Under the Radar Prospects at Capitol Hill Classic

For the most part I focus on open divisions in tournaments. If you want to find the top prospects that is where they play. Usually, those teams show the ability to win at the open level. Playing in open divisions and losing does not grab my attention.   At three day tournaments I spend the first day scouting non open teams looking at girls who have come to my attention based on emails or profiles. If someone takes the time to ask me to see them play I will take the time to try to make it happen. There have been some pleasant surprises. Below are some of those under the radar players.   DYS Thunder 18 (Pictured above)    They may not qualify for the under the radar category since a couple of these girls rank in the top twenty in the class of 2023 under the outside hitters. They played in the club division of the Capital Hill Classic and finished first. In an earlier article ranking the top 18U teams in the Chesapeake Region they were included as a sleeper team to watch.   The only set I watched them play happened to be the only game they lost in the tournament. Despite that loss their talent still shined. The two key players on the team are their outsides. [player_tooltip player_id='181563' first='Emma' last='Kerwin'] plays six rotations, providing offense from the back row. She also presents a good platform for passing. In the game I watched [player_tooltip player_id='231669' first='Dryden' last='Rancourt'] played three rotations, but she played six for her high school team. Emma won MVP for the 18 Club Division while Dryden received the nod for top hitter. It does not surprise me the duo earned the banner of top left sides in the club Division. Both can compete at the open level.   [player_tooltip player_id='209184' first='Sakura' last='Shimozono'] plays libero for the team. She ranks as the 11th best libero in our top 100 rankings for class of 2023. Her steady passing and calm demeanor on the court sets her apart. Ehlaina McCaskill did a good job distributing her sets, running quicks in the middle and a cross to Emma in the middle as well. A solid team who I hope to watch in the Chesapeake Regional bid if they qualify.   Heart of Virginia 15   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/2nd-1-crop-915x601-1677080627.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-325475" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: provided by parent</figcaption></figure>   Heart of Virginia battled well in the Open. In their only loss on day one they challenged a strong Paramount team to three sets. On the second day things got a little rough and they lost all three matches. They played competitive ball but fell a bit short in making the consistent plays required at the open level.   Their 6'1" middle [player_tooltip player_id='229773' first='Evie' last='Ballengee'] shows tremendous potential. She brings length to the game but needs to work on her arm swing to get better power on the ball. Opening up more and creating a higher extension with a faster arm swing will make her dangerous. Long levers take time to coordinate. She had a big block to end a 25-22 win, one of her 16 blocks for the tournament. She also showed some volleyball IQ by making smart tips to the corners.   The two setters Hannah Kim and [player_tooltip player_id='722276' first='Kenstin' last='Phelps'] stayed in the front row, showing a strong ability to provide some power from the right side. Kenstin brings a fast arm swing and strong defense to the game. Libero Regan Shields has length and moves smoothly in the back court. She competes and accomplishes what you want in a libero by passing well and playing defense.   HOV lost the first match of the bronze bracket to Sideout Sports Volleyball Club in New Jersey. That put them in 23rd place out of 48 teams in the open category.   St. James Navy 17    One of my favorite teams to watch last year was St. James Navy 16. The coach for that team moved to Florida, taking with her their top player, her daughter. Most of the other players from that team scattered to other clubs. It happens.   The newer version of St. James Navy played in the Premier Division. The first two days they struggled with 1-2 records but on the final day they finished 3-0 to win Flight 3. The season is still early, and the talent exists on this roster to be competitive.   Setter [player_tooltip player_id='235328' first='Isabella' last='Tran'] sets a 5/1. She brings good hands to the game and sets the pipe well. The libero [player_tooltip player_id='320780' first='Melody' last='Nikkhoo'] shows a good platform for passing. She brings enthusiasm to the court and a positive energy. Incorporating a jump serve that brings more velocity to her serve would up her game. [player_tooltip player_id='233012' first='Bridie' last='Wendling'] played left side for Class 6 high school state champ Alexandria City. She hits the pipe well and puts up a strong solo block.   As a coach the Capital Hill Classic established the final flow for my roster. You experiment with different positions and lineups during the season but at some point you finalize your roster to try to win those qualifiers at the back end of the season. Perhaps the three straight wins in the Flight 3 bracket will get them started on their journey forward.   VAVA 15    VAVA played in the Patriot Division. A 2-1 finish the first day advanced them to Division 1. The team struggled on day two with a 1-2 record, but took the second place finish as a result of the tie breaker rules, allowing them to advance to the Gold bracket. They won their first match in the gold, but then lost to Mod Elite to drop to fifth place.   [player_tooltip player_id='239322' first='Hailey' last='Park'] and [player_tooltip player_id='308751' first='Olivia' last='LeBlanc'] share setting duties. Both lack the height to play front row, but they bring good hands and distribute the sets nicely. Hailey glides around the court with quick feet, which allows her to use her hands to set almost any pass. [player_tooltip player_id='307949' first='Lauren' last='Paris'] plays right side. Her spikes seem to find the open spots on the court. She also flashes a constant smile on the court, always a welcome sight. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='238365' first='Molly' last='Gardner'] brings a tough serve to the game. She and Grace Froemling rotate in the libero role, with one coming in for defense while the other plays serve receive.   VAVA Blue 17    They finished second in the Patriot Division. Three straight three set wins may have tired them out for the finals. They were swept by Legion Volleyball Club in New York 25-21 and 25-18.   Left side [player_tooltip player_id='209791' first='Grace' last='Tucker'] and libero [player_tooltip player_id='233015' first='Dilara' last='Vural'] fuel the VAVA victories.   Metro 15 North   This team impresses with their consistent play. They went undefeated in the Patriot Divsion (7-0) until taking a second round three set loss to eventual second place South River Volleyball Club.   Left sides [player_tooltip player_id='321678' first='Elaina' last='Murphy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='321680' first='Talia' last='DoCarmo'] and middle [player_tooltip player_id='321679' first='Simone' last='Assasie'] shine for this team.

For the most part I focus on open divisions in tournaments. If you want to find the top prospects that is where they play. Usually, those teams show the ability to win at the open level. Playing in open divisions and losing does not grab my attention.