Blue Ridge Sweeps 14/15 Chesapeake National Bids

The [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 14 and 15 teams came into the tournament with USA bids already secured. After both won the National Bid the USA bids were given to the second place winners and the extra Freedom bid was given to the fifth place finisher. Unfortunately, since I cannot be in two places at the same time my focus this year was on the 14/15s. The last three years I had watched the 16s and 17s. Perhaps one year they will run the 14/15s on Saturday and the 16/17s on Sunday so I can watch both.   First the 15s and then the 14s with the bid winners listed. I'll talk about the 16s and 17s in a later post.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 U - [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] Bounces Back to win the Nationals </h2>   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/19-Avery-Curtis.jpg?w=850" alt="" class="wp-image-781848" style="aspect-ratio:0.8300773171274937;width:385px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='749349' first='Avery' last='Curtis']</figcaption></figure>   The only set lost by [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] on this day was the first set in the championship match in which they were crushed by [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 25-15. The only two sets [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] lost was the last two to [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 21-25, 13-15. Up until those final two sets they had not allowed an opponent to reach 20 points against them. These two teams were clearly the top two in the tournament.   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] also did not allow an opponent to reach 20 points against them until Maryland Juniors scored 22 in the second set of the semi-finals. The finals against [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick would be one level up. If [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] happened to win they would get the National and [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] the USA. If they lost [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] would get the National and the USA would stay with [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'].   In the first set [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] pounded [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 25-15. [player_tooltip player_id='787919' first='Charlotte' last='Booth'] was on fire from the right side burying four kills. [player_tooltip player_id='755129' first='Lillian' last='Battcock'] and [player_tooltip player_id='779106' first='Isabella' last='Jeantel'] put up a wall on the right side taking credit for two shared blocks with Lillian also adding a solo block. Other balls were rejected but still dug up by [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. It had to be a little frustrating for [player_tooltip player_id='877850' first='Kennedi' last='Bower'], who was the victim of many of those blocks.   Rather than throw in the towel and settle for their USA bid [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] fought back in the second set. Initially they fell behind 10-3, however [player_tooltip player_id='749357' first='Ellie' last='Palmer'] went on a tear with three kills from the right side to close the gap to 8-12. [player_tooltip player_id='877850' first='Kennedi' last='Bower'] failed to be intimidated and powered a couple balls off and through the block to pull to within 11-13. An [player_tooltip player_id='749349' first='Avery' last='Curtis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='749353' first='Brielle' last='Wolf'] combo block made it 12-13 followed by a [player_tooltip player_id='878689' first='Madisyn' last='Carter'] ace to tie it at 13-13. Another Bower kill followed a [player_tooltip player_id='749353' first='Brielle' last='Wolf'] smash gave [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] the lead 15-13.   While [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] would not go down easy, tying the set 15-15 they could never recapture the lead. [player_tooltip player_id='749353' first='Brielle' last='Wolf'] sealed the win with two kills at the end to give [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] the set 25-21.   In the third set [player_tooltip player_id='749357' first='Ellie' last='Palmer'] got [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] off to a fast start with two aces. Add on another [player_tooltip player_id='877850' first='Kennedi' last='Bower'] kill and [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] was up 4-0. [player_tooltip player_id='787919' first='Charlotte' last='Booth'] got hot again while the length of [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] proved difficult with combo blocks by [player_tooltip player_id='755129' first='Lillian' last='Battcock'] with [player_tooltip player_id='779106' first='Isabella' last='Jeantel'] and another Booth kill gave them an 8-5 lead. [player_tooltip player_id='749357' first='Ellie' last='Palmer'] went ballistic with three kills returning the lead to [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 10-9.   