Who Among the 2028s is Ready to Make an Impact
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I have not watched a lot of 14U volleyball. Most of my time is spent trying to get a handle on the older age groups. A number of these girls named below actually played up at the 15U level. Below…
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Continue ReadingI have not watched a lot of 14U volleyball. Most of my time is spent trying to get a handle on the older age groups. A number of these girls named below actually played up at the 15U level. Below are eight players from the class of 2028 who have impressed. They could make a significant impact for their high school teams this coming season.
Breeze plays up for the Blue Ridge 15 team. At the Northeast Qualifiers she rose another level to play for the 16U team that finished second in the USA Division. At 6’0″ her height stands tall for a setter but she also has an approach jump that borders 10 feet. When Breeze hits the ball it finds the floor quickly. She has been playing beach since she was 12 so her all around game has developed well. It would not surprise me that she sets for her high school team as a frosh as well as hits right side.
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Chika Onukwugha Chika Onukwugha OH VA left side (Metro) – It appears she has an older sister listed at 6’2″ who plays for John Hopkins as a middle blocker. Chika has yet to reach that height but she plays left side for Metro and hits the ball down. If you did not know it you would think she plays for a 17 team. She won the award for best attacker at the Capitol Hill Classic. While she may play for the 14U team Chika has at least five years under her belt playing volleyball. As I have said before – watch out for those younger sisters. They usually become better volleyball players than their older sisters because they have a model that can guide them. Metro 14 will play in the Open Division after finishing second in the Show Me Qualifier in Kansas City in April.
Kaniyah plays up with the Metro 15 team. She made my class of 2027 All Star team last year before I realized she belonged to the class of 2028. Kaniyah moves quickly in the back row and brings strong hands to the court that she can use for serve receive, setting or digging. At 5’5″ she gets low to the floor. This has helped her win the best digger award at the Capitol Hill Classic the last two years. Kaniyah will play for Metro 15 in the National Division in Las Vegas in July.
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London Jones London Jones OH VA left side ( Richmond Volleyball Club ) – London played up for the Richmond Volleyball club 15 team. She played left side and brought a powerful arm to the court. Her play was limited to three rotations because of inconsistent passing. That should improve with more experience. She has a good vertical that should also improve with time and increased development. An extremely athletic player.
Katherine Mitchell Katherine Mitchell 5'11" | OH VA left side (Metro) – Last year she played up for the MVSA 14 team. If I remember right she played middle (Edit: that was Ana Woods I was thinking about). This year she plays left side for Metro. Her older sister Elizabeth Mitchell Elizabeth Mitchell 5'9" | OH Richard Montgomery | 2026 State VA hits outside for Maryland Class 4 state champion Richard Montgomery. Katherine stands two inches taller than her older sister Elizabeth, who is listed at 5’9″. While her Metro counterpart Chika may spike the ball harder than Katherine, it was Katherine who earned the MVP award at Capitol Hill. At 5’11” she has the ability to play six rotations, which makes her an offensive force in the back and front row. If she goes to Richard Montgomery it will give them at least five strong pin hitters with two sets of sisters on the court at the same time.
Ivy stands 5’11” with a powerful right arm that can bring the ball to the floor quickly. She brings an approach jump of 9’6″. Her older sister Alana Wirth Alana Wirth 5’8″ | DS/L Bishop O’Connell | 2026 VA plays for Bishop O’Connell and focused more on the beach game this year. Ivy is just one of at least three girls on this list who have come close to or exceeded their sister’s level of play. She plays up for the Virginia Elite 15 team.
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Diane Nzoupet Diane Nzoupet 5'2" | DS/L VA libero ( Paramount ) – I have not seen the Paramount 14 team play yet. However, Diane plays up with the Paramount 15 team that has qualified to play in the open division at Junior Nationals in Las Vegas. She serves left handed which can create a different look for passers who have become accustomed to right handed serves. At 5’2″ she can also get low to the floor. Like all top liberos she moves her feet well to get to the ball.
Chloe Canetto Chloe Canetto 6'3" | RS VA right side (Metro) Chloe already stands 6’3″. That should be enough to pique your interest, especially at the 14 level. Her arm swing needs some adjustments to bring more velocity on the ball, but when you are growing as fast as her, those levers are constantly changing. She plays right side for Metro. Her left handed swing is perfect for the position.