Day Two – Who is Still Gunning for Gold

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Almost all the bracket play has been completed. Below are the teams that still have chance for gold now that the first round of bracket play is complete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>National 17s</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181242"],"_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-6687abc598bcb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They came into the event as the fourth seed. They swept the second seed Vision during pool play. When bracket play ended TX Performance, Vision and Virginia Elite finished locked in a three way tie for second. Even though Vision carried a better point percentage than Virginia Elite it was the set percentage that got Elite in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even the final match of the day, with undefeated A4 Volley sweeping Virginia Elite 25-17, 25-17 they still managed to squirm into the first round. Vision took both A4 and TX Performance to three while Virginia Elite were swept by both teams. The sweep of Vision proved the difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181242' first='Shylah' last='Swope'] </strong>carried Virginia Elite with her setting, defense and occasional offense in the front row. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> from the left side and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden']</strong> from the right side proved difficult to contain. Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181279' first='Kadi' last='Pynchon']</strong> gave them these opportunities with her precision passing while also playing some scrambling defense. The coach would tell you it was a team effort, but in my eyes these were the three players who stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>American 17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["238357"],"_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-6687abc598c38"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They still have one more match tomorrow morning against Texas Storm. Both teams remain undefeated. Whoever wins will advance as a one seed, the loser dropping to the two seed. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] has lost two sets while Texas Storm only one. Both lost sets to Forza1. Even if Forza1 wins both their sets tomorrow as well, they will lose the head to head battle in the tie for second place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watched [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] in their win over Forza1. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] lost the opener 25-20. They were behind most of the set but did pull to within one 15-16 after a cross court kill by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248705' first='Zoe' last='Ryu']</strong>. Forza1 responded with three straight points. An ace by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248705' first='Zoe' last='Ryu']</strong> pulled [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] to within two at 20-22. After a time out she missed her next serve. Forza1 scored the next two points to finish the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] runs a 5/1 as well, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] </strong>leading the offense. Her favorite target throughout the match seemed to be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248705' first='Zoe' last='Ryu']</strong> who finished game two with a kill to move the score to 24-21 and a final kill to end the set 25-22. She finished the set with at least seven kills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181235' first='Sydney' last='Mayfield']</strong> from the right side and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='183589' first='Angelique' last='Desamours']</strong> from the left were her other two favorite targets. Sydney got a key block late in the game to put [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] ahead 23-19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third set again was finished by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248705' first='Zoe' last='Ryu']</strong>, with a kill to end it 15-11. She finished with at least five kills in that game and one ace. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181242' first='Shylah' last='Swope']</strong> gave [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] the first two point lead in the game with an ace that turned the score to 8-6.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freedom</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liberty Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty Elite came into bracket play as the fifth seed. While they finished with a record of 2-3 they found themselves still with the top set percentage with the two other teams tied with them for that third spot. While they lost to Ignite in three in the last match of the day, they beat BSVBC in three prior to that. They also were the only team to take a set off the first place team AP Adidas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two players who really stood out were middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='568893' first='Riley' last='Evans']</strong> and outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346735' first='Emily' last='Ryder']</strong>. <strong>Giovanna Cirilli</strong> is a smaller left side who created her share of offense, but also provided some sparkling defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 National</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["325603"],"_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-6687abc598c92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As their coach will probably tell you it was not pretty. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] also advanced as the best 2-3 team in their bracket. Sweeping their last match against Excel put them in. They seemed to have settled with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325603' first='Parker' last='Sutherland']</strong> hitting right side while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='498420' first='Meisha' last='Sykes']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325599' first='Raegan' last='Lentz'] </strong>carried the middle load. Both setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377335' first='Mackenzie' last='Davis']</strong> were used in 5/1s as well as 6/2s. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557033' first='Aniah' last='Bass'] </strong>got into some game action, stringing together some critical kills but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238356' first='Morgan' last='Reeves'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='322107' first='Eden' last='Tardy']</strong> were the main pin hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As far as I could see [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] was the only 16 team to advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Welcome The Patriots </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["374420"],"_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-6687abc598cd9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched some of the DMV teams in the Patriot Division. They are the only division in USAV Junior Nationals that does not require earning a bid. Following the AAU format, teams only have to enter to play. I did watch all the teams play and these are some of the players who stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324765' first='Camille' last='Ciambruschini'] </strong>setter Renaissance 16 - She ran a 5/1. Played some good defense for her position and is a battler. She even got a yellow card by trying to talk to the official about a call. Personally, I don't think she deserved it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gabriela Netwall</strong> left side Renaissance 16 - A good all around player. She plays good defense, passes well, hits from the back row and even performed a solid redirect kill. Gabriela swatted the match winning 16-14 kill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='395684' first='Jessica' last='Ding']</strong> setter Renaissance 17 - She also set a 5/1. A good hustler who spent a lot of time lying on the floor chasing balls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Karoline Springman</strong> middle Renaissance 17 - A strong middle who puts the ball to the floor quickly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='374420' first='Sadie' last='Fester'] </strong>setter Academy - She set a 5/1 even jumping up to produce a block. Good hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572033' first='Lana' last='Cvijetinovic']</strong> left side Academy - A strong right arm. She also played some middle. A six rotation player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390338' first='Rachel' last='Fagin']</strong> libero Academy - A solid libero. I don't know if she did this purposefully, but she got under the ball to set it but one front was in front of the ten foot line. Instead of setting it and creating an opportunity for a violation if the hitter attacked the ball, she dumped it over the net for a kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sydney Morris</strong> middle [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Tony - Played a strong middle with a good block</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were others who also attended the National Showcase, but they will be mentioned later. One final note. [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] Black won a three setter against SF Elite in their final match of the day. They won the third set 15-13. The significance of that win is that it was the first for the Old Dominion Region. One club who has yet to win [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] brings a lot of potential to the court. They are still a new club trying to develop a program. Playing against this level of competition will bring about bruises, but it will make the club better. The play here has been very strong at all levels. Even seeing college coaches late in the PM, long after the Open play has been completed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->