That is “Dots,” VolleyballMag’s weekly have a look at 10 issues in membership volleyball, previous or current, that curiosity me and hopefully will curiosity you. Search for Dots each Tuesday by means of Junior Nationals this summer time.
• Our Dots focus this week takes us again to Philly and Dallas, the place NEQ and Lone Star held Open qualifiers with fascinating outcomes; and ahead to Baltimore, the place 18s Junior Nationals is prepping for a three-day run within the Appeal Metropolis.
Let’s begin at NEQ and the 34-team 15 Open discipline final weekend.
A5 15 Kelly, which certified beforehand at MEQ, now must be a part of the nationwide championship dialog after its 9-0 exhibiting in Philadelphia, which included sweeps over different Open-qualified groups within the semifinals and finals.
“This crew continues to develop and get what involves nice groups final… consistency,” stated coach Kelly Audia.
Audia stated that within the run as much as NEQ, he talked to his crew about being centered on the kind of play that would show it belongs among the many elite Open groups.
“Throughout Grasp Teaching practices, we might remind ourselves of what we had been coaching for,” he defined. “We pushed ourselves to get out of ‘snug zones’ in observe and to think about these older A5 groups we scrimmaged the groups we might face. It actually labored to our benefit.”
On Friday, after Day 1 was concluded, Audia texted me: “Marissa is ridiculous.” He was referring to setter Marissa Jones, the consensus high of her class nationally on the place. Jones dominated the occasion for all three days.
“She is getting higher and that’s SCARY to assume about,” stated Audia, who coached collegiately at Clemson, Xavier and Georgia State. “Between fast connections with bouncy middles and holding the opposing block off steadiness by being aggressive offensively herself, she pissed off opponents all weekend.”
Jones averaged 11assists, 2.3 kills and 1.3 blocks per set for the match. That’s unimaginable output!
Apart from Jones, crew blocking was the vital think about assuring A5’s top-of-the-podium end.
“The blocking was an eraser for any error in some other a part of our recreation all weekend,” Audia famous.
MBs Kylee Evans and Audrey Simpson joined Jones in placing up a large roof. Evans additionally was a thumper on offense, as had been RS Layla Dunn, who was unstoppable in system; and OH Mia Ray, who had seven kills within the remaining over WAVE 15 Brennan. Libero Kenzie Wilkie additionally was a distinction maker, with an almost excellent first contact on Sunday.
“We had been examined typically and continued to be our greatest underneath probably the most strain,” Audia stated. “We now have not misplaced a 3rd set in three straight qualifiers. We now have been completely filthy in these matches, with a number of gamers stepping as much as make performs after we want them most.”
• With head coach Brennan Dean residence in San Diego after the beginning of his third youngster (and second daughter), WAVE rolled into the ultimate with an 8-0 report and only one stepped dropped. The squad couldn’t hand its coach the last word tribute, however registered a second second-place qualifier end. WAVE earlier completed second to AZ Revolution at Pink Rock Rave. AZ Rev was on this discipline as properly, and positioned T-9.
• 5 groups ending among the many high eight had Open bids already. That meant that 1stt Alliance 15 Gold, Circle Metropolis 15 Purple and Paramount VBC 15 Nick all certified with one Gold Pool win on Sunday.
1st Alliance, at 5-2, had the very best report of the three newly-qualified groups, however needed to battle onerous to get that Gold Pool win. The Chicago squad, which simply missed qualifying at Windy Metropolis in a fourth-place exhibiting, beat a fellow Windy Metropolis denizen, Sky Excessive 15 Black, 16-14 within the third, to safe its bid.
“It was a whole crew effort with everybody developing with key performs in key moments every day,” famous Trish Samolinski. “Our outsides, Kalia Kroth and Taylor Berg, had been constant all weekend each entrance row and again. S/RS Peyton Heatherly got here by means of in key moments operating the offense and being an offensive go-to within the entrance row. We’re excited to see this group compete in 15 Open and have an incredible ending to their season!”
Circle Metropolis’s important Gold Pool win came to visit Northern Lights 15-1 in two shut units. An enormous serving run from OH Callie Gibson keyed the sweep, as did MB Marley Van Wanzeele, who was huge on the internet; and OH Jenna Dittmer, whose passing was impeccable and whose huge time swings pissed off the Northern Lights block.
