Top Performers at the DMV Expo 250

Many of those participating in the first ever DMV Top 250 Expo battled rain and snow to attend this event. A big thanks to Heather Stout and also to previous prep dig writer Mehdi El Alaoui for their assistance in putting this event together as last minute replacements. While the poor weather played havoc on the running of the event, St. James did provide us with six courts to use.   This will be the first of possibly six daily articles about the event. Each girl who registered for the event will be mentioned, whether they were able to attend or not. Some may be written about multiple times. Below are the girls who I felt were the top performers.   [player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic'] (outside/setter) Richard Montgomery/MVSA - Prep Dig Ranking - Number 5 in our class of 2025   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/ema.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489471" style="width:341px;height:auto" /></figure>   She set and hit Richard Montgomery to their first Maryland state championship. Her left handed swing from the right side was impossible to stop at the Expo. She also plays left side for MVSA while being used in the back row for passing and back row attacks. Hard to argue about her versatility. The USA national team has invited her to a number of their National Team Development Program (NTDP) events. Definitely a player colleges need to watch if they wish to recruit a 6'0"setter/left side/right side who can dominate a game no matter what position she plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='352786' first='Cassandra' last='Bradley'] (libero/defensive specialist) Richard Montgomery/MVSA - Prep Dig Ranking - Number 46 in our class of 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/bradley.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489472" style="width:278px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another Rocket to watch. That number 46 ranking will rise when the 2024 rankings get updated next week. A very consistent passer who plays solid defense. It is the rare occasion when I watch her play that I see her make a mistake. When she does she seems to shake it off quite easily. Good passing at the college level is becoming more critical for success. Casey can only enhance that success. If you are looking for back row help it would be fruitful to take a look at her. She can help a lot of back rows.   [player_tooltip player_id='181304' first='Sarah' last='Jeremias'] (outside/defensive specialist) Holy Cross/Metro - Prep Dig Ranking - Number 79 in our class of 2025   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/jeremias.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489478" style="width:280px;height:auto" /></figure>   That ranking will rise significantly when they are updated in a couple weeks. She helped Holy Cross win the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) with her outside hitting. She lists at 5'11' which makes her almost a foot shorter than her teammate [player_tooltip player_id='180288' first='Emerson' last='Sellman'] who plays opposite her. When she hits the ball high off the block with her velocity she excels. When she tries to hit the ball hard to the floor she has less success. Sarah also plays a solid back row and hits the ball well from there. She could play as a defensive specialist and still give you a strong back row attack, with the passing and defense that your front row player lacks. Another diverse player to have on your team.   [player_tooltip player_id='284195' first='Daisy' last='Pentorn'] (setter) Arundel/Virginia Jrs. - Prep Dig Ranking - Number 86 in our class of 2025   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/pentorn.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489495" style="width:293px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another player whose ranking will rise when they get updated later in December. She stands only 5'9" but she has the ability to get to the ball to use her hands to set. She was the 5/1 setter for Arundel leading them to an undefeated season until the championship match in the Maryland state finals when they lost to North Hagerstown. Daisy was hobbled by a sprained ankle for that match so they ran a 6/2. She probably lacks the height and the jump to play front row at a Division I level but her setting accuracy is spot on. In addition, when she played at Virginia Juniors I was impressed with her serve. Not a surprise to see she finished second on her Arundel team in aces.   [player_tooltip player_id='472234' first='Tessa' last='Fergusson'] (middle) Georgetown Day/Montgomery County VBC - Perp Dig Ranking - None in our class of 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/fergusson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489516" style="width:279px;height:auto" /></figure>   I did not know a lot about Tessa until the Expo. That is what's so fun about these events. She was included in my watch list players and after watching her play I came away impressed. She lists at 6'1" and has the length to hit those high sets in the middle that others can't reach. When the setters and middles got together to run their quick hit drills the tempo was not quite there. Tessa was one of the few that could reach any ball no matter how high the set. After watching her play it is no surprise that she helped Georgetown Day win the DC state championship, leading the team in hitting percentage and finishing third in blocks. Good middles are hard to find but I think I found one at the DMV Expo. She probably could be very effective at the right side as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker'] (setter) Riverside/540 VB Academy - Prep dig ranking - 70 in our class for 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/parker.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489517" style="width:277px;height:auto" /></figure>   She set a 5/1 for Riverbend. They made it to the State championship bracket for Class 5 but lost in four to their nemesis Riverside in the semi-finals. Aubrey stands 5'11" allowing her to provide a strong presence in the front row. She earned first team accolades for the Commonwealth District and second team for the Class 5d region. I see nothing but growth in her game. Riverbend will benefit from her continued improvement.   [player_tooltip player_id='397397' first='Jasmine' last='Williams'] (middle) Colonial Forge/540 VB Academy - Prep Dig Ranking - 49 in our class for 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/williams.