Players to Watch for Paramount at Triple Crown

A number of states from Prep Dig are writing about their teams competing at Triple Crown in Kansas City. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] is the lone DMV club competing in the Triple Crown. They went through a long and arduous process of evaluation before earning acceptance to the event. This is their second year competing. If you listen to the experts only the best of the best compete in the Triple Crown. Metro would be playing in this as well if they were not holding their own tournament (Capitol Hill Classic) which is held the same weekend. Here is a quick synopsis of the 15-18 teams for Paramount competing at Triple Crown and the players to watch.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16   They clearly stand out as the most talented team. In a recent MAPL tournament they defeated Metro 17 twice and Metro 16 to win the tournament. They rank as the top team in the Chesapeake Region and number eight nationally, according to Advance Event Systems (AES). Unfortunately, when seeding was done to establish the power pool [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] fell one short of qualifying. They will have to let their play earn them a spot next year. If they play to their potential they will finish in the top 32, which happens to be the number of teams in the power bracket.    Clearly the most talented player for this team. The National Team Development Program (NTDP) has invited her to a number of events. At 6'3" she dominates the middle. While she can hit quick tempo sets [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] seems to be more comfortable setting her the high sets at various locations along the net. Opponents try to double team or triple team her but she still finds a way to put the ball down.   This year Paramount appears loaded along the outside so opponents will not be able to focus on her in the middle. That creates a lot more opportunities for her to generate an offense. It would not surprise me to see them finish in the top 32 this year.   Taylor reaches 10'2" with her approach jump and skies to 9'8" when blocking. This makes it difficult for teams to generate an offense without her responding to their attacks. A very emotional player who loves to compete. If you are a teammate you love her. Conversely, if you are an opponent you may dislike her. Regardless, you have to respect her.     Last year she played for Maryland Juniors and stood out as their top hitter. For [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] she becomes a secondary player which makes her dangerous on the outside. Unlike at Maryland Juniors teams will not cheat on her.   Annika plays a very strong six rotations for a player 6'1". Her game still remains in the developmental process but the progress is impressive to see. Against some of the better blocking teams she has a tendency to hit the ball into blocks rather than trying to hit the ball high off the blocks or finding holes in the blocks. She has the intelligence to adapt.   If teams can only single block her because they are focusing on Taylor she can bring the pain with hard driven spikes into the court. The more she plays for Paramount the more comfortable she will get with their system.   Annika flies high over the net at just over 10 feet. When her and Taylor are in the front row together, they form a great wall over the net.     Last year she played for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. While she currently stands at 5'10" it would not surprise me to see more growth. Aaliyah stands out as probably the most athletic player on the team. She can fly to the net, also reaching 10 feet with her approach jump.   Aaliyah dominated from the outside at the MAPL tournament. She is difficult to block because she creates so much velocity with her fast arm swing that the balls ricochet off the hands in many unpredictable locations. At MAPL she was the go to girl on the outside.   Another player still getting used to the team chemistry.     [player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah'] is a very impressive player when she hits outside. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] prefers to use her in the middle. While she is not as dominant as Taylor she can hit the quick tempo sets. Last year she played for [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] so adjusting to the new setters, especially on the quick tempo sets takes some time.   Alyssa brings an approach jump just short of 10 feet. When with 540 they played her six rotations when she hit outside and even used her as a passer when she played middle. An impressive player to watch on the court.     As a libero Diane has an instinct for the ball. She belongs to the class of 2028 so she plays up. Rarely do I see a shanked pass come from her platform allowing the team to run their offense. She also likes to play pepper with the opposing hitters, positioning herself on the court for the dig. Extremely quick in the back row.   She teams with [player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther'] and [player_tooltip player_id='437980' first='Katherine' last='Madden'] to create a stingy back row that allow few balls to hit the floor. Last year Kayla hit left side but her 5'7" height limited her against the really taller blocks at the higher levels. Now Kayla prefers to frustrate hitters by digging the best they can offer.    [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15   They sit at number two in the Chesapeake Region, behind Metro 15 and fall to number 14 nationally. A lot of height on this team but also some rawness. It appears they were six teams away from reaching the power pool.    At 5'8" she is undersized for an outside. However, that did not stop her from getting the game winning kill when Langley defeated Chantilly 16-14 in the Class 6 state championship. Her approach jump currently reaches 9'5" but she brings the instincts to know where to hit the ball. She also plays a solid six rotations, including generating offense from the three meter line.   If Rujuta fails to grow a couple more inches she could make a strong libero. Like [player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther'] a year ahead of her, when swinging against the taller blocks it becomes much harder to put the ball away. Kayla also reaches 9'5" with her approach jump.     Eireni earned a spot on the Independent School League (ISL) all conference team Division A, one of two frosh to make the team. At 5'11" with a 9'9" approach jump her future is filled with promise.   