Another combo block by Battcock and Jeantel and a [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] hitting error tied the score at 13-13. [player_tooltip player_id='749349' first='Avery' last='Curtis'] put a ball away in the middle and [player_tooltip player_id='877850' first='Kennedi' last='Bower'] powered a ball off the block to give [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] the 15-13 upset.   A big win for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] after losing early in the season to Metro Travel and Metro National in a local Open tournament.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/103-Angelie-Rose-Carrasco.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-935677" style="aspect-ratio:0.667008371775158;width:372px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco']</figcaption></figure>   Regardless of the outcome of this tournament [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']'s goal is to earn an Open bid. The upset loss and taking the [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] USA bid will not satisfy them. Their goal is higher. In the semifinals they gave Metro National a beat down 25-12, 25-11. [player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan'] appears impossible to stop from the left side, while [player_tooltip player_id='779106' first='Isabella' last='Jeantel'] puts up an impressive block on the right side. When Elliot is in the back row they revert to a two passer serve receive with Elliot and [player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco']. That places a lot of pressure on Elliot hitting from the back row after she has executed a pass.   The two setter combination of [player_tooltip player_id='752431' first='Kayla' last='Chang'] with [player_tooltip player_id='747031' first='Braylin' last='Coacher'] works well. Both started as setters as frosh, Kayla for Briar Woods and Braylin for Woodbridge. Braylin is also pretty adept at setting [player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan'] since they are teammates at Woodbridge, both starting as frosh. [player_tooltip player_id='787919' first='Charlotte' last='Booth'] blocked middle for North Hagerstown but appears to have found a home on the right side with [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. This is made possible by [player_tooltip player_id='755129' first='Lillian' last='Battcock']'s development in the middle.   Metro National   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/Groshek-rotated-crop-2800x1839-1758147839.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-887233" style="width:678px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='749642' first='Sophia' last='Groshek']</figcaption></figure>   In my opinion the more talented of the newly formed Metro National teams and the only club to earn a bid. [player_tooltip player_id='762829' first='Angela' last='Zhang'] had a monster tournament hitting left side and playing six rotations. She finished off two third sets with clutch hits to seal two wins. The first came against Maryland Juniors when she buried two balls to give Metro a 14-11 lead. Her redirect of an overset ended the match 15-11. Then, in a third set in a second round match against BAVA she finished the match off with back to back kills for the 15-13 win.   [player_tooltip player_id='748500' first='Katherine' last='Liu'] impressed me with some incredible defensive plays in addition to her consistent setting. Her and [player_tooltip player_id='762823' first='Brie' last='Mouton'] (an ex BAVA player) share the setting responsibilities. [player_tooltip player_id='748492' first='Paetyn' last='Brown'] impressed with her middle play, both blocking and hitting the quick tempo sets. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='896390' first='Harper' last='Walker'] stood her ground to make critical digs against some powerful hits. Metro seems to have settled on the pins [player_tooltip player_id='753070' first='Avery' last='Lettinga'] and [player_tooltip player_id='762829' first='Angela' last='Zhang'] on the left side and [player_tooltip player_id='749642' first='Sophia' last='Groshek'] on the right side.   Metro had to beat Maryland Juniors in three sets to get a bye in the playoffs. They won 25-22, 23-25 and 15-11 in the last match of pool play to earn the bye. The wins never came easy throughout the tournament. In the second round of the playoff bracket they beat BAVA 25-23, 22-25, 15-13. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] crushed them 25-12, 25-11 in the semifinal. Finally, in a playoff match to earn the American bid they had to play Maryland Juniors again. After losing the first set 21-25 they bounced back to win the next two 25-13, 19-17.   Maryland Juniors   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/16-Sophie-Lorgea.