Paramount Dominates the 16/17s in Chesapeake Regionals

While [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] took the National bids in the 14/15 age group it was [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] who shined at the 16/17. Below is a summary of the bid winners in the older age groups.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 U - [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick Topples Competition</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/161-Annika-Dandridge-rotated.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-520731" style="aspect-ratio:0.6670132442133927;width:287px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge']</figcaption></figure>   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']   Not much doubt who would win the Natonal bid with Metro not competing. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick allowed one opponent [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] to reach 20 points. That was in pool play. Once the playoffs began Virginia Juniors gave them a bit of a test, but ultimately lost 25-19, 25-17.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick is just loaded with [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'], [player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah'] and [player_tooltip player_id='753065' first='Isabella' last='Adcock'] at the middle while [player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge'], [player_tooltip player_id='435748' first='Aaliyah' last='Green'] and [player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart'] let it rip from the left side. The right side is pretty stacked with [player_tooltip player_id='534058' first='Alexa' last='Bracey'], [player_tooltip player_id='455102' first='Erin' last='Green'] and [player_tooltip player_id='577516' first='Mariska' last='Ordonez']. You could take the third player from each of those positions and have the start of a powerful lineup.   Surprisingly, they carry only two setters in [player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li'] and [player_tooltip player_id='298857' first='Ingrid' last='Smith'] who are used to setting 5/1s for their high schools. With the quality of their right sides they find themselves relegated to setting a 6/2. If an injury should occur either can set a 5/1. [player_tooltip player_id='536716' first='Diane' last='Nzoupet'] is one of the top liberos in the area while [player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther'] has now focused more on playing back row. She is one of those back row players who brings the athleticism to succeed in high school as an outside hitter. However, at 5'7' with a 9'4" approach jump that falls short of the other outsides, three of whom can approach over 10 feet.   Next on the agenda is to secure an Open bid.   Virginia Juniors   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/215-Meg-Ronayne.jpg?w=932" alt="" class="wp-image-571329" style="aspect-ratio:0.9101486184761373;width:358px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='735304' first='Meg' last='Ronayne']</figcaption></figure>   Virginia Juniors won the American bid by making it to the finals. They won two three set matches against Metro National (15-7) and MVSA Blaze (15-10) in the playoff round. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick handled them in the finals for the National Division Bid 25-19, 25-17.   Based on the report from Jeremy it appears setter [player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan'] was a little banged up, so they used both her and [player_tooltip player_id='735304' first='Meg' last='Ronayne'] as setters. The acquisition of [player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton'] for the right side strengthens the pins with [player_tooltip player_id='941986' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd'] sharing left side duties. [player_tooltip player_id='529439' first='Jasmine' last='McBorrough'] can also play a strong right side.   The blocking in the middle smokes with [player_tooltip player_id='377344' first='Julia' last='Horan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='530367' first='Ava' last='Gill']. Also, the back row duo of libero [player_tooltip player_id='438070' first='Camryn' last='Coulther'] with defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel'] stand out as one of the best in the Chesapeake Region.   This team has too much talent to settle for an American bid. It would not surprise me to see them earn a higher bid in a future qualifier.   MVSA Blaze   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/65-Ana-Djordjevic.jpg?w=824" alt="" class="wp-image-781890" style="aspect-ratio:0.8046914760722382;width:238px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='491007' first='Ana' last='Djordjevic']</figcaption></figure>   With both Virginia Elite and MVSA Blaze losing in the semi-finals these two played a best of three to earn the second American bid. MVSA won out with their 26-24, 22-25, 15-13 win. MVSA won their pool by beating both [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Tony and [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Allorie. The only team they lost to in this tournament was Virginia Juniors 25-21, 17-25, 10-15.   For MVSA [player_tooltip player_id='438097' first='Haile' last='Ma'] is a power on the left side. Maryland Juniors 17 could have had a left side of [player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='438097' first='Haile' last='Ma'] for the pins if they had not gone elsewhere. [player_tooltip player_id='465322' first='Siyena' last='Fitsum'] and [player_tooltip player_id='772008' first='Meera' last='Patel'] bring some length to the middle. [player_tooltip player_id='491007' first='Ana' last='Djordjevic'] is one of the top liberos in the area. When compared to [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick and Virginia Juniors they fall a tad short in the offensive power category.   Virginia Elite   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/79-Annabelle-Kim.jpg?w=921" alt="" class="wp-image-781902" style="aspect-ratio:0.8984416702539819;width:367px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='325403' first='Annabelle' last='Kim']</figcaption></figure>   Virginia Elite lost to Virginia Juniors in pool play 25-21, 25-14. After winning their first two playoff matches against [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Allorie and [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Quintin they proved no match for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick (25-11, 25-12). They played MVSA Blaze for the second American bid but lost in three close matches, 24-26, 25-22, 13-15.   