Volley Viet Pulls Some Magic at AAU Championships

Whether it is the USAV Junior National championships or the AAU championships, one of the greatest team accomplishments is earning a spot in the gold or championship bracket. In the national championships you play three rounds and then you may have a challenge match. Just one loss can take you from an undefeated team to the consolation bracket.   There were over 50 teams from the Chesapeake and Old Dominion Region that competed in the various Divisions in the 16/17 age group. Only one team qualified to compete in the championship bracket. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 17 seeded number two in the Premier Division failed to qualify. They won their first seven matches. A 16-14 third set loss dropped them to second place in their pool and a challenge loss to WD Nation dropped them to the Consolation bracket. Ironic that WD Nation won the Premier Division.   In the 17 Aspire Division River City Volleyball Academy also failed to qualify for the championship bracket, despite winning their first eight matches. Like [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'], they lost the last set of the third day of pool play while also dropping the challenge match. Because of those two late losses they too dropped to the Consolation Bracket.   Volley Viet was the lone 16/17 team to advance to the championship bracket. And they did it the hard way, not finishing first in any of the three pools they played in but still playing good enough to advance. They may not have even competed in this event, but a ninth place finish in the Chesapeake Bid Regional championships eliminated them from competing in the USAV Junior Nationals. They did beat MVSA Blaze in that tournament but lost their two other matches.   Their ninth rank in the Chesapeake Region possibly earned them a number one seed on the first day of pool play in the AAU championships. They lived up to that seeding by winning their first two matches, battling to three sets in both. For the third match MN North swept them. MN North would go on to finish third in the Aspire Division. Despite the loss, a second place finish was still good enough to keep Volley Viet in the first division.   On the second day Volley Viet earned a number two seed in their pool. They were able to sweep their first two opponents but against the number one seed Northern Lights they lost a three set match. The third set ended 15-13. Again, a second place finish kept them eligible to play in the championship bracket. Northern Lights would finish 1-2 on the third day of pool play after winning their first seven matches and fall to the Ruby Division,   Despite a fourth seed on the third day, fate was kinder to Volley Viet. Unlike the first two days they found themselves swept in their first match by NJRonin. Unfortunately, NJRonn would drop to the Diamond Division after losing their next two matches. Volley Viet recovered taking three sets to win their next two matches. The third match they won the third set 16-14. A third second place finish earned them a challenge match to compete in the gold division. A win would advance them to the gold bracket.   In the challenge match they swept AAC National, taking the second set 26-24. This eared them a spot in the championship bracket, despite not finishing first in any of the three pools. Unfortunately for Volley Viet once they qualified in the championship bracket they now played against the best. One loss would end their tournament. That happened in the first round when GP Premier swept Volley Viet. Despite the loss they finished ninth in the tournament. Pretty good when you consider 151 teams competed in the Aspire Division.   Overall, the season was a successful one for Volley Viet. First, earning an invite to compete in the Chesapeake Bid Regional Championship was an accomplishment. Then, battling their way to the gold bracket in AAUs. All definitely something they will remember for a long time.   Class of 2025 Eliana Tamayo led the team. She only stands 5'/1" but set a 5/1 for Falls Church high school. On the roster she plays libero for Volley Viet. She shows the hustle for it so perhaps libero is the best position for her. She did it all while playing for Falls Church, even hitting outside if given the set. The one skill she avoided was blocking. She hung back to cover the short tips. Eliana ranked number 172 in our class of 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='455177' first='Briana' last='Vo'] set for Madison High School. Even at 5'4" she was the primary setter for the Warhawks, like Eliana setting a 5/1. For the Warhawks she finished first on the team in assists and second in digs. When I talked to the Madison coach during a tournament, she found her setting so consistent that she felt comfortable playing her in the front row. In the class of 2026 she ranks at 161.   [player_tooltip player_id='664150' first='Nalani' last='Applehans'] lists at 6''0". She is the one player on this team that brings some height to the court. Like Eliana she played for Falls Church last year, finishing second on the team in kills and blocks. Nalani was one of Eliana's favorite targets in the middle when setting for Falls Church. Briana showed no aversion to setting her as well.   Sena Elston attacks from the right side. Sena can also set, a position she plays for South Lakes high school.   Overall, a nice finish for the season for Volley Viet.

Whether it is the USAV Junior National championships or the AAU championships, one of the greatest team accomplishments is earning a spot in the gold or championship bracket. In the national championships you play three rounds and then you may have a challenge match. Just one loss can take you from an undefeated team to the consolation bracket.