DMV Day Two 16s and 17s - Who's Gunning for Gold

<p>There were still some incredible performances during day two of the 16s and 17s. Before we identify the clubs still on the search for gold a couple highlights in the sets I witnessed.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro National 16</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">They won their last match to put themselves in a five way tie for first with their 3-2 record. With the tie breaker rules they finished third. However, it is difficult to have a third set performance as dominant as Elizabeth in the third match they played, especially when you consider her position is as a setter.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">She normally begins the set in the left front position, then switches to the right side. In their match against Livewire the teams split the first two matches 25-11, 19-25. By the time Elizabeth rotated to the back row to set she crushed 6 kills and participated in one block to give Metro a 12-5 lead. She added an assist to her stats when <strong>Sydney Carey </strong>crushed one of her sets for a 14-9 lead.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'0" she brings good height to the setter position. She impressed the Prep Dig scouts at the showcase by winning a top performer award as a setter.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Libero Huskies 16</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Like Metro National the Libero Huskies are playing in the American Division. The Huskies lost their last match but still finished first in their pool.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">I only arrived for the third set for Libero and witnessed Victoria whack the game winning kill in their 15-12 win over KNVBC Showtime to put them in a position for first place.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Victoria has some height. She was the lone sophomore to make the Cedar District first team. All the other players were juniors and seniors.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">As my first evaluation of her stated the Junior Nationals would give me a second opportunity to take a look at her. She passed with flying colors on the second look. </p>    <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Who Is Gunning For Gold</h1>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro 17</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">They are the only DMV Open team to reach the second round to qualify for gold. When you have two back row players as talented as Virginia Gatorade player of the year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] </strong>and Kaniyah you are always in system. They seem to share the libero responsibility. Kaniyah is actually playing a year up as a class of 2028.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Last year the 16 team finished second in the National Division. Kaniyah was one of three players named to the All Tournament team. She ranks fifth in the class of 2028 rankings and is the top libero in the ranking. It is no surprise to see her make a commitment to a quality program like Tennessee.</p>   <p>Metro is the third seed in their three team pool with Club V and Madfrog. It is possible they could have had a higher finish and better seeding if they had won their last match against a winless team after taking a 6-0 lead against them in the first set. At least they made it to the dance. They are the only Chesapeake Open team to do so. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Virginia Juniors 17 - National</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The one match that I watched of Juniors Ayla was on fire. She could not be stopped whether hitting from the front row or back row. Normally, she plays three rotations but in the match I watched she played six rotations. Ayla has committed to Elon.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Juniors was the third seed in their pool and finished third. Their only two losses were to the top two seeds in their pool. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Tomorrow they will be in a pool with SA Elite and Idaho United. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro National 17 - Freedom</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">When you rank as many players as I do sometimes a player will fall through the cracks. For Metro National Ella was playing six rotations creating offense from the front row and back row. She plays for Saint Johns Catholic Prep in Frederick Maryland. She ranks 144 in our class of 2027 rankings. She was banging the balls pretty good for a player ranked 144.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Metro National still has one more match to play tomorrow morning. Win it and they will finish first in their pool. Lose it they finish second or third. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SERV 17 - Freedom</h2>   <p>They still have not clinched a spot for the upper division, the next step to appearing in the gold bracket. Win their last match against DaKine and they can put themselves in a position for third depending on how the tie breaker falls.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Virginia Elite 17 - American</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='359401' first='Chloe' last='Barth'] is used to hitting right side. Because of injuries Virginia Elite is using her left side. That does not appear to impact her ability to put the ball away. Only 5'9" she used to play the position of the defensive specialist who could crush the ball from the back row. However, Madison High School and Virginia Elite have appreciated her ability to still accumulate kills playing in the front row.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Virginia Elite finished in a three way tie for first but took first as a result of the tie breaker. They will be in a pool with Alamo and MVVC. They are the first seed in their pool. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 16 - USA</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] is one of those clubs many are not familiar with because they normally play in AAUs. This time they take their game to USAV with Indianapolis a drive away from Winchester.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Avery is one of those shorter outsides that consistently puts the ball away. With the 6'3" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536736' first='Alexis' last='Stephens']</strong> playing middle her stature is even more pronounced. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830996' first='Catherine' last='Warren']</strong> is another outside who can punish the ball.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Despite being seeded last in their pool and 44th overall they surprised everyone finishing second in their pool. They won a tie breaker against two other teams with 3-3 records. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] will be the second seed in their pool with Top Flight and Volt.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maureen 16 - National</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">In the match I watched Giuliana was dominating at both the offensive game with her quick tempo kills as well as the defensive game with her blocks. At 6'3" she is a presence at the net. Currently ranked at number 33 in our class of 2028 however after her play at this tournament that could go even higher.</p>   <p>As a result of her consistent play all year [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] was a top seed in their pool. They held court finishing undefeated. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] earns the top seed in their pool with Alliance and SIVBC Thunder.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Alec 16 - Freedom</h2>   <p>With one team 6-0 and two other teams at 4-2 [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Alec needs to win their last match against a 3-3 team Zero Gravity. A loss would eliminate them from a gold possibility.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MVSA Sparks 16 - Freedom</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">You don't often see clubs run a 5/1 with their teams. MVSA Sparks is one of those teams that does so. They are happy with the talent she shows at her position. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Ellie grew up watching her sister set a 5/1 and the skill just transferred to her. With the experience of watching her sister set as well as her own development she has learned how to run an offense with her high volleyball IQ.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">When you see this team on the court they will not impress you with power. They will beat you with finesse. As the seventh seed in their pool coming into the tournament they finished in first place even though they still have one more match to play tomorrrrow.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Libero Huskies 16 - American</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Irina doesn't seem to filter her hits. She swings hard at everything. For the most part they find the court. She plays six rotations with the ability to generate excellent velocity on her swings. She hustles for everything in the back row as well. A club like Libero needs a underdog like Irina to climb in the rankings.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Libero was seeded second in their pool but finished first. They lost their last match but the coach could have been resting his starters. Libero will be the first seed in their pool with Omaha Fashion and Legacy Adidas. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro National 16 - American</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Eva is one of those players who should get more credit for her setting. I like the way the ball comes off her hands and the smooth arc she gives it to allow the hitters to better time the ball. She also seems to run the quick tempo sets well. It is good to see her get an opportunity to set. At 5'7" her height probably restricts her to a 6/2.</p>   <p>In a six team pool there were five teams that tied for first with a 3-2 record. Metro won their last match to get that opportunity. They are the third seed in a three team pool with PowerPlex and Brusa. </p>

There were still some incredible performances during day two of the 16s and 17s. Before we identify the clubs still on the search for gold a couple highlights in the sets I witnessed.