More Standouts at Albemarle Tournament
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The nice thing about a tournament is that you get an opportunity to watch a number of teams play. Who were some of the top players that opened my eyes. Hidden Valley Sophie Arnold Sophie Arnold 6'0" | OH Hidden…
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Continue ReadingThe nice thing about a tournament is that you get an opportunity to watch a number of teams play. Who were some of the top players that opened my eyes.
Hidden Valley
Sophie Arnold Sophie Arnold 6'0" | OH Hidden Valley | 2025 State VA (left side) – Kansas State commit Caleigh Ponn Caleigh Ponn 5'6" | DS/L Hidden Valley | 2025 State #83 Nation VA sets the tone for this team. Calli Anderson Calli Anderson 5'8" | S Hidden Valley | 2025 State VA confirmed why she ranks as our fourth top setter among the class of 2025. Lauren Whitaker Lauren Whitaker 5'4" | DS/L Hidden Valley | 2024 State VA fills the libero role with hustle. Lots of players to like on this team. The player who opened my eyes the most was Sophie Arnold Sophie Arnold 6'0" | OH Hidden Valley | 2025 State VA . The 5’10” left side hits the ball hard, providing another alternative to the left side. She can go cross court or pound it down the line, hitting it over or through any drifting blocks. She normally plays just three rotations but stays in the back row to serve. Not a player I remember from last year when watching this team play at Endless Summer.
Riverbend
Allison Lach Allison Lach 5'10" | OH Riverbend | 2024 State VA (left side) – The 6’3″ James Madison commit Peri Linterman Peri Linterman 6'3" | MB Riverbend | 2025 State VA pounded balls from the middle. Not a surprise there. The surprise, Allison Lach Allison Lach 5'10" | OH Riverbend | 2024 State VA who played such a critical role for the Bears from the left side that you had to take note. During warmups you can hear the sound of the ball as it hits her hand and finds the floor. She plays solid defense in the back row. At 5’10” she hits the ball high, banging balls off the hands of the blockers. She was initially ranked in our class of 2025 but Allison belongs to the class of 2024.
The 5’11” sophomore setter Aubrey Parker Aubrey Parker 5'11" | S Riverbend | 2026 State VA also impressed. She ran a 5/1, showed good tempo with the middles and ran the offense well. She should rise from her number 70 ranking in the class of 2026 after her performance at this tournament.
Briar Woods
Taylor Hansen Taylor Hansen 5'8" | OH Briar Woods | 2025 State VA (left side) – Clemson commit Skyler Riggio Skyler Riggio 6'1" | RS Briar Woods | 2024 State VA buries balls from the right side with her powerful lefthanded swing. Once you establish a defense to stop her it opens up the court for Taylor Hansen Taylor Hansen 5'8" | OH Briar Woods | 2025 State VA . At 5’8″ the junior gets overlooked because of her size, but do not underestimate her strength. She stands out as an important piece in this offense with her hard spikes. The Falcons would not be racing out to a 12-1 start without her contributions. She just missed making my all tournament team.
Western Albemarle
Natalie Rocco Natalie Rocco 6'0" | MB Western Albermarle | 2024 State VA (Middle) – The Liberty commit libero Amelia Tomlinson Amelia Tomlinson 5'8" | DS/L Western Albemarle | 2024 State VA ranks number 31 in our class of 2024. The player who surprised from the Warriors roster the most was their 6’0″ middle Natalie Rocco Natalie Rocco 6'0" | MB Western Albermarle | 2024 State VA . She blocked well, moving side to side to cover both pins. Her tempo and transition for running quicks in the middle allowed her to contribute to the offense. Last year as a junior Natalie proved a key piece to the Warriors first ever class 4 regional championship. They eventually lost to Dominion in five in the states, but it remains an achievement the team can build on. Her contributions from last year earned her a spot on the All Central Virginia first team.
Stone Bridge
Gabriella Flamish Gabriella Flamish 6'2" | OH Stone Bridge | 2024 State VA (right side) – The Bulldogs rely on Navy commit left side Lilah Stevens Lilah Stevens 5'9" | OH Stone Bridge | 2024 State VA to spark this offense. She appears to fly when she jumps to spike a ball. At 5’9″ her height is small, but her jump allows her to reach 10 feet. For Metro she plays right side and does not get an opportunity to play back row. When you watch her with the Bulldogs she shows off an excellent platform for passing and scrambles well on defense. However, Lilah is a known commodity. The player who stood out the most was Gabriella Flamish Gabriella Flamish 6'2" | OH Stone Bridge | 2024 State VA .
Gabby plays the game with intensity. The Bulldogs run a 5/1 so the 6’2″ right side covers all six rotations, playing the back row well. Gabby helped Stone Bridge to a class 5 State championship in 2021 her sophomore season. She expects a lot from the team and a lot from herself. Last year she earned a spot on the Potomac District second team. Her veteran presence in the Bulldogs lineup remains critical for them to make a go at another state championship bid this year.
Chesapeake Chirps: James Woods and Millbrook had the first of two battles for supremacy in the Northwestern District. The Colonels won in five with Kennedy Spaid Kennedy Spaid 5'11" | OH James Wood | 2026 State VA leading the charge with 17 kills. Paige Ahakuelo Paige Ahakuelo 5'8" | S James Wood | 2024 State VA contributed seven aces….Flint Hill continues to dominate the Independent School League. They swept Georgetown Day, who was considered their main opponent to capture the crown. Natalie Nguyen Natalie Nguyen 5'5" | S Flint Hill | 2024 State VA ran a 5/1 and dished out 34 assists. Mickhaila Murray Mickhaila Murray 5'11" | OH Flint Hill | 2024 State VA drove 15 of them to the floor to lead the team in kills…Two more frosh to keep an eye on. Ayla Sayd Ayla Sayd 6'0" | OH Marshall | 2027 State VA , the younger sister of Samia stands opposite her to occupy the second left side for Marshall. She appears to be about an inch taller than her sister, who is listed at 6’0″. For West Potomac Olivia Garey Olivia Garey 6'2" | RS West Potomac | 2027 State VA plays right side. She plays the game with enthusiasm, a rare treat for a frosh to show on the floor.