This team carries a lot of depth in the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='488812' first='Olivia' last='Boggs'], [player_tooltip player_id='720348' first='Milena' last='Kibret'] and [player_tooltip player_id='582293' first='Shannon' last='Treloar']. Olivia played a little right side for Bishop O'Connell but all three have played mostly middle for their high schools. Shannon brings the highest approach jump to the middles at 9'10". [player_tooltip player_id='325403' first='Annabelle' last='Kim'] and [player_tooltip player_id='807368' first='Sophia' last='Grimm'] share the setting duties. Despite her 5'9" height [player_tooltip player_id='359401' first='Chloe' last='Barth'] can fly allowing her to bury the ball from the right side.   On the upside Virginia Elite grabbed one of the Freedom bids.   [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Quintin   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/105-Kamilla-Hendrix.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589246" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014964028776978;width:328px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='444617' first='Kamilla' last='Hendrix']</figcaption></figure>   [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Quintin won their pool earning a bye in the playoff bracket. Unfortunately, they met a strong Virginia Elite team who beat them 25-16, 24-26, 7-15. This knocked them down to the Reallocation bracket where they had to defeat two teams in one 25 point match to earn the last Freedom Bid. They beat Maryland Juniors 25-21 and next Premier Edge 25-23 to earn the second Freedom bid.   Their strongest offensive weapon is left side [player_tooltip player_id='536741' first='Lacey' last='Bogues'], who stands just 5'8" but can still power it down against almost any block. While Lacey shines as their only player ranked within the top 100 this team has played together for years, so the sum of their parts plays greater than any individual player. Almost all of their roster consists of players ranked between 100 and 200. A Division III coach should keep their eye on this team for quality players.   Of the seeded teams Virginia Elite stood out as the only team not seeded in the top five that earned a bid. They seeded sixth. The fifth seed Metro National finished tied for 7th with Maryland Juniors. It would not surprise me to see the sixth place finisher Premier Edge move up to a Freedom Bid as other teams win higher bids in fuure Qualifiers.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 U - [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maureen Wins the National Division</h2>   Paramount Maureen   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/10-Rujuta-Singh.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589165" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014964028776978;width:339px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh'] </figcaption></figure>   Paramount Maureen also dominated. They had a close first set against Virginia Juniors in which they won 28-26. After that first set no team reached 20 points against them. Paramount defeated [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in the finals 25-19, 25-18 to earn the National Bid.   While they may lack the quality of depth as their 17 team, they have a strong roster that can overcome injuries. The 6'1" outside [player_tooltip player_id='755134' first='Ava' last='Ewald'] with her 10 foot approach jump leads the offensive fireworks. Playing opposite her is the smaller 5'8" [player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh'] with her 9'4" approach. Rujuta finds the empty areas of the court because of her high volleyball IQ, however she reminds me a lot of [player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther'] when she was the starting outside for Paramount. As you start to play at the higher levels it gets harder for the smaller players to hit past the bigger blocks. Like Kayla, she brings the defensive tools to easily fit as a libero.   [player_tooltip player_id='569865' first='Eireni' last='Scott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='536728' first='Lalah' last='Washington'] focus on the right side, but they can also move to the left side. Both can get close to 10 feet with their approach jump. [player_tooltip player_id='744453' first='Megan' last='Elder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='545727' first='Giuliana' last='Mastrangelo'] provide length up the middle, with Megan carrying the highest approach jump on the team at 10'3". Paramount relies on a triage of setters with [player_tooltip player_id='541140' first='Maris' last='Francescon'], [player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='735315' first='Zaire' last='Hewlett'] sharing setting duties. Both Ana and Maris led their team to State championships. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='722541' first='Lily' last='Gurney'] covers the back row like a glove.   Paramount earned their National Bid but their goal is similar to the 17s - earn that Open Bid selection.   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] won all their matches, except for the last against Paramount Maureen. In the first round of the playoffs they did have a nail biter against MVSA Stars, who finished winless in pool play, taking the third set 17-15. After that wakeup call [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] handily downed Liberty Elite 25-20-25-17. Unfortunately, in the finals Paramount proved to be too much, sacking them 25-19, 25-18. They did capture an American Bid with their second place finish.   The biggest offensive threat for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] is their 6'3" middle [player_tooltip player_id='536736' first='Alexis' last='Stephens']. She has that ability to tip over smaller blocks rather easily. Paramount though carries some length in the middle. Alexis ranks number 20 in our class of 2028. [player_tooltip player_id='744473' first='Sophie' last='Weir'] is a smaller outside who can slap the ball down. Others on the pins who can contribute include [player_tooltip player_id='536738' first='Avery' last='Fauver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='830996' first='Catherine' last='Warren'].   Libero Huskies   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/98-Irina-Padden.jpg?w=836" alt="" class="wp-image-781921" style="aspect-ratio:0.817206490414735;width:392px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='623088' first='Irina' last='Padden']</figcaption></figure>   Considering they came into this Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship as the 10th seed, finishing with an American bid is an excellent accomplishment. The day did not start out so well when pool began losing their first two matches, the second match in three sets with a 15-9 setback in the third set to Premier Edge.   