Capitol Hill Classic Award Winners

One of the cool things about the Capitol Hill Classic is that it hands out awards to players who show off some of the top skills required in volleyball. Best passer, digger, attacker, server, setter, blocker and MVP are given to players in each age group. Below are the local players who won those awards in the 14-18 age group at the last Capitol Hill Classic.   18    The best receiver award went to [player_tooltip player_id='181279' first='Kadi' last='Pynchon']. She ranks number 15 in our class of 2025 and is the second ranked libero in the class. The top libero goes to [player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn'], but she gets a lot of accolades for her offense as well.   Kadi brings a steady platform for passing. She also seems to quickly process the location of the serve, moving her feet to get in a perfect position to pass. Her defense also stands out. She reads the hitters well stationing herself right in their hitting path. It becomes a game of pepper after that.   Kadi committed to Lafayette.     Isabelle won the award for best setter. At 6'3" she does an excellent job of putting the ball away as well.   For Flint Hill she accumulated a number of triple doubles, piling up assists, kills and digs. For Metro she normally sets a 5/1, but if they choose to go with a 6/2 she stays in the front row to hit right side. She also gets very high over the net to put up a good block. It would not surprise me if she also got consideration for best blocker as well.   Isabelle committed to Purdue.    17    Not a surprise to see her win the MVP award. It is the third consecutive season she has won that award. In my opinion she stands out as the best all around player for a very talented Metro team. She plays the back row well, contributing with her passing and defense while in the front row she mashes out of system sets.   Caydence has led North Hagerstown to back to back championships. At 5'11" her height may discourage national team attention, but she brings a great instinct for where to hit the ball. She never quits. If you give her an opportunity she gets the job done.   Caydence committed to Marquette.    [player_tooltip player_id='320814' first='Alycia' last='Miller'] defensive specialist (Musselman/[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) - Alycia won the best server award. She could probably play libero for most teams but with [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] on the court she serves more as a defensive specialist. As her award shows, her serving also puts up points. Because of her defense, passing and serving those are three strong reasons to put her on the court. Alycia plays for the West Virginia high school powerhouse Musselman.    Bryah won the best attacker award. That alone should stand out as a testament to how far her game has improved. At 6'4" she has the ability to dominate in the front row. Last year she had issues with consistency. Finding the court with her spikes was not easy. With more playing time and repetitions this year she seems to be breaking out big time.   In high school her hitting percentage improved from .240 to .308. She also got an opportunity to play six rotations, leading the team in receptions while finishing third in digs. Playing for Metro gives her that opportunity to enhance her game whether at practice or playing against elite competition. Keep an eye on her as she reaches the next level.   Bryah committed to Kentucky.     Laila won the best digger award. She brings great athleticism and quickness to the libero position. Back in 2022 when playing in the 14 open she won the MVP award. Don't know where Caydence was in 2022.   For her high school she hits left side. Despite being 5.8" she brings an approach jump of 9'8". In the high school playoffs she did suit up in the libero jersey. Laila is one of those players who can do everything well.   Laila plays up a year for Metro. She belongs to the class of 2027.    16    Avery won the best attacker award. [program_tooltip program_id='549544' first='Club' last='757'] finished a surprising third in the Capitol Hill Classic. She was the only local player in this age group to take home an award.   At 6'0" she generates powerful offense at the net. In a 26-24 match win over [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] at MAPL Avery came through with the game winning kill. She also earned a spot on the Prep Dig all tournament team for the Endless Summer tournament.   A six rotation player who brings a healthy confidence to the court. Another player who appears to be rising to the next level.    15   [player_tooltip player_id='536727' first='Chika' last='Onukwugha'] left side (Guilford Park/Metro) - Chika won the best attacker award and the MVP. Last year she also won the best attacker award. This appears to be her first tournament appearance this year. A minor injury prevented her from playing in earlier tournaments. She certainly showed no rust. Chika stands only 5'9" but her approach jump reaches 10 feet. She hits the ball about as hard as anyone putting her at number 3 in our class of 2028.   [player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner'] middle (St. Johns/Metro) - Cairo won the best blocker award. She lists at 6'0" with an approach jump of 10'1". Blocking appears to be her specialty for now. As a frosh she led St. Johns in blocking while finishing fifth in hitting. As she gains experience her hitting should improve once she enhances her transition game to put her in better position for the quick tempo sets.   14   [player_tooltip player_id='750050' first='Raquel' last='Telly'] left side (Metro) - Raquel won the MVP award. Metro beat Maryland Juniors in three sets in the finals. Raquel has an older sister who hits left side for the 16 team. Her sister [player_tooltip player_id='377396' first='Alexa' last='Telly'] stands 5'11" and reaches 9'10" with her approach jump. At 14 Raquel still has some growing to do. At 5'7" she can reach 9'7". She earned her first Prep Dig recognition at the MAPL tournament as one of the top performers.    Emerson earned the top attacker award. She also earned Prep Dig top performer awards at the local Prep Dig event in Rockville and at the Sunshine Qualifier in Florida. Her front row play at the Sunshine Qualifier also earned Maryland Juniors a national bid in the USA Division, the first local team to earn a national bid.   Emerson also hits outside for Holy Cross. As a frosh she finished second on the team in kills. A player definitely on the rise.    [player_tooltip player_id='753073' first='Aniston' last='Williams'] middle (Maryland Juniors) - Aniston won the best blocker award. Not only does she block well, but at the age of 14 she runs the quick tempo sets as well. A player who rises far ahead of those in her age group.    Carolyn won the best setter award. A nice accomplishment from a player who also does a good job of putting the ball away when hitting right side. At 6'0" she already brings good size to the net. Her older sister plays volleyball for Connecticut while her mom played basketball for the Huskies, capturing an NCAA championship. Whether it is hitting or setting Carolyn will stand out in both.    And below two players at the 14 age group who have yet to find my radar.   [player_tooltip player_id='755672' first='Jaylin' last='Park'] libero/ds (Metro) - Jaylin won the best digger award.   [player_tooltip player_id='755675' first='Charlotte' last='Nelson'] libero/ds (Metro) - Charlotte won the best server award.

One of the cool things about the Capitol Hill Classic is that it hands out awards to players who show off some of the top skills required in volleyball. Best passer, digger, attacker, server, setter, blocker and MVP are given to players in each age group. Below are the local players who won those awards in the 14-18 age group at the last Capitol Hill Classic.