MVSA Sparks Fly at the Chesapeake Showdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MVSA 16 Sparks won the Chesapeake Showdown, first downing their second team in the semi-finals and then beating their 15 first team in the finals. Three of the four teams in the final four were MVSA teams in the 15/16 age group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 13/14 age group the finals were between two [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] teams. The [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 13 Jaz came out on top beating [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 14 Anderson. Both Paramount teams defeated MVSA teams in the semi-finals to advance to the finals. Details of the tournament below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15/16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <strong>MVSA Sparks </strong>lost only one set the whole tournament, a 25-20 first set loss to Synergy in pool play. Synergy is a team from the Keystone Region. MVSA bounced back from that first set loss to take the next two sets 25-22, 15-10. For Synergy, they had already lost to MOCO Mayhem earlier in pool play. That dropped them to the second division. <strong> MOCO Mayhem</strong>, seeded fourth in their pool, surprised all by eventually making it to the semi-finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sparks did not give up more than 20 points to any other opponent during the tournament. They were the number one seed after finishing first in the Northeast Qualifier in the American Division and earning a USA bid by finishing fourth in the Big South Qualifier. This win would be their 5th tournament victory of the club season. Their next big tournament before the Junior Nationals will be the East Coast championships in late May.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big offensive contributors for the Sparks were left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438097' first='Haile' last='Ma']</strong> and 6'3" middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465322' first='Siyena' last='Fitsum']</strong>. Last year Haile played for Maryland Juniors while Siyena has improved her offensive game from the previous year. They have also moved<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='438053' first='Lucille' last='Deraleau']</strong> from the middle to left side, which allows her to contribute more to the offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772008' first='Meera' last='Patel'] </strong>has taken over the other middle position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They also have the fast arm swing of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752045' first='Maya' last='Dorsam']</strong> on the right side. At the Volley by the James I show her setting a 5/1 but at this tournament she was strictly firing bullets from the right side. The setting was shared by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438058' first='Vivian' last='Ngan']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772012' first='Chloe' last='Tanseco']</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='491007' first='Ana' last='Djordjevic'] displayed her defensive chops as the libero while<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='438118' first='Amelia' last='Cheng']</strong> helped out as a defensive specialist. Amelia also helped with the offense getting credit for a back row kill against the BAVA Breakers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the semifinal match against Sparks, the MVSA second team <strong>Fusion</strong> battled them, led by the offensive play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529440' first='Emilia' last='Zhang']</strong> and the libero play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772013' first='Nia' last='Rodriguez']</strong>. A big kill by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465322' first='Siyena' last='Fitsum']</strong> gave the Sparks a 16-15 lead in the opening set. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772008' first='Meera' last='Patel']</strong> produced a big block and a kill by [player_tooltip player_id='438053' first='Lucille' last='Deraleau'] ended the first set 25-18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set the MVSA Sparks jumped out to an early 10-1 lead. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465322' first='Siyena' last='Fitsum']</strong> contributed two blocks and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='438058' first='Vivian' last='Ngan']</strong> banged out two aces to establish the early lead. The Sparks cruised to a 25-15 win. The results against the <strong>MVSA Charge 15</strong> in the finals were similar with Sparks winning easily 25-10, 25-18. The second set was close at one point 17-16 but a couple Charge hitting errors to go with back to back kills by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465322' first='Siyena' last='Fitsum']</strong> gave the Sparks a 22-17 lead. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438118' first='Amelia' last='Cheng']</strong> finished the match off with an ace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Charge were led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='697424' first='Ellie' last='Silberfeld']</strong> who set a 5/1. Her main offensive performers were left sides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772016' first='Molly' last='McWhorter']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778720' first='Jordyn' last='Goh']</strong>. On close sets to the net Ellie was able to dump them over for some critical kills when playing MOCO Mayhem in the semi-finals. She showed a little bit of trouble clicking with the middles on the quick tempo sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MOCO Mayhem were led by middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772019' first='Jasmine' last='Kastens'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772018' first='Isabelle' last='Pierre']</strong>. Isabelle swung lefthanded making her more suitable for the right side. Quick sets to left handed hitters can be slow moving because they cross past the body before reaching the hitters left hand. This can also act as an advantage because middles are not used to blocking left handed hitters playing middle. Another player who impressed was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772022' first='Tihut' last='Tesfaw']</strong> from Monument, as well as <strong>Madison Parks</strong> from BAVA Breakers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>American Red 16 </strong>lost the challenge match to get into the gold to MVSA Charge. They won the first set 25-20 but MVSA Charge bounced back to win the next two 25-19, 15-7. American would go on to win the silver bracket, beating BAVA Breakers in three sets 23-25, 25-15 and 15-13. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448705' first='Danika' last='Swanson']</strong> shared the setting duties with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772025' first='Kaitlin' last='Thomas']</strong>. Normally, when I watch American play Danika sets a 5/1. With Kaitlin setting Danica was able to show off her hitting abilities from the right side. She produced a couple kills with well driven balls, always a thrill for a setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589268,"width":"372px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/127-Sadie-Barrer.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589268" style="width:372px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='530368' first='Sadie' last='Barrera']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772026' first='Sydney' last='Brudvig'] </strong>brings some height to the middle. Still seems a little raw but she shows potential. The back row is steady, led by the play of libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530368' first='Sadie' last='Barrera']</strong> and defensive specialist <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='609504' first='Brooklyn' last='Rothwell'].</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13/14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 13/14 age group I only got to watch the four teams who played in the gold bracket finals. <strong>Paramount</strong> and <strong>MVSA</strong> each had two teams in the finals, but Paramount reigned supreme. The Paramount 13 Jaz team knocked off MVSA force 25-22, 25-14, while the Parmount 14 Anderson eliminated MVSA Dynamite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Paramount outsides <strong>Nyla McLaurin</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849196' first='Leyla' last='Landry']</strong> were just too much for MVSA Force to handle. Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='875280' first='Hailey' last='Page'] </strong>played excellent defense and dug most of the balls hit at her. She also served well, picking up a couple aces. Finally, setter <strong>Kylie Thompson</strong> did a good job setting as well as putting balls away with her left handed swing from the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paramount Jaz qualified for Junior Nationals by finishing second in the Chesapeake Bid Regional Championships. It appears they were bumped up to play in the National Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team they beat, MVSA Force also will be playing in the Junior Nationals. They finished seventh in the Chesapeake Bid Regional Championship but earned a bid after Metro and Maryland Juniors earned bids in the Open and USA Division. The Force were also led by their left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='762829' first='Angela' last='Zhang'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772027' first='Ema' last='Sedlo Stucka']</strong>, as well as libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763157' first='Olivia' last='Li'].</strong> Olivia had her hands full trying to dig the missiles blasted to her from <strong>Nyla McLaurin</strong> hitting balls from the back row and front row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other semi-final match featured Paramount 14 Anderson and MVSA 14 Dynamite. Paramount swept 25-21, 25-17. Paramount was led by middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772030' first='Timi' last='Onamuti']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772034' first='Giselle' last='Conley']</strong>, as well as left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772028' first='Sofia' last='Gelston'].</strong> Sofia acted as floor captain, played six rotations and provided the bulk of the offense while also playing stellar defense when in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MVSA Dynamite received strong play from middle <strong>Cameron Smith</strong>, <strong>Kaia Hostetler </strong>and right side <strong>Leighann Ekoe</strong>. Kaia played back row but provided offense there with some back row attacks. On the roster her position shows left side but she only played back row in this semi-final match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the finals Paramount 13 Jaz won the first set 25-20 but Paramount 14 Anderson stole the second set 25-19. The third set saw <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772028' first='Sofia' last='Gelston'] </strong>produce her third kill of the third set to give Paramount Anderson an 11-10 lead. A <strong>Nyla McLaurin</strong> kill, her fourth of the set tied it at 11-11. <strong>Bridget Ward</strong> served an ace to give Anderson the lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755848' first='Mihika' last='Mamidi']</strong> responded with a kill of her own to tie the set 12-12. After the Paramount Anderson serve <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755857' first='Caitlin' last='Sallee']</strong> mad a great dig of a hard driven ball, but no one went after the ball. After it hit the floor, the Jaz took a 13-12 lead. They were able to finish the game off with a <strong>Nyla McLaurin</strong> kill and a <strong>Kylie Thompson</strong> ace. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->