Class of 2028 Prospects Making Their Debut in the Rankings

There were 25 players making their debut in the 2028 rankings. For these players it is after their frosh season. While there are always exceptions to every rule second year players should be competing at the varsity level if they hope to earn a spot in the rankings. However, if you love the sport keep on playing. There are many cases of players not making varsity until their junior or senior year in high school. Some of those players have even won state championships. Don't let outside forces sway you from doing what you enjoy.   After this year even I have questions concerning a couple older players who were cut from their varsity teams this year. So, if you perform well for a strong club there still exists an opportunity to stay ranked or even get back in the rankings. There are no absolutes in this world. Let you define the shape of your life. Below is some detail about how these 25 girls earned a spot in the rankings.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/PD-Exposure-Tour.jpg?w=616" alt="" class="wp-image-903333" style="width:406px;height:auto" /></figure>   As a sidenote, on December 22 Prep Dig will hold an exposure tour in Richmond. Already more than 70 players have registered. This event is a good opportunity for players to be seen if they have not yet been ranked. Rather than wait for a scout to come see you play register for the event to perform before at least two Prep Dig scouts who will attend the event.   And now for the newbies:   40. [player_tooltip player_id='813491' first='Gabrielle' last='Cherry'] MB (Colgan) - Gabrielle made the varsity as a frosh but did not get much playing time. She grew another inch, enhanced her jump and the next year stood out as one of the primary middle blockers for a Colgan team that made it to the finals of the Class 6 Virginia state championships. Gabrielle finished second on the team in blocks but appears to have missed the last few matches of the season, including the state playoffs. At 6'1" she is a presence at the net. She also plays basketball for Colgan.   52. [player_tooltip player_id='893067' first='Clara' last='Hays'] L/DS (Paul VI/Beach) - Paul VI picked up three solid transfers that led to a huge upsurge in their season. The two most notable were outsides [player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart']. Sliding a bit under the radar was libero [player_tooltip player_id='893067' first='Clara' last='Hays'], who came over with her mother from Woodgrove. Her passing and defensive skills were critical for the Panthers success on offense. They ended up winning the WCAC end of season tournament and came in second in the Division I ViSAA state championships. During the summer Clara plays beach. Her passing skills and quickness on the court have been sharpened by her beach play.   66. [player_tooltip player_id='819657' first='Tatum' last='Trotter'] MB/RS (Christiansburg) - Her ranking at 66 may be a little low. I have yet to see her play but at 6'1" she leads the team in blocks and sits fourth in kills. Christiansburg got to the finals of the Virginia Class 3 state championship undefeated but lost to Abingdon. Trotter finished the match with 7 kills and 6 blocks. Her videos show she can play the game high above the net.   72. [player_tooltip player_id='888542' first='Nina' last='Leander'] S (Fairfax) - At 5'10" she set a 5/1 for Fairfax this past season. They were one of the surprise teams this year. The maturation of two of their frosh turned a 2-17-1 season from last year into a 17-9 record this past season. [player_tooltip player_id='768530' first='Ellen' last='Verwys'] improvement as a hitter contributed to that success but more importantly [player_tooltip player_id='888542' first='Nina' last='Leander'] became more comfortable running the offense. Ellen is ranked number 61 in our class of 2028. Nina debuts at 72. Last year the duo played together at Braddock Road.   84. [player_tooltip player_id='828505' first='Zara' last='Ofole'] MB (StoneBridge) - This past season StoneBridge finished 38-0 ending the season with a 5 set victory over Fredericksburg Christian to win the Division II VISAA state championship. Zara led the team in blocks with over 100 during the season. She also finished third in kills. She is not a tall girl but she has an incredible jump that allows her hands to reach far over the net. It also helps that she is also quick moving to the pins. Her hitting percentage is also tops on the team at .447. Zara earned a spot on the VISAA second team.   86. [player_tooltip player_id='826753' first='Katie' last='Lyons'] MB (The Covenant School) - At 6'1" Katie carries some height for the middle. She was able to use that height to finish second on the team in blocks. Enhancing her offensive game would allow her to stand out in the middle.   99. [player_tooltip player_id='894199' first='Alyssa' last='Ellerbe'] OH/MB (Landstown) - She leads her team in blocks and hitting percentage. Landstown made a run at the states but lost in the second round to Grassfield. At 5'11" Alyssa would be considered a tad undersized for a middle, but for [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] she hits outside. That could be where she makes an impact.   100. [player_tooltip player_id='893945' first='Josie' last='O'Connell'] OH (Jackson Reed) - Josie impressed on the outside for a young Jackson Reed team. She hit right side for the Tigers at the Tiger Paws tournament but appeared to be comfortable hitting either side. She will play for the [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] second team this year. For the second year in a row Jackson Reed lost in the DC state semi-finals, this time to Georgetown Day. Josie finished fourth on the team in kills At 5'11" she brings decent height to the pins.   110. [player_tooltip player_id='623179' first='Kendal' last='Walker'] OH (Colonial Forge) - During the Colgan Jamboree Kendal hit well from the left side. Don't know if that continued during the remainder of the season. The Eagles took their first loss to Colgan in the semi-finals of the Class 6 Virginia state championship. You won't see her too much on the club scene since during the summertime Kendal will focus on beach.   111. [player_tooltip player_id='889251' first='Mia' last='Johnson'] S/RS (North Hagerstown) - [player_tooltip player_id='889251' first='Mia' last='Johnson'] shared setting duties with Lauren Ly. In the finals she was the front row option for the Hubs. At 5'9" she has decent height to form a block at the net. For the Hubs she hammered 41 kills for a decent .255 hitting percentage. Last year Mia did not make the varsity team as Lauren Hobbs set a 5/1. Lauren is now playing at the Division III powerhouse Christopher Newport.   