Richmond Volleyball Club 15 Wins ACPL Championship

As we wind down the club volleyball season there are a number of warm up tournaments to prepare clubs for the Junior Nationals in Indianapolis or the AAU championships in Orlando. The ACPL was one of those AAU tournaments, though for the life of me I do not know what the "PL" is making reference to. I focused on the 15 age group since my coaching got in the way of the other age groups. It was an opportunity to watch some of the younger players compete in the Old Dominion Region.   [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] National beat 757 Black in a championship match that went three sets. Other winners included 540 Volleyball Club Elite defeating [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] National in the 16 U age group. Charlottesville Area Volleyball Club ([program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last='']) defeating Heart of Virginia 16 (HOV) in the 17 age group and finally 540 Volleyball Ball Club Elite defeating Coast VA - c.41 in the 14 age group.   Below is a summary of the results and players who stood out for the six teams that qualified for gold division in the 15 age group. Also summarized are the players who stood out in the 17 U championship match.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">ACPL 15 U Championship Summary</h2>   The first day of pool play so no real big surprises. In the six four team pools the six teams that qualified for the gold bracket open championship were one of the top two seeds. The top seeds won four of the six pools while the second seeds (Coast VA - c.51 and [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] Elite) were second seeds who earned a spot in the two three team pools, with the winners of each pool playing in a gold championship match.   [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] (RVC)   In some respects I would call this an upset. I thought 757 Black as the three seed would overcome the number five seed [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']. In pool play RVC only lost one set to 757 Rachel. That was a first set they played which turned into a 25-23 loss. They recovered in the last two sets to win 25-8, 15-5. In the other two matches against Columbia and Coast VA - c52 they swept without allowing the opposition to reach 20 points.   It was a little more of a battle in the three team gold pool, sweeping the number one seed in the tournament Rappahannock River Volleyball Club (RRVC) 25-19, 25-23. They then overcame Charlottesville Area Volleyball Club ([program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last='']) in three 25-17, 24-26, 16-14 to earn a spot in the finals.   They defeated 757 Black in the gold medal match 23-25, 25-18, 15-9. For the most part [player_tooltip player_id='888289' first='Emmerson' last='Croft'] orchestrated the victory with her setting acumen. In many of the matches I watched she set a 5/1. Her St. Catherines teammate [player_tooltip player_id='888288' first='Lila' last='Cross'] also did some setting. Emmerson's favorite target in the championship match against 757 seemed to be [player_tooltip player_id='961907' first='Maliyah' last='Ingram'], who mostly played middle but occasionally hit outside. Maliyah got the final two kills against [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''], the last a roll shot that won the third set 16-14. Her size may actually make her better on the left side. While she plays for the RVC 15s she actually belongs to the 2030 class playing up.   Another target was [player_tooltip player_id='986894' first='Robbie' last='Lorreta Burr'] who hit both left and right side. She got the final kill that won the second set 25-18. Robbie plays both basketball and volleyball for Collegiate. As a frosh her playing time was restricted. Another middle [player_tooltip player_id='961876' first='Sofya' last='Zhukova'] was her hitter of choice. Sofya buried the game winning kill in their 25-23 win over RRVC in their first gold pool match. While Sofya plays middle she rifled the game winning spike from the left side. [player_tooltip player_id='768528' first='Leanna' last='Wynns'] plays back row but is used as an offensive option. She hammered a couple balls down in the championship match, including producing one kill and two aces to score the final three points in the championship match against 757 Black.   757 Black   For 757 the loss had to be disappointing. They had swept their first five sets, not giving up more than 18 points. They also had beaten [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] State and Zonal during that run then won the first set against National 25-23. The last two sets they fell 25-18, 15-9.   This team has lots of talent that focuses on their two setters [player_tooltip player_id='986893' first='Olivia' last='Kinley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='946492' first='Caroline' last='Caison']. While they run a 6/2 both players stay in the front row to play right side. Olivia lists at 5'9" while Caroline appears a tad smaller but both show the ability to put the ball away. Olivia as a frosh did not get much playing time for Ocean Lakes while Caroline plays for the smaller Broadwater High School earning second team All State honors in the VISAA Division IV.   