Top Prospects to Watch at the National Capital Showdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Division I colleges the quiet period remains. Division II and III colleges can get a head start when viewing some pretty good talent competing in the National Capital Showdown at the National Harbor in Washington D.C. January 27 - 29. Above is a picture of last year's Vienna Elite 16-L, who played at the National Harbor and also qualified for Junior Nationals in Indianapolis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most impactful players appear to be playing at the 17 open level. The overall talent level appears diluted with a Mid Atlantic Power League (MAPL) tournament also happening during the same weekend. The top prospects for that tournament will be discussed later this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["224016"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c9bd213e57a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Jrs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209182' first='Sofia' last='Hardy'] </strong>(Libero) - Her number 36 ranking places her at the top of our class of 2023 uncommitted players competing in the National Capital Showdown. Very consistent in the passing game and on the defensive end of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231675' first='Simora' last='Alexander'] </strong>(middle) - At 5'10 Simora stands small for a Division I middle but her offensive game carries potential. Finding middles always remains a challenge. She has also played right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224016' first='Kezia' last='Francis'] </strong>(left side) - A smaller left side but she played six rotations for a Colgan team that got to the semifinals in the Class 6 State Championship. She moves quickly on the court bringing with her athleticism to get to balls others can only watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chesapeake Elite Volleyball Academy</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244167' first='Alina' last='D'Andrade'] </strong>(setter) - She has some sweet hands earning her a selection to the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) first team. Very quick to the ball and at 5'8" she can play front row. Alina attracted my attention with how smooth the ball leaves her hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others to watch </strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A number of quality defensive specialists filter this group. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238097' first='Angelina' last='Barrera']</strong> (Vienna Elite - committed to Christopher Newport University), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235745' first='Kristina' last='Diaz'] </strong>(American), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239319' first='Emma' last='Cortez']</strong> (Vienna Elite - committed to Clarkson University) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239270' first='EllaMae' last='Fitzgerald']</strong> (Virginia Jrs - committed to Dartmouth) stand out as liberos or defensive specialists to watch. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231680' first='Natalie' last='Brown']</strong> (American), at 5'9" played right side for Forest Park and consistently put balls to the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["209790"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ca28ce7b570"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Juniors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209790' first='Aubrey' last='Hatch']</strong> (left side) - A six rotation player who packs a powerful right arm. She ranks number 9 in our class of 2024. At 6'1" she carries some length for the position. The Class 6 voted her to the All State first team after leading Colgan to the finals of the State championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181234' first='Samia' last='Sayd'] </strong>(left side) - Samia falls just behind Aubrey in the rankings at number 11. At 5'11 she carries less length than Aubrey but her back row play is steadier. The two make having a defensive specialist unnecessary. She dominated in a game against Langley putting balls away from the front and back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181239' first='Lanie' last='Goff'] </strong>(Libero) - Lanie shows great hustle in her game. That remains a skill difficult to teach. In addition to her hustle her skill level earned her a spot on the Cedar District first team. Quiet arms for passing and quick feet to play defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='182776' first='Brianna' last='Clay'] </strong>(Middle) - At 6'2" she brings height to the floor. Her right arm was one of the primary weapons for Battlefield. It earned her a spot on the Cedar Run District first team. Only four other middles sit above her in our 2024 rankings but none of them will be playing in this tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Vienna Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209789' first='Seliz' last='Aktuglu'] </strong>(left side) - Another six rotation left side. Her legs provide her lift to make up for her smaller 5'9" height. She also brings with her quality passing and defense, with the ability to stay low to the floor. Oakton relied on her as their primary offensive weapon. She can also string together points with a tough bullet serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209800' first='Sydney' last='Pham']</strong> (Libero) - The highest ranked libero playing in this tournament from the class of 2024. Class 6 voted her to the All State second team. She does everything you can ask for in a libero, especially with her consistent passing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235277' first='Lauren' last='Katz'] </strong>(setter/Right Side) - Lauren provides flexibility with her setting skills and her 5'11" height to play the right side. She can put the ball to the floor with good velocity. One of the stronger hitters for her high school team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209796' first='Camille' last='Pomeroy']</strong> (Middle) - A player to watch because her game keeps improving. At 6'1" she also brings length to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Volleyball Academy</strong> <strong>(VAVA)</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237667' first='Skyler' last='Riggio']</strong> (right side) - At 6'1 she gives you the height you need for the right side. She also plays six rotations with the ability to pass, play defense and more importantly attack from the thee meter line. Class 5D voted her to the All Region first team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209791' first='Grace' last='Tucker'] </strong>(left