122. [player_tooltip player_id='890262' first='Malea' last='Shingleton'] S (Clear Spring) -Even though she only stands 5'5" Malea sets a 5/1 for Clear Spring. This past year the Blazers won the class 1 Maryland State championship by defeating Patterson Mill in five. Height is not so prevalent in Class 1 so Malea may get away with a smaller stature when playing the front row. Malea accumulated a little over 700 assists for the 2025 season.   123. [player_tooltip player_id='898881' first='Aubrey' last='Shelton'] DS/L (Patriot) - The Patriots last two losses of the season came against the two teams that played in the Virginia Class 6 state finals, Madison and West Springfield. Overall, it was a successful season for Patriot. In order for that to happen a team needs a quality libero to keep the offense on track. Aubrey fulfilled that role for Patriot, finishing first on the team in digs as well as third in service aces. Her efforts earned her a spot as the libero on the second team in the All Cedar District. I do like her movement on the court. Aubrey also plays softball for Patriot.   129. Scarlet Sikorski MB (Fairfax) - At 6'0" she brings the height to fill one of the middle positions. Her arm swing still needs some work with the use of her core more to improve the velocity on her hits. This would make her more of an offensive force. The potential exists for her to be an impact player.   135. [player_tooltip player_id='893325' first='Bella' last='Pham'] S (James Madison) - For the most part Madison used [player_tooltip player_id='455177' first='Briana' last='Vo'] as a setter. [player_tooltip player_id='893325' first='Bella' last='Pham'] came in on occasion when the Warhawks needed some size in the front row. At 5'4" Bella is also undersized and would be more valuable in a 6/2 offense. She brings good hands and location to the court. It should be noted that Briana is only 5'5" but predominately set a 5/1 for Madison. She will graduate after this year so at least half of the setting duties will be handed to Bella next year. Or perhaps even like Briana she will set a 5/1.   139. [player_tooltip player_id='887087' first='Delaney' last='Gray'] MB (Hickory) - Delaney stood out for her middle play at the Endless Summer tournament. Using her 5'10" height Delaney led the team in blocks and ranked third in kills.   140. [player_tooltip player_id='887038' first='Selah' last='Telfer'] S (Stone Bridge) - Selah set a 5/1 for the 38 - 0 Stonebridge team that ended up winning the Division II VISAA state tournament. Selah earned a spot on the VISAA first team. She finished 31 sets shy of 1,000 assists for the year. No player in Virginia finished with more assists. She stands about 5'8" which would be decent size for a setter.   148. [player_tooltip player_id='845331' first='Caroline' last='Hanger'] OH (Fort Defiance) - Fort Defiance is another team that lost its only match in the finals of the state championship. Caroline finished second on the team in kills, behind the prolific [player_tooltip player_id='720606' first='Maecy' last='Frizzelle'], who finished fifth in the state of Virginia in kills. At 5'7" Caroline is a bit undersized for an outside. She stands just a couple inches shorter than Maecy.   152. [player_tooltip player_id='887089' first='Kyla' last='Goode'] S (Hickory) - Kyla is the engine that keeps the Hickory offense churning. She is the primary setter on the team, leading them in assists. She also leads the team in service aces. Hickory lost a five set match to Cox in the first round of the Virginia Class 5 Regionals.    153. Grassfield lost in the semifinals of the Class 6 state championship. [player_tooltip player_id='471714' first='Ryann' last='Bothof'] and [player_tooltip player_id='734796' first='Benisa' last='Moore'] are two players on that team who stand out. Obviously, there has to be more talent on Grassfield than those two players for them to reach the semi-finals.   Braydi provided video of her play with her profile and it shows potential. She drops her left shoulder when she swings because she doesn't raise her left arm when she jumps to hit. This prevents her from using more of her core when she swings, preventing her from hitting with high velocity. However, she still creates offense from the front and back row when she swings. Credit that to her strong right arm.   At 5'10" there exists decent height for an outside. Some minor tinkering with that approach and swing and I can envision some additional unused power appearing in her game.    155. [player_tooltip player_id='907088' first='Addison' last='George'] DS/L (Lancaster) - She leads the team in digs as a libero while also ranking second in service aces. Lancaster eventually lost in five sets to Middlesex in the semi-finals of the class 1 Virginia state playoffs. Addison finished with 27 digs and three aces in the loss.    164. Alleghany lost in the first round to Christiansburg in the Virginia Class 3 state playoffs. Ally was one of the top offensive performers for the Cougars. She finished second on the team in kills. At 5'7" she is undersized for an outside. However, a couple inches more of growth could make her a greater offensive threat.     173, At 5'11" she has the height to play both middle or right side, which gives a lot of versatility to her game. Surprisingly, in the videos she has a quiet platform for passing as well, unusual for a middle. Perhaps a move to a pin position is in her future?   She does show a preference for wanting to be near an ocean so if you are a college near the sea she does deserve a look.    174. [player_tooltip player_id='889272' first='Claire' last='Choi'] S (Grafton) - Grafton continued to have a great year. This time they only made it to the semi-finals in the state championship. Claire appears to be the setter of the future for the Clippers. At 5'9" she is taller than many of the setters the Clippers have used in the past. Claire finished second on the team in assists and appears the next setter in line.   175. [player_tooltip player_id='892035' first='Anhar' last='Elsheikh'] s (Edison) - She made my all tournament team at the Hawks Invitational as a setter for Edison.

There were 25 players making their debut in the 2028 rankings. For these players it is after their frosh season. While there are always exceptions to every rule second year players should be competing at the varsity level if they hope to earn a spot in the rankings. However, if you love the sport keep on playing. There are many cases of players not making varsity until their junior or senior year in high school. Some of those players have even won state championships. Don't let outside forces sway you from doing what you enjoy.