Other Top Performers at Virginia Exposure Tour

The middles also brought some talent even though the group was smaller. It appears only nine of the 13 listed middle position players showed up at their court. [player_tooltip player_id='748492' first='Paetyn' last='Brown'] from Annapolis Area Christian and Heidi Howard from Drew Charter/A-5 in Georgia I had flagged but did not see with the middles. Of those nine, four made the top performer list. Below are nine additional top performers, four middles, three setters, one libero and one right side.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Middles</h2>   At the beginning of the drills the middles got an appreciation of how difficult it is for a setter to deliver the quick tempo sets. They each took turns setting each other during warmups. When the setters finally broke off to the individual courts the middles were ecstatic to see the real setters show up. They were now allowed to show their stuff. I could almost hear them all breath a sign of relief. These were the four who stood out.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_Lyla-Shannon.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-922419" style="width:342px;height:auto" /></figure>    I'd already watched her play recently when Ocean Lakes went to play Riverside in the semi-finals of the Class 5 state championships. Lyla hit a variety of balls at different spots along the net with different heights. She looked especially effective when hitting the slide.   Lyla makes hitting the middle sets look so easy. Even when she had to set the middles she showed some quality hands. When the setters came on the court rarely did she miss tempo. Unfortunately, I did not see any of her blocking.   Her approach jump reaches 9'11". That can work from either the middle or right side. Riverside had difficulty stopping her. After her performance against Riverside she moved up in the rankings from 79 to 31. Add a top performer to her accomplishments and the climb up the rankings should continue.   Lyla will play this season for [program_tooltip program_id='549544' first='Club' last='757']. Lots of improvement since the last time I saw her play as a sophomore. She was actually the lone non senior named to the Class 5 All State first team.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_skyler-Ryan.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-922430" style="width:381px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='918863' first='Skyler' last='Ryan'] middle (Laney/NC Coastal) - When you see a class of 2027 player with her length (6'2") crush quick tempo sets to the floor you wonder why she escaped your radar. It turns out she plays in North Carolina for Laney high school. She did not really need to time the quick tempo sets. If the set was too high and she was early she just stopped, jumped and with her wing span hammered the ball to the floor. I didn't get a chance to see her play sixes.   Last year for her high school she acted as team captain. She also led her team in kills per set as well as hitting percentage. When blocking her hands get high over the net making it difficult to hit through her. After spending some time with the middles she slipped over to join the outside hitters and did not miss a beat. She seemed very fluid hitting the higher outside sets. The brief time I caught her passing she formed a nice quiet platform. It appears her athleticism allows a lot of versatility to her game.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_Sydney-Lewis.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-922559" style="width:413px;height:auto" /></figure>    Normally, I limit our top performer awards to one per player. I try my best to give more players an opportunity to win the award. I have relaxed that a little for those who win frosh top performer awards. No reason to prevent them from winning a more prestigious award.   Last year Sydney won a frosh top performer award. At that time her offensive game was a little rough but she put up a good block with her length. At this event her offensive game flashed better with improved timing with the quick tempo sets. In actual game situations this can prove more difficult depending on how well the transition.   Sydney has grown an inch since that Frosh showcase. While she made the varsity for Riverside her playing time was restricted. She brought an impressive .366 hitting percentage to the court in the 19 sets she played.   Sydney will suit up for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 first team. Her approach jump records at 9'9". Plenty to like about Sydney's game.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_Tatum-Trotter.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-922577" style="width:355px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='819657' first='Tatum' last='Trotter'] Middle (Christiansburg/Next Revolution) - Tatum was the perfect candidate for this exposure tour. The class of 2028 middle played for powerhouse Christiansburg who went undefeated until the finals of the Class 3 state playoffs. That is when they lost their one and only match. Tatum is a 6'1" middle/right side who contributed to their success, however I had never seen her play other than on video. At the Virginia exposure tour I finally got the opportunity. She certainly did not disappoint. When she completes her follow through and allows her core to finish her swing she strikes the ball very hard. Her timing for the quick tempo sets is still not polished but the tools exist. Her biggest strength is her blocking. Tatum will play up for Next Revolution 17.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Setters</h2>   I only reviewed the setters during the last half hour, but I also got the opportunity to see them work when they split into groups to set the middles and pin hitters. On a number of occasions, the coaches would tell me to watch number "X" when conducting their drills. These are the three setters who came out as top performers in my limited watch.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_Zeynep-Anaz.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-922587" style="width:362px;height:auto" /></figure>    Last year Zeynep impressed me with her ability to hit outside. Unfortunately, as a frosh she yielded time to the more experienced players, especially as the season winded down. Her 5'9" height might have influenced her to change positions.   