She first came to my attention at the Prep Dig Frosh showcase where she earned top performer award, along with her Paramount teammates [player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh'] and [player_tooltip player_id='550688' first='Sienna' last='Mitchell']. At the time I did not know all three would become teammates at Paramount.     Sienna shows the versatility to play right side, middle or left side. For Colgan she rotated between right side and middle. She finished third on the team in blocks and fifth in kills. Colgan lost to eventual champion Langley in the first round of the state playoffs,   For [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] her focus appears to be right side although she can easily swing to left side. If they need greater height she brings an approach jump of 9'7".   She brings good intensity to the court.    [player_tooltip player_id='744453' first='Megan' last='Elder'] falls just short of the top 20 at number 22. At 6'2" with an approach jump of 10'2" she gets her hands high over the net. The 6'1" right side [player_tooltip player_id='744456' first='Savannah' last='Parker'] falls just behind her in the rankings at 23. [player_tooltip player_id='545727' first='Giuliana' last='Mastrangelo'] (6'3"), [player_tooltip player_id='720348' first='Milena' last='Kibret'] (6'2') and [player_tooltip player_id='744458' first='Arielle' last='Stopak'] (6'1") also can play middle or right side. They all bring size though their play still needs refinement.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 17   For this tournament they are seeded very low. That just means less is expected of them. If they finish in the middle of the pack the tournament will be a success. The 17 team ranks fifth in the Chesapeake Region and number 80 nationally. At MAPL they lost to [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 17 as well as Metro 16 and 17 to finish fifth. They never got an opportunity to play the Paramount 16 team, who won the event.    At 6'3" she brings good height to the court. She also plays a smart brand of volleyball. Parker led Hedgesville to the West Virginia State championship, leading the team in blocks while finishing second in kills.   While she lacks the pure athleticism of a [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] bringing an approach jump of 9'10 she still creates her share of blocks relying on her intelligence to read the setter. Last year [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] finished fifth in the National Division at Junior Nationals. It seems that wherever she plays her teams have a propensity for winning.   Doing it at Triple Crown will be her biggest challenge. Last year the team finished 61st out of 120 teams, smack dab in the middle of the pack. The hope is to always show improvement.       At 6'0" Raegan is a smaller middle. What sets her apart from other middles is her timing for the quick tempo sets. She seems to have a knack for putting the ball away. She also has the quickness that other middles lack.   For her high school Raegan hits outside, but as with most middles converting to the pin brings timing issues. On occasion she approaches early which results in her hitting underneath the ball. She doesn't seem to carry that same dominance as she does in the middle.   Because of her experience hitting the pins [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] can use her on the right side.      One player to watch is setter [player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast'] who belongs to the class of 2025. A smooth setter who ran a 5/1 for Bishop O'Connell. The Knights have presented a number of good setters over the years but Avery is the first to lead them to a WCAC conference championship as well as the VISAA state championship, all in the same year. She teams with class of 2027 setter [player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks'] who ranks as the number 19 prospect in that class as well as the second ranked setter. At 5'10" she carries some height, although her approach jump only reaches 9'1".   [player_tooltip player_id='238356' first='Morgan' last='Reeves'], [player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart'] share the pin assignments. Louise may be the most complete player when covering six rotations. At 5'9" [player_tooltip player_id='325601' first='Sydnee' last='Peters'] might be considered undersized by many to play the right side. However, her lefthanded swing and 9'10" approach jump puts many balls away. At 6'2" with the ability to approach jump 10'2" [player_tooltip player_id='498420' first='Meisha' last='Sykes'] brings a lot of potential to the middle.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 18   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] ranks number 2 in the Chesapeake Region. Because of their poor performance in qualifiers they are ranked 449 nationally. All but seven of their players have committed.   [player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier'], ranks at number 25 is our second highest player in the class of 2025 without a commitment. She is a physically strong player who hits the ball hard. While her back row play has improved over the years more improvement is needed. [player_tooltip player_id='230817' first='Riley' last='Lynch'] falls just behind her at 27. The 6'2" middle can also play right side. libero [player_tooltip player_id='184604' first='Nia' last='Thomas'] and left side [player_tooltip player_id='183589' first='Angelique' last='Desamours']. are the fourth and fifth ranked players in our top 30 who have yet to commit. Both led Bullis to their first ever AA Division championship.   Interesting that four of our top five players in the top 30 for the class of 2025 who have yet to commit are Paramount players. The other player [player_tooltip player_id='235291' first='Sadee' last='Gedse'] played for Paramount last year and now will compete for Virginia Elite this year. The first player outside our top 30 [player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast'] plays for Paramount 17. Colleges looking for 2025s may want to take a look at Paramount.

A number of states from Prep Dig are writing about their teams competing at Triple Crown in Kansas City. Paramount is the lone DMV club competing in the Triple Crown. They went through a long and arduous process of evaluation before earning acceptance to the event. This is their second year competing. If you listen to the experts only the best of the best compete in the Triple Crown. Metro would be playing in this as well if they were not holding their own tournament (Capitol Hill Classic) which is held the same weekend. Here is a quick synopsis of the 15-18 teams for Paramount competing at Triple Crown and the players to watch.