Metro Sweeps at Capitol Hill Classic

Though it may seem like it Metro does not always pull off a sweep in their own tournament, the Capitol Hill Classic. It just seems that way. Going back to 2015 they have only pulled off sweeps in 2024, 2022 and 2019. Add 2026 to that list. While it was a sweep you could probably talk to any of the coaches and they will tell you it did not come easily. A lot of two point victories. Only the 14 and 15 teams did not lose a set. But that 15 team has yet to lose a set all year.   Normally, in multi-day tournaments I spend the first day watching teams I don't get an opportunity to see play. Unfortunately, for Capitol Hill I was in Philadelphia the first two days coaching my own team in a tournament. This allowed me to only focus on the gold medal playoff games on Monday.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">18 U - Metro Rises Above Virginia Juniors in Finals</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/71-Skyler-Riley.jpg?w=880" alt="" class="wp-image-781895" style="aspect-ratio:0.8602399190634484;width:319px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='716365' first='Skyler' last='Riley']</figcaption></figure>   Virginia Juniors teams did quite well in this tournament. The 18s team lost one match on the first day to a South Carolina team. However, they still earned a second place finish. It was on the second day when they did their best work sweeping past all three teams, including [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] and MVSA Chaos to advance to the gold bracket. In the gold bracket they had their biggest challenge, defeating a very talented [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] in three 25-19, 22-25, 15-12.   The team is led by two very capable setters in [player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='324765' first='Camille' last='Ciambruschini']. Sydney led her Riverside High team to two state championships while Camille finished her high school season with over 1,000 assists for Potomac Falls. Sydney has committed to Clark Atlanta while Camille will set out for Ithaca next year. The offense is led by [player_tooltip player_id='322107' first='Eden' last='Tardy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='238356' first='Morgan' last='Reeves'] on the outside, with the 6'2" [player_tooltip player_id='479659' first='Eliza' last='Lowe'] patrolling middle and libero [player_tooltip player_id='434861' first='Bailey' last='Swinton'] covering the back row. All four of those players have committed.   Despite losing many of their players to early college admittance Metro continue to do well in tournaments. They have won a local tournament and earned a spot in the gold bracket in two qualifiers. Unfortunately, they fell short of earning a bid in both cases. For Capitol Hill Metro won all three matches the first day, taking three sets to dispose of DACAN Intensity. On the second day they won their first two matches but lost the third in three sets to Northeast by scores of 24-26, 26-24, 15-13. They got a bit of revenge against Northeast in the playoffs, defeating them in the semi-finals 25-9, 24-26, 15-8.   While Metro may have lost most of their offensive weapons, the two setters return with Columbia commit [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] and Stony Brook commit [player_tooltip player_id='325600' first='Taryn' last='Su'] running the offense. The new offensive weapons include left sides [player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington'] and class of 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='716365' first='Skyler' last='Riley'] with [player_tooltip player_id='325599' first='Raegan' last='Lentz'], and [player_tooltip player_id='325601' first='Sydnee' last='Peters'] covering the right side. That lefthanded swing of Sydnee can be pretty lethal and it is still not committed yet. [player_tooltip player_id='220923' first='Soleil' last='Rancourt'] can cover both pins. Metro also returns a solid corps of middles in [player_tooltip player_id='321676' first='Gabrielle' last='Wigglesworth'], [player_tooltip player_id='333652' first='Gabriella' last='Vizek'] and [player_tooltip player_id='321679' first='Simone' last='Assasie']. The back row is talented with a crop of returnees in [player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] and newcomers [player_tooltip player_id='493358' first='Kennedy' last='Cummins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='412055' first='Lilly' last='Kennedy'].   The two teams squared off in the finals with Metro winning both sets 25-23. It appears that [player_tooltip player_id='333652' first='Gabriella' last='Vizek'] was named MVP with [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] earning best setter and [player_tooltip player_id='493358' first='Kennedy' last='Cummins'] winning best digger awards. [player_tooltip player_id='493358' first='Kennedy' last='Cummins'] is still uncommitted.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 U - Metro Overcomes Second Set Struggles to Win Gold</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/metro-17-capitol-hill.jpg?w=822" alt="" class="wp-image-947226" style="aspect-ratio:0.8027487346214948;width:793px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Metro 17</figcaption></figure>   Metro swept through their first six opponents to earn a spot in the gold bracket. Once in the gold bracket they seemed to struggle in the second set. In their first three matches they lost the second set all three times, including allowing an 18-10 lead to evaporate against NYC Westside to lose 25-23. They finally put it all together again in the championship match against Jupiter Elite sweeping them 25-17, 25-21.   