Trying to Build that DMV Volleyball Vibe

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year we debuted the Prep Dig 250 Expo Showcase around early December. The event sold out early. Despite a severe storm that brought heavy downpours throughout the day, cancelling flights and closing roads, the turnout for the players was excellent. One drove all the way from North Carolina to participate in the event. The class with the highest participation rate were the frosh, the class of 2027. That has turned out to be a superior class. Seven players currently rank in our top 20 attended the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig came away impressed with the turnout. So this year they decided to have a separate event for the frosh in the AM on August 3. A second event will be for the older players in the PM. One of the major requests I get from parents is an invite to watch their daughter play. Along with the request they send a schedule. While I try my best to meet these requests at minimum there exist probably over 6,000 girls in the DMV area (AES info 15-18 age group at ten players per team ranked). It is very difficult to watch them all play. With the frosh and stockup showcases this provides an excellent opportunity for your daughter to gain some exposure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maryland counts as just one of seven states chosen to have either a Frosh or a stockup showcase. Nevada identifies as a national showcase. Hopefully, participation in the DMV area will remain popular. Attendance will increase exposure for this area and show that it stands ripe for growth. This could lead to more national events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems like yesterday when only Metro received all the buzz from the national scene. The growth in this area now includes [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''], [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] and 540 Academy competing at the highest levels. The hope is to continue this expansion to other clubs and players throughout the DMV area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":489527,"width":"263px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <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:263px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The seven players who attended the event last year who currently rank in the top 20 for the class of 2027 are [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] (1), [player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton'] (9), [player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum'] (10), [player_tooltip player_id='437457' first='Jasmin' last='Tucker'] (12), [player_tooltip player_id='491007' first='Ana' last='Djordjevic'] (14), [player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther'] (15) and [player_tooltip player_id='448705' first='Danika' last='Swanson'] (20). Early registration for this year shows three players on the 2028 watch list and one considered for the top 20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":489517,"width":"267px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <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:267px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One should also take note that the 15U group in the Chesapeake Region ranked five teams in the top 100 nationally. This did not occur in any other age group. Almost all of those players were frosh last year. In addition, the name [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] would not have gotten my attention so early prior to the 250 Showcase. After watching players like [player_tooltip player_id='397397' first='Jasmine' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker'], [player_tooltip player_id='443570' first='Lexiana' last='Everetts'] and [player_tooltip player_id='397414' first='Isabella' last='Park'] compete this club now becomes one of the first I place on my schedule when going to an event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the early bird discount has expired, you can still get a $10 discount if you use the code AbelsDig2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is all about growing the game of volleyball in the DMV area. Building that volleyball vibe. My gut tells me a number of talented girls play in this area that have yet to get the exposure they deserve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The link for the frosh showcase: <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1122/register/dmv-freshman-showcase">2024 DMV Freshman Showcase | Prep Dig</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The link for the DMV stock up showcase: <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1139/register/dmv-stock-up-showcase">2024 DMV Stock Up Showcase | Prep Dig</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->