Day 3 - Paramount Looking for Two Golds

After a 2-3 start for bracket play in the National Division a lot of people would have predicted [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16 would not be competing for gold on day four. They were fortunate that they were the best of the 2-3 teams, which got them a third place finish, allowing them to slide into the second round of gold bracket play.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] pulled off a big upset defeating number one seed Minnesota Lights in three in their opening match. That may have resulted in a bit of a let down in their second match against MAVs. They won the first set 25-19 but then collapsed losing the second set 25-14. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] struggled with passing resulting in a number of out of system sets or free balls that gave the MAVs an opportunity to run their offense.   The third set provided more of the same struggles with passing. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] lost the third set as well 15-10. That put them second in their bracket and a shot for the gold bracket if they could beat the second seed KC Power in a challenge match.   They managed to pull out the first set 25-23. In the second set [player_tooltip player_id='238356' first='Morgan' last='Reeves'] strung together seven kills and [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] found themselves in the gold bracket with a 25-18 second set win. [player_tooltip player_id='325603' first='Parker' last='Sutherland'] injured her foot late in the MAVs second round of bracket play but gutted it out to play in the challenge match. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='325599' first='Raegan' last='Lentz'] does what she does best, putting away the quick sets from the middle position. She ended the match with a quick set kill from setter [player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast']. After that kill let the celebrations begin.   Their first match in bracket play will be against TVC Black at 0800 on court 16.   Meanwhile, their older sisters [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 17 dominated the American Division. They lost only two sets but came back to win the third sets 15-13 and 15-7 to remain undefeated. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 17 relied on class of 2026 setter [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] to run their offense. Her two left sides [player_tooltip player_id='248705' first='Zoe' last='Ryu'] and [player_tooltip player_id='183589' first='Angelique' last='Desamours'] provided much of the offense. [player_tooltip player_id='428533' first='Isabel' last='Morales'] took over the libero role while [player_tooltip player_id='557033' first='Aniah' last='Bass'] provided support from the other left side.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 17 will play their first gold bracket match at 0900 on court 32 against OT Jose.   Virginia Elite was just an officials call from advancing as a higher seed in a challenge match. After beating Az Rev in the opening set 26-24 they appeared to have won the second set 26-24. They briefly celebrated an out hit that would have given them the win, but the up ref ruled a touch had occurred. They played on and lost the second set 28-26. This was followed by a third set loss 15-11.   [player_tooltip player_id='181279' first='Kadi' last='Pynchon'] played some incredible defense at the libero position. Against Minnesota Select in the first set of the round two bracket matches she dug a hard hit ball that resulted in a [player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden'] kill for a 25-24 lead in a second set. They won 26-24 after a net call on the next play to force a third set. She also sprawled to make pancake digs on tips that appeared destined to hit the floor. She changed that destiny a number of times to earn Virginia Elite points.   Another player who stepped up was [player_tooltip player_id='235289' first='Adalene' last='Rodgers'], who played a spectacular left side. Not a particularly tall pin at 5'11" but she put on a good show at these Nationals. She started as a setter, moved to a back row/role player position but then earned a starting role in these championships as a left side. She made some critical kills throughout the tournament.   After the loss to AVC Cle Virginia Elite will play in the Silver Bracket.   Liberty Elite 17 surprised many by becoming the second Chesapeake team to earn a spot playing in gold. Like [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16 they also finished 2-3 after the first day of bracket play. Also like [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''], they finished as the top 2-3 team to qualify for the second round of gold medal play.   As the third seed they lost a heartbreaking third set 15-13 against GP Premier. This after winning the first set 25-22. They bounced back to win their second match against Premier Nebraska 25-21, 29-27. This earned them a second place finish and a challenge match against EP Strive. They won the first set in dramatic fashion 29-27 and then took the second set 25-21 to complete the sweep.   Liberty Elite relies on their lefty swinging right side [player_tooltip player_id='346735' first='Emily' last='Ryder'] and left side [player_tooltip player_id='569805' first='Larissa' last='Blair'] for their offense. Captain Sydney Naill and [player_tooltip player_id='377345' first='Katie' last='Zittle'] share the setting duties. [player_tooltip player_id='481964' first='Nevaeh' last='Ware'] and [player_tooltip player_id='568893' first='Riley' last='Evans'] control the middle. They play an enthusiastic brand of volleyball.   Liberty Elite begins their gold medal play at 1000 AM against AP Adidas on court 29.

After a 2-3 start for bracket play in the National Division a lot of people would have predicted Paramount 16 would not be competing for gold on day four. They were fortunate that they were the best of the 2-3 teams, which got them a third place finish, allowing them to slide into the second round of gold bracket play.