17U USAV and AAU Championship Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the last in our review of the 14-17 age groups in the USAV Junior Nationals in Dallas and the AAUs in Orlando, Florida. With the Prep Dig showcases last weekend I had to put them off a week. The Metro 17 team plays in the Open division in the USAV Junior Nationals. This team carries a number of Division I committed talent. In AAUs Virginia Elite is the only team competing in Open. They are also playing in the Freedom Division in the USAV Junior Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">USAV Junior National Championship</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Open Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Earned their Bid</strong>- Metro finished second in the Big South to qualify for a bid. They also finished second in the Show Me Qualifier, fifth in the Northeast and Sunshine Qualifier as well as third in the JVA Summerfest. They won the Chesapeake Bid Regional tournament, which intially earned them a national bid as well as taking the DC Capitol Hill Classic championship. This is a team that appeared to under perform as a group last year that now seems to be playing to their elite potential this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - They rank number one in the Chesapeake Region while perching at number 18 nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong> - Too much talent on this team to name just one player, but if forced it would go to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong>, who earned a selection again on the U.S. U19 National team. She will play in the U21 World championship, which is not scheduled until August 5-18. Their first group practice is not until July 27 to August 4 so she should be available to play. She ranks as the top player in the 2026 class but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> does not fall far behind at number two. Caydence is probably the more complete player as a six rotation left side. Nadiya has committed to Baylor while Caydence appears committed to Marquette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch </strong>- left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227251' first='Morgan' last='Williams']</strong> (Tennessee, #4), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] </strong>(Columbia, # 5), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238341' first='Teodora' last='Stamenkovic']</strong> (#8), pin hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220923' first='Soleil' last='Rancourt']</strong> (#18), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321677' first='Charis' last='Burge']</strong> (Syracuse, #22), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333652' first='Gabriella' last='Vizek'] </strong>(American # 23), right side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='555602' first='Bryah' last='Breaux'] </strong>(Kentucky #24), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325600' first='Taryn' last='Su'] </strong>(#25), libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] </strong>(George Washington #26), libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong> (#4 class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong> will play for the U21 Junior National team in Indonesia if she earns a spot on the 12 woman roster. Last year she made the 20 woman roster but did not make the final cut. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321678' first='Elaina' last='Murphy']</strong> started the season on the Metro North regional team. The 5'6" left side can hit the ball hard. She may not play a lot of front row, but watch for her as a back row offensive player. She ranks number 65 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">National Division&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":754273,"width":"445px","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:445px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Paramount 17</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Earned Their Bid</strong> - They finished second to Metro in the Chesapeake Bid Regional Championship. When Metro earned an Open bid [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] earned the bump up from American to National. They did compete in Triple Crown and finished 45th out of 108 teams. In Open Qualifiers their best finish was a 14th in the Northeast Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - # 3 regionally, while hitting at # 196 nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325603' first='Parker' last='Sutherland']</strong> can really shut down a team with her blocking. She appears to read the setters well. At 6'3" she can also be an offensive force in the middle. Ranked at #7 in our class of 2026 she has yet to commit. She may not have the quickest movement or the best vertical, but she makes the plays with her volleyball IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch</strong> - middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325599' first='Raegan' last='Lentz']</strong> (#10), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238356' first='Morgan' last='Reeves']</strong> (#11), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington']</strong> (#12), libero/ds<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='412055' first='Lilly' last='Kennedy']</strong> (#30), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325601' first='Sydnee' last='Peters']</strong> (#46), libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493358' first='Kennedy' last='Cummins']</strong> (#50), middle/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='498420' first='Meisha' last='Sykes']</strong> (#53), setter <strong>Avery Prendergast</strong> (#31 2025), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart']</strong> (#9, 2027), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks']</strong> (#19 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong>: The one year I coached a 12 team for [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] they had a first team and a second team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='412055' first='Lilly' last='Kennedy']</strong> did not make the first team. In my defense she hit outside then, converting to a back row player a couple years later. <strong>Avery Prendergast</strong> played only one year for Bishop O'Connell, her senior year. With her setting a 5/1 O'Connell for the first time in their school history won both the state as well as a WCAC championship. Still not committed she might be a good one to take a look at. In fact, this whole team lacks a committed player, unusual for the talent level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='498498' first='Virginia' last='Wave']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Earned Their Bid </strong>- They won