The Maryland Prep Dig Top 250 Expo Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite not having a player ranked in the top ten in our classes, or having a returning top performer, the play was lively on Saturday. Seven quality players outside the DC, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area made an appearance to spice the play up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because there were 30 participants only two courts were used. This made it much easier to scout players. Even when the players broke out into their separate positions, they still only occupied two courts. Below are the twelve players who made the Maryland Prep Dig Top 250 Expo Team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Left Side</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732579,"width":"274px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Grace-Mahoney.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732579" style="width:274px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grace Mahoney</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grace Mahoney</strong> (Archmere Academy)) - By far she was the offensive performer of the group. At 6'1" she has good length. Her arm extension was excellent, allowing her to hit the ball over or high off the block. If you were to track her hitting percentage it would crack above .400. I did not see her play a lot of back row, but she moves fluidly in the front row chasing after balls. Grace is from Wilmington, Delaware and plays for Delaware United. She belongs to the class of 2027 and plays both basketball and volleyball for Archmere Academy. Her athleticism showed on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732585,"width":"265px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Talia-DoCarmo.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732585" style="width:265px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='321680' first='Talia' last='DoCarmo']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='321680' first='Talia' last='DoCarmo'] (Urbana) - Talia is bit undersized at 5'8". However, she moves gracefully on the court, whether she plays front or back row. She can also play the finesse game, braking out a couple roll shots in the six person play. Talia belongs to the class of 2027. The Hawks lost to Richard Montgomery in the first round of the Maryland Class 4 state championships. Talia plays for Metro West, a regional team that allows her more playing time. She currently ranks number 88 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378661"],"_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-675e6027da47f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was my first time watching [player_tooltip player_id='378661' first='Leila' last='Manan'] play. She has good height at 5'10 with some nice arm extension to bury the ball to the floor. When playing the back row she also played good defense, scrambling the floor to play balls before they hit the floor. I did not watch any of her serve receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With more experience she should become more consistent with her offense. At the Maryland Prep Dig Top 250 Expo she hit left side. Leila plays for Metro North. It would not surprise me that when rankings are updated in January she will make her debut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732586,"width":"221px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Katelyn-Oranu.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732586" style="width:221px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Katelyn Oranu</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Katelyn Oranu</strong> (Vestal) - There were only two middles at this event. At 6'1" Katelyn had a physical presence at the net. As a frosh her blocking out performs her hitting at this point, especially when it comes to the quick tempo sets. She had trouble connecting with the setters on those. In her frosh season at Vestal in New York they ran the higher two sets in the middle. While she struggled putting the ball away her blocks were high over the net. Katelyn got the Expo started with a very loud "Prep Dig" cheer. Katelyn never complained about playing middle and covering from pin to pin. This club season she will play for Legion Volleyball Club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kyla Russell </strong>(Northpoint) - Kyla was the second middle. She stood just 5'10" but had a good jump and long arms. She also had some difficulty running the quick sets but when the timing clicked she showed good whip like action in her arm swing. Kyla belongs to the class of 2027. She also did not have a lot of experience running the quick tempo sets. Next year Kyla will play for Metro 15 East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Right Side </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732592,"width":"225px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Claire-Tepper.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732592" style="width:225px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='721145' first='Claire' last='Tepper']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='721145' first='Claire' last='Tepper'] (Bethesda - Chevy Chase) - While Claire did a good job playing middle for Bethesda - Chevy Chase (BCC) for club she will play right side for Metro. At 5'10" this may be a better position to play. She showed a smooth swing outside, not having any timing issues as normally the case when a middle moves to a pin. Her back row play is steady which could allow her to attack the bic sets beyond the three meter line. She carries an approach jump just short of 10 feet (9'8"). BCC eventually lost to Churchill in the Maryland state playoffs. This club season Claie will play for Metro 15 Travel. Definitely a player to watch for future impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Setters</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732595,"width":"238px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/jadriannie-Rodriguez.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732595" style="width:238px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jadriannie Rodriguez</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jadriannie Rodriguez (Valley Central) -There were a number of quality setters at this event, but Jadrianne seemed to have the best pulse of the offense. Especially critical since she came from New York and was not familiar with any of the players. Her hands were smooth and strong enough to push the set out to the pins with little effort. She also played a solid defense at the position. She belongs to the class of 2027. Her height lists at 5'3" but she appeared taller than that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732608,"width":"310px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Sanai-Jones.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732608" style="width:310px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='290419' first='Sanai' last='Jones']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='290419' first='Sanai' last='Jones'] (North Stafford) - Sanai helped North Stafford to advance into the Virginia state playoffs this past season. She normally ran a 6/2 getting lifted once she hits the front row. At 5'5" her height hurts her in the blocking. For travel ball she shows off her versatility by playing as a defensive specialist as well as filling in as the setter. Sanai will play for 540 Academy this coming club season. She currently ranks 87 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732621,"width":"236px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Makenzie-Kutzler.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732621" style="width:236px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='735037' first='Makenzie' last='Kutzler']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='735037' first='Makenzie' last='Kutzler'] (Sout Carroll) - She was a late arrival to the top performer category. The more I watched the sixes play the more impressed I was with her setting. She also put up a nice dump set in the middle of the court. Makenzie stands 5'9" but carries a lean frame that could grow an inch or two. At her current height she puts some good velocity on the ball when used as a pin on the right side. Makenzie was a secondary setter for the Cavaliers last year. She will play for Metro 17 North this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732631,"width":"245px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/caroline-Apergis.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732631" style="width:245px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='530364' first='Caroline' last='Apergis']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='530364' first='Caroline' last='Apergis'] (Holton Arms) - Caroline is one of those players who keeps the floor clean with her uniform jersey. Her passing and defense are rock solid. She has graduated from Mojo to Metro, which will provide her with a little more exposure, if she can create playing time opportunities. At 5'7" she brings good height to the libero position. When playing queens she whacked the ball pretty good displaying an offensive presence in her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732659,"width":"255px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Sophia-Verdicchio.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732659" style="width:255px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sophia Verdicchio</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophia Verdicchio (Wake Young) - Sophia showed a good platform for passing and nice hands for setting when performing out of system. She also anticipates well on defense, reading the tips. A number of rallies were kept alive with Sophia's perfect read on a tip. While she attends Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy for her educational purposes she plays for Broughton for volleyball. She belongs to the Class of 2026 in North Carolina. Sophia will play club for Triad United Volleyball Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732713,"width":"247px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Audrey-Estabillo.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732713" style="width:247px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='735308' first='Audrey' last='Estabillo']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='735308' first='Audrey' last='Estabillo'] (South River) - Audrey plays with energy and enthusiasm. With that constant smile on her face when she is on the court it is clear she enjoys playing the game. She passes and plays defense well. While she lists at 5'5" she appears taller. Toward the end of the sixes she moved to right side and powered some balls into the corner. She also sets, though for the showcase she stuck to her libero skills. The class of 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='735308' first='Audrey' last='Estabillo'] will play for Masters Volleyball Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->