Colgan Jamboree Jumping with Talent

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More than a month has passed since I attended my last volleyball tournament. While the Colgan Jamboree was a scrimmage tournament the players were doing their best to win a starting spot. The coaches may not have been trying to win as they experiment with different lineups while also providing an opportunity for younger players to compete. It was fun to see some volleyball action again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lots of excitement at Colgan, even some burnt popcorn that caused enough smoke to trigger the fire alarms requiring an evacuation of the gym. Below is my assessment of the team talent from top to bottom. Because of a team dinner I had to leave the event early, so I did not see all of the matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Colgan Sharks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I thought the most talented team, at least during warmups was Colonial Forge. When the two teams played Colgan beat them twice including a 25-23 win in the second set that showed their fortitude. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["238593"],"_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-68ab53a974f10"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'10" [player_tooltip player_id='238593' first='Tehillah' last='Garrison'] can no longer be considered undersized for the position. She lacks the six foot height of other outsides, but she mixes power with thought to collect her kills. She hits the ball hard while also knowing where the empty areas of the court exist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can remember when she was a frosh and her sole role for Colgan was to just come in to secure points with her top spin serve. She still brings that top spin serve to the game, but she delivers it with more power and greater accuracy that her frosh season. She also now contributes as a six rotation player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tehillah plays club ball in Florida for Top Select. She has committed to South Carolina Upstate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In that second set against Colonial Forge Tehillah used the block to give Colgan a 24-23 lead. A combination block by<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='809716' first='Kennedy' last='Buchanan']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='813491' first='Gabrielle' last='Cherry']</strong> gave Colgan the 25-23 win. Last year Kennedy played middle for Colgan. At 5'9" she is undersized for a middle, but she exhibits tremendous athleticism to get height on the block. She could play more right side as the 6'1" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='813491' first='Gabrielle' last='Cherry']</strong> and the equally tall <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333653' first='Elizabeth' last='York']</strong> also play middle. Or Colgan could mix and match the three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='609533' first='Madeline' last='Dumais'] will stick at one right side. She brings a powerful swing to the position and finds the floor despite her 5'9" height. Colgan uses two smaller setters in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='643810' first='Jasmine' last='Belle Carrasco']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464563' first='Elizabeth' last='Robinson']</strong> who as seniors have the court sense to know the flow of the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732490,"width":"477px","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/Brooklyn-Rothwell.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732490" style="width:477px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='609504' first='Brooklyn' last='Rothwell']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year as a frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='550688' first='Sienna' last='Mitchell'] </strong>played right side and middle. This year it appears she will fire her bullets from the left side. She will join Tehillah to generate a powerful offense the Sharks need to end rallies. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='609504' first='Brooklyn' last='Rothwell'] </strong>handled the libero duties well. The top performing frosh from our Prep Dig showcase <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco']</strong> arrived late so I didn't see her play. I also did not see the other frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='877852' first='Emiko' last='Koppers']</strong> play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Colonial Forge Eagles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589313,"width":"423px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/Karinne-Goodrum.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589313" style="width:423px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='581553' first='Karinne' last='Goodrum']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles do not have a current roster but some of the players I was familiar with because of club. Christopher Newport commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397397' first='Jasmine' last='Williams']</strong> is a beast in the middle. At 5'11" she hammered a number of quick tempo sets to the floor. They also see <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443570' first='Lexiana' last='Everetts'] </strong>return from Ohio to drastically improve their middle and right side situation. The 6'0 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='581553' first='Karinne' last='Goodrum'] </strong>can play the other middle freeing Lexiana to hit right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two left sides play six rotations and hit the ball hard as well while Gardner Webb commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397192' first='Kadie' last='Cardozo']</strong> will handle libero duties. Courtland Forge has a number of players who appear in our rankings, including ds/L <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587040' first='Soleil' last='Trejo']</strong>, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='476422' first='Aniyah' last='Brevard']</strong>, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537906' first='Jalyn' last='Barnes'] </strong>and outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='781435' first='Arianna' last='Howard'],</strong> It would not surprise me to see them make a state playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kellam Knights</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights finished second last year in the Class 5 playoff run, losing to Riverside in the finals. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484751' first='Riley' last='Erwin']</strong> will continue to lead this offense whether she is setting or hitting right side. At 6'1" she stands out as one of their best hitters on the team and clearly the player with the greatest height. