Loads of Talented Pin Top Performers at Virginia Exposure Tour

The exposure tour was held at the [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] because I do not get the opportunity to visit the Southern Virginia area as much as I like. The hope was that the talent level and turnout would not disappoint. Wow! The response and talent definitely delivered.   The mixture of the many Northern Virginia players who ventured south with the players in Southern Virginia created a tremendous combination. These two groups don't often get the chance to play as teammates. When they see each other it is usually across the net. On Saturday they got the opportunity to blend well as teammates.   Since there were over 100 attendees at this event Jeremy Strain and I broke it out into two groups. Jeremy took the heavy load with setters and liberos. I took the somewhat lighter load with pins and middles. For the last half hour of six person play we reversed roles and I focused on the setters and liberos while Jeremy eyed the pins and middles.   There were a number of talented pins in this group, one reason I chose to focus on that area. Below are six pins named as top performers who really impressed.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Performing Pins</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_alexis-VerMeer.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-921533" style="width:471px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alexis Vermeer</figcaption></figure>    She brings a good blend of height and power to the game. At the exposure tour she was the first player that stood out. Turns out that at the end of the day she won the Avoli MVP award for the event. It was a unanimous selection.   Alexis plays for Lancaster High where she led the team in kills, averaging about 5.2 kills per set. She also hit at a .334 hitting percentage. A six rotation player who can possibly do it all, tough serves, good block, strong defense and serve receive. Setting could stand out as a short coming but it would not surprise me that she could play that in a pinch.   Alexis will play for [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] 16 this season. After watching her play that #36 ranking should shoot up. This was the first time I remember actually seeing her play live and she rocked. Definitely a player to put on the radar. A good mixture of power with speed.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_Benisa-Moore.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-921545" style="width:497px;height:auto" /></figure>    At 5'7" Benisa classifies as one of those undersized left sides that will drive you crazy if you are the opposing coach. I have seen her achieve success in club tournaments with a cerebral kind of play. She uses shots and blocks to score her points, but she can also hit the ball hard. She showed that cerebral style of play at the exposure tour deftly using the hands of blockers to finish a kill.   Benisa played at Grassfield. They reached the semi-finals of the Class 6 Virginia state championship before falling to the eventual champion West Springfield. This club season she will attempt to enhance her stock with [program_tooltip program_id='549544' first='Club' last='757']. One thing I recommend when you face her is do not underestimate her because of her height. She will definitely leave you shell shocked as another ball finds the floor.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_Aubrey-Allen.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-921673" style="width:438px;height:auto" /></figure>   Aubrey Allen OH (Pee Dee Academy/Coast United 16) - When you try to watch over 100 players in a two hour window you tend to find that it is the same player who continues to make a play that impresses you. That turned out the case with Aubrey. At 5'11" and belonging to the class of 2028 Aubrey seemed to always deliver when getting a set. When you saw a good block there was number 34 on the outside participating in the rejection. She moves well around the court with a nice whip in her arm swing. Aubrey plays for Pee Dee Academy in South Carolina. I always like to keep track of those out of state top performers. She certainly stood out like one.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_-Avery-Alderks.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-921679" style="width:423px;height:auto" /></figure>    Avery recently jumped up in my rankings from the watch list to #42. At the exposure tour she confirmed the validity of that upgrade. She possesses a strong swing hitting balls hard to the floor. At 6'0" she can hit around the block, or when she swings high the ball flies off the blocks.   I did not see any of her back row play. As a frosh she deserves an early look as she will only get better. Avery will play for [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] 15 Black for the club season. At high school she played for First Colonial which fell short of making the state playoffs when they lost to Ocean Lakes in the first round of Regional play. Watch out for the Patriots next year.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_Ava-Grilliott.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-921689" style="width:404px;height:auto" /></figure>    At 6'3" Ava can make a difference at the net. Another player who moved up in the rankings based on her play at South Lakes. As stated in a previous evaluation the arm swing still needs work to allow her to pack more velocity in her swings. However, she has only been playing the game for three years so with time that skill should improve. What she can do now is tip over blocks from the right side. And block.   Ava can certainly intimidate a swing from a left side as her hands carry high over the net. This year she will play for Virginia Volleyball Academy 18. While she can play middle her reads and speed for moving to the pins makes the right side the ideal position for her. With more experience playing the middle, you will probably see improvement.   As I watch more of her play that 126 ranking appears a little low.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_Senah-Drazdowski.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-921694" style="width:416px;height:auto" /></figure>    Senah appears to be a player who can compete at multiple positions. She stands out as the third player named as a top performer who also moved up in the updated rankings. For Jamestown she did it all with blocking, setting and hitting. She told me that she also finds herself in the back row to play defense. When looking at her stats for Jamestown she ranked fourth on her team in digs.   Senah will play for [program_tooltip program_id='498498' first='Virginia' last='Wave'] this year. Because the team already carries two setters she may not set as often this club season. On the roster she lists as RS/S. Her versatility at multiple positions can only enhance her value.

The exposure tour was held at the Richmond Volleyball Club because I do not get the opportunity to visit the Southern Virginia area as much as I like. The hope was that the talent level and turnout would not disappoint. Wow! The response and talent definitely delivered.