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-781845" style="aspect-ratio:1.0148600548499407;width:537px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='783302' first='Sophie' last='Lorgea']</figcaption></figure>   It was a rough tournament for Maryland Juniors. They had to play six matches, including five in a row towards the end to earn an American bid. Two of their three losses came against Metro National in matches that went to three sets. Their last set they lost 19-17. They were also swept by [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 25-14, 25-22 in the semifinals. Right after that loss they were informed that they had to play Metro National to determine third place and an American bid. The loser would settle for the Freedom bid. Metro National won that match 21-25, 25-13, 19-17.   The two left sides [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='753079' first='Reagan' last='Barrett'] had to be exhausted afer the tournament. They were both the primary source of offense for the team, hitting from the left side and back row. Sierra stands 6'0" and relies on a massive jump to hit past the block. Raegan stands 6'1" and relies on excellent arm extension to accumulate her kills. They are two of the three returnees from the Maryland 14 team that made the Open Division last year in the junior nationals.   Libero/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='754613' first='Charlotte' last='Aus'] is one of the other returning players They also promoted [player_tooltip player_id='783302' first='Sophie' last='Lorgea'] from the yellow team. She is a tall middle who can prove her worth with strong blocking.   Virginia Juniors   <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:0.9755627851320021;width:338px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='754650' first='Madison' last='Meiring']</figcaption></figure>   They captured the Freedom bid with two one set victories over Libero (25-14) and BAVA (25-17). A sweep by Maryland Juniors (25-21, 25-17) dropped them into a Reallocation bid where four teams battled for the final Freedom bid. BAVA beat [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Morales 25-10 to face Virginia Juniors in the finals for this Reallocation bid.   The first time I have watched Virginia Juniors play this season. [player_tooltip player_id='754650' first='Madison' last='Meiring'] continues to be their steady offensive force from the left side. She also plays six rotations providing offense from the back row as well. [player_tooltip player_id='763150' first='Samantha' last='Napiwocki'] replaces [player_tooltip player_id='748006' first='Alaenah' last='Frank'] on the left side. Alaenah moved to Texas and appears in the rankings as a watch list player for [program_tooltip program_id='462263' first='TAV' last='Houston'] and Walter High School.   Impressed with the middle play of [player_tooltip player_id='947948' first='Ava' last='Ibiezugbe']. She blocks well while also creating good timing for the quick middle sets. In a set against BAVA Blaze she smashed a quick middle set to the floor and followed with a tip that gave Juniors a lead 23-22 in a set they eventually lost 26-24. Juniors would go on to win the third set 15-11 and later on would beat BAVA again, this time 25-17 to capture the Freedom bid.   [player_tooltip player_id='887998' first='Jenevieve' last='Crowder'] impressed at libero. She shows good quickness in the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='947249' first='Eileen' last='Kim'] set a 5/1.   So in the end the top five seeds earned all the bids, not in their seeding order. The sixth seed BAVA Blaze is next on the list should one of these teams earn a higher bid in a qualifier.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14 U [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] Takes the National Bid</h2>   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']   It did not come easy for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. While they swept through their first two opponents, in the second match against American Red they pulled out a 28-26 win. That got them a bye for the playoffs taking first in their pool. Unfortunately, they had to play the top seed Paramount Jazz, who finished second in their pool and then crushed MEVC Nationals in the first round of the playoffs 25-14, 25-14.   The loser of that match would go to the reallocation bracket, meaning the highest they could finish would be fifth place, which would not earn them a bid since they had already secured a USA bid. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] won the first set 25-21 but Paramount bounced back to take the second set 25-15. Paramount took the lead in the third set 13-12 on an ace serve by [player_tooltip player_id='957182' first='Leyia' last='Landry']. After two miscues by Paramount [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] took a 14-13 lead. [player_tooltip player_id='941775' first='Charlotte' last='Barvick'] went back to serve and rifled an ace for the 15-13 win. Their road to the National bid was still alive.   The third set against BAVA Waves was not easy as well. They won the first set 25-14 but lost the second set 20-25. The third set [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] controlled the game for a 15-9 win. The championship match against MVSA Force they were in charge all the way sweeping them 25-19, 25-14.   