DMV 15U Teams Competing at USAV Junior Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the last group to review at Junior Nationals. A total of ten teams for this age group. That stands out as the best for any age. The 14s will bring 9 teams to Junior Nationals, but I have not seen enough of their play to fairly evaluate them. One Open team at this 15U event. The future shines bright for the younger teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["296486"],"_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-6684876c1345a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The top prospect for the class of 2027. She plays middle. Paramount prefers to run the higher sets in the middle to Taylor. When you clearly stand out as the top offensive performer on the team and those middle sets travel a little higher she normally attracts two blockers. More times than not she puts the ball away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A very intense player. Plays this game to win, but still enjoys the play on the court. She recently received an invite to a NTDP. Getting some good national attention. A player to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']</strong> (2/50) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How They got there - They actually lost to Metro in the finals of the Chesapeake Qualifier. Almost a month later and a fifth place finish in the Northeast Qualifier earned them an Open Bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - From a talent perspective this team stands out as probably the top team. They proved it by qualifying for Open. They also finished ninth at the Show Me. Their trip to Kansas City for the Triple Crown proved an eye opener (69th). They will play the same teams at Vegas. They will hope for improved results.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington']</strong> (1), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart'] </strong>(11), left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther']</strong> (15), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='298857' first='Ingrid' last='Smith']</strong> (19), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks'] (</strong>23), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455102' first='Erin' last='Green'] </strong>(28), left/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437448' first='Eva' last='Collingham'] </strong>(36), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485504' first='Sydney' last='Miller']</strong>, right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534058' first='Alexa' last='Bracey']</strong>, right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238595' first='Sofia' last='Delarosa']</strong> (37, class of 2026), libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536716' first='Diane' last='Nzoupet'] </strong>(class of 2028) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>National</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro</strong> (1/87)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["437441"],"_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-6684876c134c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hunter stands out as another middle that deserves attention. She ranks number five in our class of 2027, but number three as a middle. When she puts a quick set down she looks more like someone from the class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a frosh she helped Flint Hill capture another championship. Opponents found hitting around her block difficult. Only Ryla Jones (Pittsburgh) put together more blocks. She also brought some offense to Flint Hill, finishing third in hitting percentage and fifth in kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro carries talented pins. Hunter's effectiveness in the middle allows them to hit against single blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How They Got there - They beat [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] in the finals of the Chesapeake Qualifiers. While [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] finished fifth in the Northeast Qualifiers, Metro stumbled to 20th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - Metro only played in two National Qualifiers (Sunshine and Northeast) and they finished 20th in both. They did capture the Capitol Hill Classic as all the other Metro age groups did. While they beat [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] when it counted the most, at the Chesapeake Regionals they did lose to them in the finals of the Mid Atlantic Power League (MAPL). At the Sunshine Regionals Metro beat Paramount to win the rubber match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</strong> (5), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377396' first='Alexa' last='Telly'] </strong>(6), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'] </strong>(8), right side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton'] </strong>(9), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum']</strong> (10), left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='437457' first='Jasmin' last='Tucker']</strong> (12), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='469197' first='Olivia' last='Garey']</strong> (17), middle/right side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='437446' first='Alli' last='Robinson']</strong>, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='478903' first='Barrett' last='Bolter'] (</strong>25), left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='437985' first='Zora' last='Dimbo']</strong>, middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473872' first='Jocelyn' last='Gill']</strong> (39), right side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='437988' first='Sasha' last='Plummer']</strong> (41), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470447' first='Evelyn' last='Donovan']</strong> (44), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438077' first='Averi' last='Hanna']</strong> (52)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MVSA Charge </strong>(9/361)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How They Got there - MVSA finished fourth in the Chesapeake Regionals, falling just short of qualifying. They received a reallocated bid from the Bayou Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They have put together a number of fifth place finishes (Mid-Atlantic Power League/Hampton, Charm City Challenge/Baltimore and East Coast Championships/Pittsburgh). A 17th place finish in Capitol Hill Classic would have been better if they did not lose their last two matches. The lone National Qualifier they played in was Northeast. They finished 28th in the USA Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='491007' first='Ana' last='Djordjevic']</strong> (14), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465322' first='Siyena' last='Fitsum']</strong> (31), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465326' first='Saesha' last='Dhote'] </strong>(35), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438058' first='Vivian' last='Ngan']</strong> (43), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438053' first='Lucille' last='Deraleau']</strong> (59), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529440' first='Emilia' last='Zhang'] </strong>(70), DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438118' first='Amelia' last='Cheng']</strong> (80), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529444' first='Kathryn' last='Giesecke'] </strong>(97) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] Black</strong> (8/807)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they got there - They won the Old Dominion Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They also have two teams from the same club qualifying at different age groups, with [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] Pink joining them in the Nationals. Black played in two National Qualifiers. For Sunshine they played in the Liberty Division and finished 19th out of 64 teams. For the other they played in the Northeast Division and finished 30th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - I have not had a chance to see them play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Juniors</strong> (3/48)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["357402"],"_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-6684876c13518"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The