540 VB Elite Dominates the Shamrock Showdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With many of the top Chesapeake teams not playing in the Shamrock Showdown (Metro, [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''], [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) it was <strong>540 VB Elite </strong>who won most of the open events at the Shamrock Showdown. They won the 17/18 Open, 16 Open, and 15 Open. The two [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] Blue teams playing in the event took the 14 and 13 Open. <strong>540 VB Elite</strong> finished second in the 14 Open. The [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 12 team won the 13 Club Division and you can read a little bit about that below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all the age groups the 12 teams were broken down into two six team pools. Each pool then broke out into two sets of three team pools. This created an environment where teams were either playing or working. The teams played four matches the first day, with the final match playing on the last day. Since I coached a team playing in the event it did not give me much time to watch the other teams play since for the most part I was coaching or officiating.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17/18 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":516575,"width":"219px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/Kadie-Cardozo1.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-516575" style="width:219px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='397192' first='Kadie' last='Cardozo']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two teams from the first pool who made it to the gold bracket were <strong>108 BVC Hybrid </strong>and <strong>American Red</strong>. While American Red lost their last match to <strong>540 Club National </strong>in three sets they had already clinched the pool by beating 108 BVC Hybrid in the previous three set match. In the third set against 108 BVC Hybrid American Red won 20-18. It also took them three sets to win their second match of the day against a talented Volley Viet club, taking the third set 15-13.<strong> Volley Viet </strong>finished third in the pool. 108 and American were the only two 18 teams in the pool.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>American is led by left sides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470561' first='Grace' last='Francis']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='186445' first='Alexis' last='Dietterick']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235294' first='Ema' last='Ilijoski']</strong>. <strong>Claudia Arjona </strong>and <strong>Dailey Davis</strong> share the setting duties while a trio of defensive specialists libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245602' first='Bridgette' last='Templeton']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='609602' first='Allison' last='Cibrian-Martinez']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245603' first='Porcha' last='Limsumang'] </strong>give the team a strong base.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='574146' first='108' last='Beach Volleyball Club'] Hybrid is led by 6'3" middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='608994' first='Emma' last='Sofis']</strong> and <strong>Madeline Stohr</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760159' first='Avery' last='Boyd'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235304' first='Addison' last='Higgins'] </strong>share the setting duties. Addison stays in the front row and hits a strong right side. Also playing the pins were <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760160' first='Brooke' last='Heim']</strong>, <strong>Caroline DiClemente</strong> and <strong>Kelsey Bowler</strong>. Class of 2026 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397414' first='Isabella' last='Park'] </strong>took charge of the libero role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Volley Viet </strong>carried a couple strong players from Falls Church high school in setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248668' first='Eliana' last='Tamayo'] </strong>and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='664150' first='Nalani' last='Applehans'].</strong> They also had Madison setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455177' first='Briana' last='Vo'] </strong>rostered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>540 VB Elite</strong> went undefeated in the other pool. They did play two three set matches against <strong>American 17 Red</strong> and the second place team <strong>River City Volleyball Academy</strong>. 540 VB Elite won the 17/18 Division last year playing as a 16 team while <strong>RCVA </strong>finished in second last year in the 16 Open to [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. River City took the second set 27-25, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710426' first='Emerson' last='Combs']</strong> banging the game winning spike. Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='620687' first='Jordan' last='Ellis']</strong> led 540 VB Elite to a 15-10 third set victory with a couple slide kills and a game ending block in the middle. <strong>MVSA Blaze</strong> finished third with both of their losses coming against 540 VB Elite and River City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>540 VB Elite</strong> is led by setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</strong>, who now stands 6'0". She ran some nice slide sets to<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='620687' first='Jordan' last='Ellis'] </strong>while setting a 5/1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333653' first='Elizabeth' last='York']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='609533' first='Madeline' last='Dumais'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221415' first='Lindsey' last='Canty']</strong> handle the pins. Lindsey recently committed to North Carolina-Pembroke. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397192' first='Kadie' last='Cardozo']</strong> handled libero responsibilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>River City</strong> is led by left sides<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='519343' first='Dylan' last='Cline']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710426' first='Emerson' last='Combs']</strong>, both strong players from Midlothian high school. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760164' first='Emma' last='Corker']</strong> showed a good swing from the middle and even corked one from the left side to give River City a 25-24 lead in set two against 540 VB Elite. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='526878' first='MacKenzie' last='Dodge'] </strong>handles the setting role while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760169' first='Annika' last='Dodge']</strong> takes on libero responsibilities. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='527009' first='Ella' last='Sumser']</strong>, another Midlothian player shares the middle responsibilities with Corker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the gold medal bracket match <strong>American Red</strong> swept past <strong>River City</strong> 25-21, 25-18. <strong>540 VB Elite</strong> also swept past <strong>108 VBC</strong> 25-22, 25-6. In the finals American won the first set 25-22 while 540 battled to take the second 25-13. The third set 540 edged out American 15-13 to repeat as 17/18 champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 Open </strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589255,"width":"378px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/115-Aniyah-Brevard.