Maryland Jrs Earns First Bid – Paramount Edges Blue Ridge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <strong>Maryland Juniors 14 </strong>team earned the first bid for the DMV area. They finished third in the USA Division in the Sunshine Qualifier. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] also won a battle over [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in a local Maryland Juniors 17 Open tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maryland Juniors Earns First Qualifier Bid</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Maryland Juniors team went to Florida for their first Qualifier, the USA Division. They had been dominating at almost every tournament they played locally, taking first at a local Maryland Juniors 14 tournament, taking first in the 15 open at National Harbor as well as finishing second at Capitol Hill Classic. The loss against an equally talented Metro team has been their only loss this season, a 25-23, 23-25 and 15-11 nail biter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They finished the first two days at Sunshine undefeated, earning them a bye in the gold bracket. Their only real test came during a three set win against LIV Royal 25-17, 25-27 and 15-13. All their other matches were sweeps, with no opponent reaching 20 points. LIV Royal would go on to finish in fifth place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As it turned out having a bye was not necessarily a good thing. Two of the four teams with byes lost their first match in the gold bracket. Maryland Juniors escaped that fate by beating Arete pretty easily 25-11, 25-19. The number two seed in their bracket GJ Nicole also won their match. In the semi-finals the two battled it out with GJ winning the opening set 25-20. Maryland Juniors battled back to dominate the second set 25-13. Unfortunately, that momentum could not be sustained as GJ won the final set 15-13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The loss placed Maryland Juniors in a crucial third place match against PCVC Nalu. The task was simple. Winner earns a bid. It turns out Maryland Juniors was up for the task winning pretty easily 25-19, 25-18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the tournament Prep Dig ran a showcase. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748496' first='Azana' last='Saheed']</strong> won top performer awards. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754613' first='Charlotte' last='Aus'] </strong>earned the standout libero award. Maryland Juniors has a couple more qualifiers on the schedule. Next they can try to win an Open bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOJO Elite Black</strong> also earned a spot in the gold bracket in the 15 American Division. Only the winner of American earns a bid. For Mojo they lost in the first round to Elite Volleyball Red, losing by identical 25-18 scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Coast Volleyball Pink</strong> won six of their first seven matches in the 14 American Division. Their lone loss came against MVC, 25-23 and 25-16 in their first match of round 2 bracket play. After winning their next two matches they played <strong>Virginia Juniors</strong> in a crossover match. Winner earns a spot in the gold bracket. East Coast beat Virginia Juniors in three 23-25, 25-21 and 15-10. Unfortunately, they lost in the first round of the gold bracket to Legacy Adidas 25-21, 25-19. Again, in the American Division only the winner earns a bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Juniors </strong>won their first five matches. The loss to East Coast Pink in the crossover match knocked them down to the Silver bracket. They lost to Tampa North in the first round 25-20, 25-16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Squeaks Past [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in the 17 Open.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":754273,"width":"557px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/02/6506285173731898264.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-754273" style="width:557px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 17</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a local tournament but the competition was intense, especially the finals. Both [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] and [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] finished undefeated in their pool. Academy and Brandywine advanced as the second place teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] had no trouble taking down Brandywine 25-14 and 25-9. In the first set <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325601' first='Sydnee' last='Peters']</strong> started the set off with a block and kill while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325599' first='Raegan' last='Lentz'] </strong>extended the lead to 5-0 with a kill on a quick tempo set and a block. Brandywine pulled to within three at 6-3 but a couple [player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington'] kills followed by a [player_tooltip player_id='325603' first='Parker' last='Sutherland'] redirect and kill put [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] up 11-4. Raegan parlayed additional quick tempo sets into points, combining with [player_tooltip player_id='325603' first='Parker' last='Sutherland'] for six kills from the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the beginning of the second set a Brandywine ace serve gave them a 2-1 lead. After [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] missed a serve Brandywine found themselves only down by one, 6-5. [player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart'] then went on a seven point serving run to take the lead to 14-5. It was all over after that.</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-67bd53cc6542f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In a recent Maryland Juniors tournament Academy finished second in their pool to advance to the gold bracket. They lost to a strong [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] team 25-14, 25-23. Despite the loss [player_tooltip player_id='374420' first='Sadie' last='Fester'] impressed with her setting and leadership qualities during the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She set a 5/1, showing strong hands with her ability to set the ball to the pins no matter where she was on the court. Her sets were varied, with quick tempo and higher sets. She made smart choices keeping the defense off balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What impresses most about Sadie is no matter where the pass travels she shows the quickness to get to the ball, always using her hands to make the set. She also played a strong front row, getting her hands high enough over the net to make a couple blocks from the right side, as well as dumping tight sets to the floor. When watching her actions on the court you knew who controlled the tempo of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After this tournament her status should rise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] did not have any trouble disposing of Academy in the first set, winning 25-14. At one point, an ace by [player_tooltip player_id='390338' first='Rachel' last='Fagin'] put Academy up 11-10. An 8 point service run by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320814' first='Alycia' last='Miller']</strong> put the game out of reach. [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] finished the set off with two aces as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set proved a bit more challenging. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] jumped out to an early lead, at one point up by 17-12. A <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='739911' first='Colette' last='Mercker']</strong> ace even gave them a 22-18 lead. Academy fought back with a kill by [player_tooltip player_id='523340' first='Naomi' last='Lucas'] putting Academy three behind at 19-22. A serving error gave [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] an opportunity to put the game away but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755860' first='Vivian' last='Calhoun']</strong> had other ideas. She put a ball away to close it to 20-23. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another serving error gave [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] match point but Vivian again came to the rescue using the block to return serve. A line kill by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755860' first='Vivian' last='Calhoun']</strong> and a [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] hitting error pulled them to within one 23-24. Right side [player_tooltip player_id='481961' first='Addison' last='Ziegler'] tooled the block to give [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] the 25-23 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["325599"],"_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-67bddb937bc25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One attribute you have to admire about Raegan is her ability to hit the quick tempo sets. Even though she only stands 6'0" her quick feet allow for impeccable timing to get to the ball. No matter the pass she puts herself in a position to hit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While she hits outside in high school she still has a tendency to approach the set too early hitting underneath the ball. She has no timing issues with the quick sets in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Her quickness also makes her effective playing defense in the back row after her serve. With some of the larger middles you hope for aces because their coverage in the back court is minimal. With Raegan she brings defense to her game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was now [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] and [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] for the final, the expected participants. In the first set [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] could not stop [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']. She generated four kills late in the set putting [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] ahead 24-20. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481961' first='Addison' last='Ziegler']</strong> finished off the set with a kill to give [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] the first set win 25-21.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set was all [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. [player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington'] finished with five kills and [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] rolled to a 25-14 win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paramount also took control early in the third set. [player_tooltip player_id='412055' first='Lilly' last='Kennedy'] strung together nine points with her serve to advance the Paramount lead to 11-3. [player_tooltip player_id='481961' first='Addison' last='Ziegler'] went on a rampage with four kills pulling [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] to within four at 10-14. A couple [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] hitting errors pulled [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] to within two 12-14. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325599' first='Raegan' last='Lentz']</strong> finally ended the match with a block to give Paramount the 15-12 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='527011' first='Dreu' last='Patterson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='739911' first='Colette' last='Mercker']</strong> played well in the middle showing off their depth, [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] lost one of their leaders early in the tournament when <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320815' first='Tenley' last='Mattison']</strong> was unable to play due to a minor injury. Her enthusiasm and intensity on the court were missed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liberty Elite Downs American in 14 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As if one 14 open tournament on Saturday was not enough another cropped up Sunday. Both Liberty Elite and American went undefeated in their respective pools. Both teams swept their opponents in the first round of the playoffs. Liberty Elite then won the first set 25-23 at the same time [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] battled Paramount.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second set American found themselves down early 8-14. <strong>Taryn Bowyer</strong> went on a five point serving run with three aces to pull American to within one. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756340' first='Erin' last='Moir']</strong> contributed a couple kills and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756342' first='Olivia' last='Baick']</strong> ripped an ace as well as a back row kill to jettison American to a 21-18 lead. An <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756340' first='Erin' last='Moir']</strong> ace put them one point away from victory at 24-20, which Liberty Elite sealed with a hitting error.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the third set two aces delivered by libero<strong> Tenley Cobb</strong> gave Liberty Elite a 5-4 lead. A four point serving run by<strong> Cara Sims</strong>, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756340' first='Erin' last='Moir'] </strong>putting a ball to the floor and a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='877852' first='Emiko' last='Koppers']</strong>/<strong>Taryn Bower</strong> combo block returned the lead to American 9-5. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aubrey Barnhart </strong>brought Liberty Elite back with a couple kills. Down by one <strong>Payton Sandridge</strong> ended a long rally with a kill to tie the score at 13-13. Two hitting errors by American gave Liberty Elite the 15-13 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Liberty Elite the players who impressed were left side <strong>Payton Sandridge</strong> and <strong>Rylie Wolz.</strong> Libero <strong>Tenley Cobb </strong>controlled the back row well while defensive specialist <strong>Aleah Merrbaugh</strong> filled the court with her enthusiasm. <strong>Acadia Burge </strong>set the ball well while also delivering a strong serve. <strong>Rylan Shupp</strong> brought good height to the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>American impressed with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756342' first='Olivia' last='Baick']</strong>. She hits well from the left side while also showing off her volleyball IQ with her knowledge of the court. When playing defense in middle back she ducked on a spiked ball allowing it to travel out. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='756340' first='Erin' last='Moir']</strong> also hits a strong left side while providing a strong serve with good downward trajectory. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='877852' first='Emiko' last='Koppers']</strong> played a strong right side. <strong>Cara Sims </strong>is a smaller middle who brings a good jump to the position, while <strong>Taryn Bowyer</strong> also plays a strong middle. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763155' first='Angelina' last='Yan']</strong> is not afraid to play defense stringing together a couple good digs to keep rallies alive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->