Shout Out to Those Who Travelled Far to Attend DMV Expo 250

There were at least six players who drove over three hours to attend the DMV Expo 250. The event was held from 7-9 PM with a hard rain falling before and after the event. I woke up the next morning to see an inch of snow littering my car. That shows a lot of dedication from those players who chose to make the journey to attend the event despite the elements. You certainly can't question their love for the game.   Alli Corl (middle) - That is her pictured above. She drove all the way from North Carolina to attend the event. On the court she was chatting and laughing with the other players like they were her teammates, encouraging them when they missed a hit and cheering for them when they nailed it. Never would I have thought she was an out of stater.   Alli plays middle and outside for East Rowan in Salisbury. At 6'0" she worked with the middles at our Prep Dig event. Watching her play it was no surprise that she would be one of the top players on the Mustangs. She finished second on the team in kills and service aces, and third in blocks. It appeared she also played mainly outside for them because her stats showed her third in serve receive. All this production from a sophomore.   Alli may be used to travel since the team had to bus 200 miles for their playoff game in Franklin. They were swept in three so it had to be a long drive back. Alli finished with 10 kills in the match. She lists her club as Triad United Volleyball Academy (Pink). Judging by what I saw with her play at the Expo 250 she would have found a spot in our class of 2026 top 150 for the DMV area. Wish her all the luck in North Carolina.    [player_tooltip player_id='326540' first='Ivey' last='Lucas'] (setter) - There is no question about her desire to play. The two times I watched the court she played on she was hitting the floor hard twice diving for balls. Travelling all the way from the Virginia Beach area confirms her love for the game. Currently she ranks number 48 in the class of 2025. She lists at 5''6" which could restrict her to back row play only. She set for Poquoson High last year, advancing them to the Regionals before losing to Bruton in four. Bruton eventually went to the finals of the Class 2 state championship before seeing defeat. Prep Dig voted Ivey national player of the week for September 11-18 after she surpassed 500 assists. This club season Ivey will play for Beach Elite 18 Black, which means she will be playing up.    [player_tooltip player_id='326534' first='Gabrielle' last='Hines'] (outside) - Gabby travelled from the Richmond area. She plays for Maggie Walker Governor's School in Virginia. She lists Richmond Volleyball Club as her travel club. At 5'9" she is small for an outside, but her approach jump reaches 10'3". Gabby earned a spot on the All Region 3B second team. Her absence in our class of 2025 could change. Tough to ignore a player with her vertical. Hopefully, I will get more of an opportunity to watch her play but when the timing is there she impresses.    [player_tooltip player_id='490462' first='Adyson' last='Seymour'] (setter) - Adyson came from West Virginia to attend the event. She sets for Boonsboro High but played for Liberty Elite last year in club. One of the challenges with ranking players who attend high school outside the DMV area is what to do with them if they play club within the DMV area. Adyson has smooth hands for setting. If she really pushes herself she could become an elite setter. Her height and challenge to get high over the net for blocking may limit her to setting from the back row. Enhancing the vertical could change all that. She brings a good serve to the court and can hit the ball with some authority when she plays the right side.   [player_tooltip player_id='399708' first='Aven' last='Thorn'] (setter) - Another player who drove from West Virginia to participate in this event. She attends Jefferson High in West Virginia but also played for Liberty Elite last year. A knee injury prevented her from starting the club season. By the end of the season she was ready to play though her stamina may have been restricted. Once she was healthy to play Liberty Elite sustained other injuries. They could only field seven healthy players for Junior Nationals. Aven brings a good volleyball IQ to the court. She moves the set around well. Her height and the lack of a vertical will restrict her to back row. In our last ranking for the class of 2026 Aven listed at 108. That may rise a little for the next ranking.    Nevaeh Forbes (defensive specialist/libero) - Nevaeh plays libero for Alleghany High in Covington, Virginia. She was second on her team in digs. During the window when I watched the liberos play Nevaeh did not stand out. She will be placed on the watch list for the class of 2026.

There were at least six players who drove over three hours to attend the DMV Expo 250. The event was held from 7-9 PM with a hard rain falling before and after the event. I woke up the next morning to see an inch of snow littering my car. That shows a lot of dedication from those players who chose to make the journey to attend the event despite the elements. You certainly can't question their love for the game.