Circle additionally obtained robust work on the weekend from lefty RS Audrey Davis, a spine of this crew all season lengthy; libero Taylor Donovan and Gibson, who “has a type of arms you simply can’t train,” stated coach and recruiting coordinator Jenna Tadros.
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Paramount’s Gold Pool included two groups with Open bids already. If the Virginia membership wished that bid, it could have to be earned!
The primary shot got here versus AZ Revolution, the Pink Rock champions. Paramount dominated the primary set, dropped the second and went additional factors within the third earlier than successful, 20-18. The crew then virtually took out Rockwood Thunder as properly to make the semis, however fell at deuce within the third.
“I’m extremely happy with my crew,” stated coach Nick DiClementi. “This Open bid is a testomony to the toughness and work ethic of our gamers and to the entire buy-in we’ve had from the gamers and oldsters on this crew. In solely 12 months eight of Paramount’s existence, our membership has now earned 4 Open Bids, together with a fifth place end within the 18 Open Division of the 2023 USAV GJNC, the best end in CHRVA Area historical past for an 18s crew at GJNC. As a family-owned enterprise, we firmly imagine our success is all a results of God’s grace, nice technical coaching with an emphasis on the basics, and the work ethic of all of the unimaginable gamers and households in our membership.”
Paramount’s breakthrough occurred after ninth-place finishes at each Massive South and Present Me, the place it misplaced many heartbreaking matches by a mere couple of factors.
“The resolve of this group by no means diminished, they usually continued to work even tougher in observe to get higher,” the coach stated.
Paramount’s success was a complete crew effort during which each participant contributed, DiClementi stated.
MB Taylor Harrington, who could also be the very best freshman on the East Coast, beat even triple blocks at will and dominated the online as a blocker. Paramount’s different center, Layla Parker, modified the momentum of units with huge blocks of her personal and opportunistic kills. Libero Diane Nzoupet was cash in serve-receive, a risk behind the service line and pissed off opposing attackers by holding so many balls off the ground. OH Louise Neuhart handed properly and took a number of powerful swings, scoring typically. OH Kayla Luther used her explosive leaping capacity to hit effectively, and she or he was unimaginable within the backrow along with her passing and protection. Setters Ingrid Smith and Anna Dierks set Paramount’s fast-tempo offense with deft precision and nice decision-making. Each additionally had been nice from the service line. RS Erin Inexperienced was constant as a hitter and blocker and fellow RS Sophia Delarosa had her finest match of the season, slowing down the opposite groups’ exterior hitters as a blocker and hitting tremendous effectively.
The contributions didn’t cease there, nevertheless. RS Alexa Bracey supplied nice spirit when not within the recreation and has been a catalyst at serving to the crew prepare along with her large blocking presence. Pin Eva Collingham has labored onerous for her likelihood to shine from each the left and proper sides. Defenders Addison Lopez and Lara Senyuz made their contributions within the again and row and from the service line.
• In the meantime, down in Dallas, one other 43 groups, eight with Open bids already locked up, had been attempting their hand on the 15 Open division at Lone Star. TAV 15 Black Jason gained once more. This makes two qualifier titles, a second place end and first place at Triple Crown this season for the 2023 14 Open nationwide champions, the clear favourite to repeat at Junior Nationals this 12 months.
• Two California squads, Tstreet 15 Asics and Fozra1 15 ONE, emerged with Open bids following second- and fifth-place finishes, respectively.
Tstreet was undefeated, with wins over a number of Open-qualified groups, earlier than bowing to TAV Jason within the championship match.
With solely 9 gamers touring, the principle traits of this crew are resiliency and the willingness to do no matter it takes to win, stated coach Bailey Tanner, even when it means taking part in a place that they’re not accustomed to.
