Exposure All Tournament Team and Other Thoughts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have to admit there exists a love/hate relationship with these showcase events. The love comes with the learning process from watching new players compete or others who are not well known who surprise with their level of improvement. Also, seeing a number of top performers return makes me smile. They do not really have to come back but it warms the heart that they do. The hate comes with not having the ability to see everyone play. Despite preparing a list of must see players prior to the event it still falls short when play actually starts and the chaos ensues. There are always a few must see players that are missed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a list of my all tournament teams, one for players who made the top performer list and another for players who fell short. Players who did not make the top performer list came very close. That second list is used as motivation to work harder. Never give up, never surrender! I can provide a very large list of players who were cut as sophomores who still made significant contributions to their high school team the following year. Some even ended up playing in college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The non top performer list also includes previous top performers. All players who participated in this Exposure Tour who are not currently ranked have been added to our watch list. Hopefully, when the club season starts Jeremy or I will find you on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">All Tournament Team Top Performers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If this were a club team it would certainly do well in competition. The one big issue is the players cover too many different age groups. At minimum they would have to play at 17U. That usually presents difficulties for the younger age groups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":781857,"width":"310px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.8260065192494054","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/28-Gianna-Bonnett.jpg?w=845" alt="" class="wp-image-781857" style="aspect-ratio:0.8260065192494054;width:310px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='781700' first='Gianna' last='Bonnett']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Left side - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746325' first='Cheyenne' last='Wright']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='549544' first='Club' last='757']), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768375' first='Alexis' last='VerMeer']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923139' first='A'vielle' last='Lewis']</strong> (BAVA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right side - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753070' first='Avery' last='Lettinga']</strong> (Metro)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setters - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728459' first='Ali' last='Joyce']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite']), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747031' first='Braylin' last='Coacher']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752431' first='Kayla' last='Chang']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='618590' first='Lyla' last='Shannon']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='549544' first='Club' last='757']), <strong>Skylar Ryan</strong> (NC Coastal), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='819657' first='Tatum' last='Trotter'] </strong>(Next Revolution)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero -<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725456' first='Audrey' last='Busch']</strong> (Virginia Jrs), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730577' first='Anna' last='Hudson']</strong> (MOJO), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='781700' first='Gianna' last='Bonnett']</strong> (BAVA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] leads with three players, all of them who will compete for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 Nick. BAVA and [program_tooltip program_id='549544' first='Club' last='757'] have two each with both players competing with the same team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='618590' first='Lyla' last='Shannon']</strong> earned a Class 5 first team All State. She was the only non-senior to earn a selection on the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725456' first='Audrey' last='Busch']</strong> earned a Class 6 second team All State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768375' first='Alexis' last='VerMeer']</strong> earned a Class 1 first team All State. She also earned our MVP award for this event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747031' first='Braylin' last='Coacher']</strong> earned a first team All Region Class 6B as well as a first team Cardinal District, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan']</strong> also won first team Cardinal District.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Falling just short of making the team is [player_tooltip player_id='734796' first='Benisa' last='Moore'] who earned Class 6 All State first team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">All Tournament Team for those who got close to Earning a Top Performer Selection</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589171,"width":"359px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.501502019107653","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/16-Margaret-Maggie-Race.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589171" style="aspect-ratio:1.501502019107653;width:359px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='587035' first='Maggie' last='Race']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Left Side - <strong>Zari Northram</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy']), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='920064' first='Sonoma' last='Crandall']</strong> (River City Volleyball Academy), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768525' first='Kirbie' last='Edwards']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='498498' first='Virginia' last='Wave'])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right Side - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390169' first='Katherine' last='Russell']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891350' first='Kennedy' last='Walls']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setters - <strong>Alex Serina</strong> (AVA - 17 ONYX), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536724' first='Ariel' last='Callwood']</strong> (Sherwood), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587035' first='Maggie' last='Race']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587881' first='Allahna' last='Lacy']</strong> (Rise Volleyball Academy), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='921819' first='Kyla' last='Russell']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='767523' first='Grace' last='Morgan']</strong> (Roanoke United), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='777558' first='Kayla' last='R Tutoni'] </strong>([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='896390' first='Harper' last='Walker']</strong> (Metro), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] again dominates this team with four players but I believe all four are playing for different age groups. [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] have two players represented.