side) - She stands just 5'9" so her physical skills will not impress. Watch her play. It would be hard to find a better teammate on the court. She also brings quality play to all six rotations. The class 4c Region selected her to the second team. The Dulles District voted her to their first team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others to watch </strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some setters to watch would be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244159' first='Jaylyn' last='Simon'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235278' first='Aava' last='Shingler']</strong> from (Virginia Jrs), as well as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240903' first='Ellen' last='Noh']</strong> (VAVA) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238098' first='Ankita' last='Kamath']</strong> (DMV Elite). Three smaller outsides to watch who stand around 5'9" who could also fit into a libero role are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242038' first='Sidney' last='Powell']</strong> (DMV Elite), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243772' first='Charizma' last='Lofton']</strong> (Virginia Jrs) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237670' first='Janssens' last='Arabia'] </strong>(VAVA). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233015' first='Dilara' last='Vural'] </strong>(VAVA) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242126' first='Isha' last='Uppalli'] </strong>(DMV Elite) are liberos to place on the radar. Finally, the one middle to watch is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238099' first='Samantha' last='Ferguson']</strong> (DMV Elite) who stands 5'10". </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["230817"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63cadbb8b1901"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Jrs.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181300' first='Alexis' last='Ewing'] </strong>(outside) - The most intriguing player of this group. The daughter of professional basketball player Patrick Ewing and volleyball Olympian Cheryl Weaver has some terrific potential. At 6'3" she has length but the skill set remains a bit raw. Definitely a player to watch. Not there yet as a six rotation player when I last saw her play early in the high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181235' first='Sydney' last='Mayfield']</strong> (right side) - Ewing's teammate at Bullis high school. At 5'10" her hitting was more consistent. Both were voted to the first team Independent School League, a league dominated by Flint Hill players. Sydney played six rotations and was the primary attacker from the three meter line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235293' first='Destini' last='Pickett'] </strong>(left side) - A 5'8" outside with incredible leaping ability. The Class 6B Region voted her to their All Regional first team. She also plays six rotations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier']</strong> (left side) - She stands 6'0" with a powerful righthanded swing. Her back row play needs work before she plays six rotations. A strong girl who will only improve. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230817' first='Riley' last='Lynch']</strong> (middle) - As the saying goes "someone has got to block middle". Virginia Jrs seems to be filled with outsides. Riley ranks as the top middle in the class of 2025 playing in this tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> MVSA Sparks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic']</strong> (outside) - At number 4 Ema ranks as the top 2025 playing in this tournament. A great teammate who just happens to be the best player on the floor. She swings lefthanded but hits mainly left side in order to play six rotations. Right side appears to be her more comfortable spot to put balls away. At 6'0" she has the length to be a dominant player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235749' first='Kareena' last='Rathnam'] </strong>(libero) - If you are of the opinion that liberos are a dime a dozen you have not watched Kareena play the position. Smooth and effortless. Hard velocity spikes come right back up. Her serve can be tough, though she dialed it down her last tournament because it also can be inconsistent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carolyn Kaye </strong>(middle) - Not listed in our 2025 rankings because my knowledge base still falls short with Maryland players. The 6'1" middle competes in the high jump so getting her hands over the net to block is not a problem. She runs the quicks well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordyn Palazzo</strong> (left side) - Another player not listed in our rankings, but the 5'11" left side can bury the ball to the floor. Normally only plays three rotations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virgnia Volleyball Academy (VAVA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181312' first='Emily' last='Maguire']</strong> (Middle) - VAVA has a number of players listed in our 2025 rankings. Emily ranks the highest of this group. A middle you may want to take a look at, but then there are six other players in our rankings that play for this team. When you watch her others may also attract your attention. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others to Watch </strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't know how Virginia Juniors will distribute the playing time for all their outsides, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223582' first='Skylar' last='Johnson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='183589' first='Angelique' last='Desamours'] </strong>are two more outsides to watch. If you want to take a look at setters VAVA has three with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240028' first='Emma' last='Adiaconitei'],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242039' first='Michelle' last='Kim']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238857' first='Julie' last='Xu']</strong>. Julie belongs to the class of 2026. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235296' first='Makenzie' last='Dvorznak']</strong> (VAVA) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246316' first='Jackie' last='Colucci'] </strong>(DMV Elite) are two more outsides to watch. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='184604' first='Nia' last='Thomas'] </strong>(Virginia Jrs) at libero and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181314' first='Aubrey' last='Loughlin']</strong> (VAVA) at middle are two more players worth taking a look at. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->