the Old Dominion Bid Regional Championship. Most of the Old Dominion clubs play in the AAUs. The Old Dominion Region tends to struggle when playing in the USAV. The only national qualifier they played in was the Northeast where they finished 9th out of 92 teams in the Liberty Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking </strong>- They rank first in the Old Dominion Region while ranking 346 nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong> - She belongs to the class of 2027 but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465315' first='Ana' last='Breckons']</strong> is a 6'0" middle who can also power the ball from the right side. She rose to #43 in our class of 2027 ranking based on her performance with Grafton, which finished second in the Virginia Class 3 state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch</strong> - libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238858' first='Allyson' last='Burke']</strong> (#61), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752063' first='Anna' last='Moody']</strong> (WL), outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746353' first='Caroline' last='Clements']</strong> (WL), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752065' first='Leah' last='Rounds']</strong> (WL), left side [player_tooltip player_id='752075' first='Julia' last='Kinney'] (WL 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238858' first='Allyson' last='Burke']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465315' first='Ana' last='Breckons']</strong> both play for Grafton High School. Grafton has played in the finals of the Virginia state championship for the last eleven seasons. They have lost all eleven final matches, nine in Class 4 and the last two in Class 3. Perhaps this coming year their fortune will change.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">American Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Coast Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Earned Their Bid</strong> - East Coast finished second in the Old Dominion Bid Regional Championship. They did not fare well in the two national qualifiers they competed in, finishing 71st out of 81 teams in the Sun Shine Classic and 54th out of 70 teams in the Northeast. Both were in the USA Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - 13th in the Region and 1,018 nationally. If they can earn a spot in the gold bracket it will be quite the accomplishment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong> - Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='707593' first='Kenzie' last='Smith']</strong> lists at 6'2" and plays both middle and right side. She can generate a little more offense when playing right side but her height in the middle creates difficulties for offensives to hit around. She ranks at 49 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch</strong> - middle<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='519180' first='Marian' last='Ratchford']</strong> (# 147), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='643807' first='Alayna' last='Cole']</strong> (# 152), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752059' first='Sydney' last='Peterson']</strong> (WL) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Juniors </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732555,"width":"377px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Skyler-Riley1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732555" style="width:377px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='716365' first='Skyler' last='Riley']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Earned Their Bid</strong> - They finished third in the Chesapeake Bid Regional Championship to earn a Freedom bid, but the Northeast Region reallocated an American bid to them. They played in both the Northeast and Show Me Regional with their best finish a 26th in the USA Division. They seemed to come together to place third in the East Coast Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - Their good showing in the East Coast Championship bumped them up to number two in the region and 271 nationally. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong> - Left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='322107' first='Eden' last='Tardy']</strong> is a six rotation outside who brings the offense for Virginia Juniors. Listed at 5'10" she falls a couple inches short of joining the ten foot club with her approach jump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch</strong> - seter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray']</strong> (# 19), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='479659' first='Eliza' last='Lowe']</strong> (# 44), right side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='369729' first='Fallon' last='Gyapong']</strong> (# 64), libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='434861' first='Bailey' last='Swinton']</strong> (#115), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324765' first='Camille' last='Ciambruschini'] </strong>(#125), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='716365' first='Skyler' last='Riley'] </strong>(# 81 2027), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='500510' first='Violet' last='Masiello']</strong> (# 94, 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray']</strong> is following in the footsteps of her older sister <strong>Ava Ray</strong>. Ava also set for Riverside and Virginia Juniors. She ranked number 36 in our class of 2023 and now sets for Southern Texas. Sydney has one upped Ava by setting Riverside to a Virginia Class 5 state championship. She currently ranks at number 19 in our class of 2026. Is a national championship next?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Freedom Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589229,"width":"353px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/87-Lana-Cvijetinovic.