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489518" style="width:278px;height:auto" /></figure>   What first impressed me about her was how low she got to make a defensive play when the girls started out play with queens. When I looked her up and discovered she played middle that brought further intrigue. She lists at only 5'11" but she plays the middle well. Her play earned her a spot on the second team in the Commonwealth District. The strength in her game is her quickness on the court and her athleticism. Her quickness helps with her blocking. Her athleticism helps her to make dynamic plays. As she gains more experience and improves at reading the setters and hitters it should lead to more blocks. She might even be effective hitting from the outside.   Caycee Chum (setter) Chantilly/Metro - Prep Dig Ranking - 10 in our class of 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/chhum.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489521" style="width:285px;height:auto" /></figure>   Caycee won top setter at the Capital Hill Classic the last two years, once at the 13 Open age group and again at 14s. Her hands are soft and she jump sets at every opportunity. At 5'6" she may be restricted to the back row unless she gains a growth spurt. Caycee also won second team All Region but her team fell short of making it to States, losing to eventual state champion Langley in the Regionals. Her quickness and agility allow her to do things only other setters can think about.   [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] (middle) Wakefield/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] - Prep Dig Ranking - 1 in our class of 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/harrington.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489527" style="width:278px;height:auto" /></figure>   Taylor has a way to dominate a game. Perhaps it is her 6'2" height she brings to the court. It could also be her tremendous athleticism. Last year she could reach 10 feet with her approach. She has grown a little since then. At the junior nationals there was not a middle who could stop her. She hits the ball equally well to her left or right side. It is not a surprise that some in the national media have taken note of her. All she has to do is quietly play her game and the results will follow. Trying too hard to create a play can lead to struggles.   [player_tooltip player_id='325403' first='Annabelle' last='Kim'] (setter) Heritage/Virginia Elite - Prep Dig Ranking - 24 in our class of 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/kim.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489530" style="width:238px;height:auto" /></figure>   Annabelle set for Heritage as a frosh earning her a spot on the second team for the Dulles District. At 5'7" she still needs to enhance her jump if she hopes to set in the front row at the higher levels. Because she has such great touch for setting she normally plays all the way around. She also needs a little more work learning the tempo of her hitters in the middle. Like all the setters at the Expo there was some difficulty with the setters hitting the middles with their quick sets. Regardless, she has come a long way since she set for me as a 12 on my 13 team.   [player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther'] (outside) Loudoun County/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] - Prep Dig Ranking - 7 in our class of 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/luther.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489533" style="width:239px;height:auto" /></figure>   She stands just 5'8" but it does not prevent her from being effective hitting the outside. Her volleyball IQ for knowing where to place the ball allows her to hit effectively. The more she matures the better she will get. Kayla works very hard to improve her game. At one point early in her career she played libero, but the passion for playing outside remained too strong. Certainly an interesting player to watch as she grows in experience. It is always cool to be the unicorn.   [player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton'] (right side) Independence/Metro - Prep Dig Ranking - 5 in our class of 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/Rhoton.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489539" style="width:245px;height:auto" /></figure>   She was one of the girls who consistently hit the ball to the floor. It did not seem to matter if she hit left side or right side. While she lists herself as a right side she had some impressive kills from the left side. I did not get to see too much of her defense or back row play. Playing right side usually means she will be taken out for the setter, unless you are playing a 5/1. Perhaps her team would have more success if she could hit from the back row.   Alli Z Robinson (right side/middle) Flint Hill/Metro - Prep Dig Ranking - 21 in our class of 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/ali-robinson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489540" style="width:242px;height:auto" /></figure>   Flint Hill used her more on the right side because of her blocking, She finished third on the team in blocking to help her team win the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) state championship. She lists at 6'1" but it would not surprise me if she has not exceeded that. With [player_tooltip player_id='180295' first='Ryla' last='Jones'] departure she might get more opportunities to play middle next year. Last year she was named the best blocker at the Capitol Hill Classic. The one thing she needs to improve on is her offensive game.   [player_tooltip player_id='437457' first='Jasmin' last='Tucker'] (outside) St. Paul's School for the Girls/Metro - Prep Dig Ranking - 15 in our class of 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/tucker.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489546" style="width:245px;height:auto" /></figure>   When I watch an event the window I look through comes in short spurts. I see a little and then I move on to the next window. During one short spurt Jasmin blocked three straight balls from the right side. That was a pretty impressive window of opportunity. She lists at 6'0"and hits outside for Metro. She certainly got my attention at the DMV Expo. The fact I ranked her 15 shows she also got my attention while playing for Metro.

Many of those participating in the first ever DMV Top 250 Expo battled rain and snow to attend this event. A big thanks to Heather Stout and also to previous prep dig writer Mehdi El Alaoui for their assistance in putting this event together as last minute replacements. While the poor weather played havoc on the running of the event, St. James did provide us with six courts to use.