Ten New Faces Stand Out at Charm City Challenge

There were a number of new faces that stood out at the Charm City Challenge in Baltimore. I kept my focus on the teams from Virginia and Maryland in the Open Divisions. Below are top ten that shined, in no particular rank.   [player_tooltip player_id='525335' first='Emma' last='Mullins'] middle 2026 (Beach Elite) - Emma stands 6'1" with a long reach that allows her to get high over the net. She made a number of critical blocks using that reach. Additionally, she hits the ball well when she makes contact, but a reduction in tipped balls would give her more kills. Interesting that she goes to a high school in North Carolina (Northeastern).   [player_tooltip player_id='525327' first='Genevieve' last='Willis'] setter 2026 (Columbia) - Geneivieve ran a 5/1. I liked the way she distributes her sets to the hitters. She successfully pulled off a nice jump set on a ball passed tight to the net. Her serve also has some dance to it. Gena goes to Severna Park high school where she shares setting duties with frosh [player_tooltip player_id='849600' first='Jennifer' last='Hong']. She lists at 5'10 bringing decent height to the front row.   [player_tooltip player_id='515539' first='Tiana' last='Stubbs'] middle 2024 (Club 540) - Tiana impressed me with how high she covers the net. Her block touch reaches 9'6" with her 6'0" height. She also pounded an overset straight down. Tiana plays for Chancellor high school where she led her team in blocks, kills and hitting percentage. Tiana will be playing volleyball at Old Dominion University.   [player_tooltip player_id='528451' first='Sadie' last='Gladhill'] libero 2025 (Metro) - Sadie was playing the libero position when Metro took the Open Division at the Charm City Classic in Baltimore. In the first set of the championship match against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] her ace serve put Metro ahead 24-23. Her back row play proved instrumental in keeping Metro's offense in system. Sadie has committed to playing volleyball for Buffalo.   [player_tooltip player_id='544609' first='Giulia' last='Allison'] libero 2026 (757 National) - Giulia passes well and plays a strong defense. Perhaps you can chalk it up to her strong volleyball background. Per her HUDL account she is half Brazilian and her grandfather was an eight time Olympian (a 32 year span). Also, her godfather (Carlos Moreno?) is the Associate Head Coach at University of San Diego. Giulia plays volleyball for Kellam high school in Virginia Beach.   [player_tooltip player_id='484751' first='Riley' last='Erwin'] setter 2026 (757 National) - At 5'11" Riley brings good length to the setting position. She sets in the back row while being able to play right side in the front row. She brings good arm extension on her hits. Riley also plays for Kellam High where she finished second in assists and second on the team in blocks and hitting percentage. Kellam lost to eventual state champion First Colonial in the semifinals of the Class 5 state championship. Riley ranks number 77 in our class of 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='465322' first='Siyena' last='Fitsum'] middle 2027 (MVSA Charge) - Siyena was signaled out for her performance at the Battle of Bethesda. She already stands close to 6 feet and appears to have some additional growth in her. As a frosh with Churchill she may have been their top player. She puts up a good block and hits the ball well. Prep Dig ranks her 43 in our class of 2027.   [player_tooltip player_id='180291' first='Claire' last='Burducea'] left side 2024 (Virginia Elite) - Claire may lack the explosiveness normally associated with left sides. She hits the ball hard enough and it finds the floor more times than not, but it will not wow you. She plays a cerebral six rotation game, providing offense from the back row as well as the front row. At one point the 6'0" left side appeared in our rankings, but she dropped off. Claire is committed to play volleyball at Franklin and Marshall. Expect her to return to the rankings. Virginia Elite finished second at Charm City and last weekend won the National Harbor pictured above).   [player_tooltip player_id='520358' first='Avery' last='Jastrzemski'] left side 2025 (River City) - Avery featured a strong back row attack while playing all six rotations for River City. She plays with a lot of enthusiasm, always communicating with her teammates. At 6 feet she brings some length to the left side with an approach jump of 9'6". In 2022 she made the first team All Region 3B for Virginia. That year Goochland High lost in the first round to eventual state champions York, taking them five games.   [player_tooltip player_id='520356' first='Nyla' last='Green'] setter 2025 (River City) - Nyla set a 5/1 for River City, her 5'8" height allowing her to play a little over the net. She has strong hands and distributes her sets nicely. A little more jump in her jump set might bring blockers up when she sets, leaving her with more single blocks on the outside. Nyla attends Glen Allen high school.   Chesapeake Chirps: The NIT Triple Crown and Capitol Hill Classic will be played next weekend. It appears [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] did not get selected to play in the Power pool. That means possibly the only player from the Virginia/Maryland area who will be playing in the power pool is [player_tooltip player_id='229773' first='Evie' last='Ballengee'], who will play for Academy 16 Diamond in North Carolina.

There were a number of new faces that stood out at the Charm City Challenge in Baltimore. I kept my focus on the teams from Virginia and Maryland in the Open Divisions. Below are top ten that shined, in no particular rank.