<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now we forge toward the higher ranked Divisions, which will include higher ranked teams and players. Only four DMV clubs will play in the Liberty and USA Division. For the most part you have to play in a Qualifier while finishing in the top three to five to earn a bid. Some of these clubs actually got a bump up from the American Division for the opportunity to play at these higher divisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Liberty Division 15</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maryland Juniors Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - 7th Regionally, 366 Nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Qualified</strong> - Last year this team was one of the top 14 Open teams. Three of their top players bolted to play for Metro 15 Travel while a few more went to Metro National. To finish as well as they did after losing so many players is a testament to their depth, as well as the few remaining players who stayed with the team. They finished fourth in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championships, losing to Metro Nationals twice. When [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] upset [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] in the finals of the Regional Bid [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] took the USA bid held by [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] later earned an Open bid leading to two bump ups for Maryland Juniors. Virginia Juniors actually won the Liberty Bid for the Chesapeake Region and bumped up to the National Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong> - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["748487"],"_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-6a2c7232803d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of two star players who stayed with Maryland Juniors, though with her older sister playing for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] I suspected a move there. As stated in previous evaluations her father played professional basketball for a number of years, including the Wizards. Her mother also played basketball for Syracuse. Sierra brings their athleticism to the court when she plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'0" she brings an approach jump of 10'4" to the court. When she tips over the block her hand is normally above the blockers hands and the ball drops to the floor just over the block. A six rotation player who could still use some work ironing out the consistency of her back row play. Maryland Juniors prefers her playing back row because of the missiles she fires over the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Very deserving of an NTPD invite. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753079' first='Reagan' last='Barrett']</strong> is a class of 2028 who also played on the 14 team. She moved from right side to left side where she is just as potent as Sierra. She also plays six rotations, firing high velocity shots into the opponent's back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Ranked Players to Watch</strong> - middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='783302' first='Sophie' last='Lorgea']</strong> (56), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='947212' first='Shae' last='Donnelly']</strong> (106), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922980' first='Anaya' last='Washington']</strong> (118), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='961810' first='Adaeze' last='Eze'] </strong>(WL), Libero/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='961811' first='Kaitlyn' last='Park']</strong> (WL), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='968210' first='Sydney' last='Cotman']</strong> (WL), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753079' first='Reagan' last='Barrett']</strong> (2028, 23), Libero/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754613' first='Charlotte' last='Aus']</strong> (2028, 94)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">USA Division 14-15-16</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">American Red 14</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - 15th Regionally, 645 Nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Qualified</strong> - They finished fourth in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship. This would have put them 4th in the Freedom Division. With MVSA keeping their USA bid American bumped up to the American Division. When the Chesapeake received a reallocated National Bid from the Palmetto Region that went to MVSA the USA bid went to American. I question why it was not given to the third place BAVA Waves, who had beaten American 27-25, 27-25 to capture third place. Don't quite understand the bump up. American played in one Qualifier, the Sunshine finishing 35th out of 64 teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong> - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["932482"],"_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-6a2cd5bddf0ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She sets a 6/2 while also playing right side in the set I watched. She held her ground on defense popping up a couple hard driven balls hit down the line. Ava lists at 5'7" which is a good height for a 14U. Her on court presence shows she controls the court, playing like a veteran above her age.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It would not surprise me to see her make varsity at North Stafford as a frosh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Ranked Players to Watch</strong> - left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='968551' first='Emree' last='Parent']</strong> (WL), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='965049' first='Lydia' last='Rosa'] </strong>(WL), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='962047' first='Sydney' last='Smith']</strong> (WL) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro National 15</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Rank </strong>- 6th Regionally, 242 Nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Qualified </strong>- Metro National grabbed a third place finish, including two wins over Maryland Juniors. At least four players from the Metro team played for Maryland Juniors 14 the previous year. