Day One: A Day of Struggles

The first day of the 14/15 age group for the USAV Junior Nationals saw a lot of struggles for the local DMV clubs. A common phrase is you are either winning or learning. Today there was a lot of education going on. The overall record for the 15's (ot counting Patriot) 5-14. For the 14's they found themselves at 5-19. The Open teams struggled at 1-8. Got to see many of the players yesterday., First timers come here not realizing how competitive this tournament is.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 Open - [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] </h2>   I did not see [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] play. They are seeded sixth in a six team pool so if they can pull out a match they will better their seed. Yesterday all three of their matches resulted in sweeps but two of those matches were against the top seeds. Perhaps day two will offer different results.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 National - ECVC Black, Metro and [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Cruz</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/Ana-Woods.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589283" style="width:309px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">ana woods</figcaption></figure>   In their pool Metro is the top seed. They rank as the third seed overall. While they swept their first match they fell behind early at 7-3. They battled back with [player_tooltip player_id='536721' first='Ana' last='Woods'] providing offense from the right side while [player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell'] generated offense from the left side. Katherine also whipped out a treacherous jump spin serve that found the floor multiple times. In the first set her swings powered many balls to the floor. As the game was closing her jump spin serves produced two aces, one a wicked one down the line that the passer could only think about passing before it hit court. Katherine ended the set with a back row kill for the 25-21 win.   Good to see [player_tooltip player_id='536727' first='Chika' last='Onukwugha'] back on the floor hitting left side. [player_tooltip player_id='612399' first='Riley' last='Ko'] played some good defense at the libero position as well, picking up a couple aces with her serve. [player_tooltip player_id='536724' first='Ariel' last='Callwood'] found the middle [player_tooltip player_id='612397' first='Eliana' last='Koram'] with a couple quick tempo sets. Eliana also produced a number of blocks. Her hands almost hover over the ball when it approaches to close to the net. The opposing hitter can do nothing with the set but hit it into her block. Finally, middle [player_tooltip player_id='781020' first='Harper' last='Slate'] grabbed some attention with a couple redirect kills.   In their next match Metro lost their first set against CJV Mizuno 25-17. They bounced back to win the next two sets 25-19, 15-11. Overall, they were the only team to finish the first day without a loss.   [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] took the sixth seed in their six team pool. They were swept in both matches they played. Still, a number of players impressed including libero [player_tooltip player_id='787746' first='Isabella' last='Wright']. She hits the floor a lot with her hustle, keeps the team focused with positive communication and strung together a couple aces with her serve. Their defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='786480' first='Ava' last='Davis'] also made a couple nice defensive plays. [player_tooltip player_id='617089' first='India' last='Starr'] seems to thrive hitting on the right side. When blocking she needs to turn her right hand in more to keep the ball in the court. When blocking middle you do not have to worry too much about that.   I did not get to watch [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Cruz play but they came into the tournament as a sixth seed as well. They upset OT Christian in their first match, taking the third set 16-14. MN Select swept them in the second match. A win though is more than you should expect when you are a sixth seed.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 American - Columbia and Maryland Juniors Black</h2>   Columbia ranks as a seventh seed in an eight team pool. In their third set they were able to beat Madfrog Elite Green, taking the third set 15-12. They were swept in their first two matches. Thursday their first two matches are against the top two seeds. Thursday will not be easy.   Maryland Juniors Black also came into the tournament as the seventh seed out of eight teams. They won their first set of the day against Northern Lights 25-20 but they lost their next six sets to finish the day 0-3.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 Freedom - MVSA Charge and Virginia Jrs.</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/9-Ariana-White.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589164" style="width:314px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='587876' first='Ariana' last='White']</figcaption></figure>   MVSA Charge came into play as the second seed in their pool. They got waxed in their first match against MuscleVB Black 25-19, 25-9. They recovered to win their second match 25-8, 25-19. In the second set they trailed by one 19-18 but scored the last seven points to complete the sweep. [player_tooltip player_id='697424' first='Ellie' last='Silberfeld'] continues to control the offense setting a 5/1. Her favorite target continues to be [player_tooltip player_id='778720' first='Jordyn' last='Goh']. MVSA finished the day 1-1.   Virginia Juniors came into their first day matches as the first seed. For at least the first match they experienced inconsistency setting and passing as well as spraying a number of hits past the end line. After losing their first set 25-20 they jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the second set. They lost that lead while stuck in rotation three, where the setter has to cross the court to get to her spot. While in that rotation they gave up seven points.   [player_tooltip player_id='523664' first='Reese' last='Roberts'] and [player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini'] looked strong in the middle hitting on most of their quick tempo sets. [player_tooltip player_id='587876' first='Ariana' last='White'] buried the buried the ball from the left side, but an early approach resulted in a number of hits that traveled out. [player_tooltip player_id='545719' first='Julia' last='Heinzelmann'] brings good height to the right side resulting in a number of kills. They struggled through a 0-2 day.