Strong Finishes for Clubs Prior to Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a couple tournaments out of state that gave the DMV teams a little warm up prior to AAUs and the USAV Nationals. The Southern Exposure tournament in Georgia and the JVA Summerfest in Ohio. Metro 15, [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16 and [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] finished strong in preparation for the USAV Nationals in Dallas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">JVA Summerfest</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589283,"width":"428px","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/Ana-Woods.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589283" style="width:428px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='536721' first='Ana' last='Woods']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro 15 lost their second match on the first day, but came back to win the last four. They beat Mintonette Sports in the finals of the 15 Open to win the tournament. In the 14-17 Open age groups Legacy captured almost all the championships. Not this one. It did not come easy. The third set Metro pulled out a 18-16 win over Mintonette in the final. It was the second win by Metro over Mintoneete in the tournament. They swept them the first day in pool play 25-21, 25-21. In a bit of a surprise Metro beat Legacy twice as well, once in pool play and the second time in the semi-finals. Metro 15 prevented a clean sweep by Legacy in the 14 - 17 Open age groups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro 15 brings strength and depth to the pins with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536727' first='Chika' last='Onukwugha'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell']</strong> crushing balls from the left side while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536721' first='Ana' last='Woods']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='721145' first='Claire' last='Tepper'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='515489' first='Chloe' last='Canetto']</strong> punish balls from the right side. Claire also brings the versatility to play middle and left side. At 6'3" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='781020' first='Harper' last='Slate']</strong> brings height to the middle while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612397' first='Eliana' last='Koram']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner']</strong> bring approach jumps greater than 10 feet. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='536728' first='Lalah' last='Washington'] </strong>also provides the versatility to play the pins or middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The setting duties are handled by<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='625574' first='Ashley' last='Nguyen']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536724' first='Ariel' last='Callwood'].</strong> Both list at 5'6" so Metro brings in two right sides to enhance the offense. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='612399' first='Riley' last='Ko']</strong> normally handles libero duties. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587878' first='Delaney' last='Malloy']</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='625589' first='Lauren' last='Wagner']</strong> can also fill in at that position but they are normally used as defensive specialists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The win should provide a lot of confidence to Metro prior to the USAV Junior Nationals appearance in Dallas. For Metro they have now won at least six tournaments this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589247,"width":"401px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/106-Jessica-Li.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589247" style="width:401px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16 struggled in pool play finishing 1-2, to drop them to fourth in their pool. Despite that, they were able to qualify for the gold bracket. Once there, they swept past their first two opponents to get into a semi-final match with Legacy. Legacy had swept [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] the previous day in pool play. Once again Legacy swept [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] to advance to the finals where they also swept Pittsburgh Elite to win the championship. Paramount settled for third.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'],</strong> the top prospect in the class of 2027, leads Paramount, even when hitting from the middle position. While she does not run many quick tempo sets the setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='298857' first='Ingrid' last='Smith']</strong> feed her higher twos placed along different areas of the net. Taylor finds the holes to put the balls to the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah']</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='506629' first='Dylann' last='Loggins']</strong> can also handle the middle position, however they handle more of the quick tempo sets. Alyssa can also power balls from the left side but [player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='435748' first='Aaliyah' last='Green'] spend most of the time patrolling the left side. This is a powerhouse team who will play in the open at the USAV Junior Nationals in Dallas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro 17 also grabbed a third place spot in the 17 Open. Like [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''], they lost to a Legacy team in the semi-finals to finish third. The final finishes for the 17 Oen found Legacy finishing first and Mintonette second. In the 15 Open Mintonette finished second while Legacy placed third. Legacy also won the 16 and 14 Open so Metro 15 prevented a clean sweep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro 17 is led by their pins <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227251' first='Morgan' last='Williams']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='555602' first='Bryah' last='Breaux']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong>. It also appears they have picked up <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321678' first='Elaina' last='Murphy']</strong> from one of their regional teams to provide more depth on the outside. She lacks the height you normally see from the Metro pins but she powers the ball with good velocity. It is also possible she will assist in the back row with libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong>. As a defensive specialist Eliana can provide some juice with a back row attack while also playing a solid defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro 17 will also be playing Open in the USAV Nationals. There, they hope to get another chance at Legacy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Southern Exposure</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":780968,"width":"596px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/ECVB-16.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-780968" style="width:596px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] 16</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] Black went to Georgia, which is A5 territory to compete in a tournament. All their 14-17 teams will be competing in the USAV Junior Nationals in Dallas. This created a nice environment to get in a little playing time before the Nationalsat. The 16 and 17 teams competed in the USA Division while the 14 and 15 teams competed in Open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 16U team secured a second place finish in the USA Division earning them a silver medal pose shown above. Only two A5 teams beat them in the tournament, one in pool play and the second in the playoffs. In pool play they were swept by A5 Luke, battling in the third set before losing 30-28. In the finals A5 Danielle swept them 25-10, 25-15. ECVB swept their two previous opponents in gold bracket play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 16 team is led by left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='608979' first='Mia' last='Schmidt']</strong> and right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='577517' first='Mia' last='Lynch']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780665' first='Michaela' last='Betancourt']</strong> takes care of the setting responsibilities while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720452' first='Brianna' last='Douglas']</strong> provides a potent middle attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Coast 17 was able to make the gold bracket, winning their first match against RIOVC in three sets. The third set went into overtime before East Coast pulled it out 17-15. In the semi-final match the eventual champion Top Select swept them 25-14, 25-19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Coast 17 is led by right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='519180' first='Marian' last='Ratchford']</strong> and left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752059' first='Sydney' last='Peterson']</strong>. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='643807' first='Alayna' last='Cole'] </strong>shares the setting duties with <strong>Emma Withers</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Open play East Coast 15 struggled. They lost all three of their matches in pool play. That dropped them down to the bronze bracket where in pool play they split with their two opponents. The tie breaker rule put them at the top spot in the Bronze. They hope to carry this experience to Dallas where they will compete in the National Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 14 team performed better in the Open category, taking down two of their opponents in pool play. They lost to A5 Helen but the second place finish put them in the gold bracket. In the gold they won their first match, eliminating A5 Earl by beating them in the third set 15-12. Unfortunately, Top Select Elite swept them in the quarter finals. Top Select went to the finals where A5 Helen swept them. East Coast can take solace in the fact that the only two matches they lost in the tournament were to the top two teams who appeared in the finals. Overall, they finished in fifth place. They will also play in the National Division in Dallas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Coast is led by the 6'0" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752412' first='Alexa' last='Whitfield']</strong> on the right side and the hard hitting <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746523' first='Isabella' last='Smith']</strong> on the left side. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752416' first='Mallory' last='Beeson']</strong> played middle. At the Mid Atlantic Power League Mallory played right side while Alexa played middle. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='752421' first='Khloe' last='Phillips']</strong> orchestrates the offense with her setting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->