Day 6 - Opening Salvos Fired for 16 and 17s

A number of teams struggled on this first day of Junior Nationals for the 16s and 17s. The same struggles occurred with the 14 and 15s but in the end a Chesapeake Region national champion was crowned. Like I did with the 14s and 15s I try to watch every team on the first two days. After that I turn my focus towards those teams in the gold bracket. I saw every team except Columbia Black 16, ECVC Black 17 and Metro 16.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 Open - Metro</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/user-uploads/Morgan-Williams_2026-crop-472x310-1708055206.jpg?w=471" alt="" class="wp-image-511287" style="width:311px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='227251' first='Morgan' last='Williams']</figcaption></figure>   Metro started strong by winning their first two matches in three sets. They beat both Tribe and Austin Skyline in the third set by the identical 15-12 score. [player_tooltip player_id='227251' first='Morgan' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'] were mashing balls from the left side. Caydence is especially adept at hitting out of system sets. She is the smallest pin hitter of the four on the roster, but she always seems to prove the most lethal. [player_tooltip player_id='555602' first='Bryah' last='Breaux'] is also getting some looks on the left side with Caydence sometimes moving to the right. [player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson'] continues her dominance on the right side. Metro may have more length than any team in the tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='321677' first='Charis' last='Burge'] are sharing the setting chores. Because of injuries to the back row Metro is using their other setter [player_tooltip player_id='325600' first='Taryn' last='Su'] to help on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] shows consistency passing while also making some spectacular defensive plays. There are not a lot of liberos with her athleticism on the court. [player_tooltip player_id='333652' first='Gabriella' last='Vizek'] has been a force at the net with her power hitting of the quick tempo sets and her blocking. When you watch her on the court she takes quick glances at all the players in the front row to confirm where they will attack.   After beating the number two team in their pool their next match came against TAV, the number one seed in the tournament. While [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'] continued to find the floor with her kills TAV proved too much for them, sweeping Metro 25-15, 25-21. Really impressed with TAV setter Hannah Lee. She dishes out sets sideways when facing the net, going quick tempo or normal. She sets a 5/1 but on an out of system set she showed she brings the ability to power the ball to the floor.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 National - [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] and [program_tooltip program_id='498498' first='Virginia' last='Wave']</h2>   It appears middle [player_tooltip player_id='325603' first='Parker' last='Sutherland'] has not been playing for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] since January for personal reasons. That cuts into the [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] depth with [player_tooltip player_id='498420' first='Meisha' last='Sykes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='325599' first='Raegan' last='Lentz']. I thought I saw her playing in the Chesapeake Bid Regional Championships in March. [player_tooltip player_id='525338' first='Jewel' last='Moore'] is a possible third option, but at 5'9" she lacks the length of Parker.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] lost their opener against the number one seed in their pool AZ Sky Gold 25-15, 25-12. It took three sets but they won their second match, capturing the third set 15-11. Unfortunately, I watched their struggle with AZ Sky Gold and the one positive I came away with from that match is [player_tooltip player_id='493358' first='Kennedy' last='Cummins'] passed well as a defensive replacement.   [program_tooltip program_id='498498' first='Virginia' last='Wave'] came into the tournament as the sixth seed in their six team pool. They lost their first two matches, however the first match they battled to three sets before losing the third set 15-6. This team lacks length, which will make it difficult to block some of the taller teams. Left side [player_tooltip player_id='746353' first='Caroline' last='Clements'] has a good swing. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='465315' first='Ana' last='Breckons'] carries the greatest length on the team at 6'0". This puts a lot of pressure on libero [player_tooltip player_id='238858' first='Allyson' last='Burke'] to make the digs while defensing the back row.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 American - [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] Black and Virginia Juniors</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Skyler-Riley.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732556" style="width:263px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='716365' first='Skyler' last='Riley']</figcaption></figure>   It took them three sets, but Virginia Juniors won their first two matches. Against Reef National Dustin they took the third set 15-8 while taking the third set over Elite Volleyball 15-6. Both those teams fell below Juniors fourth seed. In their third match they played number one seed City City. After losing the first set 25-11 they were more competitive in the second falling 25-22.   