Class of 2028 Making an Impact on Varsity

The rankings for the class of 2028 are out. A total of 50 players were ranked. A number of players were placed on the watch list. These are players who either 1) attended the frosh showcase but do not appear on the varsity roster, 2) appear on the varsity roster but I have yet to see them play or 3) have a recent profile created for them but I have yet to see them play. Of the 50 players who appear in our rankings listed below are the ones making a major impact early in the high school season.    While I have not gotten to see her play John Handley has gotten off to a quick 3-0 start to the season. Last year they finished a dismal 6-13. It is no doubt that this fast start can be attributed to [player_tooltip player_id='511457' first='Breeze' last='Johnson'].   The 6'0" setter/opposite is an accomplished beach player who can also dominate the indoor game. She sets well but she can also put good velocity on her ball with her spikes. One of the top all around players I have watched from this class.   The Judges also have two other frosh on their team, [player_tooltip player_id='752047' first='Teagan' last='Braun-Duin'] and Paige Boone. Breeze debuts at number one on our 2028 rankings.    [player_tooltip player_id='536716' first='Diane' last='Nzoupet'] libero (Westfield) - Diane may not only be the top ranked frosh libero in the class of 2028, but she could put herself up against the top liberos in high school period. Against the Prep Dig number one team in the DMV area Riverside, who carry some impressive hitters, Diane did not allow any ball to hit the floor that came within sprawling distance of her reach. She also passes well and communicates on the court. In the stands I can clearly hear her call mine when she wants the ball. She also brings a lefthanded serve to the court, which provides a different look to the passers. Diane debuts at number four in our 2028 rankings.    Langley lost one of their top outside hitters to IMG Academy. While Rujuta at 5'7" lacks the height of a [player_tooltip player_id='181307' first='Leni' last='Stanton-Parker'], her all around game may be better. She is solid in the back row on passing and plays a stellar defense. She also shows the quickness to compete at the varsity level.   At the Virginia Volleyball Showcase she was the only frosh to make the All Tournament team. She also won a top performer award at the Prep Dig frosh showcase.   It is not uncommon for frosh to find the varsity game too quick, even if they play on top travel teams. They are used to playing against girls their own age, but at the high school level they learn the players are faster and stronger than the girls their age. Rujuta seems to have acclimated well to the varsity level of play.   Rujuta debuts at number 10 in our 2028 rankings.     Zeynep is another solid six rotation player, who despite her 5'8" height can put the ball away. Marshall has three solid pins with Julie Schumer and [player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd']. Both Julie and Zeynep saw the most time on the left side in the match that I watched. Zeynep plays all six rotations when in the lineup.   In their most recent game against Yorktown Zeynep finished with 10 kills. Zeynep played for a talented [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 14 team this past club season.   Zeynep debuts at number 11 in our 2028 rankings.     Sienna is another frosh who won top performer at the Prep Dig frosh showcase. Colgan had been rotating her left side and middle during scrimmages, though with her solid back row play using her in all six rotations would be ideal. At 5'11" she brings good height to the pin.   Sienna also played for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 14. Colgan appears to be in a rebuilding mode with a number of frosh on their roster. Despite this they have started the season 6-2. Sienna appears to be making the greatest impact.   Sienna debuts at number 13 in our 2028 rankings,    [player_tooltip player_id='612396' first='Natalie' last='Hobson'] setter (Bishop O'Connell) - Natalie made the team as the second setter behind [player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast']. Because of the minor injury Natalie has started the last three matches and now leads the team in assists and ranks fourth in aces. The Knights also remain undefeated after their first four matches without losing a set. Natalie still needs to work on her tempo sets to the middle, but that will come with more repetition. Natalie debuts at number 18 in our 2028 rankings but our number three setter.   [player_tooltip player_id='623088' first='Irina' last='Padden'] outside (Freedom) - Irina lists at 5'5". If she wants to remain as an outside she may need to grow, although [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] is one of the top hitters at James Wood listing at the same height. Brenna plays libero for travel ball. Irina still hits outside for her travel team Libero. In a match against Independence Irina was putting a number of balls away. She plays both right side and left side for Freedom. She also played six rotations in the game against Independence. Irina debuts at number 29 in our rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='625566' first='Olivia' last='Barvick'] setter/libero (Chelsea Academy) - While Olivia set in only one game in the match I watched she does lead the team in assists. She shows good strong hands for seting, especially for getting the ball outside. At 5'4" she also plays libero/defensive specialist. Olivia is one of many Barvicks rotating through the roster. Her older sister Greta Barvick led the team in kills last year and now plays for Dallas University Athletic. Another older sister [player_tooltip player_id='239323' first='Ava' last='Barvick'] is a senior and leads the team in kills. A younger sister played outside as a 7th grader for the Junior Varsity team. Olivia debuts at number 37 in our class of 2028 rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='536734' first='Serena' last='Wong'] libero (Broad Run) - Serena played some defense specialist and libero at the Heritage tournament. She played for the [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] second team this past club season. When watching her she played well, but against Independence she still needs work on developing that quickness in movement and cognitive processing to keep up with the older players. Serena shows potential. She debuts at number 42 in our class of 2028.   [player_tooltip player_id='623089' first='Emma' last='Golnoski'] outside (Good Counsel) - I have not seen Emma play yet, but for Good Counsel she leads the team in digs and serve reception and is second in kills. That shows me she is a six rotation outside. At 5'9" she is a bit undersized now but with further growth could be a force on the outside. Emma played for a good club, (Columbia Academy) so it would not surprise me if her fundamentals were sound. Emma debuted at number 48 in our class of 2028 but once I see her play that ranking may rise.   Streak is Broken but Huskies Still Survive   It has been 2011 since the Flint Hill Huskies last lost a set in the Independent School League (ISL). Eventually, that streak had to be broken. It took 13 years but Bullis broke the streak, however Flint Hill won the match. In a match between Bullis ranked at number 7 in our Prep Dig rankings and Flint Hill ranked at number 17 Flint Hill won 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 21-25, 16-14.   [player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin'] came through with a game of a lifetime. She finished with a triple double, firing 28 kills, 14 digs and 11 assists. She also recorded three solo blocks and four aces, including putting together a team leading 20 points with her serve. It may be a down year for Flint Hill this year but with Bardin on the team they will not go down easily.   [player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'] with a Triple Double   Bishop O'Connell sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'] also completed a triple double Monday against King Abdullah Academy. In a three set sweep Murray put together 11 kills, 14 aces and 12 digs. The Knights have started the season 4-0 without losing a set. All the wins have been on the road.   In other action on Monday Riverside took Loudoun County in four.   All stats and scores courtesy of MaxPreps.

The rankings for the class of 2028 are out. A total of 50 players were ranked. A number of players were placed on the watch list. These are players who either 1) attended the frosh showcase but do not appear on the varsity roster, 2) appear on the varsity roster but I have yet to see them play or 3) have a recent profile created for them but I have yet to see them play. Of the 50 players who appear in our rankings listed below are the ones making a major impact early in the high school season.