Ranking the Top Chesapeake 17 Teams for 2023
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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…
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Continue ReadingIf 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 Lameen Mambu Lameen Mambu 6'0" | OH Chantilly | 2025 State #64 Nation VA . 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 Emerson Sellman Emerson Sellman 6'4" | OH Academy of Holy Cross | 2024 State #5 Nation VA 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. Erin Debiec Erin Debiec 6'1" | S Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State #92 Nation VA 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. Natalie Nguyen Natalie Nguyen 5'5" | S Flint Hill | 2024 State VA 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 Ryla Jones Ryla Jones 6'4" | MB Flint Hill | 2024 State #80 Nation VA and Renee Jones Renee Jones 6'5" | RS Flint Hill | 2025 State #132 Nation FL 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 Mailinh Godschall Mailinh Godschall 5'7" | DS/L Centennial (MD) | 2024 State #183 Nation VA 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 Grace Smith Grace Smith 6'0" | MB Colgan | 2023 State VA and Madison Bowser Madison Bowser 6'2" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State VA . Grace is a 2023 who brings grace and athleticism to her game. Madison brings power and can be an intimidating blocker. Lilah Stevens Lilah Stevens 5'9" | OH Stone Bridge | 2024 State VA plays opposite. She stands just 5’9″ but jumps out of the gym. A player to watch for the outside is Mickhaila Murray Mickhaila Murray 5'11" | OH Flint Hill | 2024 State VA . 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. Renee Jones Renee Jones 6'5" | RS Flint Hill | 2025 State #132 Nation FL , Natalie Nguyen Natalie Nguyen 5'5" | S Flint Hill | 2024 State VA , Lilah Stevens Lilah Stevens 5'9" | OH Stone Bridge | 2024 State VA , Mickhaila Murray Mickhaila Murray 5'11" | OH Flint Hill | 2024 State VA and Madison Bowser Madison Bowser 6'2" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State VA rank as the top five from 2024. Lameen Mambu Lameen Mambu 6'0" | OH Chantilly | 2025 State #64 Nation VA ranks as the number one player for 2025.
Paramount lost Lameen Mambu Lameen Mambu 6'0" | OH Chantilly | 2025 State #64 Nation VA from their 16s team. They appear to have replaced her with Riley Buddie Riley Buddie 6'1" | OH Langley | 2024 State VA , who hit left side for Virginia Elite last year. The setting was enhanced by the addition of Clara Yu Clara Yu 5'10" | S Georgetown Day | 2024 State VA and their back row play with Paula Sigurani Paula Sigurani 5'4" | DS/L Colgan | 2024 State VA . 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 Kiylah Presley Kiylah Presley 6'0" | OH Bishop McNamara | 2024 State #114 Nation VA 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. Harlan Wyche Harlan Wyche 5'11" | MB South Lakes | 2024 State VA 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 Paige Ahakuelo Paige Ahakuelo 5'8" | S James Wood | 2024 State VA . While standing 5’7″ she brings athleticism and quickness to the setting game. She guided James Wood to a Class 4 State championship. Clara Yu Clara Yu 5'10" | S Georgetown Day | 2024 State VA wore a different uniform last year, setting for Metro. Paramount will give her more starting opportunities. She guided Georgetown Day to the DC state championship. Expect Paramount to incorporate a 6/2.
Paula Sigurani Paula Sigurani 5'4" | DS/L Colgan | 2024 State VA will provide some strength to their back row play. They lost Ava Dunnigan Ava Dunnigan 5'4" | DS/L Musselman | 2024 VA (beach/West Virginia?) and Dilara Vural (VAVA) from last year’s roster. Paula has many first team accolades as a top libero so Paramount should be fine. Class 6 recently voted her as the top libero in the State.
The outsides remain the big question. Riley Buddie Riley Buddie 6'1" | OH Langley | 2024 State VA and Aaliyah Howell Aaliyah Howell 5'9" | OH Georgetown Day | 2024 State VA hit right side for their high schools. They may be asked to hit left side for Paramount . Nia Gibson Nia Gibson 6'1" | OH Elizabeth Seton | 2024 State VA and Erika Bracey Erika Bracey 6'0" | RS Elizabeth Seton | 2024 State VA 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 Paramount 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 Paige Ahakuelo Paige Ahakuelo 5'8" | S James Wood | 2024 State VA (James Wood), Paula Sigurani Paula Sigurani 5'4" | DS/L Colgan | 2024 State VA (Colgan 2022) and Aaliyah Howell Aaliyah Howell 5'9" | OH Georgetown Day | 2024 State VA (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 Seliz Aktuglu Seliz Aktuglu 5'9" | OH Oakton | 2024 State VA to play opposite her Oakton teammate Jocelyn Shortle Jocelyn Shortle 5'9" | OH Oakton | 2024 State VA 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 Camille Pomeroy moved from St. James to Vienna Elite. Lauren Katz Lauren Katz 5'11" | S Patriot | 2024 State VA appears to be returning at setter. She also packs a powerful punch hitting from the right side. Sydney Pham Sydney Pham 5'3" | DS/L Madison | 2024 State VA 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 Seliz Aktuglu Seliz Aktuglu 5'9" | OH Oakton | 2024 State VA to put the ball away during critical moments. Her teammate Jocelyn Shortle Jocelyn Shortle 5'9" | OH Oakton | 2024 State VA also appeared a much better hitter at the end of the high school season than the beginning. Sydney Pham Sydney Pham 5'3" | DS/L Madison | 2024 State VA 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.
Chloe Hokenson Chloe Hokenson 6'1" | S Langley | 2024 State VA 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 Melorra Arthur Melorra Arthur 5'7" | S Battlefield | 2024 State VA , who also set Battlefield to the Cedar Run District title.
One of the more intriguing players to watch will be Azavia Thomas Azavia Thomas 6'5" | OH Archbishop Carroll | 2024 State VA . 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. Gabriella Flamish Gabriella Flamish 6'2" | OH Stone Bridge | 2024 State VA could flank her on the outside. She stands 6’1″, earning second team honors in the Potomac District.
Alice Holoubek Alice Holoubek 6'3" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State VA 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.
Karen Cao Karen Cao 5'4" | DS/L Montgomery Blair (MD) | 2024 State VA 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. Chloe Hokenson Chloe Hokenson 6'1" | S Langley | 2024 State VA and Alice Holoubek Alice Holoubek 6'3" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State VA would be two to look at. Both have skills that would play well in Division I. Azavia Thomas Azavia Thomas 6'5" | OH Archbishop Carroll | 2024 State VA remains raw but the tools are impressive.
Columbia Academy
Highlights
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 MacKenzie Calhoun MacKenzie Calhoun 5'10" | S River Hill | 2024 State VA 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 Natalia PeBenito Natalia PeBenito 5'7" | DS/L Good Counsel | 2024 State VA and outside Samantha Morin Samantha Morin 5'9" | OH Good Counsel | 2024 State VA , 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 – MacKenzie Calhoun MacKenzie Calhoun 5'10" | S River Hill | 2024 State VA and Natalia PeBenito Natalia PeBenito 5'7" | DS/L Good Counsel | 2024 State VA rank in the top 20 for the class of 2024. When you watch them play you won’t be disappointed.