“Each athlete has had such a particular and constant affect on the crew and its success,” Tanner added. “Our passing, led by Ella Olson, Kate Jackson, Katherine Nowak, Sarah MacDonald, and Sarah Thorpe, held up nice in opposition to the opposite high groups within the nation. We had been in system and our setters (Royal Banducci and Ally Faucet) stored our offense operating at a quick and productive tempo all weekend. Royal had many huge defensive performs at huge occasions that stored us in tight video games. Our assault within the center was very environment friendly, led by 2028 recruit Megan Hodges. Megan was a drive hitting and blocking and groups typically had three up on her-she rose to the problem. Alexis Hyperlink, in addition to most of the aforementioned gamers, was terrific for us on the internet. Ella (Olson) took heavy swings and well-timed photographs all through the match. Kat (Nowak) performed nice from the center in addition to OH. Kate Jackson hit excessive, onerous, and constant recreation after recreation. All of this collectively is what led to the crew’s success in Dallas.”
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Forza1’s path was just a little more durable. Aaron Flores’ crew wanted to beat an Open-qualified Excel crew on Sunday to get into the highest eight and make the most of the trickle down.
“Forza1 15 ONE has GRIT,” Flores harassed. “After they had been 13 they went to a few qualifiers and got here up quick in all three, however went on to earn the Open At Massive and end seventh in 13 OPEN. Final season, three extra qualifiers, however developing quick in all three, with probably the most wins in opposition to the sphere, they earned an At Massive once more, ending eleventh. They began this season by developing quick once more in Pink Rock Rave ending simply quick with a 4th place end. This crew is hard and resilient; they by no means quit. How will we make our life simpler? Why not strive Lonestar? They battled once more and this time developing with the BID! We’re very happy with these women and their qualification for 15 OPEN!”
• TAV 16 Black gained 16 Open by sweeping 9 opponents. Its solely loss got here on Day 2 to Oklahoma Peak Efficiency 16-1 Elite, 15-12 within the third.
After a semifinal exhibiting at Triple Crown, 16 Black is now 2-for-2 in successful Open qualifiers. Paul Baxter’s crew beforehand gained Northern Lights.
“It was one other nice weekend of volleyball by the women,” Baxter stated. “It was our first competitors shortly and we’ve had some particular issues the place we’ve put our time on main as much as Lone Star, so I’m very blissful how we responded. Plenty of good contributions from the entire roster from completely different occasions was nice and that stored issues ticking.”
Setters Danielle Whitmire and Anna Flores did an incredible job operating our offense and attacking as properly.
“As an total crew we had been about .340 on Day 3, so that’s fairly spectacular to do in opposition to the Lone Star discipline,” Baxter famous. “Kinsley Younger stepped it up a notch once more and hit for a .560 clip on the ultimate day on high of offering some nice touches on the internet. Jules Hernandez contributed a ton in all features. She continues to maintain our offense in test whether or not it’s first contacts or when she has to step in and ship the ball for our hitters. She created a ton of nice second possibilities off some loopy covers and simply strong protection usually, in order that’s superior. Sienna Franks additionally offered a constant spark for us defensively every set, in order that’s very nice to have, to not point out an enormous swing to complete our Day 3 Gold Pool. On the Northern Lights Qualifier we needed to lean on our OHs a bit extra, however total way more steadiness offense this weekend. It’s nice after we can get lots of people concerned. It’s enjoyable to look at!”
TAV is again at it this weekend in Philly competing in 16 Open at Northern Lights.
• With six previously-qualified groups among the many high eight, the 2 Open bids went to Dallas Skyline 16 Royal and OP2.
It’s onerous to imagine that Skyline, the defending age group nationwide champs, had but to qualify after taking part in at Sunshine and Present Me. The crew performed properly and with urgency till it had locked up its bid. Skyline made the semifinals earlier than falling to AZ Storm 16 Thunder, which completed second total.
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OP2 earned its bid by dominating Tribe 16 Navy on Day 3, a win it needed to have. The Oklahoma squad gained six of its first seven matches, dropping solely to Tribe 16 Cardinal, and used its Day 2 win over TAV to spark it to the bid. What an incredible exhibiting for a crew that narrowly missed qualifying at Present Me a couple of weeks earlier than.
Libero Rachel Megna had an excellent weekend hold opponents’ offenses pissed off, stated coach Will Ethridge. Offensively OHs Skylar Brady and Ella Hale scored with huge swings in opposition to some large blocks.
