A Trio of Clubs Win Gold at Maryland Juniors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were three different Open tournaments at Maryland Juniors this past weekend in the 15-17 age group. As a result there were three different clubs winning championships. A number of new names stood out in the tournament. That always makes things exciting. Below is a summary of results. Next on the weekend will be the DC Capitol Hill Classic and for some of the Paramount teams the Triple Crown in Kansas City..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 Open - Virginia Elite Takes the Top Spot</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Virginia Elite came into the tournament as the number one seed. While they battled some challenges along the way the players proved they were the top of the class. Their one hiccup was in pool play when they lost the second set to Eclipse 26-24. <strong>Hailey Melton</strong> had a big hit for Eclipse to give them a 25-24 lead and a hitting error by Virginia Elite ended the set. Because Eclipse split all their matches Virginia Elite finished first in their pool while Eclipse took second.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second pool was a three team pool that Platform Black dominated. Like Virginia Elite they lost only one set in their pool. That was the first set against South Rivers Volleyball Club 19-25. They bounced back from that loss to win the next two 25-22, 25-21. South River finished in second place, high enough to still advance to the gold bracket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the gold bracket Platform swept past Eclipse 27-25, 25-14. Virginia Elite did the same to South River with two 25-13 wins. <strong>Saige Klohr</strong> was the big hitter for South River. Her offense as well as a couple ace serves from <strong>Hannah Petre</strong> gave South River a brief 9-8 lead. It all fell apart after that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Virginia Elite carries just too much fire power from their outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935939' first='Maya' last='Peery']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='903896' first='Nicole' last='McDermott']</strong>. The 5'10" setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763132' first='Raegan' last='Giuliani']</strong> kept dishing it to the outsides and they put the ball away. Virginia Elite sailed to an easy 25-14 win. The second set Virginia Elite jumped out to an early lead and never looked back winning 25-12. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='937474' first='Sydney' last='Lee']</strong> generated a couple back row kills and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763132' first='Raegan' last='Giuliani'] </strong>delivered on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Raegan and Maya started as frosh for the Potomac School. Maya finished second on the team in kills while Raegan was the primary setter. With frosh outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='762826' first='Avery' last='Nierenberg'] </strong>and sophomore libero<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722541' first='Lily' last='Gurney'] </strong>they could have an impact on the Independent School League (ISL) race next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the finals against Platform the first set was close until a eight point serving run by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='903896' first='Nicole' last='McDermott']</strong> turned a 12-8 lead into a 21-8 rout. Nicole put the finishing touches on the set with two kills to finish the set off 25-14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Virginia Elite jumped out to an early 6-1 lead in the second set. <strong>Ava Nastick</strong> tied the score for Platform at 13-13 with a string of aces and a kill by <strong>Victoria Bull </strong>put them up by one 14-13. An ace by <strong>Danielle Paramore</strong> put them up by two 15-13. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935939' first='Maya' last='Peery']</strong> led the charge back with a tip that hit the floor to tie the set 19-19. After a Platform serving error a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922366' first='Natasha' last='Fisher'] </strong>redirect block put Virginia Elite up by two 21-19. Back to back kills by [player_tooltip player_id='935939' first='Maya' last='Peery'] gave Virginia Elite some breathing room for a 24-19 lead. A Platform hitting error into the net gave Virginia Elite the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a third place finish at Charm City Classic this first place finish is a nice confidence builder as they prepare for the Capitol Hill Classic this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 Open - [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Alec</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732519,"width":"453px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.501502019107653","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Kaelyn-Wharton2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732519" style="aspect-ratio:1.501502019107653;width:453px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='471485' first='Kaelyn' last='Wharton']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Premier Edge from Delaware was the top seed in the pool, Virginia Jrs won their pool, despite not having <strong>Mandela Masamini </strong>for the tournament. Their only set loss came against Virginia Elite 21-25. Premier Edge had swept Virginia Elite in their match. Unfortunately, for the last match of the day, even if Premier Edge swept Virginia Juniors the tie breaker still put Virginia Elite in third place. Premier and Virginia Juniors would advance