Middle Jolen Green Ewen put together three quick kills in the set that I watched. She likes her sets higher but she uses the block well. For the most part [player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray'] sets a 5/1 but Junior likes to mix it up and put in [player_tooltip player_id='324765' first='Camille' last='Ciambruschini'] to set. [player_tooltip player_id='322107' first='Eden' last='Tardy'] plays a six rotation left side while [player_tooltip player_id='716365' first='Skyler' last='Riley'] also brings power to the position. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='434861' first='Bailey' last='Swinton'] passed well and played solid defense. She recently committed to Morgan State.   [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] Black is one of two teams I did see play today but they are on the schedule for tomorrow. They came into the tournament as the eighth seed out of eight teams. After getting swept in their first two matches, both to the top two seeds in their pool, they swept their third match.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 Freedom - [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Marissa and Virginia Elite</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/67-Ellie-Nguyen.jpg?w=848" alt="" class="wp-image-781891" style="width:228px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='778213' first='Ellie' last='Nguyen']</figcaption></figure>   Marissa is one of two [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] teams competing in this tournament. It is the first time they are playing by winning a bid. Last year Marissa played in the Patriot Division. They came into the tournament as the fifth seed among six teams. They were swept by the top seed but battled Cali, ultimately losing in the third set 15-6.   Setter [player_tooltip player_id='535101' first='Kamora' last='Mack'] participated in the National Prep Dig Showcase. Based on her performance she won a top performer award. She has improved quite a bit from when I first saw her as a setter a couple years ago. She shares the setting duties with [player_tooltip player_id='778213' first='Ellie' last='Nguyen'] from George Marshall. [player_tooltip player_id='475397' first='Amaya' last='Bowles'] is another national top performer. The left side is small in stature but big in power. [player_tooltip player_id='354086' first='Nina' last='Schweigert'] is another smaller left side at 5'8" that brings a good jump to the court. [player_tooltip player_id='754926' first='Caroline' last='Chubb'] terrorizes from the right side. These girls came armed and tattooed, the temporary kind that you apply with a sticker.   Virginia Elite swept both their matches. They came in this tournament as the fourth seed and swept the two teams below them. Tomorrow will carry more of a challenge. Liked the hustle from Arkansas State commit [player_tooltip player_id='377334' first='Josephine' last='Seekford']. The six rotation right side threw her 6'2" frame to the floor multiple times to make a dig. [player_tooltip player_id='204152' first='Sofie' last='Ferrell'] set a 5/1. She has the strong hands to push the ball outside yet brings the soft touch to hit the middles with the quick tempo sets. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='472234' first='Tessa' last='Fergusson'] put together a number of blocks. Big dreams can be answered tomorrow with a good day.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 Patriot - Academy</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/85-Sadie-Fester.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589227" style="width:270px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='374420' first='Sadie' last='Fester']</figcaption></figure>   Watched a little Patriot Division play. Academy has a solid setter in [player_tooltip player_id='374420' first='Sadie' last='Fester']. With the slightest flick of her wrist she can push the ball to the middle, back set or sling it out to the left side. A middle would have a hard time trying to read her sets. Sadie set a 5/1 for Academy. A little small for the front row but the accuracy of her sets makes it worthwhile for her to set six rotations. Unlike when I watched her at the showcase, the passing for Academy was a little off and they were swept in their three matches.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 Open - [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] returned from Canada with a gold medal after helping the United States win the Pan Am championships. The challenge with her play is the United States runs a much quicker offense than [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. It may take some time before she can start feeling comfortable with her Paramount setters.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] opened the tournament playing the number one seed TAV. They were swept 25-14, 25-19. They fought an epic match with Absolute Black losing the first set 28-26 before taking the next two 25-23, 18-16. A loss to the sixth seed Kairos hurt. They won the second set 30-28 on a solo block by setter [player_tooltip player_id='298857' first='Ingrid' last='Smith'] to end the set. Ingrid does not normally play front row but [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] ran out of substitutions. The third set they lost 15-13. I thought they tipped too much rather than go for the kill. Down 14-13 they tipped, the ball that was ultimately dug and powered over by Kairos for the game winner.   