This Metro team has two solid setters in D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum'] and [player_tooltip player_id='478903' first='Barrett' last='Bolter']. Middles [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] and [player_tooltip player_id='473872' first='Jocelyn' last='Gill'] were key players in the middle against NYC Westside. They kept the pressure off [player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'], who hammered the ball from the left side. She finished the first set off 25-23 after both her and [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] made impressive defensive plays to keep rallies alive.   Perhaps one of the best back row duos has to be libero [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] and defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='437443' first='Kaniyah' last='Ball']. Last year Kaniyah played the libero position but she has yielded to Virginia Gatorade player of the year [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']. [player_tooltip player_id='530364' first='Caroline' last='Apergis'] is also a quality back row player. [player_tooltip player_id='469197' first='Olivia' last='Garey'] plays a solid and very emotional right side.   One of the more exciting matches to watch in the tournament was the semifinal match against NYC Westside who are led by Lexi Moore on the left side and the lefthanded right side Halima Watkins. The first set seemed to be just a side out struggle with Metro taking their biggest lead at 16-13 after a [player_tooltip player_id='473872' first='Jocelyn' last='Gill'] kill in the middle. A Halima Watkins kill from the right side eventually tied the set at 23-23. [player_tooltip player_id='437457' first='Jasmin' last='Tucker'] came up big responding with her own driven ball through the block on the right side. Macie then finished the set off 25-23.   Metro seemed to have set two under control jumping out to an 18-10 lead. Lexi Moore went off on a five point serving run to pull NYC to within two 16-18. Metro still found themselves up 23-21 but could not put the ball away. A Lexi Moore block and kill from the right side tied the score at 23-23. Lexi tooled a ball off the block to put them on top 24-23 and a Metro hitting error ended the set 25-23.   The third set turned into another side out affair until NYC pulled ahead 8-5. Metro kept their composure with [player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'] finding the floor four consecutive times hitting it off the block, through the block or burying the ball by avoiding the block altogether to put them up 13-12. [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] put an end to the match with a block followed by a kill for the 15-12 win.   Metro then went on to win the finals with ease, beating Jupiter Elite 25-17, 25-21. No second set troubles in that match.   Virginia Juniors finished fifth. They went undefeated on the first day, but the second day stumbled to 1-2. Fortune shined down on them as they were the top 1-2 team allowing them to advance to the gold bracket. They won the first match in three but were swept by NYC in the second match.   They have a potent offense with [player_tooltip player_id='941986' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd'] on the left side. [player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton'] was very reliable putting the ball away from the right side. The middles are solid with [player_tooltip player_id='377344' first='Julia' last='Horan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='530367' first='Ava' last='Gill']. [player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan'] runs this offense, usually setting a 5/1. Similar to Metro, Juniors carries two spectacular back row players in [player_tooltip player_id='438070' first='Camryn' last='Coulther'] and [player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel']. All of these players are committed except for Ayla and Kieran, two very nice pieces of diamonds still available.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16U - Metro Takes Down [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in the Final</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Sienna-Mitchell1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732553" style="aspect-ratio:1.501502019107653;width:474px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='550688' first='Sienna' last='Mitchell']</figcaption></figure>   Metro going into the final undefeated was not a big surprise but [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] doing so was. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] actually swept through their first seven opponents until they barely pulled out a three setter against Leaside Firebolts 25-22, 19-25, 17-15. Against Metro they won the first set 25-23 before falling in the final two sets 25-27, 15-8.   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] carries a dominating middle in the 6'3" [player_tooltip player_id='536736' first='Alexis' last='Stephens']. She puts up strong blocks then poisons you with her tips over blocks. Their outsides [player_tooltip player_id='536738' first='Avery' last='Fauver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='830996' first='Catherine' last='Warren'] can also pile up points. Against Metro the trio took responsibility for the bulk of the offense.   