number two prospect in the class of 2027. At 6'2" you would expect her to fill a middle position. Not so. Coco brings the quickness to play an excellent back row, creating offense in six rotations. Teams find out early that Coco receives most of the sets and clearly stands out as the player to stop if you want to beat Virginia Juniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another fun player to watch, especially when she starts to hit the ball through the blocks. Still seems a little quiet for her on the National front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they got in - Initially they earned a bid in the Freedom Division with their third place finish in the Chesapeake Qualifier. They upped that in April with a second place finish in the USA Division in the Northeast Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They are the third of five teams in the Chesapeake Region that fall in the top 100 nationally in this age group. Before the Northeast Qualifier Juniors finished ninth in the Sunshine Qualifier. In some of the local tournaments they finished fifth in the Capitol Hill Classic and first in the National Harbor Showdown. They can bring five players to the front row who stand above 6 feet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Coco' last='Lewis']</strong> (2), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd']</strong> (26), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='359401' first='Chloe' last='Barth']</strong> (30), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530367' first='Ava' last='Gill']</strong> (34), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel']</strong> (38), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438070' first='Camryn' last='Coulther']</strong> (53), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484960' first='Kinsley' last='Zebatto'] </strong>(56), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438091' first='Catherine' last='McIntyre']</strong> (72), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan']</strong> (22, class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>American</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maryland Juniors </strong>(5/71)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["506629"],"_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-6684876c13562"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She belongs to the class of 2026 but plays for the 15 team. Her middle play is worth the watch. She puts the ball away leaving openings for the pins [player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='438097' first='Haile' last='Ma'] to hit outside against just a single block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She should rank somewhere in the top 30s in the class of 2026, but I finished the 2026 rankings before looking at who in that class for Maryland Juniors 15 belongs in the rankings. Shame on me. While Dylann making the next rankings is pretty certain the opportunity to rise exists depending on her performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they got in - Maryland Juniors finished fifth in the Chesapeake Regional, losing only to Premier Edge and Virginia Juniors. They got an American Bid with the advance of Juniors to the USA Division and Paramount to Open. They are also the fourth Chesapeake team to finish in the top 100 nationally. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] is the fifth, but they chose to play in AAUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They have ended their season well with first place finishes in their last two tournaments (East Coast Championship and Coastal Classic Championship). During the East Coast Championship they also beat MVSA Charge. In National Qualifiers they just missed qualifying for the USA Division, finishing ninth in Sunshine and fourth in Northeast. Virginia Juniors beat them in the Northeast to earn their USA bid. Virginia Juniors also beat Maryland Juniors in the finals of the National Harbor showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - [player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge'] (7), [player_tooltip player_id='438097' first='Haile' last='Ma'] (48), [player_tooltip player_id='438098' first='Kennedy' last='Williams'] (66), [player_tooltip player_id='529246' first='Jordyn' last='Allen'] (69), [player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li'] (92), [player_tooltip player_id='528705' first='Victoria' last='Small'] (95), [player_tooltip player_id='506629' first='Dylann' last='Loggins'] (mid 30s, class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Premier Edge</strong> (7/312)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How They go in - They finished sixth in the Chesapeake Regionals but were reallocated a bid from the Excelsior Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - A solid team from Delaware. They played in one National Qualifier, finishing ninth out of 96 teams in the Liberty Division of the Northeast Qualifier. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Even though they play in the Chesapeake Region, Delaware players are not yet ranked. Perhaps next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>540 volleyball academy</strong> (3/1018)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443570"],"_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-6684876c135a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This class seems to flow with talented middles. Lexiana qualifies as a sleeper. Next year she hopes to fill the middle spot for class 5 state champion Colonial Forge. She currently ranks number 32 in our class of 2027. Still working on improving that polish running the quicks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the players who stood out from the first DMV showcase. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they got in - Finished second in the Old Dominion Qualifiers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They played in two National Qualifiers (Sunshine and Northeast) and finished 45th and 46th. Not a lot of success there. A second place finish at the Old Dominion Qualifier gives them an opportunity to play in the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443570' first='Lexiana' last='Everetts']</strong> (32), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='483591' first='Willa' last='Voto'] </strong>(94), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436122' first='Arianna' last='Mancari']</strong> (class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freedom</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liberty Elite</strong> (11/604)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they got in - With all the bump ups Liberty Elite managed to earn a bid despite their seventh place finish in the Chesapeake Regionals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Info - They played in three different divisions in their three National Qualifiers. In Windy City they finished 28th in USA Divsion, Show Me 21st in American and Northeast 37th in Liberty. Now they get to improve their skills playing against the best in the Freedom Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Libero/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438087' first='Lauren' last='Chu'] </strong>(57), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438088' first='Kasey' last='Moser']</strong> (61), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438085' first='Jenna' last='Yoder'] </strong>(68), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529446' first='Heather' last='Mclean']</strong> (91), left side [player_tooltip player_id='530395' first='Ella' last='Grove'] (99)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Coast Volleyball Pink </strong>(6/728)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they got in - They finished third in the Old Dominio Regionals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Ino - If you look at their Advanced Event System Ranking the Pink ranks higher both locally and nationally than the Black. Their finishes tend to be a little higher, but they play against teams at the club level while Black plays Open. The one National Qualifier they played in (Northeast) they finished 52nd in the Liberty Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch - Like the Black I have not watched any of the Pink play. Another opportunity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->