Ranking the Top Chesapeake 17 Teams for 2023

If you take a look at the top 16 teams for 2022, according to Advance Event Systems, this should give you some idea of the top 17 teams for this club season. Rosters change so these are my thoughts for the top 17 teams for 2023. This may be the best age group to watch for talent.   Metro    They were rated as the fifth best 16s club team in the country according to AES. For them, they finished a disappointing 17th at the Junior Nationals. While Metro won their first five games at the Junior Nationals they stumbled at the end, losing three of their next four.   The big change in the roster finds outside Macaria Spears playing in Texas for TAV. Another class of 2025 player will replace her on the left side in [player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu']. The players games are completely different. Caria relies more on her strength. Lameen carries a more wiry build and uses her long arm extension to give her length. The ball still explodes to the floor when she makes contact. Both are dominating players. Lameen replaces Caria as the top player in the 2025 class.   The other outside [player_tooltip player_id='180288' first='Emerson' last='Sellman'] stands 6'3" and brings a complete package to the floor. She passes, plays defense and remains one of the best hitters of her class. The Washington Post voted her player of the year for the DC area as did the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC). Emerson ranks number one in our class of 2024.   Two of their setters return. [player_tooltip player_id='180281' first='Erin' last='Debiec'] ranks the best of the setters in the 2023 class. Her 6'1" height can be a presence at the net but Metro has so many choices for the right side that she was rarely used there. Erin sits number two in our 2024 rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='180283' first='Natalie' last='Nguyen'] sets for champions. She stands only 5'5 but she has brought Flint Hill back to back championships with her setting. She has been told many times she would make a great libero but when push comes to shove coaches could not ignore the beautiful consistency of her sets.   The twin tower sisters [player_tooltip player_id='180295' first='Ryla' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181232' first='Renee' last='Jones'] return. The 6'4" Ryla plays middle while the 6'5" Renee occupies a right side. They both provide an intimidating presence in the front row. Ryla provides the offense by hitting the quick middles. Renee brings the big block to neutralize the opponents left side attack.   The libero [player_tooltip player_id='180300' first='Mailinh' last='Godschall'] ranks as the top libero in the region for the class of 2024. Despite her 5'7" height she hit outside for her high school. She led her team in kills. That speaks for her athleticism and ability to adapt.   They have two other middles in [player_tooltip player_id='231670' first='Grace' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='180296' first='Madison' last='Bowser']. Grace is a 2023 who brings grace and athleticism to her game. Madison brings power and can be an intimidating blocker. [player_tooltip player_id='180289' first='Lilah' last='Stevens'] plays opposite. She stands just 5'9" but jumps out of the gym. A player to watch for the outside is [player_tooltip player_id='233010' first='Mickhaila' last='Murray']. She hit outside in the Flint Hill championship run, winning the player of the year honors in the VISAA.   Top Uncommitted Players to Watch - A college could build a pretty impressive program by snagging just a couple of these players. [player_tooltip player_id='181232' first='Renee' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='180283' first='Natalie' last='Nguyen'], [player_tooltip player_id='180289' first='Lilah' last='Stevens'], [player_tooltip player_id='233010' first='Mickhaila' last='Murray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='180296' first='Madison' last='Bowser'] rank as the top five from 2024. [player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu'] ranks as the number one player for 2025.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']    [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] lost [player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu'] from their 16s team. They appear to have replaced her with [player_tooltip player_id='180292' first='Riley' last='Buddie'], who hit left side for Virginia Elite last year. The setting was enhanced by the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='180285' first='Clara' last='Yu'] and their back row play with [player_tooltip player_id='207594' first='Paula' last='Sigurani']. Time will tell how this all plays out. It is a different team than the one that finished 11th in the National Division at the Junior Nationals.   Middle [player_tooltip player_id='180294' first='Kiylah' last='Presley'] remains the player to ignite this offense. While she plays middle she attacks more like an outside, spiking the higher sets. A move to the outside would be interesting, though her back row play would be tested. Her approach jump stands out at an impressive 10'5", allowing her to hit it over many blocks. [player_tooltip player_id='209795' first='Harlan' last='Wyche'] will return as the other middle. Her long arms provide her excellent extension that also gets over 10 feet.   It will be interesting to see what they do for setting. Last year they ran a 5/1 with [player_tooltip player_id='180282' first='Paige' last='Ahakuelo']. While standing 5'7" she brings athleticism and quickness to the setting game. She guided James Wood to a Class 4 State championship. [player_tooltip player_id='180285' first='Clara' last='Yu'] wore a different uniform last year, setting for Metro. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] will give her more starting opportunities. She guided Georgetown Day to the DC state championship. Expect [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] to incorporate a 6/2.   [player_tooltip player_id='207594' first='Paula' last='Sigurani'] will provide some strength to their back row play. They lost [player_tooltip player_id='181241' first='Ava' last='Dunnigan'] (beach/West Virginia?) and [player_tooltip player_id='233015' first='Dilara' last='Vural'] (VAVA) from last year's roster. Paula has many first team accolades as a top libero so [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] should be fine. Class 6 recently voted her as the top libero in the State.   