Paramount Dominates 16 Open/Gatorade POY Winners

There were some quality teams in the [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] 16 Open. Unfortunately, three of the better teams were placed in the opposite pool as [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. So while [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] smashed through their pool without giving up more than 12 points, in sets that started at 4-4, the other pool had three teams battling it out for the top two spots to advance to gold. Would [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] be able to stay sharp after not being challenged in pool play? They did quite impressively.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pool 1</h2>   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] was teamed with Eclipse, Atlas (a team from Delaware) and [program_tooltip program_id='499241' first='Virginia' last='Volleyball Academy (VAVA)']. The Chesapeake Region incorporates four states and a district in their region, Delaware, West Virginia, D.C. Maryland and Virginia. I try to cover D.C., Maryland and Virginia. While it is hard to ignore talented players from Delaware and West Virginia I tough it out to keep my sanity.   After [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] destroyed the pool play Atlas swept the remaining two opponents Eclipse and VAVA to capture second place. In each match Atlas won there was one set decided by two points. Not a lot of drama in this pool.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pool 2</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/38-Lauren-Wagner.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589192" style="aspect-ratio:1.501502019107653;width:383px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='625589' first='Lauren' last='Wagner']</figcaption></figure>   Coastal looked like the team to beat in the second pool. Especially after they swept past Metro North and Virginia Elite in their first two matches. In their first match against Virginia Elite they were down by seven points but managed to escape with a 25-22 victory. They were led by their two left sides Madisson Pierce and Kenaysha Williams. Madisson lists 5'10" with good arm extension that puts velocity on the ball. Kenaysha lists 5'11" but brings an impressive leap. Her game appears a bit raw but for the most part she puts the ball away. Both attack well from the back row.   Holland Kimes plays a very strong libero, moves her feet well while she covers her position. Just before the serve is made her feet are already moving as she prepares to make a pass. She also generates points with a good serve. It is quite likely if the three played in the DMV area they would appear somewhere in the rankings.   Virginia Elite split with Liberty Elite but were then swept by Coastal. After sweeping Metro North they needed a sweep by Coastal over Liberty Elite to advance to the gold bracket. This would give them second place since they won the head to head battle against Liberty Elite. This Virginia Elite team is a relatively smaller team than the club has put together in the past. The only players over 6'0" are their right side. [player_tooltip player_id='933331' first='Cate' last='Beyer'] who stands 6'2" while [player_tooltip player_id='933334' first='Maraki' last='Derege'] stands 6'0". Maraki needs to improve her transition game and approach to put her in a better position to hit rather than send two hand sets over the net. [player_tooltip player_id='933335' first='Sunny' last='Zhu'] and[player_tooltip player_id='630678' first='Iris' last='Jin'] shared setting responsibilities while [player_tooltip player_id='521323' first='Ilana' last='Collingham'], who set for the team last year played as a defensive specialist. The 5'10" middle [player_tooltip player_id='877859' first='Maria' last='Coronel'] was very active hitting the quick tempo sets.   Unfortunately for Virginia Elite, Liberty Elite swept past Coastal 25-15, 25-20 to win Pool 2. [player_tooltip player_id='764676' first='Isabella' last='Spinelli'] generated some good finishes from the middle and the pins. [player_tooltip player_id='809574' first='Carson' last='Lehman'] also provided some good offensive production from the middle. [player_tooltip player_id='933340' first='Maliyah' last='Coleman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='933345' first='Ava' last='Dahn'] smoked balls from the left while [player_tooltip player_id='764664' first='Sloane' last='Dunn'] got her motor running from the right side. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='625589' first='Lauren' last='Wagner'] did her job controlling the back row. With the sweep they won the pool while Coastal took second. Virginia Elite had to settle for playing in the silver bracket.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gold Playoffs</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Eireni-Scott.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732500" style="aspect-ratio:1.501502019107653;width:443px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='569865' first='Eireni' last='Scott']</figcaption></figure>   The first match saw [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] blast through Coastal 25-12, 25-16. My NVP of the tournament [player_tooltip player_id='755134' first='Ava' last='Ewald'] really impressed with her offensive production in the front and back row. She lists 6'1" with a 10 foot approach jump. That was on full display as she buried balls in every direction. She will be a handful to stop. I was impressed with her play when she played for Kettle Run but she seems to have improved her game since that last showing. [player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh'] also played well from the left side, especially in the back row where she crashed the floor on a couple plays to make some impressive saves.   While Ava and Rujuta were bashing from the pins Coastal could not stop the middles either. [player_tooltip player_id='744453' first='Megan' last='Elder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='545727' first='Giuliana' last='Mastrangelo'] stand 6'1" and 6'3" respectively and seemed to score at will with the quick tempo sets.. Megan scored two of the last three points with kills in the middle to finish off the first set while Giuliana deposited a quick set to the floor to end the second set. [player_tooltip player_id='569865' first='Eireni' last='Scott'] was dominate from the right side as well.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] jumped to early 13-4 lead in the first set and a 14-2 lead in the second set. On the bright side Coastal did score more points than the opponents who played Paramount in pool play.   Liberty Elite disposed of Atlas 25-19, 25-21. [player_tooltip player_id='625589' first='Lauren' last='Wagner'] made a number of outstanding defensive plays from the back row with Liberty Elite converting those into points. In the second set [player_tooltip player_id='764676' first='Isabella' last='Spinelli'] started the game off with two aces to jump start Liberty Elite to a 3-1 lead. A block and two kills by [player_tooltip player_id='809574' first='Carson' last='Lehman'] advanced that lead to 9-2 Atlas was able to close the gap to 13-14 but two kills each by Lehman and [player_tooltip player_id='933348' first='Tenley' last='Yost'] put the set out of reach.   