The 15's Dreaming of Indy at Chesapeake Regionals

<p>Jeremy went into the 16s and 17s. I'll take a shot at the 15s. One player to watch from each team, except for [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Morales, who I have yet to see play.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan'] is the big hitter on the left side. [player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco'] could be the top libero in the class of 2029. Lurking in the shadows is Izzy, still a relatively unknow player.</p>   <p>Last year she played middle for the Libero Huskies. Her high school Tuscarora moved her to the outside. Paramount picked her up and have been using her on the right side. She carries the highest approach jump on the team, reaching 10'3". She just needs to gain more experience to achieve consistency. A move to the left side is a strong possibility once she gets more consistency attacking the high outside sets.</p>   <p>Paramount is the number one seed in this tournament. Their hope was not to have to play in this Regional tournament after achieving an early bid. That did not happen so they are here instead of competing in the Open at Philadelphia in the Northeast Qualifier.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] Blue</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Middle [player_tooltip player_id='749349' first='Avery' last='Curtis'] could be their top offensive player. However, because she plays middle it takes a good pass to set her. Hitting from the outside is another talented offensive player in Brielle. She played for the powerhouse Musselman High in West Virginia leading the team in kills as a frosh. She also plays a solid six rotations.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'10" she has the height to dominate in the front row. If you spend too much time trying to double block Avery in the middle Brielle will come back to hurt you on the left side.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] has already earned a USA bid. In the past they have turned down bids to play in AAUs in Florida. The last junior national they attended was in Chicago a couple years ago. It appears that Indy is also to their liking.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Virginia Juniors</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='754650' first='Madison' last='Meiring'] is the top offensive player on this team. In order for her to show off her skills she needs to rely on the back row players [player_tooltip player_id='756342' first='Olivia' last='Baick'] and Jenevieve to create a good pass.</p>   <p>While Olivia may suit up with the libero jersey both have the skills to play the position. With Jenevieve she turned down a club offer because they only practiced two days a week and she felt the need to practice three days per week to improve her skills. It will be hard to find two back row players that show the hustle of both Olivia and Jenevieve. They strive for success.</p>   <p>If not for their back row play Madison would not have the opportunity to show off her skills in the front row.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro National</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='749642' first='Sophia' last='Groshek'] has already been highlighted for her right side play as one of the keys for the success of Metro National. Avery is one of a number of talented left sides that Metro has at its disposal. The advantage that Avery has over [player_tooltip player_id='762829' first='Angela' last='Zhang'] and [player_tooltip player_id='762826' first='Avery' last='Nierenberg'] is her libero like qualities when playing the back row. She is a true six rotation player.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Last year, when she was still recovery from a knee injury Maryland Juniors used her as a libero in the Junior Nationals Open Division. Her current approach jump is 9'6" but that should improve as her knee gets stronger.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Of the three newly created National teams the 15s have the most potential talent. This will be their opportunity to showcase their talent.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maryland Juniors</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The two left sides [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753079' first='Reagan' last='Barrett']</strong> create the offense to achieve the team's success. However, that offense would not exist without the accurate passing of Charlotte. These three players are the lone returning starters from the Maryland Juniors 14 team that qualified for Open last year in Junior Nationals.</p>   <p>It appears that despite picking up a whole new crop of players to filter around those three the team has achieved success. It is a testament to the depth of the Maryland Juniors program. You look at many of their ex-players scattered on other club rosters and you wonder how they continue with their success.</p>   <p>Maryland Juniors is the fifth seed. They happen to fall into the same pool as Metro National, which took many of their players from the Maryland Juniors 14 team. That should be a fun match to watch. As far as I know this will be the first time these two square off this season.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">BAVA Blaze</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Another one of those athletic left sides to watch. She can terminate the ball with the best of them. An extremely underrated player who also tends to lurk in the shadows with the less formidable clubs and high school.</p>   <p>Last year BAVA surprised by earning a bid. They lost their setter [player_tooltip player_id='762823' first='Brie' last='Mouton'] to Metro National but now their middle blocker from last year, the 6'1" [player_tooltip player_id='766895' first='Neely' last='Olish'] is acting as their 5/1 setter.</p>   <p>However, it all starts with the success of A'Vielle. If she can put the ball away consistently BAVA will again have an opportunity to rise to the top to capture a bid. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maggie</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'11" she has height for the right side. She played for a Briar Woods team that rose above expectations with a number of frosh on the roster. Marissa is the second highest ranked right side in the class of 2029.</p>   <p>I have yet to see Marisa play this year. The Paramount second team lacks the height of the first team, but they have the talent to pull off some surprises. Despite their lack of height, they have captured some first place finishes at local tournaments. Expect Marisa to contribute to that success.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MOCO Menace</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Last year she played defensive specialist. She played with lots of enthusiasm and hustle. This year she plays libero. Her play is a bit more tempered but the hustle still exists. What is most important are the skills to make the pass and play defense continue to impress. Now she accomplishes her tasks as a libero instead of a defensive specialist.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">MOCO Menace is actually the third ranked local team in the Chesapeake Region according to AES. Last week they played in the Shamrock showdown, losing only to [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] in the finals. They could be that underdog that rises above their seeding.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">With Clarke patrolling the back row they should play in system more than out of system. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Tony</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">At the Shamrock Showdown Ava was a hammer on the left side. She was the go to player when [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] needed a point. They finished third just behind MOCO Menace and [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'].</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">This early in the season [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] has achieved some success. They have finished in the top three in three tournaments and reached 9th place in a National Qualifier out of 64 teams. They should not be taken lightly.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Libero Huskies</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Kelsey started as a frosh for Thomas Jefferson. She led the team in kills and plays the full six rotations. She also placed third in digs as well as serving aces. She plays the complete game.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Libero is only ranked 22 regionally, but when you look at their national ranking from a local perspective they just squeezed in to qualify for this tournament. I have yet to see them play this year so I am unfamiliar with a number of players on their roster.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Liberty Elite</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Tenley was the one Liberty Elite player who impressed me at the Volley by the James. She flies all over the back court while playing with great intensity. [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas'] hit a missile at her and she calmly popped it up. Afterwards there was a "did I just do that" celebration. Tenley made the All County first team and the All Central Maryland second team. Definitely a talent to carry in the back row.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Not too much is known about the rest of the players. They are the next to last seed in this tournament, usually finishing in the middle of the pack in the tournaments they compete in. Tenley was the only player who stood out when I watched them the first time but second looks always surprise.</p>    <p></p>

Jeremy went into the 16s and 17s. I'll take a shot at the 15s. One player to watch from each team, except for Loudoun Elite Morales, who I have yet to see play.