Their big bopper from the left side is [player_tooltip player_id='986895' first='Gabrielle' last='Henry']. Currently, what she lacks in height she more than makes up for with a powerful arm swing. She belongs to the class of 2030 so there appears to be some growth still left in her. She already possesses an impressive top spin serve that brings excellent velocity to the receiving team. [player_tooltip player_id='986891' first='Ryleigh' last='Coronato'] is the other left side that brings power with a solid wrist snap that bangs the ball to the floor. I did not notice her play in the championship match against RVC which could have had an impact on their offense. [player_tooltip player_id='986887' first='Hannah' last='Gorniak'] is a still developing middle who stands 6'1" and comes from Europe. Give her some more experience and she could develop into a player.   Charlottesville Area Volleyball Club ([program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''])   [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] pulled a mild upset, beating the number one seed in their pool [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] 26-24, 25-20 to earn a spot in the gold pool. When there they suffered a heartbreaking third set loss to [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] National 16-14 after winning the second set 26-24.   The go to player for [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] was their middle [player_tooltip player_id='918836' first='Virginia' last='Maier']. She lists at 6'1" and can dominate with the block as well as her ability to put the ball away. She moves well to the pins and gets her hands far over the net. The [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] coach had high praise for her middle play. Virginia plays for Charlottesville High School. Virginia finished off the [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] second set win over RVC 26-24 with three blocks and one kill.   [player_tooltip player_id='986886' first='Katherine' last='Barth'] is a taller setter at 6'0" that runs a 5/1 for [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last='']. Her hands are still a little rough but she puts the ball out there. She also blocks a strong right side. [player_tooltip player_id='986885' first='Norah' last='Ferrell'] is a smaller left side at 5'9" who can put the ball way. She may be the alternate setter since she lists that as a position in addition to hitting left side for her high school team.   Williamsburg Volleyball Club (WVC)   Williamsburg struggled in their first match against 757 Teal, taking it in three sets 25-12, 29-31, 15-11. They swept past their next two opponents to earn a spot in the gold pool. When there they swept their first opponent Coast VA - c 51 25-22, 27-25 but lost to 757 Black in the second match 25-9, 25-17. This dropped them to third place.   In their second set against Coast they made a great comeback, overcoming a 13-20 deficit to win 27-25. [player_tooltip player_id='986884' first='Laurel' last='Maui'] brought them back with three aces to pull within two 19-21. Down 20-24 [player_tooltip player_id='986883' first='Emma' last='Guaspari'] powered a ball down from the middle to get the score to 22-24 then tipped the ball to area "2" to tie it up at 24-24. Two hitting errors by Coastal ended the set.   [player_tooltip player_id='986884' first='Laurel' last='Maui'] also impressed with her hitting from the left side while [player_tooltip player_id='986881' first='Ellie' last='Shelton'] stood out for her middle play.   Coast VA - c51   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/90-Maci-Hensley.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-935665" style="width:343px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='907223' first='Maci' last='Hensley']</figcaption></figure>   Coast pulled off an upset against American, winning in three 19-25, 25-22, 15-7 to earn a spot in the gold pool. They then lost their two matches in the gold pool to finish 5th.   Coast carries [player_tooltip player_id='770059' first='Allece' last='Anderson'] as a setter. She won a top performer award at a Prep Dig Showcase and sets for Atlee high school. She set a 5/1 against Williamsburg Volleyball Club. Right side [player_tooltip player_id='916822' first='Lexie' last='Poirier'] brings a strong left handed swing to the right side. Because they run a 5/1 she also plays six rotations allowing her to provide offense in the back row. Loved the hustle of their libero [player_tooltip player_id='907223' first='Maci' last='Hensley'].   Rappahannock River Volleyball Club (RRVC)   They entered the tournament as the number one seed, justifying that position by sweeping through their three opponents on the first day of pool play. The second day turned a little rough as they sere swept by both [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] National and [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] in the gold pool play.   