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] upsetting [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] in the Bid Championship and [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] later earning an Open bid shot Metro National to the USA Division, originally won by [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. This may have been the most talented of the "Metro National" teams but they still did not dominate in the Qualifiers, falling far short of capturing a bid in the Sunshine and Northeast Qualifiers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong> -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749642"],"_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-6a2cd5bddf135"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She won the first VKTRY MVP award we handed out at our Prep Dig showcase last year, barely beating out [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas']. She seems to prefer to hit right side which creates some challenges for the coaching staff. Since she plays an excellent back row in a normal 6/2 environment she would be taken out for the setter. To keep her passing and defense in the game Metro used a modified 5/1 with a front and back row setter occupying the same position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Sophia played up for Maryland Jrs 15. She also was one of the many super frosh to play for Annapolis Area Christian. AAC won the IAAM A Bracket. They also battled James Wood and Georgetown Day at the Endless Summer tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a frosh Sophia finished third on the team in kills, behind two other frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753070' first='Avery' last='Lettinga'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton']</strong>. She also finished second on the team in blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'0" Sophia will do well at either left or right side. Ideally, you would want to put her in a position where you do not lose her back row play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Ranked Players to Watch</strong> - setter<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='762823' first='Brie' last='Mouton']</strong> (10), left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='762829' first='Angela' last='Zhang']</strong> (17), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772034' first='Giselle' last='Conley']</strong> (21), Libero/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='896390' first='Harper' last='Walker']</strong> (24), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753070' first='Avery' last='Lettinga'] </strong>(26), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748492' first='Paetyn' last='Brown']</strong> (31), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='762826' first='Avery' last='Nierenberg']</strong> (46), Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748500' first='Katherine' last='Liu']</strong> (59), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763154' first='Kendal' last='Lacey']</strong> (75), pin <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='917866' first='Sloan' last='Tann']</strong> (87)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 16</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - 3rd locally and 93 nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Qualified</strong> - They qualified for the USA division playing in the Big South but finding the results for that tournament is impossible. Paramount beat them in the finals of the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championships to deny them a National bid. They have been pretty quiet since then. A second place finish in the Capitol Hill Classic impressed. Taking Metro to three sets in the finals, ultimately losing in the third set 15-8 showed the talent they carry on their roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["610473"],"_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-6a2d8e4f7dbb3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The number 20 ranked 6'3" [player_tooltip player_id='536736' first='Alexis' last='Stephens'] is clearly their top player, leading the offense, but I recently wrote an evaluation on her. So I'll focus on [player_tooltip player_id='830996' first='Catherine' last='Warren'], who was voted best digger from the Capitol Hill Classic tournament. Normally, you would think that reward would go out to a libero, but left side [player_tooltip player_id='830996' first='Catherine' last='Warren'] received the award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'10 she has good height for the left side. She also finished with the second most kills for her Williamsport High School team. They advanced to the finals of the Class 2 Maryland state championships before losing to Glenelg in the finals. Catherine also finished second in digs and was a key component in serve receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A solid all around player that may not impress with her physical tools but will draw your attention with all the skills she possesses on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Ranked Players to Watch</strong> - middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536736' first='Alexis' last='Stephens']</strong> (20), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='744473' first='Sophie' last='Weir']</strong> (43), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536737' first='Sophia' last='Zimmerman'] </strong>(62), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536738' first='Avery' last='Fauver']</strong> (66), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='625566' first='Olivia' last='Barvick'] </strong>(78), setter/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752047' first='Teagan' last='Braun-Duin']</strong> (153), Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='948005' first='Niko' last='Diller']</strong> (186), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932199' first='Hannah' last='Mood'] </strong>(199), libero/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='948796' first='Julia' last='Darling']</strong> (WL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Perhaps a New Class of 2029 Prospect Moving to Area</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["947390"],"_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-6a2eb31a44fd3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The USA named their roster for the U17 National Team that will play in the World Championship in Chile August 6-16. One player listed on the roster shows her home town as Rochester, Maryland. The 6'4" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='947390' first='Kaya' last='Love Young']</strong> currently goes to high school in Germany and plays club ball in California.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is listed on the [program_tooltip program_id='429544' first='Sunshine' last='Volleyball Club'] roster which will play in the American Division in the USAV Junior Nationals in Indianapolis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I don't know if there is any intent of moving to the Rockville area. I can remember the impact <strong>Macari Spears</strong> made to the area when she moved from Texas to play in the Chesapeake Region her frosh and sophomore seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even if Kaya does not plan on moving back to the Rockville area, congrats on making the USA U17 National Team Roster. Good luck. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->