Updated DMV Top 20 High School List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If everything remained stagnant it would be a pretty boring volleyball season. Now that the season has begun with all teams playing matches there has been significant movement in the rankings. Four new teams have joined the top 20 while four teams have dropped. Rankings are based on number of ranked players a high school carries on their roster, their strength of schedule against other teams and finally their won/loss record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 <strong>Riverside</strong> (10-0) = - They had a challenge against James Wood taking them to five sets. After that seven of their 10 wins have been sweeps, including their last three in a row. Loudoun County and Millbrook, two top 20 teams are included in those sweeps. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray']</strong> leads the offense with her setting. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464556' first='Kennedy' last='Peyton']</strong> is an underrated six rotation player. Newcomer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong> clearly ranks as their top player. When the Rams need a critical point Nadiya gets the call. They have no weakness in their starting lineup. Depth could be a problem if an injury occurs to one of their starters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":186088,"width":"149px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Jada-e1659713240869.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-186088" style="width:149px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2 <strong>Georgetown Day</strong> (9-0) <strong>+1</strong> - A big win over Flint Hill in the Endless Summer tournament put them on the national radar. They also won the tournament, disposing of a talented group of teams. The mighty Hoppers have only lost one set in their nine matches. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu']</strong> is their top player. She leads the team in kills while compiling a .476 hitting percentage. When she swings the ball hits the floor. The 6'1" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248705' first='Zoe' last='Ryu']</strong> fits the most underrated category. She ranks second on the team in kills but plays all six rotations. She ranks third on the team in aces and second in digs. Their top frosh is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545719' first='Julia' last='Heinzelmann']</strong>. Despite her limited playing time she still averages 1.9 kills per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. <strong>Richard Montgomery </strong>(4-0) <strong>-1</strong>- A win against Wooten proved they remain a strong favorite to win back to back Maryland state titles. Their top player is clearly <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic']</strong>, who won Montgomery County player of the year last year. She also leads her team in kills and fits second on the team in assists. Her hitting percentage of .574 shows her dominance from the right side. Clearly, the most underrated goes to [player_tooltip player_id='478765' first='Amy' last='Ye'], another 6'0" setter who hits right side. She may not bring the dominance of Ema but she ranks fifth on the team in kills and leads the team in blocks and assists. Still only a frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell']</strong> plays like a senior, second on the team in kills and filling all six rotations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":411681,"width":"191px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/96-Laila-Chadwick.jpg?w=597" alt="" class="wp-image-411681" style="width:191px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. <strong>James Madison</strong> (7-1-2) =<strong> </strong>- They recently played in the Flint Hill invitational and split series with Bishop O'Connell and Colgan. They lost their opener to Yorktown but have not lost a match since then. Their big game will be this week against Chantilly. Their top player may be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong> (pictured), a libero for her club team but a top offensive performer for the Warhawks. She leads the team in both kills and digs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='359401' first='Chloe' last='Barth']</strong> fits the most underrated bill. She primarily plays back row but can provide offense from behind the 3 meter line. While she is a bit undersized to play right side she still has the ability to put the ball away when she plays front row. Despite her back row play she still averages 1.2 kills per set. Their lone frosh is defensive specialist <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545721' first='Emelyn' last='Shen']</strong>, who could also see libero time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. <strong>Langley</strong> (11-1) <strong>+ 3</strong> - They won the Virginia Volleyball Showcase jumping three spots to number 5 in the rankings . Their only loss came against Ocean Lakes in the tournament. Since the Showcase they have rolled to five straight sweeps. Their top player is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> a 6'0" left side who is impossible to stop when she is in a zone. Despite being injured early in the year the Saxons were still able to win matches without her. Though she is not underrated <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo']</strong> runs the Saxon offense. She made the all tournament team at the Showcase and was possibly the MVP of the tournament. Although frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh']</strong> lists only 5'7" she plays a complete game, showing quality skills at all six rotations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. <strong>Bullis</strong> (13-1) <strong>+1</strong> -They had an opportunity to defeat Flint Hill, taking the lead in a fifth set 14-12, but they failed to close it out losing 16-14. The Bulldogs still bring quality wins over Holy Cross and Arundel. Their top player is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181300' first='Alexis' last='Ewing']. </strong>She leads the team in kills. However, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan']</strong> runs that offense with her distribution of sets. Most underrated goes to middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248712' first='Kyla' last='Harris']</strong>, who ranks first in blocks and service aces and second in kills. Frosh setter <strong>Katelyn Donoff </strong>has not seen a lot of playing time, but she is the only frosh on the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. <strong>James Wood</strong> (5-1) <strong>-1</strong> - Their sole loss came against Riverside, but they battled them to five sets. They lost the fifth set 15-13. Top player award goes to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']</strong> who leads the team in kills. While she is not underrated, the 5'5" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong> does not look like a dominating outsdie hitter when you see her on