Six Returning Top Performers at Prep Dig Showcase

The Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase on June 7 will see six returning top performers. Once a top performer always a top performer. Always good to see them again.   There will also be a number of interesting players at the frosh showcase. Eight of our top performers from last year appeared in the top 20 of our class of 2028 rankings. I have tried to spend more time watching the class of 2029 this year and I've got 60 players being considered for rankings. The frosh showcase provides a good opportunity to identify more. See below for some of the intriguing frosh names registered for the event.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Returning Top Performers</h2>    She plays middle for Virginia Juniors. They will play in the Freedom Division at Junior Nationals in Dallas. She will also be performing at the East Coast championship in Pittsburgh this weekend. At 6'3" she brings the height to make an impact at middle. There still exists some rawness in her game but experience will correct that.   She won a top performer award at the frosh showcase last year. The athleticism exists for her to power balls in the middle with the appearance of exerting very little effort.   Historically, Archbishop Carroll lacks a strong volleyball program. Despite this the 6'5" class of 2024 Azavia Thomas played at Carroll, finished her club career at Virginia Elite and committed to UNC-Charlotte to play volleyball.     At 5'9" her height does not fit a typical middle blocker. However, sometimes those smaller players bring the timing necessary to hit the quick tempo sets better. They also seem to have the ability to create more effective blocks. Reese does a good job at accomplishing both tasks.   Even at 5'9" most colleges look for more height in their right sides as well. This becomes an important blocking position to neutralize the left side hitter, who is normally the top offensive player. Reese does a good job putting up a block on the right side but as the players get taller the task becomes more difficult.   Reese surprises you with her ability to accomplish the tasks necessary for the position when given the opportunity. A player not to underestimate. She also has an unbridled enthusiasm for the game, which is always fun to watch.     While she plays down for Maryland Juniors she shows an ability to dominate a game at the varsity level, even as a frosh. Last year Emerson started left side for Holy Cross, finishing second on the team in kills. Holy Cross went on to rank as one of the top five high school teams in the DMV area.   At the Capitol Hill Classic in the 14 Open she earned the best attacker award. Maryland Juniors 14 will play in the Open Division at the Junior Nationals in Dallas. Last year at the 13 age group this same cast of characters finished in third place in the National Division. The challenge will be greater playing in Open.   Tremendous potential in her game. A multi-sport athlete who makes the game look so easy.     Brooklyn is another one of the top performers from the frosh showcase. She was one of the first players I noticed at the event because of her enthusiasm and hustle.   While she made the varsity for Colgan as a frosh her playing time was limited. She covers the back row with [player_tooltip player_id='602392' first='Elise' last='Nair'] another player who will represent Colgan at the Prep Dig showcase.   Brooklyn has enhanced her back row play with American this club season. Expect her playing time at Colgan to increase. Currently she ranks sixth among the liberos in the class of 2028. Brooklyn carries a very inspiring attitude to the game, always remaining positive, whether on the bench or on the court.     I wrote a lot about Danika in the last post when I pointed out the top players to watch at the East Coast Championship. Only two setters in the class of 2027 rank higher than her.       She moved from [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] to [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] already carried a very good setter in [player_tooltip player_id='520349' first='Lauren' last='Hobbs'] who set a 5/1 the previous year. The playing time for Avery was limited when I watched her at the start of the season. Towards the end of the season she was setting as part of a 6/2. This gave [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] an opportunity to use two offensive weapons on the right side.   Avery has improved her setting tremendously since I first saw her play. Her delivery with the jump set is smooth, whether back setting or running the quick tempo sets in the middle. At 5'6" her height may be small to play the front row but she feeds the hitters well with accuracy and consistent placement.   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 17 earned two USA bids playing in Qualifiers. They turned both down because they will be playing in AAUs. AES put their national ranking at 58. Avery is definitely a setter you want to take a look at if you need someone to run your offense.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Intriguing Frosh at the Showcase</h2>   These are some of the interesting names attending the frosh showcase that already appear in my possible rankings for the class of 2029.   [player_tooltip player_id='749349' first='Avery' last='Curtis'] middle (Sherando/[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) - One of the top offensive performers for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 14 last year. AES ranked them number 72 nationally.   [player_tooltip player_id='762823' first='Brie' last='Mouton'] setter (Annapolis Area Christian/Bay Area Volleyball Academy) - Ran a 5/1 at the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship to earn Bay Area a bid to Nationals. Love the athleticism in her game, especially at the setter position.   [player_tooltip player_id='747031' first='Braylin' last='Coacher'] setter ([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - setter for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] who have earned a National bid at Junior Nationals in Dallas.   [player_tooltip player_id='748518' first='Harper' last='Walker'] libero (Annapolis Area Christian/Maryland Juniors) - libero for Maryland Juniors who have earned an Open bid at Junior Nationals in Dallas. Open teams need to stay in system to achieve success. Harper makes that happen with her pristine passing.   [player_tooltip player_id='754650' first='Madison' last='Meiring'] left side (Oakton/Virginia Juniors) - Top hitter for Virginia Juniors who will play in the USA Division at Junior Nationals in Dallas. Love her enthusiasm when she plays on the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='749642' first='Sophia' last='Groshek'] setter (Annapolis Area Christian/Maryland Juniors) - A 5'11" setter who plays one year up for Maryland Juniors 15. They will play in the American Division at Junior Nationals in Dallas.   [player_tooltip player_id='763151' first='Sydney' last='Lewis'] middle (Riverside/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] - A now 6'0" middle who will play for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] in the National Division at Junior Nationals in Dallas. Class 5 Virginia state champion Riverside continues to stay strong.   Some intriguing players who I have not seen play yet.   Neely Olish middle (Broadneck) - A 6'0" middle with no visible club background.   Marissa Barreto pin hitter (Briar Woods/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - She plays for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Anderson, which will play in the Freedom Division at Junior Nationals in Dallas. For whatever reason she has escaped my sight lines whenever I have watched [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Anderson play.   [player_tooltip player_id='783302' first='Sophie' last='Lorgea'] middle (Atholton/Maryland Juniors) - A 6'2" middle who plays a year down for Maryland Juniors 13. Normally my focus is on the 14-18 age groups so I have not seen Maryland Juniors 13 team play.

The Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase on June 7 will see six returning top performers. Once a top performer always a top performer. Always good to see them again.