DMV Highlights from Day One of 16s and 17s Junior Nationals

It was day one of Junior Nationals for 16s and 17s in Indianapolis. Below are some of the highlights from my roaming the convention center. I only focus on the highlights. There were some low lights as well but I will pretend I never saw them.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro Sneaks Past the Number One Seed VC Nebraska</h2>   After getting swept by the number two seed in their pool to drop to 1-1 their next match came against the Number 1 seed VC Nebraska.    With Metro up by one 24-23 Macie tried to end the set with a swing that went too fast booming the ball out. On the next play [player_tooltip player_id='437985' first='Zora' last='Dimbo'] smashed a ball down the line that clearly was going out but the defender reached out to play the ball and shanked it. A kill and an ace gave Nebraska another one point lead 27-26 but their next serve sailed out.   With the score tied at28-28 Macie powered a ball through the block for another one point lead. A setter dump again tied it for Nebraska. [player_tooltip player_id='478903' first='Barrett' last='Bolter'] found [player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'] again. Macie powered another ball through the block. Nebraska struck the antennae on their next hit giving Metro the 30-28 win. They also won the second set by a two point margin 30-28.   Macie has committed to James Madison. She can hit the ball as hard as anyone.    With the Metro win that puts four teams tied at 2-1. Metro plays one of them plus the winless Dallas Skyline Royal Ping. Only three teams advance to the first round.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Bounces Back From Early Loss</h2>   In their opener against number one seed WPVC [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] was swept 25-16, 25-22. They slipped past Momentum 25-23, 25-23. In their third set against PowerPlex they relied on [player_tooltip player_id='536716' first='Diane' last='Nzoupet'] heroics to save the day.    Diane has committed to Georgia. Despite being the 9th ranked prospect in the class of 2028 she is only the third ranked libero. She shows tremendous hustle roaming the backcourt. She played like a number one in this set.   PowerPlex carried the lead in the third set 12-10. Diane made a great dig on a driven ball, it travelled to [player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge'] who used her hands for a sweet set to right side [player_tooltip player_id='534058' first='Alexa' last='Bracey'], who put the ball to the floor. Powerplex left side drove the next set down the line. [player_tooltip player_id='298857' first='Ingrid' last='Smith'] made a smooth pick up, Diana chased down the ball to set [player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge'] for the kill to tie the set 12-12.   Another great dig by [player_tooltip player_id='298857' first='Ingrid' last='Smith'] on a hit down the line and the Powerplex outside netted on the attempted return play and it was 13-12. Is it ground hog day. Ingrid with the dig, Diane with the set and Annika with another kill to give [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] the 14-12 lead. All those out of system sets you run in practice were paying off two fold.   [player_tooltip player_id='534058' first='Alexa' last='Bracey'] ended the ground hog day cycle by blocking the next hit to give [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] a well earned victory in their second match,      <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Virginia Elite Relies on the Heritage Connection</h2>   Virginia Elite won their first two matches. At one point the second set of the first match looked in doubt. Virginia Elite had fallen behind 15-9. Their play looked a little ragged on the court.    Annabelle sets a 6/2. She stands just 5'7" with an 8'10" approach jump. However, she has sweet hands that find a consistent location as well as a wicked jump serve. She has come a long way with that jump serve since the time she played for me at 12.   She strung together 12 points with two aces to pull Virginia Elite ahead 21-15. During that point spree she shared some excellent timing with her Heritage teammate [player_tooltip player_id='582293' first='Shannon' last='Treloar'] on three shoot sets in the middle. Shannon also generated some points on her own with two blocks in the middle.   Nothing like two high school teammates from Heritage combining for the win.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Another New Position for [player_tooltip player_id='617089' first='India' last='Starr']</h2>    When I first watched India play for East Coast she played middle. She was one of those tall girls who seemed to scream out "put me in the middle". She preferred right side. The next year [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] Black moved her to the right side.   Now with injuries to their left side India is discovering a new position this club season - left side. She still does not have the timing down. The sets to the left side tend to be higher than the right. They are even playing her in six rotations so she is passing and playing defense. Late in the game they pull her for a defensive specialist.   She hits the ball hard when her timing is right. She has the long arms and the whiplike action to power the ball to the floor. What she needs to work on if she wants to become a successful pin hitter is the timing. She sometimes approaches the ball too early, hitting underneath the ball which results in the ball sailing out. Still. if the 6'4" India can master the left side she could be highly popular with the college crowd.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DMV Clubs Still Undefeated After the First Day</h2>   American 16   [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] Elite   Libero Huskies   National 16   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maureen   American 17   [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Quintin   Virginia Elite   Freedom 17   Metro National   Still lots of gold to hunt for.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DMV Shines at the National Prep Dig Showcase</h2>   A number of DMV players stood out at the Prep Dig Showcase. [player_tooltip player_id='545725' first='Abisola' last='Adeyemo'] was named one of three players to win the Avoli MVP award. Johanne Steppling and [player_tooltip player_id='623092' first='Anwuli' last='Okafor'] both were highlighted for their strong middle and pin play. All three play for Metro National 16. Another player who stood out is [player_tooltip player_id='739977' first='Elizabeth' last='Hemberg'] for her setting. She also plays for Metro National 16. Expect to see a post about her in a day or two.

It was day one of Junior Nationals for 16s and 17s in Indianapolis. Below are some of the highlights from my roaming the convention center. I only focus on the highlights. There were some low lights as well but I will pretend I never saw them.