Ten to Watch in the Class of 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season has come to a close. In a little over a week the first club tournaments will start. Below are ten players on my radar from the class of 2025. Some of these players did not play during the high school season because of injury or they were home schooled. Others I watched just briefly and would like to see more. They are listed in order of their 2025 rank.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181242"],"_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-658eef93df70d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. [player_tooltip player_id='181242' first='Shylah' last='Swope'] setter (Herndon/Virginia Elite) - The number two setter in the class of 2025. She did not play her high school season because of injury. Herndon paid the price because of her absence. They won only one match all last year, nine fewer than the year before. Shylah offers both offensive potential and leadership skills. She stands just 5'9" but has an approach jump of 9'9", which ranks higher than all of her pin hitters. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181805"],"_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-658e3f9fae55e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>19. [player_tooltip player_id='413247' first='Madison' last='Smith'] outside (home schooled/Metro) - Madison stands 6'1" and established herself as one of the primary left side hitters for Metro last year. Her play showed immense improvement over the previous year, especially her attacks carried greater velocity with improved consistency. Her back row play also showed greater consistency. If she makes the same kind of improvements this year she will certainly stand out as a force to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["290899"],"_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-658e3f9fae5ba"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>22. [player_tooltip player_id='290899' first='Ava' last='Dickerson'] middle/left side (Warren County/[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) - Ava won player of the year honors in her district this past season after moving from middle to outside. She also earned a spot on the Class 3 All State team. The fact she finished second on the team in digs and first in kills seems a good indicator that the move to outside was a success. Last year for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] she played middle. At 5'11" outside may be her best position, but with [player_tooltip player_id='181299' first='Ada' last='McCoy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='243771' first='Berkeley' last='Konrady'] fortressed there a return to the middle looks like a strong possibility. However, she is the complete team player and will suit up for any position of need.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>29. [player_tooltip player_id='309032' first='Samantha' last='Stephens'] middle/right side (Spring Mills/[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) - When you are 6'3" you are normally destined for middle. Samantha played mostly right side for her West Virginia high school. She led the team in kills and finished second in blocks. Last year for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] she played both right side and middle. She also played a year down. This year she could see more middle and has moved up a year to match her high school class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>38. [player_tooltip player_id='434859' first='Gabriella' last='Prather'] middle (Reservoir/Maryland Jrs) - At 6'3" she brings some good length to the middle. Her strong middle play got Reservoir to the semi-finals of the Maryland State championships, but they lost to the eventual state champions Richard Montgomery. Gabriella impressed me enough that she was the highest newcomer to the class of 2025 rankings. Definitely need to see more of her play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["183972"],"_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-658e3f9fae608"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>53. [player_tooltip player_id='183972' first='Abigail' last='Litonjua'] setter (West Potomac) - She made the list back in April as one of my biggest stock risers from the class of 2025. Last year she set for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''], but it appears towards the end of the season they went to a 5/1 with [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo']. Claire happens to rank as one of the top setters in the area. For West Potomac <strong>Caroline Christensen </strong>set a 5/1 in their playoff loss to Woodson. Abigail got credit for a couple back row kills in that match but her playing time was limited. As a lefthander Abigail fits the setter position well. She also carries all the tools to be a top notch setter. Hopefully she will get that opportunity this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>73. [player_tooltip player_id='477134' first='Zora' last='Burrell'] left side (Potomac) - Zora stands just 5'7" but is extremely athletic. She plays point guard for basketball and centerfield for softball. That tells me she has some quickness. In the one game I watched she consistently shredded a formidable O'Connell block to achieve a number of kills. Last year she played travel ball for Metro East. Potomoc eventually lost to Bishop O'Connell in the VISAA quarterfinals but Zora made an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>89. [player_tooltip player_id='397550' first='Chloe' last='Bonney-James'] middle (Madison)- Chloe impressed when playing for Virginia Volleyball Academy. She hit the quick sets well operating from all areas of the net. At 6'0" she also brought some good height to the middle. For Madison she did not suit up but contributed as a manager. Hopefully, her health will return in time to play for a club this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>91. [player_tooltip player_id='309024' first='Caroline' last='Lang'] middle (St. Annes Balfield) - She has a commitment to Virginia, stands 6'3" and appears to be playing for Metro this year, though no official rosters have been posted by them. Previously, she played for Richmond Volleyball club. With all those accolades going for her a 91 ranking appears a little low.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>96. [player_tooltip player_id='326533' first='Shiraz' last='Benyoucef'] libero (Georgetown Day/Virginia Elite) - The only time I saw her play was as an outside for Virginia Elite last year. She moved to the libero position for Georgetown Day and helped them win their second consecutive state championship. She returns to Virginia Elite where they list her as an outside/defensive specialist. [player_tooltip player_id='181279' first='Kadi' last='Pynchon'] will probably retain the libero role but Shiraz can provide depth both for the back row and front row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->