All-Communication Team From DMV Exposure Tour

I'm going to start my coverage from this event a little outside the box. The biggest thing that stood out to me, and a few of the other coaches this weekend was just how loud it was, and how much players were talking, cheering, and communicating at this event versus others. There were times where it was almost deafening walking around and watching different courts. You always hear coaches talk about the importance of communication, and then sometimes at these showcases you'll hear girls talking because that's what they are encouraged to do, but it's not always really saying anything. There's the usual, and appreciated good jobs, and way to go, maybe a little spike for a big hit or a big up. But this week was different. Eavesdropping as I walked I heard a lot of call out of "line" or "cross", or "block on OH" or "block on RS", I heard a bunch of "watch the deep ball", "watch the short serve" and a few other actual critical instruction kind of call outs that really just had me fascinated. While I know a few players that really coach and talk out there on the court, it was just unusual to see so many of them, especially some of the younger ones. So that being said, here's my first ever PrepDig: All-Talkative Team awards.   [player_tooltip player_id='728459' first='Ali' last='Joyce'] - 2027 - S -[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']   I've seen Ali play a few times, especially early last season, and she jumped out at me right away this weekend. First it was for play at setter, she was on a court I had been watching for a bit, made a couple great plays and stood out, but then I kept hearing her when I wasn't even watching her. Moving people into position anticipating a play. Cheering for a big hit, or a great pass, keeping the energy up, even when you don't know most of the people you're playing with. It's challenging. Setters have to be the QB, and let the hitters know where the weak spots are, what's working and what isn't working. Ali did a good job with all of that and was one of the loudest players all weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco'] - 2029 - DS - [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']   Man, you talk about a girl with a motor, that's this one right here. She has one speed, and it's pretty close to being faster than sound. Fortunately the sound barrier stayed safe, but she was constantly cheering on her teammates for great plays and hits, you wouldn't expect this kind of leadership out of a Freshman, but she's got that "it" factor that you just have to pay a little extra attention to. It's hard not to as loud as she is. It's a trait people talk about how you want this out of your 'bros, but a lot of times they are more shy and quiet being so tiny. This one is tiny, but boy do you know what's on her mind. It's awesome.   [player_tooltip player_id='734791' first='Sophia' last='Jenkins'] - 2027 - RS - [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']   Sophia is fantastic. She's a great player, but it's like she thrives on feedback. She's constantly talking to setters, game planning and talking about if this than that, and she's always picking people up and being positive. As a Middle/RS that's a great skill to have, staying on the same page as the setter especially, I feel like 90% of the time there's a collision at the net it's one of them and the setter and she talks so much that's not really a problem. From that to helping girls up off the court after they lay out for a ball, she's a great communicator.   [player_tooltip player_id='730577' first='Anna' last='Hudson'] - 2028 - DS - [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']   Man, she might have been the loudest player in the gym this weekend. Between her and Carrasco I think, which is funny because they are both 'bros. They were commanding the court, repositioning people, covering who had short, who had deep, making sure all the potential holes were covered. She was also very supportive and constantly cheering for the other girls whether on the same team or not. Having your libero involved in the offense, knowing where to try to pass the ball to set up a particular play or to make it easier to set the middle vs the OH is one of those little basics people forget about until you see it happening. It gives you a proactive offense versus a reactive one that is just hitting what they can based on where the pass lands.   [player_tooltip player_id='725456' first='Audrey' last='Busch'] - 2027 - DS - [program_tooltip program_id='484770' first='VA' last='Juniors']   Audrey I went to check out based on a coach recommendation, and saw some solid 'bro play, good solid platform and passing, but I was surprised by the talking and communicating. Cheering on other girls by name she has just met, communicating with girls better to make sure gaps were covered and know who had what responsibility. This is the trend for this post, but it's something that makes good teams better when you can eliminate those errors that pop up from no one knowing what to do.

I'm going to start my coverage from this event a little outside the box. The biggest thing that stood out to me, and a few of the other coaches this weekend was just how loud it was, and how much players were talking, cheering, and communicating at this event versus others. There were times where it was almost deafening walking around and watching different courts. You always hear coaches talk about the importance of communication, and then sometimes at these showcases you'll hear girls talking because that's what they are encouraged to do, but it's not always really saying anything. There's the usual, and appreciated good jobs, and way to go, maybe a little spike for a big hit or a big up. But this week was different. Eavesdropping as I walked I heard a lot of call out of "line" or "cross", or "block on OH" or "block on RS", I heard a bunch of "watch the deep ball", "watch the short serve" and a few other actual critical instruction kind of call outs that really just had me fascinated. While I know a few players that really coach and talk out there on the court, it was just unusual to see so many of them, especially some of the younger ones. So that being said, here's my first ever PrepDig: All-Talkative Team awards.