Pre-Season Sneak Peek: Howard County’s Best Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A more in depth look at Howard County Volleyball will be coming in the next few weeks, as tryouts happen, rosters are set, and you can really evaluate what has changed in the landscape. But to tide things over before then, here's a sneak preview of some of the best players in the county at each position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["787533"],"_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-688b900949e6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Putting a rising Sophomore as a best player is a risk in pretty much any area, but Chika is one of the special ones. Playing for a VERY good Metro Travel team, she's a powerhouse hitter that belongs in the conversation. With good vertical and long arms she really gets down on the ball and is a nightmare for DS everywhere. Seeing how much she's developed from last year to this year will be fun to follow for a very new Guilford Park team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["506629"],"_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-688b900949ec5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This one got a little tough for me. I'm a huge Dylann fan, and a huge Howard fan, I expect them to be in the state title game, but there were a couple middles popping up through the county that made me think about this one. Dylann uses her long arms to bring some crazy offense, and with all the weapons at Howard's disposal, you can't cover everyone. Watching her closely and can't wait to see what her and her teammates bring this HS season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["698761"],"_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-688b900949f10"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was another one of the tough calls for me, between her and [player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li'], there were options for sure at setter, but with so many weapons to work with I gave the nod to Imagine for this one. She's very talented, and will use all those options she has to control teams this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612399"],"_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-688b900949f57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another spot that had a few options, like [player_tooltip player_id='800306' first='Bella' last='Chen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='800521' first='Miranda' last='Ball'], I opted to go with the rising Sophomore from Metro on this one. She's got good range, and her passing game is strong. Another talented player from a DEEP Metro team, she's entertaining to watch and frustrating to play against. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612397"],"_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-688b900949f9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pin hitters took some thought for me, but I've heard a few players say that rising Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='612397' first='Eliana' last='Koram'] is a big one to watch going forward. Bob has her ranked pretty high, with good reason, and another player out of that Metro factory, she can bring the pain. Playing at a relatively balanced Atholton, she should have a chance this season to really shine and make more noise than she already has. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of these decisions were really tough for me, but stay tuned for some more details on players that are going to make Howard County a real interesting HS playoff race. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->