The outsides remain the big question. [player_tooltip player_id='180292' first='Riley' last='Buddie'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181233' first='Aaliyah' last='Howell'] hit right side for their high schools. They may be asked to hit left side for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. [player_tooltip player_id='244160' first='Nia' last='Gibson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181236' first='Erika' last='Bracey'] are two other options. Both played for Seton. and bring some height at 6 feet. Nia has some experience hitting left side in high school while Riley hit left side for Virginia Elite last year. Any of these players could also be tasked with blocking the middle and moving Kiylah to the outside. If [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] runs a 6/2 two right side options are available.   Top Uncommitted Players to Watch - If you want to build a winner with state champions take a look at [player_tooltip player_id='180282' first='Paige' last='Ahakuelo'] (James Wood), [player_tooltip player_id='207594' first='Paula' last='Sigurani'] (Colgan 2022) and [player_tooltip player_id='181233' first='Aaliyah' last='Howell'] (Georgetown Day). All three are winners with a wardrobe of talent.   Vienna Elite    The Vienna Elite roster appears incomplete. Many of the names on the roster still need to be finalized. I notice a number of players at the practices who rank in the top 100 whose names do not yet appear on the roster. Lots of talent at the gym for this age group.   The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='209789' first='Seliz' last='Aktuglu'] to play opposite her Oakton teammate [player_tooltip player_id='209792' first='Jocelyn' last='Shortle'] spells trouble for opponents. Vienna Elite tends to rely on smaller outsides with strong verticals to fill their rosters. Seliz at number 17 and Jocelyn at number 36 fills that requirement. Both are listed at 5'9" but are quick and athletic.   Just like Seliz, the 6'1" middle [player_tooltip player_id='209796' first='Camille' last='Pomeroy'] moved from St. James to Vienna Elite. [player_tooltip player_id='235277' first='Lauren' last='Katz'] appears to be returning at setter. She also packs a powerful punch hitting from the right side. [player_tooltip player_id='209800' first='Sydney' last='Pham'] returns as the libero. She ranks number 27 for the 2024 class. Class 6 also voted her as a second team All State defensive specialist.   Top Uncommitted Players to Watch - She may only stand 5'9" but Oakton relied on [player_tooltip player_id='209789' first='Seliz' last='Aktuglu'] to put the ball away during critical moments. Her teammate [player_tooltip player_id='209792' first='Jocelyn' last='Shortle'] also appeared a much better hitter at the end of the high school season than the beginning. [player_tooltip player_id='209800' first='Sydney' last='Pham'] plays a consistent libero position, taking the libero of the year award in the Concord District and garnered attention in the States by being selected to the Class 6 second team.   Virginia Elite    In the Qualifying tournaments Virginia Elite normally plays in the open division. They rarely qualify there and do not enter the Chesapeake Regionals. If they play in a national championship it will be the AAUs in Florida. The 16's played in the open division last year and finished 69th out of 71 teams, though they finished with a 3-7 record for matches.   [player_tooltip player_id='180284' first='Chloe' last='Hokenson'] ranks highest on the roster at number 7. She sets but at 6'1" she can jettison balls to the floor with the most powerful right sides. She set and hit Langley to the Liberty District title, winning their player of the year award. The Class 6 also listed her as first team All State. The other setter will be [player_tooltip player_id='235279' first='Melorra' last='Arthur'], who also set Battlefield to the Cedar Run District title.   One of the more intriguing players to watch will be [player_tooltip player_id='237239' first='Azavia' last='Thomas']. She stands 6'5" with a 10 inch approach jump. She hit outside for a weak Archbishop Carroll high school team, but the power exists in her right arm to bury the ball to the floor. With more playing time she could rise quickly. [player_tooltip player_id='233013' first='Gabriella' last='Flamish'] could flank her on the outside. She stands 6'1", earning second team honors in the Potomac District.   [player_tooltip player_id='180298' first='Alice' last='Holoubek'] will occupy one of the middles. She plays a cerebral game, gliding from pin to pin with her 6'3" presence providing a big block that nears 10 feet. She takes great effort in learning her position and actually enjoys playing middle.   [player_tooltip player_id='180303' first='Karen' last='Cao'] did not receive much playing time at Metro. She brings quickness and athleticism to the libero game, which remained on the sidelines with Metro. The move to Virginia Elite will allow her to show off her skills.   Top Uncommitted Players to Watch - The roster has no players committed to a college. [player_tooltip player_id='180284' first='Chloe' last='Hokenson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='180298' first='Alice' last='Holoubek'] would be two to look at. Both have skills that would play well in Division I. [player_tooltip player_id='237239' first='Azavia' last='Thomas'] remains raw but the tools are impressive.   Columbia Academy    Last year they ranked in the top five locally and nationally for the Chesapeake Region. They played in AAUs in the Premier division and finished 41st. I watched them play last year and came away impressed with the talent on the floor.   Their setter [player_tooltip player_id='235746' first='MacKenzie' last='Calhoun'] blew me away with her setting ability. The touch on the ball and the consistency of her sets ranks her as the number two setter in the class of 2024. Baltimore Sun voted her first team All Met for Maryland. She also stands out as a pretty good hitter.   The other two players who stand out from that team are libero [player_tooltip player_id='235747' first='Natalia' last='PeBenito'] and outside [player_tooltip player_id='244161' first='Samantha' last='Morin'], At 5'9" Samantha has the hops to spike the ball through taller blocks. She earned second team honors in the WCAC. Natalia shows good hustle at the libero position. That has earned her first team honors in the WCAC the last two years, the only defensive player voted to the first team this past season.   Top Uncommitted Players to Watch - [player_tooltip player_id='235746' first='MacKenzie' last='Calhoun'] and [player_tooltip player_id='235747' first='Natalia' last='PeBenito'] rank in the top 20 for the class of 2024. When you watch them play you won't be disappointed.

If you take a look at the top 16 teams for 2022, according to Advance Event Systems, this should give you some idea of the top 17 teams for this club season. Rosters change so these are my thoughts for the top 17 teams for 2023. This may be the best age group to watch for talent.