High School Players of the Year and All DMV Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time to choose the Prep Dig DC, Maryland and Virginia high school player of the year. Not a lot of easy choices since there were a number of players to choose from, especially players from the Virginia area. Two criteria used in making the selection: ideally the player is a senior and second her play helped the team win a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We also have an All DMV first and second team. There were so many more players left off these two teams that I thought about making a third team. The main criterion for this list is the high school qualified to participate in at least the Regionals for the state playoffs. In addition, we have an All DMV sophomore and frosh team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DC Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":186088,"width":"179px","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:179px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year it was <strong>Clara Yu </strong>from Georgetown Day named the high school player of the year for D.C. This year we will select a player from the same high school in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu']</strong> from Georgetown Day. While Clara Yu was a setter [player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu'] swings from the right side. Her left-handed swing led her team in kills hitting at a phenomenal .422 percentage. At 6'0" she also tied for second on the team in blocks. All that production led Georgetown Day to the DC State championship. In the finals against St. Johns, she finished with a team high 16 kills. She also had a team high seven digs, proof that she can also play a little defense when given the opportunity to play back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mighty Hoppers also went 25-1 during the season. They beat Flint Hill for the first time in school history with Jada again leading the way with 21 kills. This created some national attention for the team as one national magazine (SI) placed them in the top 25 of best high school volleyball teams in the country. Next year Jada will play for Lafayette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Runner-up - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier'].</strong> St. Johns fell short of the DC state championship losing to Georgetown Day in the final. Racquel led the Cadets in kills and even won the Player of the Year for the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) even though her team finished in third place. Rocky has yet to commit to a college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 - Clara Yu - Georgetown Day</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 - [player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu'] - Georgetown Day</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maryland Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":489471,"width":"252px","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/ema.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489471" style="width:252px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year it was <strong>Emerson Sellman</strong> from Holy Cross snagging the first Maryland player of the year award. This year our award goes to [player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic'] for leading the Rockets to back to back state championships, their first and second in school history. The lefthanded right side/setter can block, set, hit and play defense. In the championship match against Broadneck Ema led the team in kills with 12, also led in points when serving with 12 and blocks with 10. She finished one dig away from achieving a triple double.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the year she led the team in kills, hitting at a .461 hitting percentage, finished first in service aces, second in digs and second in assists. That production led the Rockets to a 24-1 record and a number two ranking in the Prep Dig DMV top 20. Ema was also one of our first top performers at the inaugural Prep Dig showcase last December. Ema has yet to commit. A lot of colleges could probably use a 6'0" lefthander who can hit left or right side, block and set while also being an extraordinary team player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Runner-up - [player_tooltip player_id='181300' first='Alexis' last='Ewing']. Alexis had an outstanding season leading Bullis to the Independent School League (ISL) AA championship, the first time they have won that title in school history. They beat Georgetown Day in the finals to accomplish that feat. [player_tooltip player_id='181300' first='Alexis' last='Ewing'] led the way with 18 kills. It was the first time Flint Hill failed to win the ISL championship in over twenty years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 - Emerson Sellman - Holy Cross</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 - [player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic'] - Richard Montgomery</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":228786,"width":"218px","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:218px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year two players shared the player of the year honors,<strong> Mickhaila Murray</strong> (Flint Hill) and <strong>Chloe Hokenson</strong> (Langley). This year the high school player of the year is <strong>Caleign Ponn</strong> from Hidden Valley. She also led her team to back to back Class 3 state championships. She led her team with 20 kills as Hidden Valley defeated Grafton for the second straight season in the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caleigh led her team in kills and finished second in aces and digs. Over her career she has accumulated over 2,000 kills and over 1,000 digs. At 5'7" many wonder how she can accumulate so many kills. She carries with her an intense desire mixed with a high volleyball IQ to just know where the open areas of the court exist. While she hits outside for high school Caleigh plays libero for club. She has committed to Kansas State where she will play libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Runner-up - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu']. </strong> She got Chantilly to the finals in the Class 6 VHSL state championship, but the team fell just short, losing the fifth set 15-13. While Mambu finished with 26 kills in the finals it fell just