• Houston Skyline 17 Royal gained a 48-team 17 Open division that had 11 previously-qualified groups. This crew has now been to 4 qualifiers, Northern Lights, NEQ, Present Me and Lone Star, and has WON ALL FOUR!!!
The one hiccup got here on Day 1, when PVA 17 Elite took two deuce units off of them to win in three.
• Regardless of so many Open-qualified groups, three managed to safe bids by ending among the many high eight.
Houston Juniors 17 Elite punched its ticket with a tie for third total.
“It was a complete crew effort,” stated veteran coach Jeff Ham. “We’re getting nearer to being wholesome. It was nice to get Aliyah Smith (Rice) again for prolonged reps for the primary time since January. She actually helped to regular out the crew.”
HJV obtained its bid by operating the “Dallas gauntlet.” Ham’s crew edged Dallas Skyline, 16-14 in Recreation 3, to finish Day 2, then swept each Drive Nation 17 Pink and TAV 17 Black Jon in Gold Pool play.
MB Zoe Humphrey had an incredible weekend, hitting .415 whereas including 24 blocks. Pin Sydney Bryant hit .287 with 9 blocks. Sydney McKay handed a 2.06 and led the crew in digs. Smith, setter Reagan Knipling and Gabi Martinez had been catalysts within the 3-0 report versus the Dallas gauntlet. Jordan Taylor and Abbie O’Shay set the tone with robust hitting the primary day and one-half. Brooklyn Merrell and Sydney Black patrolled the backcourt together with McKay, holding HJV in system all through the weekend. Kenedy Massie ran the offense because the crew’s first server and beginning setter within the 6-2 all weekend.
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Alamo 17 Premier edged Tribe 17 Elite Cardinal to clinch its Open bid. Scott Mattera’s crew gained 5 matches and misplaced two, however the losses got here in opposition to AZ Storm 17 Thunder (defending age group nationwide champs) and 1st Alliance 17 Gold.
“Humorous sufficient, I’m simply as happy with the two losses as I’m the 5 wins – we performed some good volleyball in opposition to 1st Alliance and had a traditional of a recreation 2 in opposition to Arizona Storm!” Mattera stated. “The expertise of competitors like which can be issues that final even ‘greater than wins.’”
Alamo, which gained the 15 Open nationwide title as an At-Massive crew two summers in the past, picked three loaded qualifiers this season, which delayed its qualifying.
“After we sat down in November to debate the upcoming season, I instructed them that to play the type that I assumed may compete at this degree, we must undergo some tough patches and be affected person with the method,” Mattera stated. “We took some lumps right here and there as we realized what we didn’t know and labored by means of studying the right way to assume the sport slightly than play robotic. “
Mattera stated robust work on the best allowed the crew to be much less left-side dominant over the weekend.
“Then, in crunch time, our outsides hit tremendous sensible, understanding when to bang and when to shot,” he stated. “Blocking was rather a lot higher this weekend after a tweak to our system and it in flip arrange our defensive positions in a method that made it very troublesome for groups to attain on us.”
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TAV 17 Black Jon secured the ultimate bid.
• Baltimore is the positioning for 18s Junior Nationals this weekend. There are a whopping 48 groups within the 18 Open discipline. Virtually each elite nationwide crew shall be within the discipline. The notable exception is NKYVC 18-1 Tsunami. The Triple Crown NIT winners within the 17 Elite division by no means obtained untracked throughout qualifers and can play in 18 Nationwide.
Who’re the groups anticipated to contend?
TAV 18 Black, with a loaded, wholesome roster and a robust dose of proficient underclassmen, might be the favourite.
Coast 18 Ozhan, which defeated TAV in a thriller to win Triple Crown, additionally is unbroken and raring to go. Coach Ozhan Bahrambeygui’s crew all the time exhibits up at Junior Nationals and this 12 months must be no completely different.
“This can be a group that derives its power from its fondness to one another,” the coach stated. “After we get to Junior Nationals, they gained’t merely be taking part in to win, however to increase the season, even when it means just some extra minutes collectively. It has been a magical expertise.”