Metro has some star power in [player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell'] who stands out as the number one prospect in the class of 2028. When in a zone she has a pretty intimidating top spin serve that I only saw her use once this tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='787533' first='Chika' last='Onukwugha'] is the other hard hitting outside. While Chika currently stands 5'8" there appears to be another couple inches of growth in her. She swings hard and jumps high with a 10 foot approach. [player_tooltip player_id='536721' first='Ana' last='Woods'] and [player_tooltip player_id='721145' first='Claire' last='Tepper'] seem to be the main right sides with [player_tooltip player_id='550688' first='Sienna' last='Mitchell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='587876' first='Ariana' last='White'] providing depth at the pins. [player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='612397' first='Eliana' last='Koram'] plug up the middle. The setting is shared by newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='612396' first='Natalie' last='Hobson'] and returner [player_tooltip player_id='625574' first='Ashley' last='Nguyen'] while [player_tooltip player_id='612399' first='Riley' last='Ko'] fills the libero role.   In a second set match against Tribe in the semi-finals [player_tooltip player_id='612396' first='Natalie' last='Hobson'] served them off to a good start with three aces for an early 6-1 lead. Tribe eventually tied it 17-17 but a [player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner'] block gave Metro the lead again 18-17. [player_tooltip player_id='625574' first='Ashley' last='Nguyen'] also strung together two aces to increase the lead to 20-17. [player_tooltip player_id='550688' first='Sienna' last='Mitchell'] put up a right side block and [player_tooltip player_id='787533' first='Chika' last='Onukwugha'] finished the match off with back to back kills for the 25-22 win.   In the finals against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] [player_tooltip player_id='612399' first='Riley' last='Ko'] made a couple of nice digs to put Metro up in the third set 6-3. For [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] most of the offense was delivered by left sides [player_tooltip player_id='536738' first='Avery' last='Fauver'], [player_tooltip player_id='830996' first='Catherine' last='Warren'] or middle [player_tooltip player_id='536736' first='Alexis' last='Stephens']. Fortunately, Metro carried [player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell'] on their roster and she put the game away with three consecutive kills to increase the lead to 10-4. An ace by [player_tooltip player_id='625574' first='Ashley' last='Nguyen'] followed by a block from [player_tooltip player_id='612397' first='Eliana' last='Koram'] increased the lead to 12-4. Chika ended the match with a kill for a 15-8 third set win.   Metro lost only three sets in the tournament. All were by the scores of 25-23 and occurred in the first set of each match. The second loss came against Northeast when a net violation was called after Metro seemed to block the ball to tie the set at 24-24. Instead, they lost the first set but came back to win the next two 25-13, 15-10.   The Libero Huskies may have been the surprise team of the tournament. They were winners in five of their first six matches earning a spot in the gold bracket. The Elite VBTC Black had given them their only loss on the first day. Unfortunately, for Libero they had to face them again in the first round of the playoffs. Elite swept them again 25-16, 25-20.   In the first set Elite jumped out to an early 6-1 lead. The Libero Huskies could never recover. As a middle [player_tooltip player_id='934826' first='Victoria' last='Liakos'] moves well from pin to pin giving her the ability to reject a number of Elite hits. Maddie Denny was able to provide some offense with a back row attack and a right side kill. [player_tooltip player_id='754951' first='Milica' last='Marden'] also provided offense from the left side. [player_tooltip player_id='536729' first='Katelyn' last='Rolph'] at 6'0" brings good size to the setter position. She provided a good block when playing right side while [player_tooltip player_id='947242' first='Alexa' last='Balgavy'] sets from the back row only.   Virginia Juniors also played a good tournament finishing 5th. They won their first five matches before losing to Metro Travel 25-17, 26-24 in the third match of the second day. They qualified for gold but also fell to Elite VBTC Black team in the second round of the playoffs 26-24, 25-27, 11-15.   Juniors is led by [player_tooltip player_id='471485' first='Kaelyn' last='Wharton'] on the left side. [player_tooltip player_id='562335' first='Zeynep' last='Anaz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='536724' first='Ariel' last='Callwood'] share the setting duties. Zeynep hit from the left side a couple years ago and packs some punch with her swings. Other pins include [player_tooltip player_id='768529' first='Tess' last='Mahon'], [player_tooltip player_id='530280' first='Lora' last='Totcheva'] and [player_tooltip player_id='778696' first='Lailah' last='Rogers']. [player_tooltip player_id='523664' first='Reese' last='Roberts'] and [player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner'] handle the middle but when [player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini'] gets healthy Reese may help more at the pins. The back row has [player_tooltip player_id='725456' first='Audrey' last='Busch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='944218' first='Annie' last='Larrivee'] sharing the libero role with [player_tooltip player_id='609504' first='Brooklyn' last='Rothwell'] also available.   