Other Top Performers at the DMV Expo 250

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The event was only two hours long. My capabilities of trying to take pictures and scout at the same time was a bit limited, especially with all the talent at the event. There were players I wanted to capture on camera because they impressed me at some point, but time just ran out. Below are the players who just missed a photo opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Liberos</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the short window that existed it is difficult to measure liberos. Below are the ones who impressed with either their platforms or the way they moved on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["235749"],"_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-657be09a06576"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235749' first='Kareena' last='Rathnam']</strong> (Winston Churchill/MVSA) - One of my favorites at the position. She shows great intensity on the court, always striving to improve. Kareena earned a spot on the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) second team. For the class of 2025 she ranks number 20. It surprises me that more colleges don't take a look at her. When she is on the court she owns the back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438049"],"_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-657be09a065d0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='491007' first='Ana' last='Djordjevic'] </strong>(Richard Montgomery/MVSA) - I debated taking a picture of both Ana and her older sister Ema. Both stood out at their different positions. [player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic'] stands 6'0" and won player of the year honors for the MCPS leading Richard Montgomery to the class 4 Maryland state title. She hits outside. Ana supported her with her back row passing and excellent defensive play. She stands 5'5". Eventually, Ana will master the back row with her positive attitude and overall hustle just like her older sister mastered the front row. Next year she will wear the different colored jersey for the Rockets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490811' first='Ella' last='Higday'] </strong>(Georgetown Day/MOCO Volleyball) - Ella impressed me with her serve. Despite her 5'5" frame she gets pretty good elevation when she makes contact with the ball on her jump serve. She also moves quickly in the back row. For Georgetown Day she did not get a lot of playing time. Her sister [player_tooltip player_id='434853' first='Elizabeth' last='Higday'] finished second on the team in aces. Perhaps next year the two will combine to double the Mighty Hoppers ace output. Ella does not yet appear on the class of 2026 rankings but her efforts at the DMV 250 Expo may now put her on the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490058' first='Camille' last='Pelaez'] </strong>(Freedom/VAA) - I came away impressed with her platform. She played libero for the junior varsity last year. Someone who deserves to appear on the watch list for more review. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443558"],"_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-657be09a0661a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443558' first='Emily' last='Kolas']</strong> (Heritage/Virginia Elite) - My goal was to focus on players I did not know. Emily has already impressed me with her libero play for Heritage. While she is currently not ranked she will make a big jump in our updated 2026 rankings that come out in December based on what I saw of her with Heritage. Lots of hustle in her game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["397414"],"_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-657be09a06662"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397414' first='Isabella' last='Park']</strong> (Mountain View/540 VB Academy) - You can read about her in the 540 Academy post. Really like her attitude on the court. The fact that she is an ex-setter also rates a plus. Isabella will find a spot in the updated rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377395' first='Jordan' last='Yun']</strong> (Trinity Christian/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - Jordan has come a long way since she played outside for me. At 5'6" the libero position fits her best. Still remember the game where we were up 16-15 with serve in the third set in a best of three. Jordan had yet to play in the set but I called on her to serve. She came in and with full confidence rifled the ball over the net for the ace to win the match. She continues to enhance her back row play and has become quite consistent with it, moving well to the ball on defense. Her serve has improved as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["238860"],"_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-657be09a066a9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238860' first='Mia' last='Fornasiero']</strong> (Bullis/MVSA) - She first caught my attention as an outside hitter. At 5'9" she realized her height fell short of normal outsides though her ability to elevate and put the ball away got her in the rankings. She has recognized that libero appears to be the best spot for her. For the class of 2026 her rank sits at number 63. Mia clearly brought athleticism to the outside game. Converting that to the libero position should be an easy transition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The setters </strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448705' first='Danika' last='Swanson']</strong> (Patriot/American) - She has some length at 5'9" and consistently jump sets. As a frosh she was the main setter for the Pioneers, even though they had their two returning setters back from last year. Danica also plays defense well, finishing second on the team in digs. while also serving well, second in aces. Patriot is a young team that will be dangerous next year with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220923' first='Soleil' last='Rancourt'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238850' first='Sydney' last='Bennett']</strong> only sophomores this year. The trio will grow together on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["434853"],"_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-657be09a066f0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='434853' first='Elizabeth' last='Higday'] </strong>(Georgetown Day/Moco) - Ella and Elizabeth could have given me another two for one photo opportunity. With [player_tooltip player_id='180285' first='Clara' last='Yu'] setting a 5/1 at Georgetown Day Elizabeth did not get a lot of opportunities to set. She did set a 5/1 for Moco, which is where I came away impressed. At the DMV Expo she lifted her 5'9" frame high enough over the net to complete a monster block. As a setter in my playing days that is always a good feeling. Though Liz did not get a lot of opportunity to set, she did finish second on the team in aces. In the D.C. state championship game against Jackson-Reed her serves accumulated eight points, third on the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Right sides and Middles</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238851' first='Piper' last='Xeller'] </strong>(Herndon/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - Piper appears to have gotten stronger since the last time I watched her play. Her spikes appear to carry more velocity. She plays right side for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] and at 5'11" can put up a solid block. It would not surprise me if her block jump now exceeds 9 feet. Piper ranks number 38 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["359401"],"_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-657be09a06737"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='359401' first='Chloe' last='Barth'] </strong>(Madison/Virginia Jrs) - She was one of two frosh to make the Warhawk team. [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] was the other. Their contributions created nine more wins for the Warhawk team from the previous season. Three of those wins came against the Class 6 state champions Langley. Madison was the only team that could beat the Saxons. The Warhawks fell short of getting a fourth opportunity losing to Battlefield in the semi-finals of the Class 6 state championship. The ride though was memorable. Chloe has a nice wrist snap that puts some zip on the ball. Her 5'9" height from the right side is not ideal from a blocking stand point. More teams are going with taller right sides in order to neutralize the opponent's best hitter. However, Chloe does have an approach jump of 9'4" so her block can get over the net..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479659"],"_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-657be09a0677d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490898' first='Eliza' last='Lowe']</strong> (Walt Whitman/Metro) - At 6'1 she can put up a nice wall in the middle. She lists her club as Metro, which carries a higher profile if it is the travel team and not a regional team. Eliza did not appear in our most recent rankings but she impressed enough at the Expo to change that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->