Volley by the James Winners – Not Quite a Paramount Sweep

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because I was involved in my own playoffs at the 13 level on Monday, I could not get over to the Richmond Convention Center for the championship matches. I will have a post later this week about some of the players who stood out at the event. However, first a post about the winners and it was not quite a [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] sweep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">18 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] fell short of the gold at this age level despite being classified as the number one seed. So did MVSA Chaos. Those were the two teams I predicted for the finals. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] took the silver but two losses on the second day to [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] and Jersey Juniors knocked them down to the Silver Bracket. MVSA Chaos went 1-2 on the first day, losing to HOV Nationals and Jersey Juniors to drop down to the second division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The gold division qualifiers were all Old Dominion teams as well as Jersey Juniors. [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] defeated all their opponents to win the gold, sweeping past HOV National and Richmond Volleyball Academy in the finals. The sweep against Richmond were two 25-23 victories.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] carried a talented roster with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</strong> setting and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397397' first='Jasmine' last='Williams']</strong> playing middle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221415' first='Lindsey' last='Canty'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='609533' first='Madeline' last='Dumais']</strong> handled two of the pins while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397192' first='Kadie' last='Cardozo']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290419' first='Sanai' last='Jones'] </strong>covered the back row. A roster of only eight players completed their task..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heart of Virginia (HOV) National was a nice surprise to appear in the gold led by the trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='229773' first='Evie' last='Ballengee']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722276' first='Kenstin' last='Phelps']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845472' first='Emily' last='Cook']</strong>. They went 5-1 the first two days, even beating Jersey Juniors on day one. The three players names all played for the high school Liberty Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I hope any college scout at the event got to see <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='322106' first='Bailey' last='Loving']</strong> play libero for [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']. Still uncommitted she is a fun player to watch cover the back row. [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] finished second.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":781891,"width":"254px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.8289473684210527","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/67-Ellie-Nguyen.jpg?w=848" alt="" class="wp-image-781891" style="aspect-ratio:0.8289473684210527;width:254px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='778213' first='Ellie' last='Nguyen']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick controlled this age group, sweeping past all their opponents. Premier Edge scored 23 points against them in the first set of the second match of the day. However, no other team could reach twenty points against an extremely talented roster of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435748' first='Aaliyah' last='Green']</strong>. All are ranked in our top ten in the class of 2027. They are also all committed to top Division I volleyball schools Penn State, Vanderbilt, Old Dominion and Connecticut. Although they played in the AM time slot it was nice to see many of them show up to cheer on their younger age groups who were playing in the PM time slot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Quintn was a surprise second place finisher. I predicted a Virginia Elite versus [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] final, but because Virginia Elite lost to [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Tony in their pool 25-23, 6-25, 20-25 they finished in second place. That put them in the same pool on the second day as the two [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] teams. They swept past [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Allorie 25-17, 25-12, however they could not overcome [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick losing 25-9, 25-15. That knocked them down into the Silver Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Quintin finished second in their pool because of a tie breaker. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] and [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] also finished 2-1. [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] had lost to [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in three in pool play, which dropped them to second place on points. [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] dropped to third. [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] then swept past Mojo Elite and Maryland Juniors 17 to advance to the gold bracket. Once there they were able to beat [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in three, taking the third set 15-13. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick defeated them in the other match 25-14, 25-8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Quentin is led by a smaller outside with a powerful punch in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536741' first='Lacey' last='Bogues']</strong> to pair with a new addition to their roster in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760207' first='Delia' last='Brooks Terceros']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778213' first='Ellie' last='Nguyen']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='444617' first='Kamilla' last='Hendrix']</strong> handled the setting duties. Not a team of superstars with Lacey the highest ranked player in our class of 2027 at number 67. However, they are one of those teams where the sum is greater than the parts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":936611,"width":"634px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.499287909452065","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/16-Maureen.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-936611" style="aspect-ratio:1.499287909452065;width:634px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Paramount 16</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My only correct prediction where I thought [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] would play [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maureen in the finals. It was actually a three team pool with [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] sweeping past [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] and [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']. Neither team could reach 20 points against [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''], but Richmond came the closest at 25-16, 25-17. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maureen did not lose a set in the tournament, allowing only three teams to reach 20 points against them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] carries an impressive group of players led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755134' first='Ava' last='Ewald'] </strong>on the outside as well as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569865' first='Eireni' last='Scott']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh']</strong> all ranked in the second tier of our top 20. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='744453' first='Megan' last='Elder']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545727' first='Giuliana' last='Mastrangelo']</strong> dominate at the middle while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722541' first='Lily' last='Gurney']</strong> patrols the back row. They have a talented trio of setters in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='541140' first='Maris' last='Francescon']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735315' first='Zaire' last='Hewlett']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] also dominated their opponents, although they won a couple three set matches against [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] and [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in the Gold Bracket. That match against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] had to be fun to watch with [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] winning out 28-26, 23-25 and 18-16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] is led by the trio of pin hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768375' first='Alexis' last='VerMeer']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536717' first='London' last='Jones']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464573' first='Blake' last='Crawford']</strong>. However, I also came away impressed with setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='936618' first='Ryann' last='Owensby']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='721139' first='Mollie' last='Wamhoff']</strong> as well as middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='936616' first='Mycah' last='Bingham']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='936617' first='Ava' last='Shabazz']</strong>. Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831619' first='Ella' last='Davis']</strong> also stood out for her solid play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":936612,"width":"685px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.3333481468313928","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/15-Nick.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-936612" style="aspect-ratio:1.3333481468313928;width:685px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Paramount 15</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick and [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] final did not come to be after [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] took their only loss to [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maggie on the second day of their last match. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maggie won in three 25-19, 20-25, 15-10 to send two [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] teams to the final three team gold bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick swept through their competition, not allowing anyone to reach 20 points until they faced [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] in the three division gold bracket. They won the first set 25-7 but then squeezed past [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] in the second set 25-23. They disposed of their second team Maggie pretty easily 25-16, 25-10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan'] provides some incredible punch from the left side while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763151' first='Sydney' last='Lewis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893947' first='Annika' last='Warren']</strong> controlled the middle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752431' first='Kayla' last='Chang']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747031' first='Braylin' last='Coacher']</strong> combine for a formidable setting duo while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco']</strong> provides the glue for the back row. This is a team with some pretty impressive height as well as athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] surprised with their second place finish. They had lost to [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maggie 23-25, 25-21, 12-15 early on the first day in a crossover. On the second day they swept through their competition with two of the three matches taking three sets. In one of those three set wins they beat a solid Maryland Juniors team 25-22, 26-28, 15-13. They got their revenge against [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maggie in the Gold Division bracket play, beating them 28-26, 27-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] is led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778444' first='Zari' last='Northam']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='541319' first='Gabrielle' last='Rodrigo']</strong> on the outside, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='779119' first='Isabelle' last='Thompson']</strong> setting, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='779114' first='Lacie' last='Rayford']</strong> covering the middle and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='879248' first='Paige' last='Stoll']</strong> at libero. Unfortunately, that is one of the few teams I failed to see at the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had predicted [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in the finals but they won the silver bracket. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maggie beat them on the second day of pool play to knock them down to the silver bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will wait a little longer in the season before focusing on the 14U group. This age group was won by [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'], who beat Paramount Jasmine and [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] in the gold bracket. Paramount was the only team to take a set off [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] winning the first set in the gold bracket 25-18. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] bounced back to win the last two sets 25-17, 15-8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paramount Jasmine got some revenge over [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] after losing to them in three in a crossover match 14-25, 25-19, 9-15. In the gold bracket match they were able to sweep them 25-19, 25-7. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">City Of Oaks Highlights</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":781846,"width":"273px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.9755804123040905","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/17-Madison-Meiring.jpg?w=998" alt="" class="wp-image-781846" style="aspect-ratio:0.9755804123040905;width:273px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='754650' first='Madison' last='Meiring']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A number of local teams travelled to North Carolina to play in a City of Oaks tournament. Below are the clubs who finished in the top five in the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 17-18 Division Metro 17 Travel went undefeated up to the finals sweeping past all their opponents until they met Triangle Black. Triangle Black swept them 25-15, 25-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Virginia Juniors lost to Carolina UVC early in pool play 23-25, 25-22, 9-15 but defeated all their other opponents until facing Carolina Select Volleyball Club (CSVC) in the quarter finals, losing 25-19, 25-14. They did eliminate Metro National in the second round of the gold medal round 25-9, 21-25 and 15-8. Virginia Juniors finished fifth in the tournament still led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan']</strong> at setter, but they also added <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton']</strong> at one of the pins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro Travel 16 also took second in the 16 Division. They swept through their first nine opponents as well, but in the finals were swept by Carolinas Junior Volleyball 25-17, 25-22. During pool play they swept past Metro National 25-16, 25-18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>757 Black lost to Federal Triangle in the second round of the playoffs 25-17, 25-21. Metro National lost to CSVC Black 25-20, 25-16 in the second round as well. Both teams finished fifth in the 16 Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The loaded Metro Travel 15 dominated their opponents, sweeping all 10 matches. They beat Metro National 25-14, 25-16 in the second round of the gold bracket playoffs. A talented [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] reached the semi-finals before losing to Triangle Black 25-20, 25-18. They also beat Metro National 25-20, 25-21 and 757 Black 25-20, 25-13 in pool play. The [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] roster has <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752416' first='Mallory' last='Beeson'] </strong>plugging up the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro National and Virginia Juniors each took 5th. The Metro National team only lost to East Coast and Metro travel in the playoffs. Virginia Juniors won their first seven matches before losing to Carolina Junior Volleyball 25-22. 25-22 in the second round of the gold playoffs. Virginia Juniors has a talented roster with<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='754650' first='Madison' last='Meiring']</strong> leading from the left side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->