short of tasting a championship. Lameen has committed to Georgia Tech. Other players considered were left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> who helped Langley to a Class 6 state championship, right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden']</strong> who almost gave West Springfield their first state championship and setter/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong> from Flint Hill, who probably led all players in triple doubles this year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo']</strong> from Langley could also get some support. She won player of the year for the District, Region and State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021 - <strong>Akasha Anderson</strong> (Herndon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2022 - <strong>Milan Rex</strong> (Alexandria City)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 -<strong> Mickhaila Murray</strong> (Flint Hill) and <strong>Chloe Hokenson</strong> (Langley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn']</strong> (Hidden Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DMV First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":186087,"width":"192px","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:192px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>left side - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu'] </strong>(Chantilly), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> (Langley), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181300' first='Alexis' last='Ewing']</strong> (Bullis), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> (North Hagerstown)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right Side - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong> (Flint Hill), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu'] </strong>(Georgetown Day), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden']</strong> (West Sprignfield), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson'] </strong>(Riverside)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181309' first='Brianna' last='Holladay']</strong> (Riverside), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309022' first='Peri' last='Linterman']</strong> (Riverbend)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setters - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic'] </strong>(Richard Montgomery), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] </strong>(Langley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn'] </strong>(Hidden Valley), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181279' first='Kadi' last='Pynchon']</strong> (Flint Hill) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isabelle can also be used as a setter while Ema can also play right side. Caleigh belongs on the team but her skills will be showcased as a libero. This team appears loaded with talented right sides. That means that if [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] sets she probably will be used in a 6/2 and taken out in the front row. Both Isabelle and Ema can remain right sides if they are also in to set. With only two middles some of the right sides can also be used at middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DMV Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589253,"width":"300px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/113-Alyssa-Kumah.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589253" style="width:300px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Left Side - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484970' first='Sofia' last='Barnes']</strong> (Kellam), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] </strong>(Herndon), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']</strong> (James Wood) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='452562' first='Sophie' last='Taylor']</strong> (Giles)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah'] </strong>(Mountain View), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='309030' first='Corinne' last='Howard']</strong> (Richard Montgomery), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='707593' first='Kenzie' last='Smith'] </strong>(Grafton), <strong>Teodoro Stamenkovic</strong> (Bishop O'Connell)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right side - [player_tooltip player_id='484751' first='Riley' last='Erwin'] (Kellam)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setter - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</strong> (Courtland), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan']</strong> (Bullis), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray']</strong> (Riverside), [player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast'] (Bishop O'Connell)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] </strong>(James Wood), [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] (James Madisn)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention -<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='720606' first='Maecy' last='Frizzelle']</strong> (Fort Defiance)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is loaded with setters. Riley and Aubrey can both hit right side as well as set. Making them all happy with playing time will present a challenge. Brenna and Laila could also hit the pins but their skills fit best at libero. I have not seen [player_tooltip player_id='720606' first='Maecy' last='Frizzelle'] play but she would be given a look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class of 2027 team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":520731,"width":"172px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/161-Annika-Dandridge-rotated.