Returning Top Performers to Prep Dig Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second annual Prep Dig Top 250 Expo will be held in Rockville this Saturday. Last year, December 10 at St James we had our first Prep Dig Top 250 Expo. In August Prep Dig held two events, the DMV frosh show case (2028) and the DMV Stock up Showcase (2025 to 2027). All of these different events are a bit confusing but their main purpose is to provide the athletes with exposure. This first piece will highlight the performances of our returning top performers from the previous events who will be showing off their skills this Saturday. Once a top performer always a top performer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438049"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675097cbc6640"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She attended the first event in December last year with her older sister Ema. Her sister won a top performer award at that event. A year later [player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic'] snagged the Prep Dig and Maxpreps player of the year award for Maryland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ana won a top performer award in our August Showcase. She also played libero for the state champion Richard Montgomery Rockets, her second state championship in two years. At 5'7" she doesn't bring the height of her sister, but she has other attributes in her favor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her biggest attribute is her tenacious defense in the back row. She led the Rockets in digs which placed her as our number two ranked libero in the class of 2027. She communicates well, scores points with her jump serve and provides the back row play you want to see from your libero if you hope to win state or any other kind of championships. Definitely, a player to keep an eye on, especially if you want to develop a solid back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587625"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675097cbc66e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Did not know much about Riley until the August Prep Dig showcase. There is always an army of liberos at these events so it is tough for them to all stand out. Their game relies on subtleties like the quiet pass and the effortless dig. Riley displayed those qualities well during the August showcase earning her a top performer award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to watch her high school team perform. She must have done well. She won first team honors for the District and second team honors for the Class 6B Region. That always signals to me that I have to pay a little more attention to her play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["448705"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675097cbc6757"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The class of 2027 appears to have a number of highly talented setters. Danika stands out as one of the top in the class. She took over the setting job with Patriot as a frosh and this past season got Patriot into the state playoffs. Unfortunately for them they played Chantilly in the first round and lost. Next year the journey could turn out a little different with more experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Danika excels in many areas of the game than just setting. She finished third on her team in blocking and first in service aces. It earned her a spot on the second team for the Cedar Run District.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["585425"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675097cbc67c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As usual, there was a shortage of middles at the frosh showcase in August so it was easy to watch them all perform. I saw a little of Charlotte at the Nationals but at the showcase she appeared to show another level. The challenge for middles is if the passing struggles the middles become invisible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That excellence at the frosh showcase seemed to carry over into her season with Annapolis Area Christian where she led her team in kills. What was even more impressive is that she also led her team in digs, which means they either used the libero for another position or she played some at the pins. It does show she has the versatility to play back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["569865"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675097cbc6834"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Saw a little bit of Eireni when she played for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] in the Junior Nationals in Las Vegas. She also shined at the frosh showcase in August.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She plays for one of the smaller schools in the Independent School League (ISL). St. Andrews Episcopal competes in the "A" division, which is a level below the "AA" which includes Bullis, Georgetown Day and Flint Hill. She was one of two frosh to make the first team in that "A" division. Another top performer [player_tooltip player_id='587876' first='Ariana' last='White'] also earned first team honors as a frosh playing for Sidwell Friends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["550688"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675097cbc68a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After losing a number of veterans the last couple years it appeared to be a rebuilding year for Colgan. At least that was the impression with the number of frosh on the varsity roster. When Colgan began playing well during the season and winning only Sienna received significant playing time. She switched off between the middle and right side. Next year it would not surprise me to see her move to left side. She looked pretty good there at the August frosh showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Colgan was able to make it to the state playoffs but lost in the first round to eventual state champion Langley. At 5'11" Sienna brought a little bit of height to the team, ranking third in blocks. She also ranked fifth in kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She will be teaming up with Eironi and a third top performer from that August showcase <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh']</strong> on a talented [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->