2026 Prospects to Watch at Capitol Hill Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've kept it short to six prospects from six clubs to watch. If you watch some of these clubs you will find other players who also could draw your interest. With [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] competing in the Triple Crown a number of top prospects in the class of 2026 are not available. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro </strong>(pictured above)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227251' first='Morgan' last='Williams']</strong> left side - Morgan stands 6'4" and easily flies over 10 feet with her approach to the net. Metro has been incorporating her into the back row but her passing remains a work in progress. No [player_tooltip player_id='180288' first='Emerson' last='Sellman'] comparisons yet but give it time. When everything clicks she will rank with the best. Currently the number one ranked prospect in the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players to watch from Metro 16 - Five players from the top ten, including Morgan play for Metro. The other four in order of ranking are left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> at number three, middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238341' first='Teodora' last='Stamenkovic']</strong> at number four, right side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong> five and pin hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210539' first='Emma' last='Gardner']</strong> number nine. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caydence is the only player from this group who stands under six feet but she may be the most athletic. She plays six rotations, providing an effective back row attacke. Big blocks can slow her down a bit, but she works her way around them. Tea plays middle and creates a quick wrist snap to bring the ball down. She puts up a wall when she reads the set well. Nadiya can fly with her approach and at 6'2" that means hitting high over the net. Emma stands 6'3 and seems to have developed increased velocity with her hits. There appears to be a quicker arm swing and greater strength. Growth exists for all four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four additional players fall within the 11 to 20 ranking. Right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220923' first='Soleil' last='Rancourt']</strong>, left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='490643' first='Bryah' last='Breaux']</strong> and setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321677' first='Charis' last='Burge']</strong> Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] </strong>ranks at number 13 but she plays for Metro 17. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']</strong> left side - Kennedy has already won player of the year honors twice and led her high school team to two state championships. Next year she will be a junior. Many of the indoor programs will compete with beach to grab her attention. She lists at 5'11", but she appears to have reached 6 feet. Kennedy takes advantage of her beach instincts to slap her balls to the deep corners. Almost everything she hits results in kills (.339 hitting percentage with James Woods). Kennedy also plays six rotations. She is the only player ranked in the top ten who does not play for Metro or [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. She ranks number two in our ranking. Probably the most consistent hitter of this group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players to watch for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] -<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong> just falls outside our top ten, ranked at number 11. For James Woods she hits left side despite her 5'5' height but for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] she plays libero. Another player who spends a lot of time in the sand. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320815' first='Tenley' last='Mattison']</strong> plays a strong middle. L<strong>auren Hobbs </strong>sets a 5/1 and runs the offense well. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 16 entered the Charm City Challenge tournament in the 18U age group. They were seeded 20 but finished in third place. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='204152' first='Sofie' last='Ferrell']</strong> setter - When the team reaches the playoffs the coach usually turns to Sofie to set a 5/1. She makes good choices with consistent location. Prep Dig ranks her number 14 in our class of 2026, but the number two setter in the class. Last year she earned second team honors setting in the Patriot Division. At 5'9" she may need to enhance her jump or sprout a couple inches to set at Division I but the skills are there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players to watch for Virginia Elite - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443558' first='Emily' last='Kolas']</strong> plays a solid libero. Love her hustle for the ball. Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377337' first='Gabrielle' last='Tindall']</strong> stands 6'2 with an approach jump of 9'8". That ranks as the highest on the team. Lots of potential in the 6'2" left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377334' first='Josephine' last='Seekford']</strong>. The consistency is not there yet but with more repetitions she could be dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Juniors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238850' first='Sydney' last='Bennett']</strong> middle - An aggressive, dominating middle. She earned a spot on the Cedar District first team. At 6'1" she has the length to dominate the game. Her timing for the quick sets is good as well as the variety of her locations. Sydney ranks number 15 in our class of 2026. She appears to cover huge areas of the court with her blocking making it easier for her back row to play defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players to watch for Virginia Jrs - Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray']</strong> is taking over where her older sister left off. Sydney set her high school team to the finals of the State championship and now she has Virginia Jrs ranked eighth in the region. Another younger sister libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='434861' first='Bailey' last='Swinton']</strong> has taken a completely different path than older sister Payton who hits from the right side and plays for Renaissance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>540 Volleyball Academy</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221415' first='Lindsey' last='Canty'] </strong>left side - Last year she played for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] but [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] offers an easier commute. She ranks number 18 in our class of 2026. Lindsey played for North Stafford High where she earned a second team spot in the Commonwealth District. A hard worker who makes every effort to improve her skills. She lists at 5'10" with a strong righthanded swing that arrives quick to the ball. Definitely a difference make on the left side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players to watch for [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</strong> ranks as our fourth highest setter in the class of 2026. She normally sets a 5/1, which has pushed [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] to the top ranking in the Old Dominion Region. Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397397' first='Jasmine' last='Williams']</strong> and right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333653' first='Elizabeth' last='York']</strong> carry a strong offensive game. Another middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah']</strong> ranks number two in the class of 2027 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MVSA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='412056' first='Elizabeth' last='Mitchell']</strong> left side - Richard Montgomery won the Maryland Class 4 state championship with a number of talented players on the roster. Many of them play for older MVSA teams. Elizabeth achieved her success as a sophomore. Her powerful right arm puts her number 23 in our top 150 for class of 2026. She also plays six rotations, acting as an offensive attacker behind the three meter line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players to watch for MVSA - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493358' first='Kennedy' last='Cummins']</strong> is a strong libero that is not ranked but worth the watch. She hustles for every ball in the back row. So does defensive specialist<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='238860' first='Mia' last='Fornasiero'] </strong>who intially made our rankings as a left side but at 5'8" moved to a back row/libero position. At 6'0" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238376' first='Anasofia' last='Zanellato'] </strong>provides length at the setting position and can also hit outside. She just needs more repetitions at the setter position to polish her game. The other setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346818' first='Charlotte' last='Deraleau'] </strong>keeps rising up the rankings. She brings a wicked serve to the court and shows a lot of hustle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->