to the gold bracket regardless of the result of the last match. Virginia Juniors beat Premier rather easily 25-18, 25-17 to take the first place spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second pool both Columbia and Paramount Alec swept their opponents. The winner of the last match between Columbia and Paramount would determine who would advance as the first place team and who as the second place team. Columbia jumped out to an early set one lead courtesy of a couple kills from outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944214' first='Julia' last='Drapalski']</strong>. It did not take long for Paramount to bounce back after back to back kills from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='693144' first='Layla' last='Babiker']</strong> as well as back to back aces from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893944' first='Keira' last='Benes']</strong> to jump out front 15-12. Paramount would keep the lead after that with a roll shot kill by [player_tooltip player_id='789955' first='Nia' last='Isirimah'] ending the set 25-22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paramount jumped out to an early lead in set two after <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893944' first='Keira' last='Benes'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545723' first='Ella' last='Jarvis']</strong> gave Paramount 4 point leads at 11-7 and 15-11. Another middle kill by Benes made it 16-12. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='857977' first='Savannah' last='Smith']</strong> came alive for Columbia with two kills and a combo block with <strong>Lena Thompson</strong> during a four point run to give Columbia a 19-17 lead. Back to back aces by <strong>Gianna Laguardia</strong> extended the lead to 21-17. From there Paramount could get no closer than three points ultimately losing 25-20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first round of the gold bracket final Premier Edge swept Columbia 25-17, 25-18. Columbia does have [player_tooltip player_id='829552' first='Anna' last='Fiedler'], who hit left side for the Class 3 Maryland state champion Howard. For Columbia she switched between middle and right side but did not seem very active in the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side Virginia Juniors battled Paramount in a three setter. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='941988' first='Amanda' last='Dadio'] </strong>set a 5/1 for the whole tournament to lead Paramount. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829291' first='Allie' last='Bowen']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471485' first='Kaelyn' last='Wharton']</strong> each contributed two kills to put Juniors up 15-9 and 16-12 early in the first set. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893944' first='Keira' last='Benes'] </strong>came up big again during the closing with a block and a kill to finally put Paramount ahead 25-24. A hitting error by Virginia Juniors ended the set 26-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set was all Virginia Juniors. Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778696' first='Lailah' last='Rogers']</strong> led the charge with a number of big kills in the middle. Juniors also switched up liberos with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725456' first='Audrey' last='Busch']</strong> replacing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944218' first='Annie' last='Larrivee']</strong>. Paramount was never in the game losing 25-13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the third set Paramount ran up a three point run led by an ace from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='744471' first='Olivia' last='Harris']</strong> and kills by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545723' first='Ella' last='Jarvis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832261' first='Gia' last='Molfino']</strong> giving Paramount a 12-9 lead. Gia produced another point from the left side to make it 14-10 and a block by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893944' first='Keira' last='Benes'] </strong>ended it 15-11. Virginia Juniors played this tournament with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini']</strong> on the sidelines with an injury. With Mandela out <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523664' first='Reese' last='Roberts']</strong> played the middle. She brings excellent timing for the quick sets but at 5'9" is undersized for the block. Mandela should be ready to play after Capitol Hill Classic and Reese will play more right side. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='562335' first='Zeynep' last='Anaz']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536724' first='Ariel' last='Callwood']</strong> shared setting duties for Virginia Juniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the finals Paramount dominated Premier in the first set jumping out to a 17-5 lead to eventually win 25-15. The second set was played a little closer for the majority of the set. Premier pulled to within one 22-23 but a [player_tooltip player_id='832261' first='Gia' last='Molfino'] kill made it 24-22 and a Premier hitting error ended it 25-22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='941988' first='Amanda' last='Dadio']</strong> turned in a full days work setting a 5/1. Paramount rotated liberos <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='744471' first='Olivia' last='Harris']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536734' first='Serena' last='Wong']</strong>. Next on the schedule for Paramount Alec is the Triple Crown. They are far from being considered for the Power Pool so they will have to work