Frosh Who Have Made an Impact Early in 2022
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The season has started and the frosh who made the varsity have had their opportunity to shine. Below are some of the names I have noticed, including Tehillah Garrison from Colgan, who is posing above with her teammates after winning…
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Continue ReadingThe season has started and the frosh who made the varsity have had their opportunity to shine. Below are some of the names I have noticed, including Tehillah Garrison from Colgan, who is posing above with her teammates after winning the Volleyball Showcase in Richmond.
Kennedy Spaid Kennedy Spaid 5'11" | OH James Wood | 2026 State VA OH and Brenna Corbin Brenna Corbin 5'5" | DS/L James Wood | 2026 State VA OH/Libero (James Wood) – The signature moment for Kennedy was James Wood’s first game of the season when she led the team with 10 kills against 10 time defending state champ Loudoun County in a three game sweep that showed she belonged. Those kills have continued for the 5’10” outside hitter as James Wood starts the season 3-0. Also seeing significant court time is her Blue Ridge teammate Brenna Corbin Brenna Corbin 5'5" | DS/L James Wood | 2026 State VA who has also seen playing time as an outside hitter. Kennedy and Brenna are first and second on the team in kills and aces.
Emma Gardner Emma Gardner 6'3" | OH WT Woodson | 2026 State VA OH (Woodson) – The 6’1 outside hitter is second on the team in kills and is also a significant piece in their passing rotation. She hit right side for Metro 14 last year but swings from the left side for Woodson with an occasional right side showing. There is some polish still needed in her game but the potential is there.
Evie Huang Libero (Flint Hill) – The Huskies lost their senior libero last year. Those competing for the job were Evie and two older players. Evie appears to have won out, at least for the opening game against Robinson. During the club season Evie played with Metro 15. The serves come at her harder in high school since the girls are stronger than at the 15 club level so getting the quickness to move to the ball is still a challenge. Evie has the ability to live up to that challenge.
Claire Mo setter (Langley) – She set for the Paramount 15 travel team, playing a year up, and took them to the Nationals. This prepared her for the setting role at Langley. She moves quickly to the ball and has the composure needed for a setter. Langley runs a 6/2 and she is rotated out once she reaches the front row. Eventually, she could run a 5/1, but that may have to wait until her junior year. This is a very polished frosh.
Ana Sofia Zanallato setter (Madison) – She has some length to play front row, but earlier in the season was only setting back row. I’ve seen that she has eight kills so she may be playing some front row. She has also accumulated some blocks. She averages close to three assists per set.
Teodora Stamenkovic, middle (Bishop O’Connell) – At 6’1 she has the length and the long arms that can reach high over the net. I would be surprised if anyone from the class of 2026 can hit the ball harder or have her reach over the net. Once she improves her transition game with her approach to the net the kills will start coming in bunches. Currently, her kill percentage is .750, but the sets to date have been limited.
Casey Yuh, setter (Yorktown) – It appears to be a rebuilding year for Yorktown and Yuh will be a big part of that project. She is a smaller setter, which currently restricts her to setting in the back row. Understanding the nuances of setting an offense is something that will come with more experience.
Julie Xu, right side (Oakton) – She currently shares the right side with a couple other players, but she has the potential to also move left side. She can put the ball down but needs to learn to find the open areas of the court. Younger hitters usually begin their high school career playing pepper with the opposing libero. Once she learns to hit the seams the ball will hit the floor with greater regularity.
Giselle Norris Giselle Norris 5'6" | DS/L Millbrook | 2026 State VA , Libero (Millbrook) – Why do beach players make the best liberos? Or do liberos make the best beach players because they know how to pass? Giselle certainly knows how to pass. She has a beautiful platform, stays balanced and passes the ball to the net in the shape of a Bell curve. September 27 should be a fun date. That is when James Wood comes to Millbrook for what will probably be the Northwestern Division championship.
Tehillah Garrison, left side (Colgan) – It is not easy for a freshman to get playing time for a team that won the State Championship the previous year. She has gotten her opportunities to hit left side and has put balls away. The more success she has the greater the opportunities for playing time.
Chesapeake Chirps: Two undefeateds, Stonebridge and Langley battled it out Wednesday. Unfortunately, Stonebridge was without their setter Trisha Guevara Trisha Guevara 5'3" | S Stone Bridge | 2023 State VA , who had suffered a concussion at the end of their previous five game win over Rock Ridge. Langley easily won in three…Robinson pulled out a win over Woodson, winning the fifth set 16-14. That is a nice bounce back after their loss to Flint Hill in the opener….It took them five but Millwood began their defense of the Class 4 Northwestern District crown, defeating Fauquier in five. Madison Koeller Madison Koeller 6'0" | S Millbrook | 2023 State VA dished out 42 assists….Colgan improved their record to 5-0 with another sweep. They have yet to lose a set.