Mid Atlantic Power League Fires up the Emotions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was some intense competition this past weekend in Hampton. A number of teams competed for the top spot in the Black (16-18), Blue (14-16) and Red Division (13-14) at the Mid Atlantic Power League (MAPL). As it did last year, this usually becomes a battle amongst five clubs, Metro, [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''], [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'], East Carolina and East Coast. Last year those clubs took up the top three spots. This year they did the same, only someone shook up the bottle and the spots showed up a little differently. Below is a summary of the championship results. More results of other teams will be posted later this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":745809,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/paramount-16-MAPL.jpg?w=960" alt="" class="wp-image-745809" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Paramount 16</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Black Division 16-18)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year at MAPL Metro 16 took first in the Black 16-18 Division. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 won the Blue 14-16 Division. It was a stroke of genius to have one of the first matches to start the tournament pit Metro 17 against [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16. That is how you start a power league. It set the tone for the remainder of the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] found themselves way overmatched in the first set of the morning losing 25-13. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321677' first='Charis' last='Burge']</strong> went on a nine point serving run to toast [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] early in the set. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> powdered a number of out of system sets and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333652' first='Gabriella' last='Vizek']</strong> shut down an early <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington']</strong> quick set to dominate the net. At that point one had to wonder if [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] could compete against Metro 17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For set two the <strong>[player_tooltip player_i.d='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] </strong>engine revved up. She accounted for seven kills and two aces to change the momentum of the match. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li'] </strong>also contributed three aces. Those three aces were part of a five point scoring run that broke a 12-12 tie and gave [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] a commanding 17-12 lead. Taylor put together her two aces towards the end of the set to extend the lead to 23-14. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] would eventually win the second set 25-17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third set went back and forth with [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] jumping out to an early 3-0 lead, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536716' first='Diane' last='Nzoupet'] </strong>banging out two aces to begin the set. Metro trailed for most of the third set until a back row attack by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong> tied the set at 13-13. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong> followed with an ace to put them at match point. As [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] often did, they went to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington']</strong> for the kill to tie the game at 14-14. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> put it at match point again with a hard driven spike that found nothing but floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately for Metro, the [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] engine could not be stopped. She took over after that with a block, kill and another block to give [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] the 17-15 win. A massive celebration followed. Little did they know that this was just the beginning of a very emotional weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During Paramount's next match against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 18 [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] pulled out another 17-15 third set win after splitting the first two matches 25-23. In their third match against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 17 they lost the first set 25-17, won the second set 25-19 and just squeaked past [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in the third set 16-14. Fortunately for Paramount and their coach, the matches got a little easier after that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Metro 17 they went on a roll, sweeping past all six of their opponents, including Metro 16 25-18 and 25-21. They also avenged an earlier loss in a tournament at Maryland Juniors to [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 17 by sweeping them in the semi-finals of the gold bracket match 25-19 and 25-22. The rematch between last year's champions was now on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like they did in the first match the day before Metro 17 powered past [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 25-17. A <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> back row kill tied the set at 8-8. Three more Doolan kills and contributions from<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238341' first='Teodora' last='Stamenkovic']</strong> put them ahead 23-16. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333652' first='Gabriella' last='Vizek']</strong> put the finishes touches on the game using the block for a kill to end the set. Unfortunately, like the day before Metro could not finish it off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set found no team carrying a lead by more than two points. As the game closed to the end two incredible digs by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther']</strong> kept rallies alive and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge']</strong> mixed in one block and four kills to transform a 19-19 tie into a 25-21 win. Kayla once played for Metro 13 but they used her as a libero. At that time, she hoped to still hit outside so she went to Paramount, where that worked for a couple years. She finds herself as a back row player again, but this time more accepting of the position. It would surprise me to find a player who works as hard to improve her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was no surprise to see the championship match come down to the third set. Metro took the early lead 3-0 on kills by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333652' first='Gabriella' last='Vizek']</strong>. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] inched back, with a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536716' first='Diane' last='Nzoupet']</strong> dig, the ball flying high over the net before falling untouched on the Metro side of the court in a moment of confusion about who would pass the dig. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] took the lead on a ricochet dig on a spike that bounced off two [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] players in a pinball machine fashion before being passed deep into the Metro side of the court to fall for a point and a 9-8 lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro could not capture the lead after that. An [player_tooltip player_id='435748' first='Aaliyah' last='Green'] kill put Metro ahead 11-9. A [player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther'] ace upped the lead to 12-9. [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] finally finished it off with a kill on an overset to make it 14-10. Her final stroke ended it at 15-10. Another emotional outburst followed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <strong>Metro 15 Takes the Blue Division (14-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year in the Blue Division Metro lost to [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 in the finals. It was their only loss of the tournament. They brought back most of the same cast of characters to win the Blue Division this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Repeating last year's efforts Metro again went undefeated heading into the championship match. To advance they had to beat a strong [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 15 team twice to make it to the finals. So again, just like last year Metro entered the finals tasked with facing another [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 team. This time they were a year older and a year wiser. They also came into the match knowing they eliminated Paramount 14 last year in the first round of the championship bracket playoffs, but it took three sets to do so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paramount also came into the match undefeated. They won a tight three set opener against [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] 15. After that, they swept past their next four opponents until battling with East Carolina in the semi-final match. They won the third set 15-11 to advance to the finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I arrived late for the match after watching the Black Division championship. A kill on an over set followed by a block pulled [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] to within one of Metro 22-23 in the opening set. Metro refused to panic. A tip kill by [player_tooltip player_id='612397' first='Eliana' last='Koram'] brought them to set point. [player_tooltip player_id='721145' first='Claire' last='Tepper'] finished the set off with a kill for the 25-22 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set [player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell'] provided the sparks to lead the offense. She hit balls from both the front and back row to finish off Paramount 25-17, collecting five kills and one ace in the process. Two of her early kills were simple tips to put Metro ahead early 2-1. They never looked back after that. [player_tooltip player_id='536721' first='Ana' last='Woods'] buried a couple right side sets and contributed to a combo block to finish off the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Two MVPS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["296486"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67979356573dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She averaged at least 7 kills per set in the matches I watched. That little pooch set between the outside and the middle seemed to be her favorite spot. No matter how many times she went cross court with it Metro 16 or 17 could not defend against it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor also was a presence at the net with her blocks. At critical points in the game she always seemed able to put up one block to shift the momentum. Her serving was tough as well. You could count on at least one ace from her serving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She might be the kind of player you dislike when you are playing against her because she plays with such raw emotion. If you are playing with her you love that enthusiasm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If at least 10 Big Ten scouts don't have her on their top five list then there must be other factors in play. The National Team Development Program (NTDP) is certainly looking at her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor clearly deserves the MVP award of the Black Division (16-18 for her contributions in the tournament).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell'] OH (Metro/Richard Montgomery) - Katherine has an older sister [player_tooltip player_id='412056' first='Elizabeth' last='Mitchell'] that has paved her way into the volleyball spotlight. At 6'1" she stands a couple inches above her sister. The two of them combined to lead Richard Montgomery to a second straight Maryland state championship. Katherine switched off between middle and outside to finish second on the team in kills. Not bad for a frosh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the MAPL that couple inches of growth from last year makes her almost unstoppable hitting from the left side. In the championship match against [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 she averaged about seven kills per set to lead Metro 15 to the MAPL championship. She hits the ball whether front row or back row. That championship pedigree also shows in her leadership role. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her six rotation play also stands out as one of her strengths. Not only can she generate offense with her three meter attacks from the back row but she also provides consistent passing and solid defense. When the 2028 rankings come out she will be number two in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Katherine stands out as the other deserving choice for the MVP of the Blue Division (14-16) at MAPL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Red Division (13-14)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 14 won the Red Division. In previous tournaments I have watched they have finished third in the Maryland Open and the Volley by the James. In this tournament they swept past all their opponents, including East Carolina 25-22 and 25-19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] is led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749349' first='Avery' last='Curtis'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749353' first='Brielle' last='Wolf']</strong>. Since our focus was on the Black and Blue Division I did not see any of the Red Division matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->