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='643814' first='Emma' last='Irving']</strong> also sets and plays three rotations., allowing Riley to hit right side. Riley could set a 5/1 but they would lose her offense on the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The left side is well stocked with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='838393' first='Sofia' last='Barnes']</strong> and both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808048' first='Mia' last='Schmidt']</strong> and <strong>Elena Coff</strong> who can hit both pins. At 5'6" Mia is a bit undersized but she hits hard and uses the block well. Sophia plays six rotations while occasionally breaking out a top spin serve. She plays a solid defense in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Love the play of libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='544609' first='Giulia' last='Allison']</strong>. She communicates well whether she is on the sidelines or the court. She also has an Olympic gene pool on the Brazilian side of the family. Senior <strong>Vanessa Jarvis </strong>brings experience to the middle. She also fires up a strong serve. <strong>Skylar Witte</strong> buried a quick tempo set in the middle. At 5'11" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='577517' first='Mia' last='Lynch']</strong> brings the height and the left handed swing to play right side. <strong>Annabella D'adarria</strong> played a solid back row as a defensive specialist. She also gives a different look to the passers with her left handed serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Langley Saxons</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589165,"width":"386px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/10-Rujuta-Singh.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589165" style="width:386px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending Class 6 state champions won't have length this year but will rely more on quickness to win their matches. Columbia commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] </strong>returns as the setter. She stands out as perhaps the top setter in the DMV region, this past season leading Metro to a third place finish in the junior national Open Division. That is a level difficult for most to reach. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239322' first='Hailey' last='Park']</strong> may contribute more to the setting to spruce up the offense. One of Langley's strengths is their two right sides in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530362' first='Claire' last='Nitowski'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='739977' first='Elizabeth' last='Hemberg']</strong>. At 6'0 Elizabeth may be their tallest player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saxons also bring back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh'] </strong>who as a frosh contributed the match winning kill in the finals that give Langley the Class 6 state championship. She is a complete six rotation player who at 5'9" is undersized for a left side but makes all the plays. She brings a good volleyball IQ to the court. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809382' first='Gabriela' last='Cid'] </strong>appears to have won the libero position with her consistent defense and passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">First Colonial Patriots</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No rosters for First Colonial and the rosters from last year did not have numbers. Players who appear in our rankings who bring the senior experience include outside<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='485079' first='Grace' last='Davies-Hackenberg']</strong>, right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808248' first='Teagan' last='Emdadi']</strong>, setter/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='643807' first='Alayna' last='Cole']</strong> and libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553762' first='Allison' last='Skarbek']</strong>. It did not appear they carried that super star player who could put the ball away..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Flint Hill Huskies</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":790412,"width":"367px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/68-Delaney-Malloy.jpg?w=985" alt="" class="wp-image-790412" style="width:367px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='800350' first='Delaney' last='Malloy']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the past the Huskies used to consistently stand out as the top team in the DMV area. They have won 12 VISAA state championships. Only Loudoun County with their 14 VHSL state championships have won more. Last year was the first year they did not win the Independent School League (ISL) since 2011. They also lost the VISAA state title to Bishop O'Connell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They still have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] </strong>to play the middle. The UCLA commit may also hit left and right side to create more offense for the team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini']</strong> transferred from Archbishop Carroll and will also contribute offense from the middle. That could be the extent of their offense. For that to click they need back row players <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800350' first='Delaney' last='Malloy']</strong> to keep the team in system with pristine passing. Evie missed all of last season because of injury and may need some time to get her game back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='699993' first='Ava' last='Zender'] appears to be the primary setter. She set a lot of 5/1 during the tournament. I did see Evie in the setting role. She has not done that often but her older sister set for Maryland last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Stafford Wolverines</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":738800,"width":"342px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/Sanai-Jones.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-738800" style="width:342px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='290419' first='Sanai' last='Jones']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines still have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221415' first='Lindsey' last='Canty'] </strong>to provide a jolt to their offense. The UNC Pembroke commit hustles after every ball. [player_tooltip player_id='829680' first='Arianna' last='Mancari'] is another offensive piece. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290419' first='Sanai' last='Jones']</strong> sets in the back row for the team. North Stafford is still lacking a roster with numbers so that will do for now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players who need to contribute for North Stafford to produce a successful season are liberos [player_tooltip player_id='524814' first='Brooklynn' last='Carter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='601748' first='MaKennah' last='Dovel'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Forest Park Bruins</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the longest time Forest Park has always finished second to Colgan. Now with <strong>Destini Pickett</strong> graduated that second place territory is in jeopardy. Their strength resides in the qualify of their back row players<strong> Jorden Carter</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530368' first='Sadie' last='Barrera']</strong>. Their future resides in the two sophomore twins, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='627365' first='Alexa' last='Eggleton']</strong> and left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='609590' first='Leah' last='Eggleton']</strong>. They also bring in a new coaching staff. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->