I saw her set this past season at Go Volley and she did a good job. As a hitter you can see that she has a high volleyball IQ to know the open spots on the court. It does not take a lot to transfer that volleyball IQ to knowing who to set and when to set them. As a former hitter she can also get a feel about which player she can trust to put the ball away during those clutch moments when you need the point. She seemed to have picked up the jump setting rather quickly.   During her first year as the Marshall setter the team qualified to play in the state bracket. One more win and they would have been in the final four for the first time in school history. Unfortunately, Grassfield swept them in three.   Zeynep will try to improve her craft setting for Virginia Juniors this year. After that who knows what is in store next high school season.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_Braylin-Coacher.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-922748" style="width:398px;height:auto" /></figure>    Braylin won a top performer award at the frosh showcase last summer prior to the high school season. She again stood out at the Virginia exposure tour. Two different coaches pointed her out as a player I needed to watch. It didn't take a lot of convincing since I have seen her set in high school and club on a number of occasions to know that she is a quality setter.   As a frosh she set for Woodbridge, earning first team honors in the Cardinal District. She led them to the Regionals setting a 5/1. That is a lot to ask of a frosh setter. Eventually they lost in the first round to Mountain View.   This club season she will set for a very talented [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 team. With [player_tooltip player_id='752431' first='Kayla' last='Chang'], another top performer at this event also setting she will probably set a 6/2. It would not surprise me that opportunities open up where both get a chance to set a 5/1.      <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_kayla-chang.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-922758" style="width:401px;height:auto" /></figure>    When watching players perform there is always an event that occurs that catches my eye. For setters, that is a smooth, impeccable jump set. The more consistently the setter performs her jump set the higher she rises in my evaluation.   It seemed as if every set Kayla performed was a jump set, even shooting off a sweet, smooth back set that floated directly into the hitter's zone. Even when setting a 6/2 middles will jump to block them not recognizing the setter is a back row player. It is like Pavlov's dog experiments, middles are conditioned to try to block when they see someone jump in the front row.   Briar Woods was one win away from earning a spot in the state bracket. Unfortunately for them, they had to face Riverside in the semi-finals of the Regionals. Riverside beat them for the fourth time in the season to advance to the state bracket.   This club season Kayla will team up with [player_tooltip player_id='747031' first='Braylin' last='Coacher'] to set for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15. Another top performer [player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan'] will hit outside for them.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Libero</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTourDMV_TP_Audrey-Busch.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-922767" style="width:421px;height:auto" /></figure>    Since Jeremy was assessing liberos I recommended he look at one. Audrey impressed me playing for West Springfield and I sought a second opinion. Color us unanimous.   She sparkled, especially with her communication on the court. Teams do not win state championships without a good active libero. Two years ago when I watched West Springfield play she did not stand out. This past season she took command of the back row. In the class of 2027 rankings she made her first appearance at 51, the second highest debut in our most recent rankings (though Prep Dig historical records show she may have also made a January 2025 debut).   Audrey will take her skills to Virginia Juniors 16 where she will team up with another top performer setter [player_tooltip player_id='562335' first='Zeynep' last='Anaz'] and a number of prior top performers such as [player_tooltip player_id='523664' first='Reese' last='Roberts'] and [player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini'] to earn a junior national bid.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Left Side</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/PDExposureTour_TopPerformer_Lexiana-Everetts.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-922771" style="width:363px;height:auto" /></figure>    [player_tooltip player_id='443570' first='Lexiana' last='Everetts'] attended the first Virginia Prep Dig showcase held at St. James in Arlington way back in 2023. After that she moved to Ohio. She has returned to Virginia, growing a couple inches to 6'0" while moving from middle to right side. Upon her return she debuted in the rankings at number 41.   She puts up a good block on the right side, reaching 9'2" with her block jump. Her approach jump rises to 9'9". With more strength training and conditioning those numbers should rise. Her middle experience allows her to sneak in for quick tempo attacks from the pin positions. Lexiana is a dedicated athlete who works hard at her craft.   This past high school season Lexiana played for Colonial Forge. They lost in five sets to Colgan in the semi-finals of the Regional play, one win shy of qualifying for States. This club season Lexiana will play one year up for Virginia Elite 18.

The middles also brought some talent even though the group was smaller. It appears only nine of the 13 listed middle position players showed up at their court. Paetyn Brown Paetyn Brown 5'10" | MB/OH Annapolis | 2029 State VA from Annapolis Area Christian and Heidi Howard from Drew Charter/A-5 in Georgia I had flagged but did not see with the middles. Of those nine, four made the top performer list. Below are nine additional top performers, four middles, three setters, one libero and one right side.