Shock and Awe at Chesapeake Regionals 18

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a number of surprises at the Chesapeake Regional 18 championships. if you were a number one seed, 75 percent of those teams went home without a bid, and that included <strong>Metro.</strong> It was the Chesapeake Region's form of March madness. The lone number one seed to survive the madness, <strong>Liberty Elite</strong> ended up winning the event. They were the fourth number one seed. The details of the carnage are provided below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pool Play</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["235283"],"_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-67c5d045b6461"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Racquel clearly stood out as one of the hardest hitters in the tournament. She shows no fear when taking full swings at the ball. On occasion she found the block once too often forcing the Paramount coach to take her out to reflect on the sidelines. Despite that, he never lost faith in her, always quickly putting her back in the lineup. Racquel put together some critical kills that led Paramount to a big upset of Metro in the Chesapeake Regional championships and a second place finish to earn an American regional bid in Junior Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the class of 2025 Racquel is one of two players in the top 25 of the class of 2025 yet to commit. Her game has vastly improved since you probably last watched her play so she may be worth a new look. Her back row play has improved by leaps. Think a smaller version of <strong>Akasha Anderson.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tournament began with four three team pools. The first place team from each pool would earn a bye while the second and third place teams would battle it out to play one of the first place teams in single elimination bracket format. Any club making it to the final four earned a bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the number one seed <strong>Metro </strong>won their pool it was not without some foreshadowing. They handled <strong>American</strong> with a 25-16, 25-11 sweep. Their next opponent <strong>MVSA Chaos</strong> took three sets to take down <strong>American,</strong> 25-27, 25-23 and 15-8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MVSA Chaos</strong>, led by Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic']</strong> provided the first shock of the tournament by beating <strong>Metro</strong> in the first set 25-22. <strong>Metro </strong>appeared to have things under control when they won the second set 25-9 but the third set they barely escaped with a 16-14 victory. Although they advanced out of their pool in first place warning signs flared.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second number one seed <strong>Virginia Elite</strong> also escaped from their pool undefeated but<strong> Metro North </strong>gave them some trouble. They could find no answers to stop the high flying <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321678' first='Elaina' last='Murphy']</strong>. In the first set she had the game winning spike to give Metro North a 25-23 win. In the second set she produced three kills to tie the game at 21, 22 and 23. A missed serve gave <strong>Virginia Elite</strong> a 24-23 lead. Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='501551' first='Skylar' last='Giuliani'] </strong>was rejected on a quick tempo set, but the ball traveled high enough after the block for her to fling a two handed set untouched deep into area one for a 25-23 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third set <strong>Metro North</strong> jumped out to a 6-2 lead, three coming on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321678' first='Elaina' last='Murphy']</strong> kills. [player_tooltip player_id='181279' first='Kadi' last='Pynchon'] strung together a four point serving run punctuated by an <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235289' first='Adalene' last='Rodgers']</strong> kill to give Virginia Elite an 8-7 lead. Another Rodgers kill extended the lead to 11-8. A <strong>Gabriella Garcia </strong>ace and a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756376' first='Keara' last='Zaranski']</strong> block tied the set at 11-11. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> produced two kills and then finished off the match with an ace for a heart palpitating 15-13 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a match off Virginia Elite played [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] with the winner earning the first place bye. In the first set a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier']</strong> kill tied the score at 25-25. A Virginia Elite hitting error followed by a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248705' first='Zoe' last='Ryu']</strong> kill gave [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] the first set 27-25. The second set <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos'] </strong>put together back to back kills to win set two 25-22. She would contribute six kills in set three to allow Virginia Elite to cruise to a 15-8 third set win earning the first place bye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third pool saw number one seed <strong>Virginia Juniors</strong> and <strong>Columbia </strong>sweep<strong> MOCO Mavericks</strong>. <strong>Columbia</strong> then pulled off the first upset with a three set 26-24, 15-25,15-9 win over <strong>Virginia Juniors</strong>. For <strong>Columbia [player_tooltip player_id='749341' first='Katy' last='Harbaugh']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756369' first='Sofija' last='Simendic'] </strong>impressed with their middle play while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756374' first='Zuri' last='Brock']</strong> set but also played a scrappy defense to keep rallies alive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the fourth pool both number one seed <strong>Liberty Elite</strong> and <strong>Maryland Juniors</strong> swept <strong>MOJO</strong>. <strong>Maryland Juniors</strong> then swept <strong>Liberty Elite</strong> 25-22, 25-23 to upset a second number one seed. [player_tooltip player_id='393939' first='Gabrielle' last='Washington'] finished off the second set with consecutive kills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Playoffs </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["346737"],"_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-67c5d045b6506"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chloe set a 5/1 for Liberty Elite leading them to a first place finish in the Chesapeake Regional bid championships. She did an excellent job of moving the ball around while still having the awareness of her go to hitter. The left hand hitting right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346735' first='Emily' last='Ryder'] </strong>was virtually unstoppable in this tournament. Chloe did a good job of distributing her sets to all her hitters but knowing that when a point was required Emily was her target.