HOV also played well at Volley by the James. At the Capitol Hill they continued their stellar play winning their first five matches before losing to Synergy Plutonium. They made it to the gold bracket but unfortunately got knocked out in the first round by Triangle Blue. Left side [player_tooltip player_id='937161' first='Sawyer' last='Almond'] impressed at Volley by the James with her ability to put the ball to the floor. Unfortunately, I did not get to see HOV play in this tournament.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 U - Metro Continues Their Unbeaten Run</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/02/52-Emerson-Wolfe.jpg?w=963" alt="" class="wp-image-753476" style="aspect-ratio:0.9413535459569607;width:427px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</figcaption></figure>   While it is still early in the season Metro has four tournaments under their belt. That calculates to 40 matches and as far as my records show they have yet to lose a set. Advanced Event System ranks them eighth nationally, for whatever reason dropping them two places despite not losing a set. They did allow 20 points in four sets, the final against Sideout Artem finalizing at 25-20, 25-22.   Metro has improved greatly with the pick up of outsides [player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton']. Those two came over from a Maryland Juniors team that qualified for an Open bid in USAV junior nationals last year. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='753073' first='Aniston' last='Williams'] was another picked up from that club.   The 6'3" middle [player_tooltip player_id='750047' first='Caroline' last='Conroy'] has really picked up her game and looks to be on the verge of becoming a dominant player. On oversets she bangs the ball in front of the 10 foot line. [player_tooltip player_id='746506' first='Carolyn' last='Maria'] and [player_tooltip player_id='750053' first='Alexis' last='Luscomb'] are the two setters. Carolyn stays in the front row to hit right side where she is one of the top offensive weapons in the class of 2029. [player_tooltip player_id='750056' first='Kiera' last='Jordan'] is another right side who can put some pop on the ball on the left side as well. She won Player of the year as a frosh in the National Conference hitting left side. The back row is filled with potential talent with libero [player_tooltip player_id='755672' first='Jaylin' last='Park'] as well as [player_tooltip player_id='755675' first='Charlotte' last='Nelsen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='892024' first='Claire' last='Kennedy']. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='746330' first='Hannah' last='Keating'] and left side [player_tooltip player_id='762240' first='Timea' last='Ioana Vladoianu'] are additional offensive pieces that adds depth to this roster.   In the first round of the playoffs Metro got off to a slow start. Ultimate Gold took a 15-13 lead in the first set of the first match. A missed serve and tip kill by [player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton'] tied it at 15-15. Scarlett added an ace and a back row kill to put Metro ahead 18-16. A net serve tied the score again, but an [player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe'] kill returned the serve to Metro with a 20-19 lead. [player_tooltip player_id='746506' first='Carolyn' last='Maria'] redirected an overset to the floor to expand the lead to 21-19. A hitting error by Metro pulled Ultimate to within one again at 23-22. [player_tooltip player_id='750050' first='Raquel' last='Telly'] earned a point with her swat and [player_tooltip player_id='750047' first='Caroline' last='Conroy'] redirected an overset to the floor for a 25-22 win. Metro went on to win the second set 25-18.   Metro faced Sideout Artem in the finals. They fell behind early in the second set 4-1 but a couple [player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe'] kills and a [player_tooltip player_id='746330' first='Hannah' last='Keating'] spike put them up 7-5. After gaining an 11-5 lead it appeared Metro was going to run away with the win. However, Sideout fought back to pull within one 18-19. With the set tied at 22-22 [player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton'] pounced on a set for a point and [player_tooltip player_id='750047' first='Caroline' last='Conroy'] followed with a big block. [player_tooltip player_id='746506' first='Carolyn' last='Maria'] won the match and the gold with an ace for a 25-22 win.   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] was rolling pretty strongly going 3-0 Saturday and Sunday to put them in the gold bracket. After sweeping [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] in the first round of the playoffs 25-16, 25-22 [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] ran into trouble against 3DGE Gold. They won the first set 25-22 but then got bounced in the next two sets 25-20, 15-8. It was their only loss of the tournament.