Impressed with the right side play of [player_tooltip player_id='986880' first='Kinsley' last='Horn']. Another right side with a strong left handed swing. She plays for Middlesex high school which lost in the finals of the Virginia Class 1 playoffs. Kinsley earned a spot on the All State Class 1 second team. She doesn't have a big jumps for her 5'7" height but she sprays line drives into all areas of the court. She is especially lethal when she hammers the ball down the line. [player_tooltip player_id='986879' first='Annie' last='Bray'] also plays for Middlesex where she normally plays outside. She hits middle for RRVC with an occasional left side attack. Currently at 5'9" Annie may be best suited for the left side.   Loved the enthusiasm of their other middle Payton Baker. She also plays for Middlesex.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">ACPL 17 U Championship</h2>   Charlottesville Area Volleyball Club ([program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last='']) was able to over come the younger Heart of Virginia 16 (HOV) in the finals of the 17 play. [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] won the first set 25-22, lost the second 15-25 before edging past HOV in set three 15-13.   [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last='']   Because they were in a three team pool they played three sets on the first day. They were able to win all three sets against River City Academy but then were blown out in three sets by American. Despite the loss CAVC still earned a spot in the gold bracket, struggling to win their first match against 757 Teal. They lost the first set 26-24 but then bounced back to win the next two 25-22 and 16-14. A sweep against American Volleyball North brought them to the championship match against HOV.   I didn't get to see the first set but [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] prevailed 25-22 in that set. HOV got it together in the second set, crushing [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] 25-15. They jumped out to early 3-0 and 7-2 leads in the third set, never really lost their lead and pulled it out 15-13.   [player_tooltip player_id='986878' first='Kella' last='Lemcke'] stood out on the left side for her hitting and blocking. She participated in two early combo blocks in the first set to move [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] to an early 7-2 lead. At 5'10 she brings the height to the left side to penetrate over the net. Kella also produced a kill off the block that gave [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] a 14-13 lead in the third set. She belongs to the class of 2028. Playing for Covenant High she led her team in kills and serve receptions. There also appears to be a love of beach volleyball.   Ava Dibble put [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] up early in the third set 4-0 with an ace and three strong serves.   Heart of Virginia 16 (HOV)   For a 16 team HOV did well competing in the 17 Division. They won all three matches in pool play, the first match taking three to win. In the gold bracket playoffs they upset the RVC National team in three 23-25, 25-11, 15-8. Then they did [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] a favor by disposing of American 25-12, 25-16. That brought them to the championship match where they lost in three.   Left side [player_tooltip player_id='937161' first='Sawyer' last='Almond'] continues to impress. She made her debut in the class of 2028 rankings making the second highest debut in the class. The 5'10" left side earned second team honors for the Class 2 Virginia all state team. An electric player that powers balls through blocks. [player_tooltip player_id='986877' first='Baylee' last='Cash'] also came out strong from the left side. She climbed high over the net with a slam down with her left hand on an attempted [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] tip to close out the second set 25-15. Baylee is one of those athletic players who also competes in two other sports, basketball and softball. She also leads Rustburg in kills and aces while also sitting second in blocks.   [player_tooltip player_id='986876' first='Kynslee' last='Wilson'] runs the offense with her setting. She belongs to the class of 2027. At 5'7" she sets a 5/1 with a strong volleyball IQ for running an offense. She accumulated 540 assists setting a 5/1 for her high school team as well. At one point during a HOV run she tried to rush back to serve before [program_tooltip program_id='504434' first='CAVC' last=''] could call a time out. Another player offering contributions for HOV was Ashlyn Doan with a 6 point service run to give HOV a 22-14 lead in their eventual 25-15 second set win.

As we wind down the club volleyball season there are a number of warm up tournaments to prepare clubs for the Junior Nationals in Indianapolis or the AAU championships in Orlando. The ACPL was one of those AAU tournaments, though for the life of me I do not know what the "PL" is making reference to. I focused on the 15 age group since my coaching got in the way of the other age groups. It was an opportunity to watch some of the younger players compete in the Old Dominion Region.