Right side [player_tooltip player_id='238595' first='Sofia' last='Delarosa'] sprained her ankle in the last match and may not be available for the remainder of the tournament. This will test their depth. They need to win at least one of their last two to advance to the first round. [player_tooltip player_id='455102' first='Erin' last='Green'] put some balls down from the right side. The left handed swinging [player_tooltip player_id='534058' first='Alexa' last='Bracey'] or middle [player_tooltip player_id='506629' first='Dylann' last='Loggins'] could fill the open right side position if Sofia does not return.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 National - [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] Black and Metro 16</h2>   East Coast was swept in their first two matches. They are the sixth seed in their pool. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='720452' first='Brianna' last='Douglas'] has some power to put balls away. She needs to improve her transition game to continually find herself in the play. [player_tooltip player_id='608979' first='Mia' last='Schmidt'] is a smaller left side who uses the block or finds empty areas of the court to make her kills.   Metro swept both their matches. They are a second seed and will not play the top seed until the last match. I did not see them play on the first day.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 USA - MVSA</h2>   This team triple qualified by finishing first in an American Division qualifier, qualifying in the Chesapeake Bid Regional and finally earning a USA spot. They struggled on the first day getting swept in all three matches. In the one set I watched their passing just was not there. This prevents them from using a strong offense with left side [player_tooltip player_id='438097' first='Haile' last='Ma'] and middle [player_tooltip player_id='465322' first='Siyena' last='Fitsum']. Their next two matches on the second day are against the second and third seed.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 American - Virginia Juniors</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/83-Faith-Smith.jpg?w=752" alt="" class="wp-image-729692" style="width:189px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='587030' first='Faith' last='Smith']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan'] sprained her ankle in the first set. While she got it taped to play the second set they lost both sets 25-23. They won their next two matches pretty easily. The big test will come tomorrow, when the ankle swells. [player_tooltip player_id='587030' first='Faith' last='Smith'] is the other setter. She does not have the experience of Megan for running the offense.   Virginia commit [player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] powers from the left side while Cincinnati commit [player_tooltip player_id='377344' first='Julia' last='Horan'] plugs up the middle. They have a solid back row with another Virginia commit [player_tooltip player_id='438070' first='Camryn' last='Coulther'] play libero while [player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel'] plays the defensive specialist position. Kate does have some setting experience and could be used as an emergency setter. [player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd'] also brings power to the left side. The team has plenty of offense. Tomorrow we will see who feeds that offense.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 Freedom - Columbia Black and [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Josi</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Lacey-Bogues.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732528" style="width:285px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='536741' first='Lacey' last='Bogues']</figcaption></figure>   As the fifth seed Columbia swept the number one seed. They also swept their second match. On Tuesday their first match will be against the only other team at 2-0. We have not seen them play.   As a fifth seed [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Josie carried the same schedule as Columbia but found different results. They lost their first two matches, though the second last three sets. Aspire won that third set 15-12. [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Josie brings two solid setters to the court in [player_tooltip player_id='728459' first='Ali' last='Joyce'] and [player_tooltip player_id='444617' first='Kamilla' last='Hendrix']. Ali reads and anticipates the tips well. Their left sides [player_tooltip player_id='471485' first='Kaelyn' last='Wharton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='536741' first='Lacey' last='Bogues'] are small and powerful. Lacey did a good job of tooling the outside block on one tight set.

A number of teams struggled on this first day of Junior Nationals for the 16s and 17s. The same struggles occurred with the 14 and 15s but in the end a Chesapeake Region national champion was crowned. Like I did with the 14s and 15s I try to watch every team on the first two days. After that I turn my focus towards those teams in the gold bracket. I saw every team except Columbia Black 16, ECVC Black 17 and Metro 16.