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589255" style="width:378px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='476422' first='Aniyah' last='Brevard']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>540 Club Elite</strong> won one of the pools with a perfect 5-0 record. They swept through all their opponents. The only battle they had was in their first match against <strong>MOCO Mayhem</strong>, who they beat 28-26, 25-22. They did manage to escape another two point win against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] Orange in their fourth match 25-16, 25-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the players who impressed for 540 in the one match I watched were left sides<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='537906' first='Jalyn' last='Barnes']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760174' first='Sophia' last='Morin'] </strong>as well as middles <strong>Karinne Goodrum</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='577515' first='Sierra' last='Beaver']</strong>. Jalyn is a bit undersized but brings a variety of shots and locations to her hits. Sophia brings a strong serve and showed her ability to power a back row attack. Sierra runs the quick tempo sets well, while Karinne brings some height at 6'0" while also running the quick tempo sets well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536957' first='Ava' last='Young']</strong> showed off some impressive kills from the right side while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='476422' first='Aniyah' last='Brevard']</strong> and <strong>Elia Sloan</strong> shared setting duties. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760183' first='Keely' last='Kwiatkowski']</strong> filled the libero position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Tony grabbed the second spot. In their last match they beat [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] Orange 20-25, 25-20, 16-14 to earn a gold bracket spot. They were swept by <strong>540 Club Elite</strong> 25-20, 25-17. [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Tony lacks a lot of players in our top 150 rankings in the class of 2026. They are led by left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530394' first='Christine' last='Baybayan']</strong>, their highest ranked player at 115 and setter/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='701939' first='Josephine' last='Pairel']</strong> ranked at 131. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='535050' first='Hailey' last='Howard']</strong> also shares in the setting duties while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='706453' first='Ela' last='Yilmaz']</strong> covers the back row responsibilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the other pool [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Josie finished undefeated at 5-0. They were coming into this tournament with an impressive second place finish at National Harbor and a 9th place finish at the Sunshine Classic out of 128 teams in the American Division. They lost two sets, one to <strong>American Red</strong> and another to the second place finisher <strong>Braddock Road Volleyball Club</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728459' first='Ali' last='Joyce']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='444617' first='Kamilla' last='Hendrix'] </strong>run the offense. The offense is led by left sides<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='536741' first='Lacey' last='Bogues'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471485' first='Kaelyn' last='Wharton']</strong>. The left sides are undersized but they both pack a wallop when they hit the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='532908' first='Olivia' last='Stroupe']</strong> can also play left side or right side. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445966' first='Emerson' last='Barbrow'] </strong>brings the height from either the middle or right side at 5'11". <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='719026' first='Ella' last='Jaques']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760189' first='Era' last='Rruka-Stanton']</strong> fill the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was my first look at<strong> [program_tooltip program_id='431413' first='Braddock' last='Road Youth Club']</strong>. They edged their way into the playoffs with a second place finish, defeating American Red in a three set match. They won the last two sets 25-23, 15-13 while losing the first set 25-23. This was their third three set match win. They also beat <strong>540 Club National </strong>16-14 in a third set match. [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Josi beat them in a third set 15-12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the Braddock Road players who impressed were the 6'4" middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438124' first='Angela' last='Kramer']</strong>. Her game is still a little raw but the potential is staggering. Last year she played for the Madison Junior Varsity team. Definitely a player to watch. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760207' first='Delia' last='Brooks Terceros']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760212' first='Vivian' last='Seifert'] </strong>played a strong left side. <strong>Hailey Nelson </strong>also brings some height in the middle. Impressed with the libero play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760223' first='Miah' last='Henderson']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the playoffs the two [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] teams battled it out. [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Tony won the third set 17-15. <strong>540 Club Elite </strong>easily handled <strong>Braddock Road</strong> 25-12, 25-9. The finals against [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Tony was not so easy but 540 Club Elite prevailed 25-23, 25-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Josi and [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Tony will play in the Chesapeake Bid Regional championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15 Open </strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589157,"width":"396px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/2-Ilana-Collingham.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589157" style="width:396px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='521323' first='Ilana' last='Collingham']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Elite </strong>dominated their pool, losing only the one set to second place <strong>Braddock Road</strong>. They lost the first set 25-20 then bounced back to win the next two 25-18, 15-12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Elite</strong> carries some talented players on their roster led by setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612396' first='Natalie' last='Hobson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='521323' first='Ilana' last='Collingham']</strong>. Natalie also stays in the front row when she is not setting to hit right side, The 6'0" middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749640' first='Kiara' last='Oguno']</strong> already reaches 9'9" with her approach jump. Left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='587036' first='Olivia' last='Black']</strong> also has some height at 5'10" to generate some explosive offense from the pin. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749639' first='Elise' last='Silvey']</strong> brings an impressive 9'3" approach jump to also create some offense from the pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431413' first='Braddock' last='Road Youth Club'] </strong>justified their top seed by finishing second in their pool. Their only match loss was to <strong>Virginia Elite,</strong> although <strong>108 BVC Black</strong> and <strong>540 VB National </strong>took them to three. BRYC won the third sets by a narrow 15-13 against 540 and 15-12 against 108. Middle/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='696208' first='Kiley' last='Foster']</strong> brings some height at 5'11" while setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='664951' first='Micki' last='Millsaps']</strong> did a good job of feeding <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227251' first='Morgan' last='Williams']</strong> at Lake Braddock high school. Unfortunately, I did not get to see the Braddock Road 15 team play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>540 Club Elite</strong> finished undefeated in their pool. They swept past all their opponents with only <strong>Premier Edge</strong> scoring 20 points against them in a 25-23 loss. 540 throttled second place <strong>MOCO Menace</strong> 25-19, 25-12. Left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='466369' first='Cailin' last='Connors']</strong> ranks the highest on 540 at number 54. She performed well at the Prep Dig showcase earning a top performer award. Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='602392' first='Elise' last='Nair']</strong> also performed well at a Prep Dig showcase at the Sunshine Qualifier in Florida. The sister combo of outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='609590' first='Leah' last='Eggleton']</strong> and setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='627365' first='Alexa' last='Eggleton']</strong> bring a good connection to the court. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587035' first='Maggie' last='Race'] </strong>also contributes to the setting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOCO Menace</strong> took the second place honors with their only loss at the hands of<strong> 540 Club Elite.</strong> Their last match against <strong>Premier Edge</strong> earned them a second place after they beat Premier in three sets 26-24, 17-25 and 15-11.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the playoffs <strong>MOCO </strong>pulled off the upset with a big 28-26, 27-25 win over <strong>Virginia Elite</strong>. 540 Club Elite continued their dominance with a 25-18, 25-19 sweep over BRYC. MOCO almost pulled out another upset in the finals. After losing the first set to 540 25-17 they just barely lost the second set 26-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] won their pool, their only set loss coming against <strong>540 Club Elite,</strong> the third set ending 15-8. In their other matches they did not allow their opponents to reach 20. Outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749353' first='Brielle' last='Wolf'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749357' first='Ellie' last='Palmer']</strong> as well as middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749349' first='Avery' last='Curtis']</strong> are players who have stood out for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in past tournaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>540 swept all their opponents until they played [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] where they lost in thee. I did not see them play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOCO Magic</strong> went undefeated in their pool. They finished second at the National Harbor tournament. They got a bit of revenge in the Shamrock by sweeping Virginia Juniors 25-19, 25-16, a team they lost to at National Harbor in the finals. Defensive specialist <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754674' first='Clark' last='Rodney'] </strong>and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754676' first='Gia' last='Capaldi']</strong> kept balls from hitting the floor with their defensive prowess. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754667' first='Katja' last='Nagy']</strong> provided offense from the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Juniors</strong> and <strong>Coastal Volleyball Club Navy</strong> tied for second with 3-2 records. Juniors swept Coastal 25-11, 25-12 in their match to jump out to a 3-0 start. They stumbled in their final two matches, losing to <strong>American Blue Ashley</strong> 25-20, 21-25 and 15-10 as well as MOCO Magic Their head to head win over Coastal still earned them a second place finish. Right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754655' first='Bella' last='Pereyra']</strong> and left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754650' first='Madison' last='Meiring']</strong> impressed at National Harbor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] easily handled <strong>Virginia Juniors</strong> 25-14, 25-14 while <strong>540 Club Elite</strong> slipped past <strong>MOCO Magic</strong> 25-19, 25-23. In the finals [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] toasted MOCO 25-16, 25-22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Watch Out for These Younger Sisters</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 13 Open [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] swept through all their opponents to win the championship. <strong>Charlotte Barvick</strong> and <strong>Veronica Barvick</strong> are two players to watch. They both play for the Junior Varsity at <strong>Chelsea Academy</strong> and their older sisters have all made appearances in our rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='625566' first='Olivia' last='Barvick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='239323' first='Ava' last='Barvick'] currently play for the Chelsea Academy varsity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 12 also won the 13 club division. One player setting looked familiar showing good hands for the position. When I looked her up on the roster her last name was Johnson. The coach informed me that the player I was watching was <strong>Raynah Johnson,</strong> the younger sister of our top ranked player in the class of 2028 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='511457' first='Breeze' last='Johnson']</strong>. Breeze is focusing on beach this season and is listed as a practice player for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 17. A player also on the team that I failed to notice during the warmups was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223581' first='Skylar' last='Johnson']</strong>, also the sister of Breeze. Both Sky and Ray belong to the class of 2031. They are ranked number 2 in the region and number 42 nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watch out for those younger sisters rising through the ranks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->