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14 Open - Maryland Juniors and Metro</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1-Harper-Walker.jpg?w=961" alt="" class="wp-image-781831" style="width:232px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='748518' first='Harper' last='Walker']</figcaption></figure>   Rough first day for this duo. For Maryland Juniors they were able to win their first set against Ariz. Rev 30-28. They lost a number of opportunities to win with set point but [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas'] punished a cross court kill for the win. [player_tooltip player_id='753073' first='Aniston' last='Williams'] generated a couple big blocks to keep them at set point. [player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe'] put two balls away to give Juniors 28-27 and 29-28 leads. They lost the second set 25-17 but bounced back to dominate the third 15-8. Maryland Juniors jumped out to a 7-1 lead thanks to a four point serving run from [player_tooltip player_id='748518' first='Harper' last='Walker']. [player_tooltip player_id='753070' first='Avery' last='Lettinga'] saw most of the time at libero.   The next two matches against the top two seeds did not go well. Both Coast and Madfrog swept them pretty convincingly. With two lower seeds on Thursday a sweep will keep them alive for the championship bracket.   Metro had their struggles, getting swept all three matches they played. As the third seed their last two matches were against the top two seeds. In the one set I watched Metro ran a 5/1 with [player_tooltip player_id='750053' first='Alexis' last='Luscomb']. The passing was not really there, with too many passes either going over the net or too close to the net. Time to regoup for Thursday.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14 USA - Virginia Juniors</h2>   Virgnia Juniors is a sixth seed in a six team pool. They were swept in all three of their matches, with their first two matches going against the top two seeds. In the brief set I watch Eileen Kim popped up a good dig on a vicious down the line kill. Thursday a good time to get that groove back.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14 National - ECVB Black and [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/26-Angelie-Rose-Carrasco.jpg?w=875" alt="" class="wp-image-781855" style="width:226px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco']</figcaption></figure>   East Coast Volleyball came in as the fifth seed in a six team pol. They won their second match, taking the third set 16-14. In the first set they battled the first seed Forzai 25-22. The second set resulted in a 25-12 loss. I came away impressed with the play of libero Preslirose Hanks. She moves around the court quickly, creates consistent passing as well as putting up good out of system sets. Right side [player_tooltip player_id='752416' first='Mallory' last='Beeson'] has length and a powerful swing. Left side [player_tooltip player_id='746523' first='Isabella' last='Smith'] shows good shot placement with her hits. She also went on a five point serving run, playing excellent defense in the back row to tie the first set 18-18. At 1-1 call day one a success.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Cozad romped in the first set I saw them play 25-13. Loved watching the enthusiasm of libero [player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco']. She brings a good serve, has strong hands to dig driven balls and quick feet. She also communicates well. [player_tooltip player_id='746620' first='Sahana' last='Cushman'] played a good middle with her redirect kills on oversets. Her hands get high over the net for the block. [player_tooltip player_id='755134' first='Ava' last='Ewald'] showed a good back row attack while [player_tooltip player_id='787919' first='Charlotte' last='Booth'] provided length to the right side.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] lost their second match to Excel, losing the third set 15-9. Compared to others they can call day one a success after a 1-1 finish.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14 Freedom - MVSA Force, [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Anderson and Williamsburg</h2>   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Anderson came into the tournament a fifth seed out of six teams. They were swept in the first match and lost the second match in three. The third set they lost 15-13. The only set I watched is the one they won 25-22. [player_tooltip player_id='772028' first='Sofia' last='Gelston'] hits balls from the front row and back row, plays excellent defense in the back row and hustles her way around the court. [player_tooltip player_id='755857' first='Caitlin' last='Sallee'] shows good enthusiasm when making kills from the right side.   MVSA Force came in as the number one seed in their pool. They were swept in their first match against OVA Black but recovered to win their second. It wasn't easy as they won the third set 18-16. [player_tooltip player_id='762829' first='Angela' last='Zhang'] showed she can play some good defense in the back row as well as use her hands for some out of system setting.   Williamsburg came into the tournament as the sixth seed. They will enjoy the moments. They got swept in their first two matches but scored 15 points in their second set loss in the last match their highest point total of the tournament.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14 American - Bay Area Volleyball Academy and Liberty Elite</h2>   Bay Area lost their first match to the Coast third team, losing the third set 17-15. After getting swept in the second match they won the third in a sweep to finish the day 1-2.   Liberty Elite got swept in all three of their matches.   I did not get a chance to see either of these teams play. Hoping for better results on Thursday.   .

The first day of the 14/15 age group for the USAV Junior Nationals saw a lot of struggles for the local DMV clubs. A common phrase is you are either winning or learning. Today there was a lot of education going on. The overall record for the 15's (ot counting Patriot) 5-14. For the 14's they found themselves at 5-19. The Open teams struggled at 1-8. Got to see many of the players yesterday., First timers come here not realizing how competitive this tournament is.