For the finals Liberty Elite gave [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] a competitive match. They jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first set but a 10 point serving run by libero [player_tooltip player_id='722541' first='Lily' last='Gurney'] gave [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] an 11-4 lead. Liberty Elite slowly clawed their way back with an ace by [player_tooltip player_id='933349' first='Reese' last='Topper'] followed by a back row setter dump by Reese to tie the score 14-14. A back row hitting error attack put [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] down for the first time 15-14.   [player_tooltip player_id='545727' first='Giuliana' last='Mastrangelo'] tied the score with a tip off the block, then followed with an ace serve to put them up by one 16-15. [player_tooltip player_id='744453' first='Megan' last='Elder'] blocked two balls and contributed a kill and [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] pulled comfortably ahead 19-15. A [player_tooltip player_id='722541' first='Lily' last='Gurney'] ace and Giuliana kill ended the set 25-18.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] trailed in the second set 5-6 but two consecutive kills by [player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh'] put them up by one 7-6. An [player_tooltip player_id='755134' first='Ava' last='Ewald'] back row attack and seven point serving run put [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] ahead 14-8. They went on to win the second set 25-14.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] rotated their three setters [player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks'], [player_tooltip player_id='541140' first='Maris' last='Francescon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='735315' first='Zaire' last='Hewlett']. It certainly provides them depth. With [player_tooltip player_id='569865' first='Eireni' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='536728' first='Lalah' last='Washington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='933350' first='Aran' last='Bernades'] hitting on the right side they have the depth not to run a 5/1.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">18 Open</h2>   In the second local 18 Open tournament [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Cozad won the final. They beat Virginia Elite in three 23-25, 25-22, 15-7. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] and Virginia Elite were in the same pool and split in their last match to both finish 2-0-1. Virginia Elite grabbed the first place honors by winning the tie breaker.   Liberty Elite and St. James Navy tied for first in the second pool, each going 1-0-2. In their last match of pool play they split with each other. St. James won the tie breaker to advance as the first place team. Liberty Elite also split with Brandywine while St. James split with Braddock Road 17.   In the finals Virginia Elite swept Liberty Elite while [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] crushed St. .James in two.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 Open</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/130-Sierra-Thomas.jpg?w=871" alt="" class="wp-image-790461" style="aspect-ratio:0.8514548238897397;width:281px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas']</figcaption></figure>   In the 15 Open at Maryland Jrs MVSA Charge just squeaked past Maryland Jrs 25-18, 17-25, 15-13 in the gold medal final. MVSA won their pool, including taking a tie against Maryland Jrs. to finish with a 2-0-1 record. Maryland Jrs. also tied with Liberty Elite to take second place at 1-0-2.   In the second pool MVSA Wild won while Braddock Road took second place. MVSA Charge swept past Braddock Road while Maryland Jrs did the same against MVSA Wild.   Maryland Jrs. 15 is in a bit of a rebuild as a number of their players from their 14 team transferred to either the Metro 15 travel or 15 national team. The only returning players from that 14 team are outside [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas'], libero/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='754613' first='Charlotte' last='Aus'] and pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='753079' first='Reagan' last='Barrett']. That is a major rebuilding effort that appears to be going in the right direction with their second place finish in their first tournament of the year.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Congratulations to Our Gatorade Players of the Year </h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum'] won the Gatorade Player of the year for DC. She also won the Max Prep player of the year for DC, the Washington Post Metro Player of the year and most importantly the Prep Dig player of the year for DC. She also ranks number eight in our class of 2027. That ranking is the highest for a setter.   Caycee has set Georgetown Day to two consecutive DC championships while running a 5/1. She also set Metro to a second place finish in the USAV Junior Nationals National division while setting a 6/2.   While she has not yet committed, she has been looking at Ivy League colleges. Perhaps this award might gather some interest.     Laila was a surprise pick for Gatorade player of the year, especially when you consider all the talented seniors that were available for selection. For her high school team she hit outside. Despite her 5'7" height she is an explosive hitter. She led Madison in kills and earned the Class 6 state player of the year for getting Madison to the semi-finals in the state championship. Laila was also voted to the first team Washington Post All Metro team.   When playing for Metro Laila plays libero. Last year while playing for Metro her libero play led the club to a third place finish in the USAV Junior National Open Division. This year she will again play for the Metro 17 team.   She ranks number 4 in our class of 2027, the highest rated libero in the class. Laila has committed to Oklahoma.     For her first three years in high school Caydence led her team to a high school state championship. Her senior year she could not overcome a stacked Howard team, losing in the finals of the state championship. Perhaps winning the Gatorade player of the year will ease that disappointment.   Caydence did win the AVCA Region two high school player of the year and made the second team in the AVCA National selection. She also won the Prep Dig player of the year for Maryland.   Last year Caydence led Metro to a third place finish in the USAV Junior Nationals Open Division. For her contribution she made the all tournament team.   Caydence ranks number two in our class of 2026. She has committed to Marquette.

There were some quality teams in the Vienna Elite 16 Open. Unfortunately, three of the better teams were placed in the opposite pool as Paramount . So while Paramount smashed through their pool without giving up more than 12 points, in sets that started at 4-4, the other pool had three teams battling it out for the top two spots to advance to gold. Would Paramount be able to stay sharp after not being challenged in pool play? They did quite impressively.