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/19-Avery-Curtis.jpg?w=850" alt="" class="wp-image-781848" style="aspect-ratio:0.8300924450111572;width:293px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='749349' first='Avery' last='Curtis']</figcaption></figure>   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] is led by setter [player_tooltip player_id='878688' first='Mckenna' last='Homans']. She has a number of pins at her disposal, including [player_tooltip player_id='749353' first='Brielle' last='Wolf'], [player_tooltip player_id='749357' first='Ellie' last='Palmer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='877850' first='Kennedi' last='Bower']. At 5'10" [player_tooltip player_id='749349' first='Avery' last='Curtis'] brings the athleticism to make a great outside but she currently resides at middle.   Virginia Junios also finished in fifth place. They went 5-1 in the two days of pool play, losing only to Sideout Artem. In the playoffs they lost in the second round to Tribe Navy in three 16-25, 25-15 and 15-7. They have some solid players on that team, including outsides [player_tooltip player_id='754650' first='Madison' last='Meiring'] and [player_tooltip player_id='762226' first='Makayla' last='Simms'] with libero [player_tooltip player_id='887998' first='Jenevieve' last='Crowder']. [player_tooltip player_id='947249' first='Eileen' last='Kim'] was setting a 5/1 in the match I watched.   Maryland Juniors looked strong on the first day winning all three of their matches. Day two they went 1-2 but were fortunate to finish in a three way tie for second place. They won the tie breaker. Impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='753079' first='Reagan' last='Barrett'] hitting left side. Reagan is a class of 2028 six rotation player who stands 6'1. Both played for Maryland Juniors last year. [player_tooltip player_id='754613' first='Charlotte' last='Aus'] handles libero position well.   In the first round of the playoffs against Ultimate VBC Gold, Maryland Juniors got behind early 18-11. Two aces by [player_tooltip player_id='947212' first='Shae' last='Donnelly'] put them up by one 20-19. Setter Aniya Molake also served back to back aces to put them ahead 23-22. A kill by [player_tooltip player_id='753079' first='Reagan' last='Barrett'] put them one point from victory at 24-22. Ultimate tied it 24-24 after back to back kills from their middle and a hitting error from Maryland Juniors made it 24-25. Reagan generated another kill then hit a ball into the net. A back row kill from Reagan, an ace from [player_tooltip player_id='754613' first='Charlotte' last='Aus'] and a middle kill from [player_tooltip player_id='947212' first='Shae' last='Donnelly'] eventually gave them the win 28-26. Unfortunately, they lost the next two sets 25-18 and 15-3.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14 U - Another Metro Dynasty Forming</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/1000013672.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-947178" style="aspect-ratio:1.3298907382371845;width:729px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Metro 14</figcaption></figure>   The Metro youngsters emerged from this tournament without losing a set, finishing 18-0. The closest anyone got to beating them is when Pittsburgh Elite score 25 points in the semi-finals of the playoffs. Fortunately, Metro scored 27.   [player_tooltip player_id='753097' first='Nadia' last='Wooten'] and [player_tooltip player_id='941763' first='Sai' last='Herndon-Brown'] are unstoppable from the outside. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='768588' first='Eliana' last='Butler'] went on a six point serving run with three aces in the opening set against Pittsburgh Elite while [player_tooltip player_id='941763' first='Sai' last='Herndon-Brown'] ended it with a back row kill 25-17.   Metro played [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in the final. While the two teams squared off in the finals of the Charm City Challenge, [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] did not bring their "A" game in this final, losing 25-14, 25-11. Up until that point [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] had not lost a set, though they may have had all the wind knocked out of them after a 40-38 second set win against Elite VBTC Black in the semi-finals. I watched the first set in which [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] won 28-26.   Libero [player_tooltip player_id='941765' first='Aubrey' last='Astorino'] strung together seven aces in a nine point service run to give [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] an 18-13 lead. Elite pounced right back with a five point serving run to go ahead 19-18. [player_tooltip player_id='947272' first='Claire' last='Marshall'] generated three kills late in the set, the last to knot the game up 25-25. A tip kill by [player_tooltip player_id='941767' first='Veronica' last='Barvick'] again tied the set up 26-26. Back to back kills from sister [player_tooltip player_id='941775' first='Charlotte' last='Barvick'] won the set 28-26 while mom Becky watched from the coach's sidelines. I regret not staying to witness the [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 40-38 win in set two.

Though it may seem like it Metro does not always pull off a sweep in their own tournament, the Capitol Hill Classic. It just seems that way. Going back to 2015 they have only pulled off sweeps in 2024, 2022 and 2019. Add 2026 to that list. While it was a sweep you could probably talk to any of the coaches and they will tell you it did not come easily. A lot of two point victories. Only the 14 and 15 teams did not lose a set. But that 15 team has yet to lose a set all year.