Ten Chesapeake Left Sides Who Shine
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There are obviously more than ten, but one has to draw a line. And there are probably some who I have not seen. But the left sides are the coach’s dream. They are counted on to end rallies with kills. …
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Continue ReadingThere are obviously more than ten, but one has to draw a line. And there are probably some who I have not seen. But the left sides are the coach’s dream. They are counted on to end rallies with kills. The hope is they also have passing and defensive skills to be utilized in a back row attack. Lastly, you want them to be able to block, since right sides are becoming bigger in this game.
There are many who wish to play left side. Only a few develop those skills to become dominant at the position to play it well. Below are ten that have achieved that dominance, or have the potential to once they gain more experience. Like the setters, another very athletic group.
Emerson Sellman Emerson Sellman 6'4" | OH Academy of Holy Cross | 2024 State #5 Nation VA (Holy Cross/Metro 16) – When schools like Nebraska, Ohio State, Standford and Florida are showing interest in you that is an indication you are at the top of the food chain. She can do it all, including dominating a game with her attack from the front and back row. For someone 6’4″ her passing is excellent and she moves fast on defense. She is one of the reasons Metro 16 is one of the top five clubs in the country.
Macaria Spears Macaria Spears 6'3" | OH Prestonwood Christian | 2025 State #5 Nation TX (Flint Hill/Metro 16) – The 1927 Yankees had Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Metro 16 has Sellman and Spears. Spears is probably the most explosive of this group. She also plays the finesse game well with precision passing and quick moves on defense. She won State player of the year as a freshman for Independent Schools while leading Flint Hill to a State championship and was voted to the All Met first team. She hopes to add a junior national championship to her trophy case.
Safi Hampton Safi Hampton 6'1" | OH Hammond (MD) | 2023 State #34 Nation VA (Hammond/Metro 17) – She is number one in our Virginia 2023 rankings and 34 in the Prep Dig National rankings (and pictured above. The 6’1″ North Carolina commit has a fast arm swing and athletic quickness that sets her apart.
Lameen Mambu Lameen Mambu 6'0" | OH Chantilly | 2025 State #64 Nation VA (Chantilly/Paramount 16) – The 6 footer (pictured right) can sky beyond 10 feet with her approach jump. Lameen is a 2025 playing up. Her game is smooth in the back row and the front. With her athleticism she is only going to get better.
Grace Maria Grace Maria 6'2" | OH Bishop O'Connell | 2023 State #150 Nation VA (Bishop O’Connell/Virginia Juniors 17) – Grace just needed more consistency with her hitting to fall into the elite category. She has accomplished that this year. Her passing is precise and she plays a solid defense. With her 6’2″ height she puts up a potent block. She definitely has game to be on this list.
Sydney Bryant Sydney Bryant 5'11" | OH Flint Hill | 2023 State #151 Nation VA (Flint Hill/Metro 17) – Another of Metro’s athletic outsides who has a fast arm swing. Her back row play is also solid. Sydney has chosen to stay local, committing to Maryland. The 5’11″ outside has a good vertical to hit over those who may be taller.
Seliz Aktuglu (Oakton/St James Navy 16) – At 5’9″ she may appear short for an outside. But that girl can put the ball down. There was massive improvement in her game from when I first saw her early in the year at the Shamrock and then at Pittsburgh in the East Coast championship. She may also have grown an inch or two.
Ema Djordjevic (Richard Montgomery/MVSA Charge 15) – A player to watch. The 5’11″ outside seemed to hit as well from the left or right side. She is a lefty and could end up at the right side but you need to keep her in the back row for her offensive potential. An outstanding team player.
Riley Buddie Riley Buddie 6'1" | OH Langley | 2024 State VA (Langley/Virginia Elite 16) – At 6’1″ she has good length and her arm extends high over the net and whips into the ball. She seemed to be an automatic kill at the Chesapeake showdown.
Ada McCoy Ada McCoy 5'11" | OH Musselman (WVA) | 2025 State VA (Musselman/Blue Ridge 15 blue) – The 5’11″ frosh has a very strong arm, hitting cross court, line, back row or out of system. She also has impressive penetration over the net when going up to block. Another 15 player to watch.
Special Mentions
Alexis Ewing Alexis Ewing 6'3" | OH Bullis | 2025 State VA (Bullis/Virginia Juniors 15) – I have not really watched her play so I could not include her in the ten. I saw her play at 13 and she was good then. I’ve seen some video and she appears excellent now. If the United States Olympic team invites you to their youth training center camp you have impressed the right people.
Saige Thibodeaux (North Stafford/St. James Navy 16) – I already included her in a setter’s ten list. She can play anywhere. She appears taller than her listed 5’7″ but she has a fast approach and can hammer the ball.
Kennedy Spaid Kennedy Spaid 5'11" | OH James Wood | 2026 State VA (Blue Ridge 15 blue) – She is only a class of 2026 but very explosive. She’ll get her time in the spot light next year. Kennedy already stands 5’10″ and can really thump the ball.