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco']</strong> earned a first team Cardinal District selection and a second team Class 6B All Region. She also earned a top performer frosh award this past summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='777558' first='Kayla' last='R Tutoni']</strong>, <strong>Alex Serina</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='896390' first='Harper' last='Walker']</strong> also won top performer awards for frosh this past summer. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587881' first='Allahna' last='Lacy']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536724' first='Ariel' last='Callwood']</strong> won top performer awards for frosh the previous summer. Ariel was also named an honorable mention for the Washington Post All Metro team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Random List of Players to Note</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Liberos</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":729689,"width":"382px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.7800595704655903","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/80-Anna-Hudson.jpg?w=798" alt="" class="wp-image-729689" style="aspect-ratio:0.7800595704655903;width:382px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='730577' first='Anna' last='Hudson']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A little more than 35 percent of the players at the exposure tour defined their position as libero. With those kind of numbers, it is tough to watch them all. Because my main assignment consisted of watching middles and pins I did not get a lot of opportunity to watch the liberos. However, there are many who have stood out in previous play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='766236' first='Bella' last='Prendergast']</strong> DS/L ([program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite']) - Bella plays libero for Bishop O'Connell, which makes it easy for me to watch her play. As a frosh she suited up for junior varsity, a team that went undefeated despite carrying at least five "liberos" on their roster. A couple "liberos" played outside. Bella played mostly as a defensive specialist, but she brings the libero skills to the court. A sophomore ahead of her suited up in the libero role for most of the matches. Bella will play for [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] this year. She needs to continue working on improving her footwork and platform to squeeze a spot onto the varsity. Fast feet, good communication skills and quiet platforms are the tools to a strong libero. She is still a frosh so she can play one more year with junior varsity if she fails to make varsity. The talent definitely exists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco']</strong> DS/L (Paramount) - It takes a special libero to squeeze into the top ten in the rankings. Rose brings those qualities to the libero position (number 9 in our class of 2029). She earned a top performer award last year so she was not eligible this year. As I have mentioned before, there probably is not a better communicator, or more enthusiastic player on the court than Rose. She also glides quickly along the floor creating good platforms for passing and stationing herself in the right area for digging and covering the block. Despite her 5'2" frame she also jumps well to take a good swing at an outside set. She brings game to the pin position although I would recommend she stay at libero. Lots of talented liberos love to show they can also hit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='896390' first='Harper' last='Walker']</strong> DS/L (Metro) - Another player who won a frosh top performer award this past summer. Last year Harper played for Maryland Jrs. They battled Metro for supremacy among the 14 age group. Unfortunately, Metro won most of those battles. This year Harper will take her skills to play for Metro. She brings athleticism as well as quickness to the position, getting to balls many liberos let fall to the floor. It appears she will play for Metro National 15 along with a number of her Maryland Jrs teammates from last season. In some ways she reminds me a lot of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong>. If she can reach that level she will rock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='907223' first='Maci' last='Hensley']</strong> DS/L (Coast Volleyball Academy) - She left early because she was not feeling well so there was no chance to see her play. Her name appears on our watch list. Maci also lists setter as a position. She is the lone frosh to make her varsity roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='879248' first='Paige' last='Stoll']</strong> DS/L ([program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy']) - She impressed with a dig she made during the queen's competition while the players were warming up. In the most recent ranking she moved from the watch list to 100 based on her play with Colonial Forge. One of the players on my radar to watch a little more this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='767523' first='Grace' last='Morgan']</strong> DS/L (Roanoke United) - No denying the fire in her belly to compete. She also hits outside but at 5'5" that is not a position she will have success at as she continues to rise. This year she will play a year up with Roanoke United 17. I saw a little of her play at the Endless Summer tournament. She ranks at 106 in our class of 2028. With a full and healthy club season she carries the drive to succeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760223' first='Miah' last='Henderson']</strong> DS/L (St James 16 Navy - Annandale surprised many this season finishing second in the National Division. Miah started as a frosh helping the team go from 1-15 to 8-14 her first year. They improved even further her sophomore season as a libero going 13-8. Miah went from watch list to 149 in our most recent class of 2028 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='767052' first='Ellie' last='Calpin']</strong> DS/L (X-Factor) - Ellie combined with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730577' first='Anna' last='Hudson']</strong> to make an incredible play in the back row during the last half hour of six person. Ellie led a surprising Georgetown Visitation team in digs this year. Another libero making waves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730577' first='Anna' last='Hudson']</strong> DS/L (MOJO) - Got to love her competitive spirit. She also is not afraid to communicate on the court. When watching the last half hour of play I tagged her for top performer, but after talking to Jeremy, he had already identified her as a top performer. That stands out as a good evaluation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='541351' first='Charity' last='Morris']</strong> DS/L (XP 17/18) - Charity impressed a Prep Dig scout at our showcase in 2024. She further impressed me with her play at a tournament in which Centerville won the event. This earned her a spot at 159 in our most recent rankings for the class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756342' first='Olivia' last='Baick']</strong> ds/L (Virginia Juniors) - She started pretty consistently for Oakton in the back row as either a libero or defensive specialist. Her older sister Kennedy converted from volleyball to wrestling. If Olivia carries half the competitive drive of her older sister she will shine in the back row. Looking forward to watching her compete with Virginia Juniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Setters</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":781853,"width":"351px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.8554755455726586","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/24-Alex-Serina.jpg?w=876" alt="" class="wp-image-781853" style="aspect-ratio:0.8554755455726586;width:351px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alex Serina</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536724' first='Ariel' last='Callwood']</strong> S (Sherwood) - Ariel has already won a top performer award. In our class of 2028 she ranks as our highest setter at number 16. She also recently won an honorable mention tag from the Washington Post All Met team while setting for Sherwood. She made Jeremy's all "ate" team and my all non top performer all tournament team. Last club season she set for Metro 15, which won the gold in the National Division at the Junior Nationals in Dallas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alex Serina</strong> S (AVA 17) - Last summer she travelled from Pennsylvania to wow us with her setting earning her a top performer award at the frosh showcase. She swings lefthanded which makes her ideal to run a 5/1. For her junior varsity team she set a 5/1 finishing her high school season with 693 assists. At 5'8" she has decent height for a setter allowing her to contribute 47 kills during the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='770059' first='Allece' last='Anderson']</strong> S (Coastal) - Atlee had a good season this year qualifying to play in the state bracket before losing in the first round to Grafton. Her teammate frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='919428' first='Sophia' last='Childress']</strong> impressed enough to earn a top performer award. Because I focused on pins and middles there existed little opportunity to see Allece perform. She was a player to watch on my prep sheet. This past summer she impressed at our frosh event just missing earning a top performer award. She ranks at number 80 in our class of 2029. A player listed high on the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587035' first='Maggie' last='Race']</strong> S ([program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy']) - Maggie impressed with her hands when she was setting to the outside hitters. I was hoping to watch her more during the six person play. That never happened. She did make my non top performer all tournament team. She ranks at 103 in our class of 2028. Maggie set for [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] this past club season when the 15 team won the Shamrock Showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pins</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390169' first='Katherine' last='Russell']</strong> RS (Paramount) - Katherine is a 6'2" lefty who plays right side. She put a number of balls away getting serious consideration for a top performer award. She will play for Paramount Allorie wearing the same jersey as [player_tooltip player_id='921819' first='Kyla' last='Russell'], a middle who also came close to earning a top performer award. Both earned a spot on the All tournament team for non top performers. Katherine brings an approach jump of 9'5'.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778444' first='Zari' last='Northam']</strong> outside ([program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy']) - She put a couple balls away during hitting drills with the outsides. Her height appears taller than 5'8". Her hitting during warm ups earned her a spot on the All tournament team for the non top performer category. She and [player_tooltip player_id='879248' first='Paige' last='Stoll'] were two frosh who appeared on the talented Colonial Forge roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768525' first='Kirbie' last='Edwards']</strong> left side ([program_tooltip program_id='498498' first='Virginia' last='Wave']) - She impressed me with her swing. Her 5'7" height would make her undersized for an outside. Only a frosh so there is room for growth with both her skill set as well as her height.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='920064' first='Sonoma' last='Crandall'] </strong>left side (River City Volleyball Academy) - At 5'10 she brings good height to the pin position. What impressed me most was her passing. This past season Midlothian relied on two smaller outsides for most of their offense. This may change with Sonoma hitting a pin. Because Midlothian lacks roster information it is difficult to identify players making contributions to the varsity team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891350' first='Kennedy' last='Walls'] </strong>right side ([program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club']) - At 5'9" she is undersized for a right side. However, she does a good job at putting the ball away. She turns her right hand well to paint the right side lines. A cerebral player who can calculate where the best shot exists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Middles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589184,"width":"357px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.501502019107653","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/30-Allahna-Lacy.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589184" style="aspect-ratio:1.501502019107653;width:357px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='587881' first='Allahna' last='Lacy']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587881' first='Allahna' last='Lacy']</strong> middle (Rise Volleyball Academy) - Allahna attends high school in Maryland but plays for a club located in West Virginia. At 6'1" she has height for the middle. She earned a top performer award last year at our frosh showcase last summer. Physically, she is a strong player who can dominate at the net. For her high school she finished second on her team in kills and first in blocks. Definitely a game changer on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='921819' first='Kyla' last='Russell'] </strong>middle (Paramount) - Kyla still carries a bit of rawness with her swings when attempting to hit the quick tempo sets. What she brings to the court is a long wing span that can reach high over the net for an effective block. For Paramount her 9'10" approach jump ranks as the highest on the second team. With more experience her consistency will improve.</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 -->