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chloe has committed to Lehigh. After watching her play that rank at 115 needs to rise. Emily has committed to Shepherd. She ranks at number 26, one behind [player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier']. They and [player_tooltip player_id='248705' first='Zoe' last='Ryu'] ranked at number 12 were the hitting stars of the tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='569805' first='Larissa' last='Blair'] also shined from the left side. Ranked at 103 she led Boonsboro to a Maryland Class 1 state championship. Now she brings another notch to her belt. The 5'10 Larissa has yet to commit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first round of the playoffs [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] swept <strong>MOCO</strong> to set up a match with <strong>Metro</strong> while <strong>Virginia Juniors</strong> swept <strong>Metro North</strong> to next face <strong>Maryland Juniors</strong>. <strong>Liberty Elite</strong> swept <strong>American</strong> to advance for a match with <strong>Columbia</strong> while <strong>MVSA Chaos</strong> swept past <strong>MOJO</strong> to next do battle with <strong>Virginia Elite</strong>. Not a lot of surprises here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest jaw dropper was [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] knocking off Metro. In the first set they jumped out to an early 7-1 lead many of their points coming on Metro errors. Metro began to whittle away at the lead, closing to 10-13 after a middle kill by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235284' first='Caitlin' last='Johnson']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248705' first='Zoe' last='Ryu'] </strong>gave [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] more breathing room with a kill and ace and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier']</strong> contributed two blocks to put [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] ahead 20-15. A <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181309' first='Brianna' last='Holladay']</strong> ace and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong> kill pulled<strong> Metro</strong> to within one at 20-21. Back to back kills by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248705' first='Zoe' last='Ryu']</strong> gave [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] more space at 23-20. That set the stage for a [player_tooltip player_id='223581' first='Skylar' last='Johnson'] kill to give [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] the set one win 25-21.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro </strong>appeared back on track in set two. Despite falling behind early 4-0 they won the second set pretty convincingly 25-15 with [player_tooltip player_id='235293' first='Destini' last='Pickett'] contributing six kills. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] also had to deal with an injury to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='183589' first='Angelique' last='Desamours']</strong> that made her unavailable for the remainder of the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third set <strong>Metro</strong> jumped out to an early 8-3 lead with middles<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='235284' first='Caitlin' last='Johnson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181309' first='Brianna' last='Holladay'] </strong>contributing four kills and two blocks. Paramount clawed back eventually tying it 12-12 with a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181235' first='Sydney' last='Mayfield']</strong> block of Bullis teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181300' first='Alexis' last='Ewing']</strong>. A <strong>Metro</strong> serving error, setting error and hitting error gave [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] a 14-13 lead. Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='184604' first='Nia' last='Thomas']</strong> ended the affair with an ace. The shock and awe rocked through the gym with <strong>Metro</strong> eliminated from the tournament without earning a bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shortly after that the second number one seed <strong>Virginia Juniors</strong> found themselves eliminated by <strong>Maryland Juniors </strong>15-25, 25-18 and 15-12. <strong>Virginia Elite</strong> soon became the third number one seed knocked out of the playoffs by <strong>MVSA Chaos</strong> 25-16, 25-21.<strong> Liberty Elite </strong>became the lone number one seed to advance to the final four with their 25-14, 25-12 sweep over <strong>Columbia</strong>. The <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346735' first='Emily' last='Ryder']</strong> left handed right side swing was starting to make some big time noise. All it took was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346737' first='Chloe' last='Fisher'] </strong>to keep feeding her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four teams now had bids to the Junior Nationals. Now it was time to determine the Division. <strong>Liberty Elite </strong>swept past <strong>MVSA Chaos </strong>25-17, 25-16 while [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] also swept past<strong> Maryland Juniors</strong> 25-20, 25-21.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the finals <strong>Liberty Elite</strong> took an early 5-2 lead as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569805' first='Larissa' last='Blair']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346735' first='Emily' last='Ryder']</strong> shared two kills each. When <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235324' first='Rowan' last='Johnson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier'] </strong>pulled off a combo block on [player_tooltip player_id='346735' first='Emily' last='Ryder'] to make the score 5-6 Liberty Elite, no team could capture a lead of more than one point until a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284195' first='Daisy' last='Pentorn'] </strong>ace gave [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] a 23-21 lead. Liberty Elite responded with a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569805' first='Larissa' last='Blair']</strong> kill off a block and two<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='346737' first='Chloe' last='Fisher']</strong> aces to pull to within one of the set one win. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='569805' first='Larissa' last='Blair']</strong> ended the set with a kill for the 25-23 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] jumped out to an early 6-2 lead. A <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569805' first='Larissa' last='Blair']</strong> kill tied the set at 9-9. Two [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] hitting errors broke a 15-15 tie and eventually gave <strong>Liberty Elite </strong>a 19-15 lead. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='284195' first='Daisy' last='Pentorn']</strong> served up an ace for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] to pull to within one at 21-22, however kills by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569805' first='Larissa' last='Blair']</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='346735' first='Emily' last='Ryder']</strong> put them within one point of the match win. That happened on a<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='569805' first='Larissa' last='Blair']</strong> swipe off the block. <strong>Liberty Elite</strong> captured the National Division bid while [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] settled for an American bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the third place match <strong>MVSA Chaos</strong> swept past <strong>Maryland Juniors</strong> 25-8, 25-23. While both teams earned Freedom bids, <strong>MVSA</strong> earns the first trickle up opportunity if <strong>Liberty Elite</strong> or [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] win a higher Division at existing qualifiers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->