Maryland Juniors 17 Yellow Win Three Titles In a Row!

Elkridge, Md. (March 11, 2007) - The Maryland Juniors 17 Yellow National team won its third consecutive Chesapeake Region Tournament last weekend in Elkridge, Md. The second-ranked Maryland team finished second on its net, losing its first regional games of the season to Virginia Elite in pool play. However, Maryland Juniors 17 Yellow National came back to defeat Virginia Elite when it counted most, in a rematch in the tournament championships.

Marlyand Juniors 17 Yellow National Team: Back Row (L-R): Coach Kelli Myers, Maddi Lee, Tiffany Jacobson, Kate Zimmer, Elissa Goeke, Chrissy Hamilton, Amanda Rhein, Coach Carol Green. Front Row (L-R): Lauren Jeschelnik, Becky Payne, Missy Marzilli, Allison Lyke. Photo courtesy of Maryland Juniors 17 Yellow National.

Maryland defeated Delmarva 18s 25-10, 25-11, fell to Virginia Elite 17s 20-25, 25-18, 12-15 and swept the Columbia Stars 18s 25-8, 25-9. In the semifinals, the team split the first two sets with host Columbia Comets 18s: 25-15, 27-29 before falling behind 6-12 in the rubber game. They roared back to win 16-14 and earned a rematch with Virginia Elite 17s. In the finals, in nearly a repeat of the semifinals, Maryland split the first two sets (24-26, 25-19) before staging another dramatic comeback to win the tournament 15-12.

Maryland was led by: OH Maddi Lee's (River Hill HS) 54 points (44 kills, 3 blocks, 7 aces); MB Kate Zimmer's (North Hagerstown HS) 51points (28 kills, 17 blocks, 6 aces); and OH Amanda Rhein's (Covenant Community School) 50 points (30 kills, 2 blocks, 9 aces) and 24 digs. The defense was led by Missey Marzilli's (Huntingtown HS) 43 digs; while the 5-1 offense was set up by Tiffany Jacobson's (Chapelgate) 81 assists. MB Elissa Goeke (Stone Ridge HS) added 24 points (14 kills, 7 blocks, 3 aces) and S Becky Paynter (River Hill HS) added 15 assists.

Maryland is coached by former UCONN head coach and Terp and Williamsport HS standout, Kelli Myers and Carol Green.