New Additions to 2024 Rankings

Below are some of the newer additions to the 2024 rankings. One of the biggest challenges for getting ranked is creating the exposure to be seen. That normally comes from playing on teams that win consistently. Or you create opportunities that allow your team to win. While I try to watch as many players as possible, my focus remains on those teams that do well in tournaments. Winning teams generally carry the better players.   I also make an effort to see players from the watch list. Those may be requests from parents, coaches or even players who appear on all state or tournament teams who I have not seen play.   Much of the club information remains incomplete or requires updating. Many clubs have not posted rosters on their website or their names have yet to be added to the Prep Dig data base.   Congratulations to those players listed below. Detail provided only for the first ten players.   43. [player_tooltip player_id='464566' first='Taylor' last='Meredith'] middle (St. Catherines) - Taylor is a strong, physically gifted player who can dominate a game in the middle. She led the Saints to a semi-final finish in the Virginia State Athletic Association (VISAA) state championships. She also led her team in kills and blocks. When the Saints passed well they were tough to beat because of increased opportunities to use Taylor in the middle. Bad passing puts them out of system, taking her away from the offense.   44. [player_tooltip player_id='469251' first='Nora' last='Gilmer'] setter (Woodson/Virginia Elite) - I watched Nora play last year and for whatever reason she did not make it to the rankings. In a couple games I watched she set when playing the front row but they subbed her out when she played the back row. This past year the Cavaliers used her in the front row for offense and the back row for setting. At 6'0" she provided a lot of offense, third on the team in kills. She also finished first in aces and second in assists. Her setting still needs a little more polish. Her success got her voted to the first team in the Patriot District. Nora has committed to Bates College.    47. [player_tooltip player_id='465296' first='Claire' last='Wortman'] outside (Colonial Forge/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - At 5'10" Claire stands tall for an outside in Division III, where she has committed to Juanita. She also creates a nice platform for passing, plays a solid defense and creates offense when used in the back row. Her approach jump falls just short of 10 feet. Colonial Forge again made an appearance in States, eventually losing to State champion Langley in a fifth set 17-15. Four of the five sets went over time, including a 33-31 second set win by the Eagles. Claire finished with 20 kills in that match. The Commonwealth District voted her to the first team as did the Class 6 Region.   55. [player_tooltip player_id='465285' first='Keely' last='Heffelfinger'] outside (First Colonial) - First Colonial won the Class 5 state championships and Keely was an offensive presence despite her 5'8" height. She also brings the defensive chops to play the back row. For her efforts she earned a spot on the Class 5 All state team as a defensive specialist, even though she hit outside. Keely hit a ball off the block to give First Colonial a 27-25 set four win to capture their first State championship since 2014. Last year they made it to the finals but came up short.   60. [player_tooltip player_id='477413' first='Kiara' last='Harmon'] middle (Arundel) - Kiara was a big presence in the middle for Arundel, leading the Wildcats to their fourth consecutive state championship final appearance. Unfortunately, North Hagerstown swept them, but Kiara made her presence known from the middle. Her 6'1" height allowed her to lead the team in blocks. She also finished first in service aces and third in kills. Kiara brings a strong, dominating force to the middle of the court.   