Top Performers for the DMV Stock-up Showcase

Talent flowed at the DMV Stock-up Showcase. There were 21 players identified as top performers. More could have been named if the event lasted another hour. These are seven of the 21 named as top performers. The other 14 will be identified in future posts.   [player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge'] (OH, 2027, 6'0" The Catholic of Baltimore/Maryland Jrs)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/PDStockUp24_TP_DMV_Annika-Dandridge.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-584702" style="width:280px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Gigi Norris, shot at Prep Dig event</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge'] ranks number seven in a very promising class of 2027. She stands 6'0" with an approach jump at 9'9". A six rotation player that will clearly stand out as the offensive thrust for any team she plays for. You can tell she loves the game of volleyball. The day before the stock up she played in a doubles tournament with [player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li'], another top performer and also her Maryland Jr. teammate. When she hits the ball down the line the setter better duck or get those hands up. That ball comes at you pretty quickly, if it does not bounce in front of you like a lightning bolt at your feet. In my book a player who will get the interest of Division I colleges.   [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] (middle, 2027 6'1" Flint Hill/Metro)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/PDStockUp24_TP_DMV_Hunter-Ross.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-584709" style="width:234px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Gigi Norris, shot at Prep Dig event</figcaption></figure>   As a frosh [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] middle blocking proved critical in leading Flint Hill to their seventh straight Virginia Independent School State championship. The other middle Ryla Jones committed to Pittsburgh. While Ryla brought the experience to the team, Hunter probably plays better than Ryla did as a frosh. What she accomplishes in three more years of growth could be outstanding. She ranks number 4 in our class of 2027. If you watch her hit when warming up you would think a Division I college player snuck into the hitting drills, not a high school frosh.   [player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah'] (middle 2027 6'0" Mountain View/[program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'])   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/PDStockUp24_TP_DMV_Alyssa-Kumah-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-584710" style="width:253px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Gigi Norris, shot at Prep Dig event</figcaption></figure>   I believe her future is as a left side but she signed up as a middle. When I asked her about it she says that will be her position in high school. She does show excellent tempo to hit the quick sets. Her abilty to block also really stands out. Her beach experience helps her play a solid back row when on the hard court. In fact, 540 Volleyball sometimes uses her in the passing rotation when she plays in the front row as a middle, rather than one of the outsides. On the occasion when she hits outside she plays six rotations. Her rank sits at number 3 in our class of 2027. For 540 Volleyball she plays up a year with the 16U.   [player_tooltip player_id='478903' first='Barrett' last='Bolter'] (setter 2027, 5'8" Broadneck/Metro)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/PDStockUp24_TP_DMV_Barrett-Bolter.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-584717" style="width:231px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Gigi Norris, shot at Prep Dig event</figcaption></figure>   She sets a 6'2" for Metro. The more I watch her set the more I see how effortless the ball comes off her hands, whether back setting or pushing an out of system set to the left side. While there are not a lot of opportunities to play front row for Metro it would not surprise me to see her set a 5/1 for her high school team. A setter as consistent and proficient as her is tough to find and you want her feeding the hitters every opportunity you get. Barrett ranks number 25 in our class of 2027 but that could rise with the new rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='469197' first='Olivia' last='Garey'] (right side 2027, 6'2" West Potomac/Metro)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/PDStockUp24_TP_DMV_Olivia-Garey.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-584721" style="width:206px;height:auto"/></figure>   Olivia stands out as one of those reasons Barrett does not play front row for her club team. A tall right side whose block can get in the way of a left side hitter's attack. She shows a lot of exuberance on the court, constantly congratulating her teammates for doing well. When she gets a block or puts the ball away the enthusiasm follows and the momentum shifts. While blocking would be her strong point when she finds a zone she can be automatic with the kills. Olivia ranks 17 in our class of 2027.   [player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li'] (setter, 2027 5'7" Glenelg/Maryland Jrs)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/PDStockUp24_TP_DMV_Jessica-Li.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-584758" style="width:220px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Gigi Norris, shot at Prep Dig event</figcaption></figure>   A teammate of [player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge'] at Maryland Juniors. She also played with her in a doubles event the day before the tournament, experiencing a two hour delay to wait out a thunderstorm. A smooth setter who also shows an effortless delivery with her sets. Although she mainly sets a 6'2" for Maryland Juniors and comes out in the front row she still shows the jump set to bring the blockers up. There are times when Maryland Jrs has used her in a 5/1. A cerebral setter who knows when the time comes to set the top hitter. She connects with her middles well. Currently, Jessica ranks 92 in our class of 2027 but that should rise after her performance at the Prep Dig showcase.   Sophia Mitchell (outside hitter, 2027 5'10" Grace Academy/Potomac Storm)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/PDStockUp24_TP_DMV_Sophia-Mitchell.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-584772" style="width:217px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Gigi Norris, shot at Prep Dig event</figcaption></figure>   When I see a new face hit the ball hard to the floor it draws my attention. I know most of the big time hitters in the DMV area. Who the heck just put a dent in the floor? Turns out, Sophia plays in West Virginia. Sometimes the Chesapeake Region sees players from West Virginia. Normally, they play for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. Sophia plays for Potomac Storm. She has the athleticism to play the left side. Good quick movements with a power stroke to put velocity on the ball. Unfortunately, because she plays in West Virginia Sophia is not ranked. Definitely a player to keep tabs on. With a couple more inches of growth she could be scary good.

Talent flowed at the DMV Stock-up Showcase. There were 21 players identified as top performers. More could have been named if the event lasted another hour. These are seven of the 21 named as top performers. The other 14 will be identified in future posts.