After that, they got their act together, upsetting third seeded Maryland Jrs 28-26, 25-18. Another surprise win against the fourth seeded Columbia who earned a bye after finishing undefeated in their pool. Libero Huskies prevailed 26-28, 25-14, 15-12. Their third match in the bracket came against Paramount Maureen, who dominated them 25-16, 25-6.   That put them into a match with Liberty Elite to see who would take the second American slot. The Libero Huskies swept 25-15, 27-25.   [player_tooltip player_id='536729' first='Katelyn' last='Rolph'] and [player_tooltip player_id='947242' first='Alexa' last='Balgavy'] are the primary setters who run the offense. At 6'0" Katelyn carries some height for a setter, remaining in the front row to hit. [player_tooltip player_id='623088' first='Irina' last='Padden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='754951' first='Milica' last='Marden'] are smaller left sides who can hit while [player_tooltip player_id='782196' first='Samantha' last='Green'] and [player_tooltip player_id='934826' first='Victoria' last='Liakos'] bring some length to the right side and middle. [player_tooltip player_id='888041' first='Sophia' last='Chan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='934828' first='Madelyn' last='Denny'] are 2027s, with Sophia covering the back row while Madelyn takes charge of the middle.   Liberty Elite   Liberty Elite was also not one of the higher seeds but they won their pool by defeating top seeded Maryland Juniors 25-21, 25-15. They came into the tournament as the sixth seed. Winning their pool gave them a bye in the first round of bracket play.   That is where they had to face a strong Paramount Alec team that beat St. James Navy in a match that went three sets, taking the third set 15-10. Liberty Elite won the three set match against Paramount Alec 25-17, 21-25, 15-12. That clinched them at least a Freedom Bid, which they got after being swept by [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] and then Libero Huskies in the American Bid playoff match.   Similar to [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Quintin, the Liberty Elite rely on a collection of players that bring out the best in the team. The highest ranked Liberty Elite player is outside [player_tooltip player_id='809574' first='Carson' last='Lehman'], who sits at number 85. After that you get a collection of players such as setter [player_tooltip player_id='889251' first='Mia' last='Johnson'], outsides [player_tooltip player_id='764683' first='Naomi' last='McNeal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='764664' first='Sloane' last='Dunn'], [player_tooltip player_id='764676' first='Isabella' last='Spinelli'] and [player_tooltip player_id='933348' first='Tenley' last='Yost'] all show the talent to squeeze in our 2028 top 175 list.   Paramount Alec   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/30-Anna-Hudson.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-935617" style="aspect-ratio:0.6676550664474217;width:270px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='730577' first='Anna' last='Hudson']</figcaption></figure>   Paramount Alec stands out as another low seeded team that earned the last Freedom bid. As the eighth seed they got shoved into a pool with Paramount Maureen. It was not a good start for them as well as they lost to both Virginia Juniors and Paramount Maureen. Once playoffs started they did a little better, beating St. James Navy in three but losing to Liberty Elite in three.   This dropped them down to a four team bracket where one set to 25 would define the winner. In the Reallocation Bracket Paramount Alec squeezed past Premier Edge 26-24 then captured the Freedom Bid with a 25-10 shellacking of MVSA Sparks.   While Paramount Maureen carries a number of players ranked in the top 50, Paramount Alec's two top ranked players fall between 50-100, the smaller outsides [player_tooltip player_id='693144' first='Layla' last='Babiker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='832261' first='Gia' last='Molfino']. Layla hit outside for West Springfield to help them win the Virginia Class 6 state championship. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='941988' first='Amanda' last='Dadio'] is another winner, having led Paul VI to a WCAC title and a second place finish in the VISAA state championship. Love the spark that [player_tooltip player_id='730577' first='Anna' last='Hudson'] can provide a team in the back row.   For the most part the seedings for each of the age groups was accurate. The 16s happened to stand out as the one age group they missed. Only the top two seeds earned the top two bids, Paramount Maureen and [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] for National and American. After that the lower seeds, Libero Huskies (American), Liberty Elite (Freedom) and Paramount Alec (Freedom) took home bids.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro 15 Finishes third in Northeast Qualifier</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/123-Scarlett-Netherton-crop-2327x1528-1756840312.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-882987" style="width:244px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton']</figcaption></figure>   Most of the top Chesapeake Region teams were playing in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship. Many would be playing in the Northeast Qualifier absent the Regions bid playoffs. Of those who competed in the Northeast Qualifier none earned bids except for Metro 15s finishing third in the Open. However, they previously won a bid in an earlier Qualifier so the third place finish only gave them bragging rights of two bid wins.   Metro beat all their opponents except for the first place finisher AJV Adidas (Austin Junior Volleyball), who beat Metro 27-25, 25-11 in the semi-finals of the gold bracket. Of the top four teams playing in the finals only Metro previously earned an Open bid. According to AES Metro ranks number 7 in the country.   This lineup is stacked with setter right side [player_tooltip player_id='746506' first='Carolyn' last='Maria'], left sides [player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='750050' first='Raquel' last='Telly'] and right side [player_tooltip player_id='750056' first='Kiera' last='Jordan'] all ranked in the top ten in the class of 2029. Even left side [player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe'] ranks in the top ten in the class of 2028.

While Blue Ridge took the National bids in the 14/15 age group it was Paramount who shined at the 16/17. Below is a summary of the bid winners in the older age groups.