Membership V 18 Ren Reed, from Utah, is also a risk. The crew is wholesome and has menacing athletes throughout the entrance.
KC Energy 18 Black obtained off to a scorching begin and is lastly wholesome once more.
“That hasn’t been the case for us since our first qualifier so we now have been making it up as we go,” stated coach Dave Johnson. “I’ll say this: We now have our sights set on being on the rostrum. There are some actually nice groups on this age group and we’re simply excited to go to battle with them and proceed to get higher as a gaggle. I’m actually going to overlook this group they actually know the right way to make an previous coach really feel liked and appreciated. Nationals goes to be a curler coaster of feelings for lots of those athletes I pray that all of them keep within the second and depart all of it on the ground.”
Tri-State Elite 18 Blue has been underestimated all 12 months, however is all the time within the combine. Setter Maria Drapp could not look the a part of a high-level setter, however she is outrageously good. Excessive flying OH Addy Brus, middles Anna Guard and Molly Dorger and libero Kelsey Niesen are different key gamers to look at for the Ohio membership.
“The children appear excited and able to play collectively one final time,” stated coach Matt Lengthy.
Munciana Samurai, taking part in Junior Nationals for the primary time in additional than a decade, is a perennial contender in each match it enters, however is coming to Baltimore just a little banged up. The crew is younger however defensive oriented with robust middles. You by no means know.
Triangle 18 Black misplaced its incredible junior Ryan Hunter to a torn ACL in February however has continued to develop. A powerful left aspect assault, nice setter and libero plus center Ashlyn Philpott ought to have this tight-knit crew within the hunt.
Don’t search for SCVC 18 Roxy, final 12 months’s 17 Open nationwide champions, to contend this weekend. The crew’s famous person hitter, Kendall Brashear, has, as of now, been cleared to play again row solely. This can be a good crew that may compete however won’t have sufficient…
A5 18-Marc is wholesome with 13 athletes able to go and a few good latest volleyball on its resume.
“This crew has a by no means quit mindset and can battle to the top,” stated coach Marc Jones. “It’s been an honor to teach them and to see them develop as a crew. I shall be unhappy when the season ends and I can’t be within the gymnasium with them anymore.”
WAVE 18 Brennan is coming to Baltimore wholesome, rested and excited to compete for a medal. The roster contains unstoppable center Jenna Hanes, libero Maya Evens and a stud hitter, Quinn Loper, from the 17s crew.
Want a sleeper? If I instructed you that 1st Alliance 18 Gold is coming to Baltimore with out 5 of its 11 gamers principally due to senior promenade, you may assume that Meghan Keck’s crew didn’t have an opportunity. But when I instructed you that alternative are coming within the type of 6-3 OH Abby Vander Wal, 6-5 MB Lynney Tarnow and libero Aniya Warren, all among the many finest gamers nationally at their positions, you may change your thoughts.
Dallas Skyline 18 Royal, Milwaukee Sting 18 Gold, AZ Revolution 18 Premier, Staff Pineapple 18 Black, Madfrog 18’s Nationwide Inexperienced, Metro 18 Journey, Mizuno Lengthy Seaside 18 Forefront, NPJ 18 Forefront, Academy 18E Rage…all have sufficient expertise to make a run at a medal.
It’s going to be a incredible three days!
Who will win? I do not know!
• JJVA 17 Teal exploded this weekend on the ASICS Regional Qualifier in Orlando, putting among the many high 4.
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JJVA 17 Black performed lights out and got here residence with a 5-4 report. Setter Lindsay Hopkins discovered outsides Bridget Spees, Kaylee Kirkland, Brynn White and Savanah Jackson they usually scored with consistency. Middles Ava Myers and LeoLani Smith blocked and tipped at essential occasions. And the protection of Penelope Kavalieros, Bailey Montgomery and Jylissa Rivera contributed a number of key saves that enabled the crew to win the Silver Division.
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Spike and Serve VBC, from Hawaii, in its twelfth 12 months, has helped one hundred pc of women and boys gamers who wished to compete on the subsequent degree attain their desires.
This 12 months’s women’ senior class is headed by Adrianna Arquette, a setter dedicated to Hawaii who shined as a center blocker for her state championship highschool crew.