Top Ten New Additions to the 2025 Rankings
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There are some extremely talented players added to our 2025 rankings. In my opinion, these are the best of the new bunch. Caleigh Ponn Caleigh Ponn 5'6" | DS/L Hidden Valley | 2025 State #83 Nation VA DS/L (Hidden Valley/N.C.…
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Continue ReadingThere are some extremely talented players added to our 2025 rankings. In my opinion, these are the best of the new bunch.
Caleigh Ponn Caleigh Ponn 5'6" | DS/L Hidden Valley | 2025 State #83 Nation VA DS/L (Hidden Valley/N.C. Academy) – In the last five years three players have put me in awe with their play. The first, Harper Murray when she dominated for 14 Legacy. Opponents called her the beast. Now she shines for the U.S. National team. Number two Macaria Spears when she rifled bullets into the floor for Flint Hill as a frosh. Last year she also played for the U.S. national team. The third Caleigh Ponn Caleigh Ponn 5'6" | DS/L Hidden Valley | 2025 State #83 Nation VA when she rose above all the other players at the Endless Summer tournament in Richmond as a sophomore, at 5’7″ and hitting outside, when libero is her natural position at club. Hmmm.
She will be playing libero at North Carolina Academy this club season. Her high school season saw her as the only Virginia player with over 700 kills. Hidden Valley finished with a record of 31-1. Their only loss came in the finals of the Class 3 State championship to York. Caleigh finished that game with 39 kills and 38 digs. It would not surprise me that before the year is complete she will be considered one of the top liberos in the country, if the Academy coach does not get selfish and uses her on the outside.
Ema Djordjevic Ema Djordjevic 6'0" | OH Richard Montgomery | 2025 State VA OH (Richard Montgomery/MVSA) – The 5’11” outside has a nice left handed swing. She appears to hit better from the right side than the left side, but either side the ball goes down. Her struggles on the left side come when the set is too inside. She plays a flawless back row, allowing her to be an offensive threat from all six positions. The United States National Team Development Program (NTDP) has invited her to work out with other top players from around the country for future national team considerations. They must see some talent there as well.
Simone Schaefer Simone Schaefer 5'11" | OH Riverside | 2025 State VA MB (Riverside/Paramount) – It has been a banner year for this 5’11” middle. She won player of the year in the Potomac District, first team for the Class 5 Regional team and second team for the Class 5 State. She carries a dominating presence in the middle with a lot of strength in her game. A very intimidating player. Likes to use that slam dunk technique when putting balls down.
Peyton McGee Peyton McGee 5'10" | S Norfolk Academy | 2025 State VA RS (Norfolk Academy/Beach Elite) – At 5’9″ she would be considered short for a right side. Her older sister plays left side so perhaps there will be a move next year to that position. What is most impressive is the power in her right arm. She hits the ball about as hard as any player, shredding the Bishop O’Connell block in the semi-finals of the VISAA state semi-finals. The O’Connell roster puts five players six foot or greater in the front row but that did not deter the smaller Peyton from putting balls to the floor. Her back row play could use some improvement but that can be said about a number of sophomores.
Sadee Gedse Sadee Gedse 5'6" | DS/L Oakton | 2025 State VA L/DS (Oakton/Paramount) – At the start of the season she came in as a defensive specialist. Before the year was complete she finished it as the libero. Her quick feet allow her to cover a lot of ground. Her competitive spirit rallies her team to victories. The Potomac District voted her to the second team, but if she had started the season as the libero she may have gotten first team consideration. You have got to love her attitude on the court.
Kareena Rathnam Kareena Rathnam 5'3" | DS/L Winston Churchill | 2025 State VA L/DS (Winston Churchill/MVSA) – Perhaps the smoothest libero on this list. Nothing seems to faze her. With a little more consistency in her passing she could quickly move to the top of the list. Her defensive game is top notch. When I watch her on the court the game remains under her control. Great focus on the court.
Destini Pickett Destini Pickett 5'10" | OH Forest Park | 2025 State VA OH (Forest Park/Virginia Jrs) – Her 5’8″ stature may be short but her monster jump places her high above the block when her right arm strikes the ball. She finished the season second on the team in kills while her passing ability also proved critical in serve receive. Forest Park finished second in the powerful Cardinal District with Destini playing a critical role in the team’s success. The Cardinal District voted her to the first team as did the Class 6B Region.
Racquel Frazier Racquel Frazier 6'1" | OH St. Johns | 2025 State VA OH (St. Johns/Virginia Juniors) – Not a lot you can argue about concerning her front row game. At 6’0″ she carries the length to be an offensive presence in the front row. Once her back row play improves her game will be complete. For St. Johns she led the team in kills in their third place journey through the WCAC. The Washington Catholic Athletic Confernece (WCAC) voted her to the second team.
Caitlin Johnson Caitlin Johnson 6'5" | MB Freedom | 2025 State VA MB (Freedom/Metro) – Her 6’4″ frame provides length in the middle. She led her Freedom team in blocks and stood second in kills. The Cedar Run District selected her to their first team and she made second team for the Class 6B Region. As she gets older her frame will gain strength which should allow her to play a more dominant game.
Calli Anderson Calli Anderson 5'8" | S Hidden Valley | 2025 State VA S (Hidden Valley/Roanoke United) – The ball comes off her hands as sweet as any setter. She also knows when to set her top hitter. Of her 900 plus assists during the season Caleigh Ponn Caleigh Ponn 5'6" | DS/L Hidden Valley | 2025 State #83 Nation VA finished off more than 75 percent of them. She sets a 5/1 and runs the offense like a senior. The Class 3D named her to the second team All-State selection.