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] has already had some nice battles with Metro, who did not play in this event because they had already secured their open bid. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] and Metro played in the finals of the Capitol Hill Classic where Metro won pretty handily. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] has a quality libero in [player_tooltip player_id='941765' first='Aubrey' last='Astorino']. At the 14U age it is not easy to find someone who can pass so accurately. Pin hitters [player_tooltip player_id='941768' first='Randilyn' last='Hancock'] and the two sisters [player_tooltip player_id='941775' first='Charlotte' last='Barvick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='941767' first='Veronica' last='Barvick'] as well as right side [player_tooltip player_id='947272' first='Claire' last='Marshall'] can end rallies quickly. It will be interesting how they develop as they get older. Their older sister Greta Barvick was a setter/right side, who grew to 5'10 and finished ranked number 13 in the class of 2025 for Virginia.   They came into the tournament as fifth seeds. After their loss to [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] they left the tournament with a USA bid. They won a stressful 16-14 third set against Paramount Priscella to win their pool and get a first round bye. In their first playoff match Maryland Juniors took them to three, with MVSA winning the third set 15-9. A 25-11, 25-13 sweep against American Red brought them to the finals.   Most of my attention was watching the 15U. I did catch a glimpse of MVSA playing Maryland Juniors. I came away impressed with the length of middle [player_tooltip player_id='957102' first='Carlin' last='Sarlis']. She slammed a redirect to the floor on an overset, something you do not commonly see from 14 U. [player_tooltip player_id='957103' first='Rylee' last='Goh'] has already developed a strong serve. Hope to catch more of them in the future.   BAVA Waves   After losing to [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in the semi-final BAVA Wave played American Red in a third place match to determine who would take the American Bid. BAVA took both matches 27-25. [player_tooltip player_id='957106' first='Briar' last='Nutley'] made a strong impression with an ace serve against Paramount Priscella to give BAVA a 14-13 lead. She followed that with a game winning hit for a 16-14 match win.   American Red   American finished second in their pool. After winning their first playoff match against St. James Navy 25-20, 25-19 they beat a strong Premier team in three 25-15, 19-25, 15-4. They would then lose to MVSA Force in the semi-finals and lose the American bid with their 27-25 square loss to BAVA Wave. They did snag themselves a Freedom bid.   I liked the swing of left side [player_tooltip player_id='803836' first='Sydney' last='Smith']. Seter [player_tooltip player_id='932482' first='Ava' last='Rinne'] generated a deceptive dump for a point. She also ran the offense well. More time is needed before any conclusions can be made but it was a good start.   Paramount Jazz   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/65-Nika-Fackel.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-935647" style="width:368px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='884163' first='Nika' last='Fackel']</figcaption></figure>   After finishing second in their pool, then losing early in the playoff round to eventual winner [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'], Paramount fought back in the Reallocation Bracket. They beat Maryland Juniors 25-16 in the semifinals, then disposed of Premier Edge 25-9 in the finals to win the final Freedom bid.   [player_tooltip player_id='884163' first='Nika' last='Fackel'] is a 6'0" right side who played for St. Johns as a frosh this past season. She received significant playing time from the Cadets at the right side, finishing fourth on the team in kills and third in blocks. Niko is from the class of 2029 but still carries lots of potential. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='785509' first='Pia' last='Pardikar'] finished off a good redirect. Last year she played for Libero getting a number 72 ranking in the 2029 class. Paramount shows her as a 2030.   The 14s were less predictable. Of the top five seeds [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] Blue, Paramount Jazz and MVSA Force earned bids. BAVA Wave (9th seed) and American Red (7th seed) earned an American and Freedom Bid. The two seeded teams who fell short were Maryland Juniors (3rd) and Paramount Priscella (4th).

The Blue Ridge 14 and 15 teams came into the tournament with USA bids already secured. After both won the National Bid the USA bids were given to the second place winners and the extra Freedom bid was given to the fifth place finisher. Unfortunately, since I cannot be in two places at the same time my focus this year was on the 14/15s. The last three years I had watched the 16s and 17s. Perhaps one year they will run the 14/15s on Saturday and the 16/17s on Sunday so I can watch both.