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589229" style="width:353px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='725756' first='Lana' last='Cvijetinovic']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Earned Their Bid</strong> - A sixth place finish in the Chesapeake Bid Regional Championships actually gave them a bump up to the Freedom Division. They played Open in a couple Qualifiers, and their best finish was 37th out of 46 teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Rankings</strong> - 18th regionally and 384 nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='204152' first='Sofie' last='Ferrell'] </strong>ranks at number 15 in our class of 2026. A smooth setter that knows how to operate an offense, whether running a 6/2 or 5/1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch</strong> - middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472234' first='Tessa' last='Fergusson']</strong> (#37), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='355124' first='Fiona' last='McDermott'] </strong>(# 41), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377334' first='Josephine' last='Seekford']</strong> (Arkansas State # 47) , right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='483129' first='Louise' last='Z Atiz']</strong> (# 63), libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238365' first='Molly' last='Gardner']</strong> (Bridgewater #72), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377397' first='Ellyson' last='Miller']</strong> (#86), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725756' first='Lana' last='Cvijetinovic']</strong> (#98), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485504' first='Sydney' last='Miller']</strong> (# 87 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact </strong>- middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472234' first='Tessa' last='Fergusson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='355124' first='Fiona' last='McDermott']</strong> blocked Georgetown Day to a D.C. state championship. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377397' first='Ellyson' last='Miller'] </strong>hit both right and left side to lead Bishop O'Connell to a VISAA state championship. [player_tooltip player_id='725756' first='Lana' last='Cvijetinovic'] hit left side to give Holton Arms an Independent School League "A' championship. A lot of high school champions on this roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] </strong>(Marissa) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":763453,"width":"327px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/team-photo-at-chrva.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-763453" style="width:327px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Marissa earning first National Bid</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Earned Their Bid</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] took a fifth place finish in the Chesapeake Bid Regional Championship. That earned them a Freedom bid with the bump ups. They played in two national qualifiers. Their best finish was an 9th place out of 128 teams in the American Division at the Sunshine Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Rankings</strong> - 8th in the Region and 507 nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>T<strong>op Player to Watch</strong> - Not a team filled with superstars but players who jell as a team. Their highest ranked player sits at 128. At 5'7" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475397' first='Amaya' last='Bowles']</strong> is a smaller outside who can still put maximum velocity on a volleyball. One of many players who is more than the sum of her skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other players to Watch </strong>- setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='535101' first='Kamora' last='Mack']</strong> (# 146), libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='693829' first='Ella' last='Kliner']</strong> (# 153), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='354086' first='Nina' last='Schweigert']</strong> (# 165), left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='728441' first='Jaylen' last='Burgess'] </strong>(# 192), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='734897' first='Amara' last='Pope']</strong> (WL), middle/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754926' first='Caroline' last='Chubb']</strong> (WL), libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754929' first='Keira' last='McManus']</strong> (WL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - This is the first year [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] earned not one but two spots in the USAV Junior Nationals. The 16 team Josi is also playing in the Freedom Division. Last year a couple teams played in the Patriot Division. A few of those players competed in the showcase at Las Vegas. This was my first exposure to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='535101' first='Kamora' last='Mack'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='354086' first='Nina' last='Schweigert']</strong> They will be having two showcases in Dallas, one on the 24th and the second on the 29th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">AAUs Nationals</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Open Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Elite</strong> - See the USAV Nationals above. They will play in AAUs June 21-24 then travel to Dallas for the USAV to play in the Freedom Division on June 30th to July 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Premier Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":764515,"width":"211px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/IMG_1908.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-764515" style="width:211px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']</strong> - They are good enough to play in the USAV Junior Nationals in at least the USA Division. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] earned two USA bids finishing third in Mideast and first in Northeast Qualifiers. Both bids were turned down. They have also beaten Metro 17, who is playing in Open in the USAV Junior Nationals. If you look at their schedule they have not finished less than third in any tournament they have competed in. Expect a top five finish in AAUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - 5th regionally and 64th nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players to Watch</strong> - Both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']</strong> (#3/157 Arizona State) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong> (#6/166 James Madison) made the national ranking., the first time for a [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] player. Both have combined their skills to lead their high school James Wood to three straight Class 4 Virginia State championships. Prior to their arrival James Wood had yet to win a state championship. Kennedy will play beach for Arizona State but Brenna will hit the hard court for James Madison. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] has also added practice player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='511457' first='Breeze' last='Johnson']</strong> to the roster. She ranks #1 in the class of 2028. The 6'0" setter/right side also focuses on the beach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other players to watch</strong> - middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320815' first='Tenley' last='Mattison']</strong> (#27), ds/libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320814' first='Alycia' last='Miller']</strong>(#57), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490057' first='Avery' last='Lefman']</strong> (#79), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525340' first='Olivia' last='Smith']</strong> (#119), middle/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='527011' first='Dreu' last='Patterson']</strong> (#137), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='739911' first='Colette' last='Mercker']</strong> (#199), right side <strong>Addison Ziegler</strong> (#27 2025), <strong>Lauren Hobbs</strong> (#30, 2025, Christopher Newport)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - James Wood did not use a libero last year because middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320815' first='Tenley' last='Mattison']</strong> plays six rotations. The 5'5" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong> hits left side finishing number two on the team in kills. For [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] Tenley does not play six rotations because Brenna plays libero for the middles. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='739911' first='Colette' last='Mercker']</strong> ranks number 199 in our class of 2026. When you realize she did not pick up volleyball until high school you have to be impressed with her play. Expect a bump up in her rankings after watching her improvement this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":516124,"width":"203px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/89-Aubrey-Parker-rotated.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-516124" style="width:203px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>540 Elite</strong> - They did well in their last tournament winning the East Coast championship. They played in two national qualifiers. The Northeast Qualifier they finished in fifth place and the Sunshine 25th. Both were in the USA Division. They run a very fast offense. A fun team to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - Number two in the Region behind [program_tooltip program_id='498498' first='Virginia' last='Wave']. However they surpass [program_tooltip program_id='498498' first='Virginia' last='Wave'] nationally ranked 127.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong> - setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</strong> runs a fast paced offense. Few sets travel higher than the antennae. Currently she sets a 5/1 but when setting a 6/2 she hits right side. She lists 5'11" but she appears closer to 6'0" now. Surprisingly, still has not committed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch</strong> - left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221415' first='Lindsey' last='Canty']</strong> (# 17, UNC Pembroke), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333653' first='Elizabeth' last='York']</strong> (#32), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397397' first='Jasmine' last='Williams']</strong> (#34 Christopher Newport) libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397192' first='Kadie' last='Cardozo']</strong> (#62 Gardner-Webb), setter/libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290419' first='Sanai' last='Jones']</strong> (#92 Rowan), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464563' first='Elizabeth' last='Robinson']</strong> (# 124), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778715' first='Kayla' last='Cotton']</strong> (WL), libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484405' first='Brenna' last='Raymond']</strong> (#198)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact:</strong> Currently <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333653' first='Elizabeth' last='York']</strong> lists at 6'3". I've been told that her father played basketball and was 7'1" though I have not seen him appear at a game yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']</strong> - RVC plays strictly AAUs. They did play in a National Qualifier, the Northeast, finishing third out of 70 teams. In their most recent tournament, the Gran Prix they finished first,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Rankings</strong> - 8th Regional while sitting at 235 nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch </strong>- Since they play in mostly JVA tournaments I do not see a lot of their play. Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='322106' first='Bailey' last='Loving']</strong> ranks at 100. She has impressed me with her hustle while playing at St. Catherines. She earned second team VISSA All State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch</strong> - left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='497909' first='Riley' last='A. Forehand']</strong> (# 101), right side/setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='693827' first='Simone' last='Lawson']</strong> (# 108), setter/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722276' first='Kenstin' last='Phelps']</strong> (# 168)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fac</strong>t- [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'], [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] ad 540 Club Academy finished 1, 3, 5 in the Northeast Qualifiers in the USA Division. The trio will compete in the Premier Division in AAUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732548,"width":"294px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Riley-Stever.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732548" style="width:294px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='587625' first='Riley' last='Stever']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>American Red</strong> - The one national qualifier they played in they finished ninth out of 128 teams in the Northeast Qualifier American Division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking </strong>- tenth Regionally and 579 nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238850' first='Sydney' last='Bennett']</strong>, a 6'2" middle who can dominate a game. She ranks number 21 in our class of 2026 but with a more aggressive approach she could rank higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other players to Watch</strong> - setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='367784' first='Alexis' last='Steinmetz']</strong> (# 60), libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587625' first='Riley' last='Stever']</strong> (# 78), libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='696415' first='Jenna' last='Swale']</strong> (# 91), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464562' first='Elizabeth' last='Gordon']</strong> (# 113), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753053' first='Gretchen' last='Gottschalk']</strong> (WL), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753047' first='Olivia' last='Schulz'] </strong>(WL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->