2025 U16 Club Awards – Taylor Harrington MVP

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honoring those clubs who had a successful season and the players who helped with that success. Again, Jeremy Strain helped with these selections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Player (MVP)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MVP - [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["296486"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686d324912829"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You have to give her credit for flying from Canada after competing in the Pan Am games to play for her [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] club in the junior nationals Open Division in Dallas. It was a tough adjustment going from a national team that routinely runs quick tempo sets in the middle to a [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] team that relies a lot on Taylor to hit the higher sets along various areas of the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I still remember her performance at the Mid Atlantic Power League (MAPL)) when Taylor led her team to two wins over Metro 17 (third in Open) and another over Metro 16 (second in National) to win the 16-18 age group. Paramount's overall performance at junior nationals was a disappointment but Taylor still had an outstanding year, contributing to a gold medal for the United States in the Pan Am. games and an Open bid for Paramount</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From what I understand Taylor hits outside during the high school season when she plays for Wakefield. Despite her efforts Wakefield still needs a lot of help to make the state playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Most Surprising Player</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["536741"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686d3249128a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She lists at 5'8" so it would be surprising to see any of the major clubs show an interest in her. They have taller players to fill that position. [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] saw her potential and she ignited their offense with her six rotation play locking in big dividends for [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lacey brings good velocity when attacking the ball whether she hits from the front row or back row. She also has the volleyball IQ to avoid the block, finding the empty areas of the court or hitting it high off the block. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her success still will not motivate colleges like Penn State to take a look at her but smaller Division I schools might have an interest. Her back row play also stands out allowing her to have the versatility to play as a defensive specialist or outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">All Cub Team</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":789933,"width":"258px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/DSC08900-Enhanced-NRcover_websize.jpg?w=685" alt="" class="wp-image-789933" style="width:258px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Kojo Assasie , [player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setter - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum']</strong> (Metro), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448705' first='Danika' last='Swanson'] </strong>(American), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan']</strong> ** (Virginia Juniors)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Left sides - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong> (Metro), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377396' first='Alexa' last='Telly']</strong> (Metro), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Coco' last='Lewis']</strong> (Virginia Juniors), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge'] </strong>([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] </strong>(Metro), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465322' first='Siyena' last='Fitsum'] </strong>(MVSA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right Side -<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='536717' first='London' last='Jones']</strong> *** ([program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437443' first='Kaniyah' last='Ball']</strong> *** (Metro), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438070' first='Camryn' last='Coulther']</strong> (Virginia Juniors), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471714' first='Ryann' last='Bothof']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='549544' first='Club' last='757'])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>** class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*** class of 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377396' first='Alexa' last='Telly']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437443' first='Kaniyah' last='Ball']</strong> were named to the Junior National all tournament team..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two more liberos to consider in<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='491007' first='Ana' last='Djordjevic']</strong> (MVSA) and class of 2028<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='536716' first='Diane' last='Nzoupet']</strong> (Paramount).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='478903' first='Barrett' last='Bolter'] </strong>(Metro) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier']</strong> (Columbia) also had strong seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Five Clubs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Advanced Event System USAV was used for national rankings. In parenthesis is their national rank. Last updated on 7/8/25 so it should include junior national results.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":744475,"width":"351px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/IMG_7080.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-744475" style="width:351px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Paramount 16</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] (38)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro (39)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Virginia Juniors (73)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] (240)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roanoke United Red (271)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Interesting that Paramount finished near the bottom in the 16 Open while Metro won the National Division. So winning the National Division does not surpass an open team that finishes near the bottom. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Most Surprising Club</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":763457,"width":"245px","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/amara-2.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-763457" style="width:245px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='734897' first='Amara' last='Pope'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] 17 Marissa actually was the first team to earn a bid to Nationals for the club. [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] 16 Josi also earned a trickle up bid as Chesapeake teams moved up. Last year the club played in Patriot. This year they played in the Freedom Division. [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] 16 Josie won five of their last six matches to finish 29th out of 48 teams. To begin the tournament they were seeded 34th. [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] 17 Marissa struggled with two wins, but they still finished a respectable 31st</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] 16 Josi is led by two smaller left sides in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536741' first='Lacey' last='Bogues']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471485' first='Kaelyn' last='Wharton']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='444617' first='Kamilla' last='Hendrix']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728459' first='Ali' last='Joyce']</strong> share the setting duties. Not a team that will intimidate you with height, but they play scrappy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Marissa runs their offense around setters<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='535101' first='Kamora' last='Mack']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778213' first='Ellie' last='Nguyen']</strong>. Their top hitter is the undersized left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475397' first='Amaya' last='Bowles']</strong>, who lists at 5'7". Amaya is the highest ranked player in our class of 2027 at 128. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='354086' first='Nina' last='Schweigert']</strong> at 5'7" is another undersized left side who attacks the ball hard. Middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='734897' first='Amara' last='Pope']</strong> and right side/middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754926' first='Caroline' last='Chubb']</strong> offer some height at 5'10".</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It reminds me of the baseball book/movie Moneyball where the Athletics pursue overlooked players who some of the larger clubs ignore because they lack the traits expected from a major leaguer. [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] brings those smaller players in and makes good use of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] also put up a very strong team that finished as one of the top four teams in the DMV. Normally, Old Dominion teams fall a little behind the Chesapeake. Class of 2028 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536717' first='London' last='Jones'] </strong>made my all tournament team while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464573' first='Blake' last='Crawford']</strong> got some consideration. Blake is a left handed swinger who can hit either pin. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768375' first='Alexis' last='VerMeer']</strong> is another class of 2028 pin who brings some height to the position at 6'1. Lots of potential in her game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='528727' first='Avery' last='Hurley']</strong> sets while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720080' first='Miller' last='Grimes'] </strong>plugs up the middle. The team has a number of class of 2026 (6) compared to 2027 (3) so that experience could also contribute to ther success..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->