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-520731" style="width:172px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>left side - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Coco' last='Lewis']</strong> (Herndon), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge']</strong> (Baltimore Catholic), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong> (Bishop O'Connell), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437457' first='Jasmin' last='Tucker'] </strong>(St. Pauls)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middles - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] </strong>(Wakefield), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah']</strong> IMountain View), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] </strong>(Flint Hill)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right Side - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton']</strong> (Independence),<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='464573' first='Blake' last='Crawford']</strong> (Atlee)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setters - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum']</strong> (Georgetown Day), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks']</strong> (West Springfield)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberos - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong> (James Madison), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438070' first='Camryn' last='Coulther']</strong> (Riverside) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class of 2028 team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589196,"width":"336px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/42-Lalah-Washington.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589196" style="width:336px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='536728' first='Lalah' last='Washington']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Left Side - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536727' first='Chika' last='Onukwugha']</strong> (Guilford Park), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell'] </strong>(Richard Montgomery),<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='569865' first='Eireni' last='Scott']</strong> (Saint Andrews Episcopal),<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh']</strong> (Langley) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587876' first='Ariana' last='White']</strong> (Sidwell Friends)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setter - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='511457' first='Breeze' last='Johnson']</strong> (John Handley) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='541140' first='Maris' last='Francescon'] </strong>(Paul VI)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right Side - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536721' first='Ana' last='Woods']</strong> (Holy Cross), <strong>Lalah Washinton</strong> (Dr. Henry Wise), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='550688' first='Sienna' last='Mitchell']</strong> (Colgan)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536716' first='Diane' last='Nzoupet'] (</strong>Westfield)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>middle - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587884' first='Charlotte' last='Dittmar']</strong> (Annapolis Area Christian), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545725' first='Abisola' last='Adeyemo']</strong> (Annapolis Area Christian) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner']</strong> (St. Johns)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722538' first='Maren' last='Bert'] </strong>(Harrisonburg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I tried to limit the selection to those players who played a significant starting role on their team. The pins seemed to be the strength of this team. For Maren Benet, I have yet to see her play but she certainly made a contribution to Harrisonburg and their playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VHSL Class 6 All State Team (Virginia)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Team.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] </strong>(Langley, Player of the Year), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu'] </strong>(Chantilly), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden'] </strong>(West Springfield), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> (Langley), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235293' first='Destini' last='Pickett'] </strong>(Forest Park), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220923' first='Soleil' last='Rancourt']</strong> (Patriot), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] </strong>(Madison), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227251' first='Morgan' last='Williams']</strong> (Lake Braddock), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238593' first='Tehillah' last='Garrison'] </strong>(Colgan), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471627' first='Allison' last='Spittal']</strong> (North Stafford)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benisa Moore</strong> (Grassfield), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464589' first='Julia' last='Kelly']</strong> (Alexandria City), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221415' first='Lindsey' last='Canty']</strong> (North Stafford), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='204152' first='Sofie' last='Ferrell'] </strong>(Woodson), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='520356' first='Nyla' last='Green']</strong> (Glen Allen),<strong> Sierra Hunt</strong> (Grassfield), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Coco' last='Lewis']</strong> (Herndon), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223581' first='Skylar' last='Johnson']</strong> (Colgan), <strong>Sonia Moss</strong> (Deep Run), <strong>Livia Lee </strong>(Woodson)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VHSL Class 1 All State Team (Virginia)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='452562' first='Sophie' last='Taylor']</strong> (Giles, Player of the Year), <strong>Gretchen Surface</strong> (Auburn),<strong> Megan Earnest</strong> (Auburn), <strong>Kylee Snider </strong>(Giles), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827038' first='Leah' last='Wimmer']</strong> (Auburn), <strong>Karlie Morris (</strong>Middlesex), <strong>Sydney Carter</strong> (Northwood), <strong>Kensey Parks </strong>(Grayson County), <strong>Sadie Pickett </strong>(Rappahannock), <strong>Briel Underwood</strong> (Auburn)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Katelyn Grace</strong> (Altavista), <strong>Hannah Repass </strong>(George Wythe), <strong>Addy Heasley</strong> (Middlesex), <strong>Kylee Sturgill</strong> (JL Burton), <strong>Karlie Frye</strong> (Northwood), <strong>Alexis Vermee</strong>r (Lancaster), <strong>Talyn Moore</strong> (Rural Retreat), <strong>Brooke Atkins </strong>(Rappahannock County), <strong>Karsyn Reed </strong>(Narrows), <strong>Maggie Wonderling</strong> (Rappahannock)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->