62. [player_tooltip player_id='481852' first='Taylor' last='Johnson'] outside (Arundel/Renaissance) - When she played libero for Maryland Jrs I failed to take notice. Perhaps my focus strayed to the offensive players on the team. Watching her 5'6" frame send lasers to the floor from the left side in the Maryland state championship game got my attention. Her libero play also came in handy in the back row. She can play defense, serve receive and without the different colored jersey can spank the ball from the back row. Taylor has committed to Norfolk State where she will probably return to the libero role.   63. [player_tooltip player_id='465293' first='Jules' last='Dooren'] setter (First Colonial/East Coast) - When you look on the volleyball court to watch the teams warm up she will not be the first one to stand out. She stands just 5'8" a rather average height for a volleyball player. Put the ball in play and you can't help but notice her. She sets a 5/1 offense distributing volleyballs like soft marsh mellows for her hitters to pound to the floor. Her efforts got her voted to first team all state for Class 5 and a championship trophy for the Patriots.   69. [player_tooltip player_id='465308' first='Blakely' last='Barnes'] middle (Kellam/Beach Elite) - At 5'11" the Berry commit lacks the height you want to see from a middle at Division I, but for Division III she will get the job done. She doubled the number of blocks she had from her junior year, easily leading her team in that category. Her middle play against Flint Hill in the Endless Summer tournament allowed Kellam to take a set, one of only two Virginia teams to accomplish that feat. Blakely also put together an incredible .560 hitting percentage allowing her to finish second on the team in kills. If that was not enough, she also finished second on the team in aces. Kellam earned their way into the Class 5 state playoff bracket but lost to the eventual state champions First Colonial.   73. [player_tooltip player_id='464583' first='Natalie' last='Rocco'] middle (Western Albermarle) - I was impressed with her middle play at the Patriot tournament. At 6'0" she put up a good block, as well as provided offense running quick sets in the middle. The Warriors fell just short of qualifying for the state playoffs.   76. [player_tooltip player_id='474064' first='Rania' last='Shuster'] libero (Alexandria City) - The Titans got off to a slow start to the season. Perhaps [player_tooltip player_id='474064' first='Rania' last='Shuster'] taking over the libero spot led to their resurgence. Her play got her voted to the second team in the Patriot District. Rania did not appear to get much playing time for the Titans last year during their championship season. She seemed to have picked up her skill level for her last season in high school.   77. [player_tooltip player_id='470558' first='Rachel' last='Lenz'] outside (Washington Liberty)   78. [player_tooltip player_id='471623' first='Reagan' last='Walters'] setter (Briar Woods)   81. [player_tooltip player_id='478383' first='Amelia' last='Matson'] outside (Stonebridge/East Coast)   89. [player_tooltip player_id='478952' first='Julia' last='Mattingly'] outside (Leonardtown) committed to Akron on a lacrosse scholarship.   93. [player_tooltip player_id='481857' first='Kaley' last='Maclellan'] middle (Centennial)   94. [player_tooltip player_id='478953' first='Kaelynn' last='Burge'] setter (Urbana)   102. [player_tooltip player_id='478957' first='Morgan' last='Johnson'] setter (Leonardtown)   119. [player_tooltip player_id='481859' first='Emily' last='Gassaway'] setter (North Hagerstown)   120. [player_tooltip player_id='478958' first='Elizabeth' last='Childs'] libero (Leonardtown) - committed to play for Mt. St Marys   121. [player_tooltip player_id='469183' first='Frida' last='Sagastume'] - right side (Chantilly) - 2023 Concorde second team.   122. [player_tooltip player_id='469179' first='Maddison' last='Bowman'] setter (Colgan) - 2023 Cardinal District second team.   125. [player_tooltip player_id='478959' first='Mila' last='Cho'] libero (Reservoir)   132. [player_tooltip player_id='469201' first='Ava' last='Dushaw'] outside (West Potomac)   134. [player_tooltip player_id='481861' first='Emerson' last='Moats'] Libero (Clear Springs)   144. [player_tooltip player_id='481863' first='Madison' last='Horn'] middle (First Colonial)   149. [player_tooltip player_id='481869' first='Rebecca' last='McCrossan'] Libero (Calvert)   150. [player_tooltip player_id='481871' first='Kassidy' last='Meadows'] outside (Smithburg)

Below are some of the newer additions to the 2024 rankings. One of the biggest challenges for getting ranked is creating the exposure to be seen. That normally comes from playing on teams that win consistently. Or you create opportunities that allow your team to win. While I try to watch as many players as possible, my focus remains on those teams that do well in tournaments. Winning teams generally carry the better players.