The Best 2026 Prospects from the Left Side

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Based on the early performances in the club season, these are my top prospects from the left side from the Class of 2026. New rankings come out in April. The Chesapeake Bid Regional tournament and other qualifiers could break out more. This list does not include players predominately hitting right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181302"],"_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-63fb8cc8f0676"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only one from this group playing up at the 16 level. [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] plays six rotations, though her passing still needs work to gain consistency. She combines with [player_tooltip player_id='181299' first='Ada' last='McCoy'] to form one of the most effective left side duos in the Chesapeake region 16U age group. As a frosh she led her high school team James Woods to the Class 4C state championship. Her back row and front row attacks result in automatic kills. Great arm extension and she can direct the ball to various locations. A beach player during the summer months, the cut shots are particularly impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'] </strong>(Metro) - At 5'10 she stands as one of the smaller outsides for Metro. As a hitter she ranks as their top performer. The Capitol Hill Classic voted her the MVP of the 15 Open Division. She passes like a libero and hits like a giant. For a 15 year old her swing appears so smooth, requiring very little effort, but the ball jumps out of her hand with impressive velocity. As a frosh she started for North Hagerstown helping them to win a Class 3A Maryland state championship. She also hits the sand during the summer, which could explain her solid back row play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["227251"],"_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-63fb8cc8f06d5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'3" you have to like the potential of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227251' first='Morgan' last='D. Williams']</strong> as a left side. Most players with her height would be placed in the middle. She hits the ball harder than any girl on the team, but her long levers still create some inconsistency with the location of her hits. That will improve with time as she receives more repetitions. Currently a three rotation player. When watching her during warmups you just hope she doesn't hit the ball at you once the game starts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["224819"],"_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-63fb8cc8f0720"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another player who hits a heavy ball. Her older sister Maya played libero and subbed in for her in the back row at St. Johns high school. [player_tooltip player_id='238356' first='Morgan' last='Reeves'] plays all six rotations for East Coast Power. She delivers some velocity to the ball whether hitting from the back row or front row. Her back row play could use some improvement from a passing stand point, but the more she plays the better she will get. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington']</strong> (Paramount) - Perhaps the go to hitter for Paramount (number 2 in picture above). She also played for Loudoun County junior varsity as a frosh leading the team to a 18-1 record. The varsity team carried no frosh on their roster. Charlotte plays six rotations for Paramount. She makes passing look easy. That creates opportunities for her to hit back row where she can also hit the ball with velocity. Also, if given a good set she brings an almost automatic kill from the front row. At 5'10" her approach jump reaches 9'5". </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='322107' first='Eden' last='Tardy'] </strong>(MVSA Charge) - A strong girl who plays six rotations for MVSA Charge. This team has been doing well in tournaments and the ability of Tardy to accumulate kills ranks as the major reason. She shows the diversity to hit from back row and right side as well. With her height she also rises above the net to put up a good block. Definitely a player to put on the calendar for more viewing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["221415"],"_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-63fcee9617afd"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221415' first='Lindsey' last='Canty'] </strong>(number 7 in picture above) brings a higher approach jump than her teammate Charlotte at 9'7" but that may be because of her arm extension. As many club teams do they identify one outside for six rotations and a defensive specialist comes in for the other. At this point Lindsey appears to play three rotations, so I have yet to see her back row play. Her front row play stands out. She started as a frosh for North Stafford. North Stafford lost in the first round of the Class 5D Virginia State playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["309027"],"_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-63fcee9617b76"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blue Ridge carries two talented left sides in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309027' first='Skylar' last='Norris'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309028' first='Gracelyn' last='Brown']</strong>. Skylar relies more on finesse for her kills while Gracie brings strength. Both have the ability to put the ball to the floor. While Skylar may be the more consistent hitter on the team, leading in kills Gracie contributes steady passing and is considered the top passer on the team. Gracie plays for Hedgesville High School, which is noted for their West Virginia high school championships. As a frosh she was second on the team in digs and kills. Skylar played for Williamsport High where she also played middle. As a frosh she led her team in blocks and ranked third in kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321678' first='Elaina' last='Murphy']</strong> (Metro North) - When people see Metro North they think of a regional team. With Elaina hitting outside they have been playing at the Open level in most of their tournaments. At the Charm City Challenge they finished fifth out of 24 teams in the Open. In the Capital Hill Classic they played in the Patriot Division and finished fifth. Elaina is a smaller player at about 5'9" who could also play libero. She plays for South Carroll high school, which lost in the finals of the Maryland 1A state championships, but she led her team in kills in that championship match. The Carroll County Athletic League selected her to their first team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chesapeake Chirps:</strong> In the Sunshine Qualifier Paramount 15 played in the USA Division. Pictured above is the Paramount team. They survived into the gold bracket where they lost in the second round to 305 VBC Alan...Metro finished 2-1 on the first day of pool play in the Open and lost the tie breaker to drop down to Division 2. A first place finish on day 2 put them in the Copper Bracket where they lost to Jupiter Elite in the finals. They finished 18th out of 31 teams. Virginia Elite 15 finished 2-6 in the Open and finished 26th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->