Players Who Shined at Volley by the James

On the first day an attempt is made to see players from as many teams as possible, especially focusing on watch list players or those I have not seen in awhile. The second day is spent watching the first division teams pursue their way to gold. Unfortunately, there was no third day since I spent that time coaching my own team. Below are the players from the class of 2028 and 2029 who stood out at Volley by the James. Lots of players discussed below.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] 16</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/57-Alexis-VerMeer.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-935641" style="aspect-ratio:0.6670104491789931;width:379px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='768375' first='Alexis' last='VerMeer']</figcaption></figure>   They finished second in the tournament. Some known players stood out as well as some new ones. It has been awhile since I have watched RVC play.   [player_tooltip player_id='768375' first='Alexis' last='VerMeer'] outside - A 6'1" six rotation player provides a mix of athleticism with strength. When talking to one of the coaches they tell me she has received strong interest from Division I colleges. She plays under the radar at a small Class 1 high school in Virginia but grabbed my attention with a simple email with video. My first time seeing her play was at the Prep Dig Exposure tour at [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']. With over 100 players in attendance, she was a unanimous selection for MVP of the event. Currently ranked at number 36 in our class of 2028 that should rise significantly after her performance this past weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='464573' first='Blake' last='Crawford'] outside - She plays taller than her 5'8" listed height. She gets great extension from her arms and just whips that left arm into the ball. She plays a year down, ranked at number 16 in our class of 2027. Despite her lefthanded swing she plays left side because of her ability to play all six rotations. She moves around to different areas of the net once in the front row hitting balls from the middle, left or right side. She also fires rockets from her left arm when she serves. A player who carries a high volleyball IQ when on the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='536717' first='London' last='Jones'] right side - Despite her 5'7" height she gets an approach jump reaching 10'2". She currently ranks at number 12 in our class of 2028. She normally plays the right side. Because [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] runs a 6'2" she gets rotated out before she finds the back row. The higher the level she rises the more difficult it becomes to play with her diminutive stature. Blocking can become an issue and hitting through taller blocks creates a greater challenge. Currently, she hits the balls high off the blocks, which gives her success on offense. When facing just one block she usually buries it to the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='936618' first='Ryann' last='Owensby'] and [player_tooltip player_id='721139' first='Mollie' last='Wamhoff'] setters -They do a good job of mixing their sets to various positions along the net to keep the defenses guessing. Ryann sets for Central Home School that finished 36-4. She finished her season with over 100 aces. At 5'10" she shows good height for a setter. Mollie is a multisport athlete who also dabbles in lacrosse. Both players currently fall on our watch list. Next step will be a ranking.   [player_tooltip player_id='936616' first='Mycah' last='Bingham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='936617' first='Ava' last='Shabazz'] middles - Two more players who appear on my watch list. They both show athleticism with the ability to hit the quicks in the middle. Ava stands 6'1" while Mycah lists at 5'11". Both show strong blocks in the middle, getting their hands up high over the net.   [player_tooltip player_id='937152' first='Ella' last='Davis'] libero - She shows good hustle in the back row. For her high school she lists as a setter. That could explain her consistency with her out of system sets. Ella shows strong skills in both passing and playing defense.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Heart of Virginia National 16</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='937161' first='Sawyer' last='Almond'] left side - She can put the ball to the floor pretty quickly. A six rotation player who was generally hidden in serve receive. She smacked a number of balls from the back row. For her high school team she finished second in kills, first in aces and was used in serve receive. This earned her a spot on the first team all District and Region and second team All State.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] 16</h2>   <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:427px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='587035' first='Maggie' last='Race']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='587035' first='Maggie' last='Race'] setter - This is the first time I can remember watching Maggie set in a match. There have been brief looks at showcases. At the exposure tour she stood out but fell short of a top performer award. Against Maryland Juniors she showed off some good hands, even making a one handed push set to the outside on a tight pass. Maggie also made some nice quick tempo sets to middle [player_tooltip player_id='937250' first='Joy' last='Fawole']. She shares the setting duties with [player_tooltip player_id='627365' first='Alexa' last='Eggleton'].   [player_tooltip player_id='937250' first='Joy' last='Fawole'] middle - She brings good height to the middle at 6'1", banging a number of quick tempo sets from [player_tooltip player_id='587035' first='Maggie' last='Race']. Her 6'1" height led to a couple key blocks.   [player_tooltip player_id='664973' first='Annalese' last='James'] libero - Annalese made a number of nice digs against Maryland Juniors, including taking a shot with a two handed dig hands up. That showed off some strong hands. She also showed some good hustle on the court. Another one of those players on the fringes of the rankings at Number 146. Her communication on the court keeps this team scrappy when playing defense.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maryland Juniors 16</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Charlotte-Dittmar-Reese-Roberts.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732495" style="aspect-ratio:1.501502019107653;width:478px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='587884' first='Charlotte' last='Dittmar']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='587884' first='Charlotte' last='Dittmar'] middle - Good to see Charlotte back on the court again. A knee injury forced her to miss all of last season. She is back and made some key blocks late in the game against HOV 16 that gave Juniors the 26-24 win in set one. It still looks like she still needs to get her court sense back, but when she does she will return to her dominating form.   [player_tooltip player_id='809493' first='Alexis' last='Beasley'] middle - At 6'1" Alexis stands tall in the middle. At this point her ability to block stands out above her offensive game. With time that offensive game will develop.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16 Alec</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Gianna-Molfino1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732510" style="aspect-ratio:1.2503126858173914;width:439px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Giana Molfino</figcaption></figure>   This team lacks the height of the [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maureen team. What they lack in height they make up for with tenacity. Two losses on the second day dropped them to the Bronze bracket.   [player_tooltip player_id='730594' first='Gianna' last='Molfino'] left side - A smaller left side at 5'6" she put her fair share of balls away, even successfully pulling off a block of her own. She places balls well relying on shots in the deep corner.   [player_tooltip player_id='536734' first='Serena' last='Wong'] libero - She made a couple nice digs on missiles hit by the [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] pins. One comment I made about her last year was her cognitive processing and quick movements needed to improve when she was a frosh playing against some of the older players in high school. She certainly has made progress in that area.   [player_tooltip player_id='722900' first='Amanda' last='Dadio'] setter - One skill that stood out with Amanda were the bullets she served at [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']. They had difficulty receiving her serves. If she didn't get an ace she forced an out of system set. The only time Richmond could side out on her serves is when she missed deep. Amanda communicates well when on the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='789955' first='Nia' last='Isirimah'] middle - Nia is a battler on the court. She got clocked pretty good on a spike by [player_tooltip player_id='464573' first='Blake' last='Crawford']. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] was playing [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] pretty well until she was forced to leave the game, just losing the first set 25-22 but after Nia departed the fight disappeared and they lost the second set 25-14. The good news is that the trainer cleared Nia and she appears good to go.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Valley Juniors 16</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='722538' first='Maren' last='Bert'] left side - Despite her small stature Maren makes an impact with her defense in the back row as well as her ability to provide offense in the front and back row. She ranks at number 69 in our class of 2028. Maren earned a spot on the second team in the Valley District.   [player_tooltip player_id='768536' first='Claire' last='Stallard'] middle - Claire is a tall 6'1' middle. Last year she was one of eleven players to shine at Gran Prix. She stood out again in this tournament for her ability to tip balls over blocks   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15</h2>   I did not watch too much of [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maureen 16 this past weekend because I saw them the previous weekend. This was my first look at the [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick 15 team and they carry lots of talent. You have to wonder how all this talent will develop.   [player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan'] left side - Elliot lists at 6'0" to 6'1". Younger girls with that type of height usually start off very stiff and mechanical with their approach, showing off a slow arm swing that can still put the ball away but you want to see more. As they get older that stiffness slowly evaporates while the arm swing gets faster. Elliot was a little stiff when I saw her early in the high school season. She is quite pliable now winning a top performer award at our Exposure tour. Now she dominates from the left side at this tournament, playing six rotations. For her high school Woodbridge, I remember her playing just three rotations. If there was an MVP at the 15 level she would get my vote.   [player_tooltip player_id='779106' first='Isabella' last='Jeantel'] right side - Last year Isabella played middle for Libero and dominated at the nonOpen level. At 6'0" she showed some impressive athleticism. In high school she switched to outside, continuing that transformation at the club level. This past weekend it appears she is still working with her timing to hit the higher sets, but with her height and reach she towers over the blockers on the right side. She has the highest approach jump on the [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] team at 10'2.5". It would not surprise me to see her move to the left side once she gets used to the higher sets, although last year she did hit twos in the middle.   [player_tooltip player_id='752431' first='Kayla' last='Chang'] setter - Kayla brings a calm intensity to her setting. It appears nothing rattles her as she goes about running the offense. As a frosh she was the primary setter for Briar Woods setting a 5/1. For [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] she shares the setting duties with [player_tooltip player_id='747031' first='Braylin' last='Coacher'], who was a teammate of [player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan'] at Woodbridge.   [player_tooltip player_id='763157' first='Olivia' last='Li'] defensive specialist - Olivia will not get a lot of libero time with [player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco'] playing that position. However, she plays a solid back row, making a number of excellent plays where she flew herself in the air to chase a ball. Her passing also looks pretty consistent. Always good to have a little depth in that back row area.   [player_tooltip player_id='893947' first='Annika' last='Warren'] and [player_tooltip player_id='763151' first='Sydney' last='Lewis'] middles - Always good to have depth in the middle position. With Sydney and Annika at 6'1" and 6'0" with approach jumps over 10 feet or hovering close this club is filled with talent at the middle. They also have two twins in [player_tooltip player_id='755129' first='Lillian' last='Battcock'] and [player_tooltip player_id='755132' first='Abigail' last='Battcock'], who both stand 6'2", as well as [player_tooltip player_id='787919' first='Charlotte' last='Booth'] at 6'1' who can play there. Also, particularly scary for the opposition is all of them can play right side as well. A team that can mix and match depending on results.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] 15</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/72-Zari-Northam.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-935651" style="aspect-ratio:0.6670003238437306;width:299px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='778444' first='Zari' last='Northam']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='779119' first='Isabelle' last='Thompson'] setter - Rare to see a team run a 5/1 at the 15 level. Normally, coaches like to have two setters share the court running a 6/2. Isabelle was particularly adept at hitting middle [player_tooltip player_id='779114' first='Lacie' last='Rayford'] with the quick tempo sets. Not a surprise since the two were teammates at Fredericksburg Christian. The duo got the Eagles into the finals of the Division II VISAA.   [player_tooltip player_id='778444' first='Zari' last='Northam'] left side - Zari showed a good jump hitting outside. At 5'8" she needs all of that jump to power the ball down. In the set I watched she only played three rotations.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Virginia Elite 15</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='935939' first='Maya' last='Perry'] left side - At 5'8" Maya is not a particularly tall left side. What makes her successful is her hops with an approach jump that reaches 9'7". That is tied for the highest approach jump on the team. Only the 6'1" [player_tooltip player_id='903896' first='Nicole' last='McDermott'] can equal that jump. She also brings good enthusiasm on the court. As a frosh for a rebuilding Potomac team, she finished second in kills and third in digs. She ended up setting the game winning kill in the one set I watched showcasing her flexibility.   [player_tooltip player_id='763132' first='Raegan' last='Giuliani'] setter - Her older sister used her height to play middle. At 5'10" Raegan defines her task as a setter. She set for Potomac as a frosh, the same high school as [player_tooltip player_id='935939' first='Maya' last='Perry']. She does a good job of feeding the balls to the outsides.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Roanoke United 15</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='937485' first='Ashby' last='Wilkes'] left side - She hits the ball hard from the left side. That hard swing earned her a first team Three Rivers district and a second team All Region. At 5'10" she brings some good height for the left side. It did not appear she was afraid to swing hard at anything coming her way. Fortunately for her she was usually successful at finding the court.