Newbies Crashing the Class of 2025 – Diamonds on the Court

During the high school season the players named below impressed with their play. Some have already committed, but many others could still be available. These are some players I may have missed over the years for a number of different reasons. Perhaps their game has improved to such an extent that they have finally achieved a greater role for their team. Another reason could be that their team has improved to make a playoff run so their exposure improves. When I watch high school ball, I try to put my focus on teams making a playoff run. Those are normally where the diamonds sparkle.

There are a number of players who appear on the watch list. These are usually names parents submitted. Sometimes they are players who appeared at a showcase who require game day evaluation. Hopefully their chance will come during the club season. One more ranking awaits the class of 2025 before they are retired. That is normally done after the Junior Nationals for the 18s are complete.

49. Emma Sofis Emma Sofis 6'3" | MB Colonial Forge | 2025 State VA middle ( 108 Beach Volleyball Club ) – She stands 6’3″ which is the first attribute that grabs your attention. She plays both the middle and right side. At this point her blocking rates higher than her offensive game. She still needs work on her approach and swing to bring power to her game. However, her height allows her to hit over late blocks, which tend to find the middle of the floor. It appears Emma plays for 108 Beach volleyball club.

75. Cara Hamil Cara Hamil 5'10" | OH Covenant | 2025 State VA outside (Heart of Virginia) – Cara won Player of the year for the Division II Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA). She finished with 16 kills in the championship match Covenant played against Stonebridge. A six rotation player who has committed to Washington and Lee.

76, Stella Lichter Stella Lichter 5'10" | OH Walter Johnson | 2025 State VA outside (MVSA) – At 5’10” she was the top outside hitter for her high school Walter Johnson. She led her team in both kills and digs. Stella is a solid all around player and team leader with six rotation capability. Montgomery County voted her to their first team. She will play for MVSA Chaos this year.

89. Julia Schumer Julia Schumer OH Marshall | 2025 State VA outside – With the graduation of Samia Sayd an opportunity opened up for Julia on the left side. She took advantage of it. While a bit undersized for an outside Julia still hammered the ball with good velocity. This earned her a first team spot for both District and the Class 6 D Region. What separates Julia from the others is her tremendous hustle. If not used as an outside she could make for an outstanding libero. While she played for MOJO last year her club foot print for this year is not known.

108. Penny Savino Penny Savino 5'5" | DS/L Cox | 2025 State VA DS/Libero) – At the Endless Summer tournament her libero play earned her a spot on the Prep Dig all tournament team. For Cox she averaged close to 6 digs per set. No club footprint has been found.

117. Allison Cibrian-Martinez Allison Cibrian-Martinez 5'7" | DS/L Colgan | 2025 State VA DS/Libero (American) -Allison earned a spot as the Colgan libero this past season. Her libero play earned her a spot on the all tournament team at the Flint Hill Invitational, while also earning Colgan the championship. She also earned second team honors on the Class 6B All Regional team. Last year she played for American, but rosters are not yet available.

122. Maya Veselinovic Maya Veselinovic 5'8" | S Covenant | 2025 State VA setter – Maya combined a mixture of steady hands and great defense to lead Covenant to the Division II state championship in the VISAA. She set a 5/1 but her lefthanded swing allowed her to put a number of balls away when she was in the front row and the pass was tight to the net. Maya has committed to Bridgewater (VA).

132. Brooklyn Benedicto Brooklyn Benedicto 5'10" | MB Loudoun County | 2025 State VA middle – Brooklyn impressed with her play in the middle for Loudoun County. Despite her 5’10” frame she stung a number of quick tempo sets to the floor. Loudoun County had one of the more successful seasons with her playing middle. Last year she played for Loudoun Elite but they will not carry an 18 team this year.

141. Riley Hamburger Riley Hamburger 6'0" | MB Paul VI | 2025 State VA middle – At 6’0″ Riley carries some height to play middle. She also played basketball for Paul VI. While she hits pretty well in the middle shooting baskets is her preference. Riley has committed to Providence to play basketball.

142. Taylor Sourinhong Taylor Sourinhong 5'9" | S Freedom | 2025 State VA setter – Taylor did a good job setting for Freedom. She has committed to play beach volleyball for Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

147. Olivia Fortier Olivia Fortier 5'8" | S/DS/L Cox | 2025 State VA setter (757 Volleyball Club) – Olivia earned a spot on the state Class D first team, dishing out a total of 602 assists for Cox last year. She has committed to Mary Washington.

156. Jasmine Oduro Jasmine Oduro OH Westfield | 2025 State VA outside (Virginia Juniors) – Westfield went from a 1-18 team last year to a team that contended for the playoffs. A lot of credit for that improved performance was the middle play of Jasmine. She ran the quick sets well, providing opportunities for the outsides to hit against single blocks. Last year she played for Virginia Juniors but rosters for them are not available.

165, Jolie Faw Jolie Faw 6'1" | MB Bruton | 2025 State VA middle ( Virginia Wave ) – I have only seen video of her play. She stands a nice 6’1″. Perhaps if I had seen her play this ranking would rise higher. However, she has committed to Norfolk State so her volleyball career continues. Her 6’1″ twin sister Mina will also play volleyball at Norfolk State.

175. Ainsley Phillips Ainsley Phillips MB Falls Church | 2025 State VA middle – She provided Falls Church with a strong presence in the middle but basketball is her preferred sport. Ainsley has committed to play basketball at Mary Washington.

180. Kalim Janevski Kalim Janevski 6'0" | RS Alexandria City | 2025 State VA right side (Braddock Road) – Kalim has some height at 6’0″. She carries the versatility to play either middle or right side. Last year was her first opportunity to start for Alexandria. The Titans relied on her offensive game to take them to the semi-finals of the Class 6 state playoffs.

186. Naomie Fennewald Naomie Fennewald 6'1" | RS Colonial Forge | 2025 State VA right side (American) – At 6’1″ she carries some height. She also has a lefthanded swing that fits the right side well.

188. Bianca Pellim Bianca Pellim 5'10" | OH Yorktown | 2025 State VA outside (Rennaissance) – Bianca brought some power to the left side for Yorktown. At 5’10 she brings decent height to the position. She was born and raised in Brazil so volleyball is in her blood. She earned second team honors for the Class 6D Region.

198. Josephine Damico-Lassman Josephine Damico-Lassman MB Alexandria City | 2025 VA middle (Braddock Road) – Her play earned her a spot on the first team in the Patriot District. She combined with Kalim to ride Alexandria City to the semi-finals where they lost to Chantilly. She is a multi sport athlete having played basketball, track and field (high jump) and swim for Alexandria.

199. Carolina Parkhurst Carolina Parkhurst 6'0" | MB/RS Bethesda Chevy Chase | 2025 State VA middle (Virginia Elite) – Carolina has committed to Denison.

200. Kayla Bennett Kayla Bennett 5'5" | DS/L Ocean Lakes | 2025 State VA DS/Libero (757 volleyball) – She covered the back row well when I saw her play for Ocean Lakes at the Virginia Volleyball Showcase.