - Santa Clara), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181805' first='Madison' last='Smith'] </strong>(19 - Brown), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235293' first='Destini' last='Pickett']</strong> (23 - American), left side/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249341' first='Baylee' last='Doolan'] </strong>(24 - Navy), left side/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181304' first='Sarah' last='Jeremias'] </strong>(25, Trinity), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181764' first='Kristen' last='Moore'] </strong>(47), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181313' first='Alexandra' last='Moore']</strong> (53), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181244' first='Ryan' last='Hicks']</strong> (70, Duquesne) libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] </strong>(16, class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Elite</strong> (2/103)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they earned their bid - They finished second in the Chesapeake Qualifiers. Virginia Elite received a reallocated bid to the National Division, taking a Bayou Region slot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - Virginia Elite also did well in the early local tournaments. They won the National Harbor, took fifth in the Charm City Challenge and third at Capitol Hill Classic. They played Open in the National Qualifiers and failed to earn a bid, finishing 33rd in Sunshine and 31st in Northeast. Virginia Elite has consistently been the second ranked team in the 17U Chesapeake Region, right behind Metro.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> (6 - James Madison), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181242' first='Shylah' last='Swope']</strong> (15 - William &amp; Mary), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden']</strong> (17 - New Hampshire), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475116' first='Jocelyn' last='Pye']</strong> (28), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464589' first='Julia' last='Kelly']</strong> (31), libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181279' first='Kadi' last='Pynchon']</strong> (45 - Lafayette), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235289' first='Adalene' last='Rodgers']</strong> (68), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235325' first='Skylar' last='Giulani'] </strong>(99, Emory)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] </strong>Elite (5/335)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they earned their bid - [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] won their Old Dominion Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They played in the Premier Division in the Charm City Challenge and won there. Playing in a couple National Qualifiers got them a 5th place finish in Liberty at the Lone Star Qualifier as well as a 37th place finish in the Northeast Qualifier (USA Division). They ended the tournament season with a fifth place finish at the East Coast Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - middle<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='309022' first='Peri' last='Linterman'] </strong>(8 - James Madison), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465297' first='Grace' last='Ostvig']</strong> (78), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523344' first='Jordan' last='Carter']</strong> (83), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523341' first='Makailah' last='Ford']</strong> (90), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523343' first='Elsie' last='Afful']</strong> (110), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523345' first='Hayden' last='Ayers'] </strong>(129), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='294589' first='Maya' last='Tillman'] </strong>(131), libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='535062' first='Alysia' last='Diaz'] </strong>(watch list)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>American</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier</strong> (6/309)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they earned their bid - They finished 4th in the Chesapeake Regionals. When Virginia Elite received a reallocated bid to play in the National Division Premiere grabbed the American Bid. A solid team worth watching. Because they play out of Delaware we lack information on the players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] </strong>(3/104)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they earned their bid - They finished third in the Chesapeake Regional for a Freedom bid. The New England Region reallocated their bid placing Paramount in the American Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] did play in the Triple Crown and finished 53 out of 120 teams. In the four National Qualifiers they failed to earn a Open bid, finishing 21st twice as their best result. A second place finish in the Mid-Atlantic Power League was an impressive effort. They defeated teams like [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] and Metro 16, though they lost to Metro 16 in the finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - left side <strong>Adriana Perodin</strong> (32, class of 2024), setter <strong>Paige Ahakuelo</strong> (29, class of 2024 - Delaware State), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181309' first='Brianna' last='Holladay']</strong> (9 - Virginia Tech), libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235291' first='Sadee' last='Gedse']</strong> (13), left side/middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='225187' first='Simone' last='Schaefer'] </strong>(14), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248705' first='Zoe' last='Ryu']</strong> (32). right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181311' first='Skyler' last='Tennant']</strong> (37), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181235' first='Sydney' last='Mayfield']</strong> (44), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235306' first='Brianna' last='Washington']</strong> (50 - Memphis), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] </strong>(6, class of 2026), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington'] </strong>(13, class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club']</strong> (9/1245)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they earned a bid - Finishing second in the Old Dominion Regional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They played in two National Qualifiers (Sunshine and Northeast) and failed to earn a bid in the USA Division. It appears their last tournament occurred in early May, a fifth place finish in the Coastal Clash. Probably need to shake off a little rust with some scrimmages before they leave for Las Vegas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - East Coast and I have not been travelling in the same volleyball tournament circles. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465317' first='Kathryn' last='Nguyen']</strong> (130), Actually saw her setting for Peninsula High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freedom</strong> (USAV reallocated the Old Dominion slot to the Heart of America Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liberty Elite </strong>(22/797)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they earned their bid - They finished sixth in the Chesapeake Regional. Liberty Elite eared a spot in Freedom after Paramount received a bump up to National.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They have played in a couple National Qualifiers (Salt Lake and Northeast) but failed to earn a USA and Liberty bid. Liberty Elite did finish 5th in Salt Lake falling just short of earning a Liberty bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346735' first='Emily' last='Ryder'] </strong>(65), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481964' first='Nevaeh' last='Ware']</strong> (66)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Juniors </strong>(10/401)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["184604"],"_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-6678b84726bff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A solid libero who brings quickness and athleticism to the position. A team leader on the court as well. This year she got an opportunity to play on the 18 team when they played in Baltimore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Juniors carries weapons at both the pins and middles. They need the steady passing and hustling defense that Nia provides at libero in order to create their offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they earned their bid - They finished fifth in the Chesapeake Regionals and as a result received a bump up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - Virginia Juniors did play well in the East Coast Championship, finishing third in the Beast of the East. The three National Qualifiers (Northeast, Lone Star and Show Me), one for Open and two for the USA Division did not go so well. For the Capitol Hill Classic they dropped to 29th. In their first tournament, National Harbor they finished second, losing to Virginia Elite in the finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230817' first='Riley' last='Lynch']</strong> (21), Middle/Right Side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496520' first='Rowan' last='Johnson']</strong> (22), Libero<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='184604' first='Nia' last='Thomas']</strong> (27). left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier']</strong> (29), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284195' first='Daisy' last='Pentorn'] </strong>(69), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181245' first='Anisa' last='Flowers']</strong> (75), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223581' first='Skylar' last='Johnson']</strong> (91), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246316' first='Jackie' last='Colucci'] (</strong>133), DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245602' first='Bridgette' last='Templeton'] </strong>(136), <strong>Porcha Limsunang </strong>(watch), left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='181306' first='Norah' last='Oppenheim'] </strong>(watch)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->