the court. However, she ranks second in kills, first in digs and service aces and takes the majority of the court for serve reception. The James Madison commit brings quantity and quality to the volleyball court. The one frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720415' first='Bella' last='Middleton']</strong> has been given opportunities to set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. <strong>Bishop O'Connell</strong> (14-2-2) <strong>+1</strong> - Call them the road warriors. They have only played one home match, and even after that match they had to hop on a bus to travel to Virginia Beach for a volleyball tournament. Their two losses have been against Ponciana from Florida in the Virginia Volleyball Showcase and Colgan in the finals of the Flint Hill Invitational. They beat Flint Hill in the semi-finals of that tournament and split with Madison as well as Colgan during pool play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475116' first='Jocelyn' last='Pye']</strong> ranks as their top player based on her hitting consistency (.430) though <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'] </strong>leads the team in number of kills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377397' first='Ellyson' last='Miller']</strong> ranks as their most underrated player based on her ability to hit both right and left side. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612396' first='Natalie' last='Hobson']</strong> has stepped in for setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast']</strong> early in the season and set the team to three wins. She also plays right side and ranks third on the team in service aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":228786,"width":"171px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/09/Image-1-scaled.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-228786" style="width:171px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Carla Ponn, coach of Hidden Valley provided by Hidden Valley High School</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. <strong>Hidden Valley</strong> (13-0)<strong> +3</strong> - Hidden Valley won the Albermarle tournament. They won two three set matches in the semi-finals and finals. They also beat their rival Christiansburg in five. It would not surprise me to see them enter the state playoffs undefeated. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn']</strong> (pictured) is their top player. Another one of those liberos in club ball who dominates from the outside in high school. She leads her team in kills and digs, while also sitting in the fourth spot in kills for the state of Virginia. The most underrated player has to be the 6'0" left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464576' first='Sophie' last='Arnold']</strong>. She also gets her share of kills, even leading Caleigh in hitting percentage .311 to .293.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10.<strong> Flint Hill </strong>(10-2) <strong>+7</strong> - This team lacks the firepower of past Huskie teams. In past years they looked like a college team when warming up. For the first year since I can remember they did not win their tournament, the Flint Hill Invitational, losing to state rival Bishop O'Connell in the semi-final. However, they are not a team to be taken lightly, with wins over Bullis, Cox and Kellam.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":186087,"width":"170px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Isabel.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-186087" style="width:170px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong> (pictured) ranks as their best player. The 6'3" setter hits left side when in the front row. She leads her team in kills and serving aces, while ranking second in assists. She also sits fifth in hitting percentage at .394 for the state of Virginia. At times the Huskies will let Isabelle hit back row. The most underrated player may be<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='465301' first='Audrey' last='Sealock']</strong>. She may not dominate from the left side, but her game has improved from last season. She ranks third on the team in kills, but also plays some defense, ranking third on the team in digs. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587878' first='Delaney' last='Malloy']</strong> is used in the back row for serve receive and defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. <strong>Millbrook</strong> (6-1) <strong>=</strong> - Their only loss was a sweep against number one Riverside. Their biggest match may be the one on Tuesday against James Wood. This could decide the first seed in the Northwestern conference once you enter the state playoffs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243771' first='Berkeley' last='Konrady']</strong> is their top player. The 6'0" left side brings a strong arm to the court. One person blocks do not stop her. The most underrated player goes to setter<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='451960' first='Paisley' last='Cook']</strong>. Last year she set for the team as a frosh and this year the team improves with her experience setting as a sophomore. The lone frosh on the team is sometime middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536738' first='Avery' last='Fauver']</strong>. At 5'9" she may be a bit undersized for a middle but she displays excellent timing when going up to block. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. <strong>Holy Cross </strong>(7-4) <strong>-4</strong> - The Tartans got a big sweep over St. Johns to stay in the top 20. They lost three matches in a tournament and right after that lost a five setter to Bullis. Since then they have raced to five straight wins, all sweeps. No real clear top player on the team. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='235324' first='Rowan' last='Johnson']</strong> ranks on top in kills a feat difficult to do from the middle. She also leads in blocks and has a hitting percentage of .447. Most underrated player would be their smaller left side hitter/defensive specialist <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181304' first='Sarah' last='Jeremias']</strong>. Last year she played opposite <strong>Emerson Sellman</strong>. This year she takes a leadership role with their two frosh pin hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536721' first='Ana' last='Woods']</strong> potentially building a new dynasty. Emmerson ranks second on the team in kills while Ana fills a six rotation role playing right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. <strong>Chantilly </strong>(9-1-1) <strong>+7</strong> - Chantilly lost their first match against West Springfieldy in the finals of the Hayfield tournament. Earlier they had swept them in a three set match. Next on their agenda is a big conference match against Madison. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu']</strong> easily identifies as their top player. She also could be the top player in high school period. She leads the team in kills and aces and plays a solid six rotations. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455102' first='Erin' last='Green'] </strong>almost goes unnoticed playing under the shadow of Mambu. She ranks second in kills but also hits at an impressive .422 percentage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. <strong>Howard</strong> (9-0) <strong>new</strong> - A newcomer to the top 20 they enter after impressive wins over Reservoir and Atholton. They have lost only three sets during their nine match win streak. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='702631' first='McKenna' last='Brown']</strong> leads the team in kills and covers all six rotations. Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='374421' first='Miranda' last='Ball'] </strong>gives them solid back row play while also ranking second in service aces. <strong>Ana Fiedler</strong> is their lone frosh but she contributes with solid play from the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":516561,"width":"177px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/Isard-Bernades5.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-516561" style="width:177px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. <strong>Glenelg</strong> (12-0) <strong>new</strong> - A second newcomer to the top twenty has raced off to 12 straight wins to start the season. During that time they have lost only two sets. The 5'9"<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='346815' first='Isard' last='Bernades']</strong> (pictured) plays libero for club but for the Gladiators she leads the team in kills despite her lack of height. As to be expected she also plays a solid six rotations. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li']</strong> runs the offense setting a 5/1. She also presents a solid serve, ranking on top in service aces for the team. Frosh<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='588468' first='Bella' last='Chen']</strong> plays a solid back row as a defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16. <strong>North Hagerstown</strong> (7-2) <strong>-11</strong> - They lost two early season matches to Howard and James Wood that knocked them off the number five ranked pedestal. They appear to have righted the ship with three straight wins. Hard to tell who ranks as the better player between sisters<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249341' first='Baylee' last='Doolan']</strong>. Baylee is the senior but Caydence has the height. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='520349' first='Lauren' last='Hobbs']</strong> does a solid job of making sure the two left sides see most of the action. <strong>Lena Cassessa</strong> identifies as the only frosh on the roster. She fills a right side slot when she plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":186085,"width":"131px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Evey.jpg?w=747" alt="" class="wp-image-186085" style="width:131px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17. <strong>West Springfield </strong>(16-1) <strong>new</strong> - They won back to back tournaments at Alexandria City and Hayfield, avenging an earlier loss to Chantilly by defeating them in the fijnals of the Hayfield tournament. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden'] </strong>(pictured) stands out as a one woman wrecking crew, averaging 6.6 kills per set. That comes with an impressive hitting percentage of .383. She plays a six rotation right side and ranks second in the state of Virginia in kills. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks']</strong> sets a 5/1, making sure that 45 percent of the sets travel in the direction of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden']</strong>. Frosh <strong>Layla Babiker</strong> gets sone playing time as a left side. At 5'6" she is a bit undersized, but she ranks fourth on the team in kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18. <strong>Wooten</strong> (5-1) <strong>-5</strong> - A loss to Richard Montgomery drops them down a notch. A big game comes late next week against Georgetown Day. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438097' first='Haile' last='Ma'] </strong>plays a strong left side and stands out as their top offensive player. She is the primary target for setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325600' first='Taryn' last='Su']</strong>. Not a lot of info on their roster identifying players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":328727,"width":"129px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/82-Tehillah-Garrison.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-328727" style="width:129px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>19. <strong>Colgan</strong> (7-1) <strong>new</strong> - Colgan recently won the Flint Hill Invitational by crushing Bishop O'Connell in the final. They also played Madison to a tie in pool play, as well as O'Connell. After taking two early season losses against Courtland and Norfolk Academy the Sharks have polished off four straight wins. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238593' first='Tehillah' last='Garrison'] </strong>(pictured) has upped her game from the left side, winning the MVP award at the Flint Hill Invitational. She also brings an excellent jump spin serve that crosses the net with superior velocity. Libero<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='609602' first='Allison' last='Cibrian-Martinez']</strong> earned a selection to the all tournament team for her impeccable back row play at the Flint Hill Invitational. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='550688' first='Sienna' last='Mitchell'] </strong>sees a lot of time at middle, but also squeezes in some right side play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>20. <strong>St. Johns</strong> (12-1) <strong>-1</strong> - They were recently swept by Holy Cross in a crucial WCAC match after starting the season 12-0. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier']</strong> leads the team in kills. She hits at a .399 hitting percentage. Her back row play has also improved from earlier seasons allowing her to contribute on the defensive end. The 6'0" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437988' first='Sasha' last='Plummer']</strong> provides offense from the right side and is second on the team in kills. The 6'1" frosh middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner']</strong> leads the team in blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dropped out - <strong>Kellam</strong> (5-7), <strong>First Colonial</strong> (9-3), <strong>Ocean Lake</strong>s (9-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the Bubble - <strong>Courtland</strong> (7-1), <strong>Kettle Run</strong> (8-0), <strong>Lord Botetourt</strong> (7-0),<strong> Leonardtown </strong>(6-0), <strong>Broadneck</strong> (4-0), <strong>Cox</strong> (10-3), <strong>Midlothian </strong> (8-1) <strong>Loudoun County</strong> (7-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->