Status of the 2023 Prep Dig 250 Expo Top Performers

Prep Dig will be holding two more top 250 Expos in the Maryland area. December 7 an expo will be held in Rockville, Maryland while on December 14 another will be held in Baltimore Maryland. You can find more detail on these events here <a href="https://prepdig.com/events/">Events | Prep Dig</a>.   Back on December 10, 2023, we held our first ever Prep Dig 250 Expo in Springfield, Virginia. A heavy storm that day created huge downpours closing roads and cancelling flights. Somehow, we managed to pull off the event. This post takes a look into the past at the nine players we selected as top performers at the event and what they have accomplished since then. I also take a look at one who drove all the way from North Carolina to attend the event and her accomplishments to date.    She was already our top prospect for the Virginia class of 2027. National recognition has also followed. When you stand 6'2" and can fly over 10 feet with your approach jump you will grab a lot of attention. The USA National Team Development Program (NTDP) noticed her and have invited her to a number of their events.   She plays for Wakefield High which is not a traditionally strong volleyball program. Her presence makes them competitive, but they play in a conference with defending state champions Langley and other stronger high schools. The upside for this is that it gives her opportunities to hit outside.   For [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] last season her offensive performance got the team an open bid in Junior Nationals. She normally receives higher sets in the middle which results in a number of two person blocks. As she moves to the higher level age groups she will have to move to outside or hit the quicker sets to remain impactful. She has the athleticism to achieve that.     One of many Metro players who made it as a top performer. She normally plays right side for Metro and hits the ball a ton. At 6'0" Kieran puts up a good block for the right side.   This year for Independence High she is showing her versatility by playing left side. While playing left side she gets the opportunity to play back row and serve, something she would not get an opportunity to do playing right side when she would rotate out for the setter. Her team recently upset number 1 Riverside with her banging balls from the left side.   Last year as a frosh Kieran finished fourth on the team in kills but played in fewer matches. This year Independence has not recorded stats in Maxpreps but my guess is that she would be one of their top hitters as a sophomore.   She lists an approach jump just short of 10 feet (118 inches). She ranks number 9 in our class of 2027, but sits at the top of the rankings for right sides.       A third player from the class of 2027 who ranks as the top player in her skill set. For Caycee it is setting. At the early stage of her career she set a 5/1. When she played for Metro that changed to a 6/2. With her transfer to Georgetown Day she sets mainly a 5/1. Their win over Flint Hill this year was their first in school history and it put them on the map nationally. SI ranked the Mighty Hoppers as one of the top 25 teams in the country.   At 5'7" she would be considered a bit undersized to play front row. However, if her setting wins you games you keep her on the court. Georgetown Day is currently 14-0. Caycee leads the team in service aces, assists and ranks third in assists.     Even though Jasmin played for Metro the Prep Dig 250 showcase was my first real exposure to see her play. The Metro team she plays for carries a number of talented pin hitters so playing time can be a challenge.   For her high school team Saint Paul School for Girls playing time is not a problem. She leads her team in kills, averaging close to five per set. She also leads her team in digs and service aces.   Her approach jump almost reaches 10 feet. (118 inches)     The Prep Dig Expo 250 was my first exposure to Aubrey. It also opened my eyes to the talent on the [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] roster. At 5'11" she brings good height to the position and has a nice touch for setting. She also distributes her sets well.   For Riverbend she set them to a 27-3 record, their best in school history. After her transfer to Courtland Riverbend has dropped to 9-10. Courtland has improved their record from last year. They are now 13-2.   Aubrey shows leadership qualities. With her first year with the high school she was chosen as floor captain.     Not many players out there with 600 assists and 600 kills. She also brings a lefthanded swing to the right side. Richard Montgomery won their first state championship with her leading the way. Ema finished first in kills, first in assists, first in service aces and second in digs. That got her Montgomery County player of the year honors for the Rockets.   She continues to hit and set the Rockets to another state championship run. They are rank in the top ten by both the Washington Post and Prep Dig with a 12-1 record to start the season. They have beaten Wooten and Holy Cross along the way.     When you look at her on the court she does not look like an impact player. When you watch her play the game you recognize the high volleyball IQ . Last year she was a key player hitting left side for the Tartans 29-0 run and WCAC championship. She took a back seat to Emerson Sellman, but without Sarah's six rotation play it would have been tough to win the championship with Emerson alone.   This year she got a late start to the season to nurse an injury. She is back in the lineup and the Tartans are on a roll, with 12 wins in their last 13 matches. Their only loss was to Richard Montgomery during that time.   Sarah has committed to Trinity.     At 5'8" Kayla stands a bit undersized as an outside hitter. However, she gets the job done with a good vertical resulting in high hits off the block. She also plays six rotations.   Currently, her playing time has been limited for Loudoun County. They do have a wealth of pin hitters. Kayla ranks fourth on the team in kills and despite her 5'8" stature has recorded eight solo blocks, which also ranks fourth on the team.   Kayla can contribute to a team in a number of ways with her back row play or pin attack.     While a number of people could not attend the Prep Dig Expo 250 because of the storm, Alli found a way to get to Virginia all the way from North Carolina. She did not win a top performer award, but she got an asterisk by her name, meaning she got considered.   She looked good in the middle. Her ability to communicate with the players was outstanding. She seemed to mingle with the others like she had known them for ten years even though this was probably her first time on the court with many of the girls.   Playing for East Rown Alli ranks second in kills, service aces and blocks while also third in digs. She also ranks third in serve receptions. This tells me she spends a lot of her time with the Mustangs hitting the pins. Definitely brings the athleticism for the position.     She was one of two class of 2024s who attended the event. Her libero play opened my eyes, especially the consistency of her passing. Richard Montgomery won the Maryland Class 4 state championship because of her libero play.   Unfortunately, it is difficult for liberos to grab the attention of college recruits for scholarship opportunities. It appears her volleyball career ended after he high school season.    Finally, if you choose to register for one of the two Prep Dig 250 Expos held in Maryland on December 7 and 14 use the coupon code AbelsExpo2024 for a $10 discount. Hope to see you there.

Prep Dig will be holding two more top 250 Expos in the Maryland area. December 7 an expo will be held in Rockville, Maryland while on December 14 another will be held in Baltimore Maryland. You can find more detail on these events here Events | Prep Dig.