Top Pins from the Class of 2027
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A lot can happen with players from the class of 2027 that can move them up or down the rankings. Physical and mental growth. Strength. Maturity. Health. Coaching. Selfishness. Motivation. How one improves in these areas will become critical in…
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Continue ReadingA lot can happen with players from the class of 2027 that can move them up or down the rankings. Physical and mental growth. Strength. Maturity. Health. Coaching. Selfishness. Motivation. How one improves in these areas will become critical in the development of their volleyball skills.
Below are the top ten pins from the class of 2027. They still have a long journey on their horizon before they make it to the next level but the path they are on shows promise.
When you are 6’2″ and can dominate the game the way Coco can you get noticed. She creates offense from the front and back row. She also can pass and play defense with the athleticism to get low to the floor with fluid motions. Coco ix the primary source of offense for a Virginia Jrs team that earned a USA bid in Junior Nationals. One of the more complete players you will see from the class of 2027. She can do it all.
Highlights
Alexa Telly Alexa Telly 6'0" | OH Bullis | 2027 State VA (Bullis/Metro) – Last year Alexa played middle for Metro 16. This year she dropped down a level and switched to outside. This has increased her offensive presence allowing her to win the 2024 MVP honors at Capitol Hill classic. For Bullis she lists on the roster as a middle but she played left side when I watched her. At 6’0″ she brings some height with room to grow. She also has developed her all around game to play six rotations. Metro currently has qualified for the National Division in Las Vegas with no more qualifiers scheduled.
She brings a powerful arm to the outside, whether she hits from the front or back row. Her approach jump reaches 9’9″. As a frosh she has already earned a first team all Conference IAAM honors. Annika is the primary source of offense for Maryland Juniors, who will play in the American Division in junior Nationals.
Highlights
Macie Murray Macie Murray 5'11" | OH Osbourne Park | 2027 State VA (Osbourne Park/Metro) – Macie won the MVP award at the Capitol Hill Classic in 2023 for the 14 Open. Her older sister Mickhaila Murray Mickhaila Murray 5'11" | OH Flint Hill | 2024 State VA played for Flint Hill and Metro 18. Macie is choosing her own path. She already stands taller than her sister at 5’11” with the possibility of some room to grow. Last year she played for Osbourne Park and won first team honors as a frosh. Metro appears to be swarming with talent from the outside so the pressure will always be there to earn playing time. Macie will play with Metro in the National Division in Las Vegas.
Kieran plays right side for Metro. Since they normally run a 6/2 this limits her ability to play back row. She hits the ball hard with the ability to go down the line or cross court. When given the opportunity she also shows the ability to hit left side. Metro has a roster filled with athletic left sides so the right side appears to be her best option. At 6’0″ Kieran can also present a big block on the right side.
Highlights
Louise Neuhart Louise Neuhart 6'0" | OH Virginia Academy | 2027 State VA (Virginia Academy/ Paramount ) – Louise reclassified and repeated her frosh year. She also transferred to Virginia Academy where she performed as one of their top outside hitters. Her left side production at the Northeast Qualifiers earned Paramount an Open bid at Junior Nationals. At 6’0″ Louise has the ability to dominate the outside. She also brings the skills to play all six rotations.
Jasmin is another 6’0″ left side for Metro with a powerful arm. She was one of the top performers at both the Prep Dig DMV Expo 250 and the Sunshine Qualifier. The fact that she can play both left and right side gives her some versatility to her game. She falls just outside my top 10 ranking at number 12. Metro will play in the National Division at Junior Nationals in Las Vegas.
Highlights
Aaliyah has sprouted one inch to 5’10”. Her legs also appear to show some ability to stretch her height a little further. Regardless, she brings a jump that can carry her high over the net. Her approach jump reaches 10 feet. She started on the varsity as an outside hitter for a strong Millwood team that should muscle up for the 2024 season. Unfortunately, Blue Ridge will not be playing in the Junior Nationals. They lean more to AAUs so if you want to see her play you may have to go to Orlando.
Highlights
Players who are 5’8″ who are constantly told they are too small to be an outside either change positions or work harder. Kayla falls into the latter category. It would be hard to find a player who works harder at her craft. At one point she played libero for Metro but her joy for playing comes from hitting outside. For Paramount she captains the team and plays all six rotations. The fact that she stands just 5’8″ did not prevent her from leading them to an Open bid at Junior Nationals this year. If not for her love for hitting her back row play would make her an ideal libero. She reminds me a lot of Hannah Howard, who won Gatorade player of the year for West Virginia as a 5’7 outside who now plays libero at UMBC.
Highlights
Blake Crawford Blake Crawford 5'7" | OH Atlee | 2027 State VA (Atlee/Richmond VBC) – Her lefthanded swing is ideal for the right side, but for both Atlee and Richmond Volleyball Club they like to use her on the left side. It gives her an opportunity to play all six rotations when you run a 6/2 and rotate your setters out with right sides. Currently listed at 5’7″ she has an older sister Morgan who hit left side for Atlee and grew to be 5’10”. There appears to be some growth left in her legs. Richmond is another volleyball club that prefers playing in AAU.
Special Consideration
Last year she switched off a little bit between outside and middle, playing the majority of her games at middle. This year she seems to be primarily the middle for 540. She plays up for them at the 16 level. While her 6’0″ height might be considered small for a middle it is a strength for an outside. She runs the quicks well, which makes her middle play productive for an offense. Alyssa also plays beach which tells me that a conversion to left side would not be difficult.
Highlights
Laila won the MVP award at Capitol Hill Classic as an outside hitter for Metro 14 a couple years ago. She switched to the libero role when she saw the line of Metro pins all standing above 6’2″. That has not prevented her from abandoning the outside. For Madison High she stood out as their primary outside hitter. Laila plays up for Metro as a libero, playing for the 16 team that recently earned a bid to play Open at Junior Nationals.