Some Jewels to Watch at National Harbor

Charm City in Baltimore will not be the only volleyball event this weekend, provided we do not experience another snow cancellation. Another volleyball tournament will be held at National Harbor, which for some teams start Friday afternoon and goes through Sunday. The talent level lacks the strength of players competing at Charm City in Baltimore, but there still remain players ranked in the top 50 competing.   Perhaps the strongest player might be [player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier'] who set her team to an undefeated high school season. That resulted in a state championship for Howard and a number of accolades. Imagine will set for the Columbia Junior Volleyball Club 18 team. However, she has committed to Middle Tennessee State. For these tournaments I try to focus on those players who have yet to commit. So with that, below lists some of the players you might want to watch who rank in the top 50.    Emmeri can hit either outside or middle. During her frosh season she combined with [player_tooltip player_id='325603' first='Parker' last='Sutherland'] to give Hedgesville the West Virginia state championship. They fell short this past season losing to Morgantown in the finals. This past season Emmeri finished third on the team in kills.   The previous club season she hit outside for Liberty Elite. This year she is back with [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 17 where she continues to be listed as a middle/outside.   With her 6'2" height she brings an approach jump of 9'5". Definietely, a player to put on your radar. Lots of versatility in her game. With her long arm extension she can tip balls over many blocks.     One thing you can say about Victoria is she remains pretty loyal. While half her Maryland Jrs. 15 team left for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Victoria stayed with Maryland Juniors. Of course, it may be harder as a libero to take another liberos spot.   She is one of the best in the business with her passing and playing defense. Two years ago, Maryvale won the IAAM Bracket "A" championship. Last year they reached the finals before losing to Annapolis Area Christian. All of this success because one of the top liberos in the area competes in the back row.   Of course, just as I start writing this up I learn she has recently committed to Bridgewater.     It seemed like last week when I wrote about her taking on a new role by setting for MOJO 17. This move allows her to set her grade, better preparing herself for the high school season. It's not that she did that bad last year setting a 5/1 while leading Flint Hill to a national championship.   They did rely heavily on [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] for their offense last season. It is hard to expect one person to stay focused for every game. Setting for MOJO allows Ava to build a team first mentality. Good setters will begin a game by allowing every hitter to contribute to a team's success. As the set enters the later stages that is when you start to rely on the key players to get you over the top.   MOJO played in their first local Open tournament a couple weeks ago and took third place. That is a nice start to their season.     Looking for a big, effective middle, Alexis can certainly do the job. Another 6'2" [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] player who plays high school ball in West Virginia. Her older sister Samantha Stephens started the volleyball train rolling, but Alexis success links back to her earlier start in volleyball.   While her sister swung left handed and for the most part hit right side, Alexis remains entrenched in the middle. She is a force to be reckoned with. When [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] needs a critical kill Alexis is normally their choice to feed.   For Spring Mills she led her team in blocks, hitting percentage while also finishing third in kills. What is most impressive about Alexis play is her maturity. She doesn't allow any error to phase her and keeps battling to score points.     Sierra ranks number 3 in our class of 2029. That is the highest ranking for any player competing in the National Harbor. Sierra is another player who stayed loyal to her club. While almost all her 14 U team scattered for Metro Travel or National Sierra stayed with Maryland Juniors. While others will fight for playing time Sierra will dominate from the left side, standing out as the primary hitter for her team.   She has inched up to 6'0" and with her combination of jump and height she crushes balls over most blocks. Her approach jump is greater than 10'2". An exceptional athlete with an incredible wrist snap. Definitely a difference maker on the court.   Her back row play needs some improvement but the more she plays it the better she will get.     At 5'10 she does not reach the height of the two other [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] middles/outsides. However, the dominance in her game still exists. Like many of the [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] middles she settles for higher sets that she puts away. If challenged with one middle blocker she will hit it past them. Of course, as she starts playing with the older age groups that dominance will get tougher.   Avery earned a spot on the first team as a frosh for the Northwestern District along with her [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] teammate [player_tooltip player_id='878688' first='Mckenna' last='Homans'].   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] took third place in their first Open tournament this year losing to both Metro Travel and Metro National. It would not surprise me to see the 15U team win the National Harbor.

Charm City in Baltimore will not be the only volleyball event this weekend, provided we do not experience another snow cancellation. Another volleyball tournament will be held at National Harbor, which for some teams start Friday afternoon and goes through Sunday. The talent level lacks the strength of players competing at Charm City in Baltimore, but there still remain players ranked in the top 50 competing.