their way up. If they can finish close to .500 it will be an accomplishment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 Open - Virginia Juniors Powers Their Way to Win</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":411805,"width":"368px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/382-Kieran-Rhoton.jpg?w=544" alt="" class="wp-image-411805" style="width:368px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top two seeds, Virgini Elite and Virginia Juniors did what they were supposed to do, sweep through their competition. Virginia Elite allowed just 20 points o one team in their three sweeps while Virginia Juniors did not allow more than 18 points in a set. The two second seeded teams Virginia Athletic Volleyball Club and Atlas Force also advanced to the gold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Virginia Elite picked up ex-Virginia Juniors player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='359401' first='Chloe' last='Barth'] </strong>to hit outside. She was limited to back row play by Virginia Juniors. Elite also added some height in middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720348' first='Milena' last='Kibret']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582293' first='Shannon' last='Treloar']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Virginia Juniors added some power in right sides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton']</strong> and pin <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='500510' first='Violet' last='Masiello']</strong> to an already strong contingent of pins in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='941986' first='Coco' last='Lewis']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529439' first='Jasmine' last='McBorrough']</strong>. It is extremely scary when you look at this depth. They also added setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735304' first='Meg' last='Ronayne'] </strong>to help <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan']</strong> with the setting duties. While Megan will continue to set a 5/1 Virginia Juniors can bring her out late in the game to bring in more offense for the front row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The semi-finals of the gold medal bracket match did not prove much of a battle with Virginia Elite sweeping past Atlas Force 25-9, 25-11 while Virginia Juniors swept past Virginia Athletic 25-12, 25-13. That set the stage for the finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first set did not start off so well for Virginia Elite. The defensive duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438070' first='Camryn' last='Coulther']</strong> showed off their defensive skills by digging up three brutal quick temp kills by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='488812' first='Olivia' last='Boggs']</strong> that with normal teams would have hit the floor. Those digs should be thrown in the HUDL highlights. Throw in some poor passing by Virginia Elite which led to four <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan']</strong> aces and the score was 9-0 before an <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='488812' first='Olivia' last='Boggs']</strong> block gave Virginia Elite serve. A couple ace serves by [player_tooltip player_id='437448' first='Eva' last='Collingham'] trimmed the lead to 9-4. However, Juniors never allowed Elite to get any closer than five points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd']</strong> seems to have generated more power from her right handed swings. She and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='941986' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] </strong>finished the game off with a number of missiles for a 25-14 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second set Virginia Elite played a little more competitive. Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377344' first='Julia' last='Horan'] </strong>came alive with a couple big kills and blocks allowing Juniors to build an 11-4 lead. That proved difficult for Elite to overcome. They got to within 14-12 but back to back kills by [player_tooltip player_id='941986' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] vaporized the comeback hopes of Virginia Elite and Virginia Juniors won 25-19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Go Volley ended up winning the silver bracket. They may have been the third best team in their tournament. They split with Atlas, losing the first set 25-14 but winning the second 25-21. That point differential proved critical when they tied with 1-1 (3-3) records and the head to head point differential went to Atlas. The two outsides for Go Volley <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807235' first='Sadie' last='Bailey']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944220' first='Sophia' last='Ray'] </strong>impressed with their strong hitting. I also came away impressed with the hands and the jump setting of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944223' first='Ardella' last='Brown']</strong>. Normally, Go Volley has to compete with [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] for the top players in Winchester. This normally leaves them short on talent. This 17 team surprised with talent but fell short of advancing to gold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sadie plays high school for the Handley Judges while Sophia plays for Martinsburg in West Virginia. Sophia plays for the 17 team but belongs to the class of 2028. Ardella is a class of 2027 who also plays in West Virginia for Washington High School. All three have been added to my watch list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->