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">American 15</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/3-Mia-Flores.jpg?w=992" alt="" class="wp-image-781833" style="aspect-ratio:0.9697061255645315;width:356px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='764043' first='Mia' last='Flores']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='764043' first='Mia' last='Flores'] setter - Mia stood out at the Prep Dig frosh showcase last June. In the tournament she accumulated a number of ace serves in a match against Crosscourt. She also showed some nice hands for setting. Mia is a player who appears on our watch list.   [player_tooltip player_id='754655' first='Bella' last='Pereyra'] left side - A smaller girl she showed off a power arm. She also could break out the roll shot for a kill. Interesting that she also was named as a breakout player in our first tournament this year at Maryland Juniors. Looks like she is putting it together.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maryland Juniors 15</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/16-Sophie-Lorgea.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-781845" style="aspect-ratio:1.0148789215278355;width:328px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='783302' first='Sophie' last='Lorgea']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas'] left side - Sierra was one of the few players who stayed from the Maryland Juniors 14 team that qualified for the Open last year in Junior Nationals. It appears she has gotten stronger becomes the velocity of her hits has gotten greater. She was bouncing balls to the floor hitting cross court. Just when I started thinking that she lacked a line shot she pounded one down the line. She also appears to be getting a lot more opportunity to play back row expanding her offensive game.   [player_tooltip player_id='783302' first='Sophie' last='Lorgea'] middle - At the Prep Dig frosh showcase she stood out for her 6'2" height but her tools were still rather raw. She played for the Maryland Juniors 13 team last year. It appears this year she will skip a grade and play her age. It appears much of that rawness from last year has now developed. She hits the ball hard and with her height puts up a good block.   [player_tooltip player_id='753079' first='Reagan' last='Barrett'] right side - Reagan is another returner from the Maryland Juniors 14 team. At 6'1" she carries some good height for the right side. She powers the ball hard, especially when hitting down the line. Reagan belongs to the class of 2028.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MVSA Charge</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='937536' first='Cameron' last='Smith'] left side - She has a good arm that can put some velocity on the ball. She also blocks well and plays six rotations. Cameron appears to belong to the class of 2028. She powered a set winning kill against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] to give them an opening set win. Unfortunately, they lost their next two sets.   [player_tooltip player_id='937539' first='Cydney' last='Tanseco'] setter - Following in the footsteps of her older sister by becoming a setter. She set a 5/1 for the MVSA team. Cydney made the Magruder varsity team as a frosh, joining her sister who sets for the team.   [player_tooltip player_id='937564' first='Leighann' last='Ekoe'] middle - While she played and blocked middle she also participated in back row attacks. At 5'8" she is a smaller player. Because she shows some good quickness for a middle blocker a move to the outside could be in her future..   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Liberty Elite 15</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='937574' first='Tenley' last='Cobb'] libero - She flies all over the court playing with great intensity. Serves the ball well, but after one serve was called for an overlap because she went to the middle to pass. What impressed me is she immediately took the blame for the error. She also dug a hard hit from [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas']. Last year for her high school season she played for Smithsburg earning a spot on the All County first team and the All Central Maryland second team.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SERV 17U Club Champions</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/SERV-winning-Gold.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-937580" style="aspect-ratio:1.4797854785478548;width:767px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: SERV 17</figcaption></figure>   In the 17 Club Division SERV won the championship. They swept all their opponents, not giving up 20 points until the Gold Medal Bracket round. In the Gold Medal Bracket Round they swept past Peake Volleyball Academy 25-22, 25-20 then swept past American Red 25-20, 25-12.   Serve is led by Exposure Top Performer [player_tooltip player_id='720452' first='Brianna' last='Douglas'].

On the first day an attempt is made to see players from as many teams as possible, especially focusing on watch list players or those I have not seen in awhile. The second day is spent watching the first division teams pursue their way to gold. Unfortunately, there was no third day since I spent that time coaching my own team. Below are the players from the class of 2028 and 2029 who stood out at Volley by the James. Lots of players discussed below.