Players to Watch at the Boston Qualifier

There are not as many DMV teams at the Boston Qualifier so I can name one player from each team from the 14-16 age group that are participating in the Open or USA Division that are worth a watch. There are no 17 U teams competing.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 Open</h2>   [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']    She reminds me a lot of [player_tooltip player_id='941986' first='Coco' last='Lewis']. They both share the same height at 6'1" as well as play left side covering six rotation. The also bring a strong, pyhsical presence to their game, not relying so much on quickness or finesse but power to get the job done.   The big difference is in high school Coco plays in a very competitive WCAC while Alexis plays Class 1. Coco also plays in the Chesapeake Region against teams like Metro and [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. Alexis plays in the Old Dominion Region where their club is historically the strongest program.   Playing in qualifiers gives Alexis the opportunity to test her skills against some of the stronger teams in the country. She certainly brings the skills to succeed. All the tools are there to play Division I. She just needs the eyes to show them off.    Sleeper Picks - At 5'7" right side [player_tooltip player_id='536717' first='London' last='Jones'] is undersized for a pin but her approach jump reaches 10 feet. Their two setters [player_tooltip player_id='936618' first='Ryann' last='Owensby'] and[player_tooltip player_id='721139' first='Mollie' last='Wamhoff'] are quite adept at using the entire area of the net to set their hitters. That creates tough blocking assignments for their opponents.   Go Volley    When I first saw her play it was at a Maryland Juniors 17 Open tournament and she was playing up. She played six rotations, providing offense from the back row. The all around tools she displayed for the game impressed.   Sophia plays for Martinsburg high school in West Virginia where she led the team in kills, while also finishing second in aces and third in digs. Go Volley is located in Winchester which compete with [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] for the top players. It appears Go Volley stole a good one from [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. A little bit undersized so without growth Division I will be a challenge.    Sleeper Picks - Last year [player_tooltip player_id='744456' first='Savannah' last='Parker'] played for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. The 6'1" right side ranks at number 25 in our class of 2028. She attends Hedgesville, another West Virginia school. She was second on the team in kills and first in blocks as a middle. It appears she plays pins for Go Volley. [player_tooltip player_id='720415' first='Bella' last='Middleton'] set James Wood to their fourth consecutive state championship. At 5'5" she is probably limited to a 6/2 setting in the back row.   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']    Kettle Run made a good run at winning the Virginia Class 3 state championship. They got to the semi-finals before losing to the eventual champion Abingdon. Ava was a big part of that success with her offensive contributions on the left side.   She is one of the big offensive contributors for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] as well. At 6'1" she brings an approach jump of 10 feet, the highest on the team. She can light it up from both the right and left side. When playing left side her offense can also be used in the back row where she plays six rotations.   Ava is currently ranked at number 19 in our class of 2028. The way she has played it would not surprise me to see her ranking rise.    Sleeper Picks - [player_tooltip player_id='569865' first='Eireni' last='Scott'] can dominate from either pin. She ranks at number 11 in our class of 2028. [player_tooltip player_id='722541' first='Lily' last='Gurney'] is a fun libero to watch cover the court. She plays with intensity and enthusiasm putting her at number 30 in the class of 2028.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 Open</h2>   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']    Another 6'1" power source from the left side. As a frosh she was the top hitter for Woodbridge in their surprise season battling for a playoff spot. She led the team in kills and hitting percentage. For [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 she is their big offensive threat.   She lacks the approach jump of Ava, but she is a year younger. She plays six rotations because of her ability to be an offensive force from the back row. Her power and consistency have seemed to improve from her high school season to club.   She currently ranks number 7 in our class of 2029.    Sleeper Picks - Right side [player_tooltip player_id='779106' first='Isabella' last='Jeantel'] at 6'0" has the highest approach jump on the team at 10'.2.5". Her game still falls short of her athletic potential so the future is bright once her skill level catches up . [player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco'] sits at number 9 in our class of 2029, the highest rated libero in the class. If you value enthusiasm and communication in your libero Rosie is your gal.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 USA</h2>   Virginia Elite    Her older sister was a middle. At 5'10" that would be a good position for Raegan. Except she is using her hands to fit in as a setter. There still needs some work to do on the consistency of her location, but that can be said about most setters from the class of 2029.   She led Potomac School in assists but still played right side and finished third on the team in blocks. Her hitting still needs some work with finding the court, averaging less than one kill per set.    Sleeper Picks - Outside [player_tooltip player_id='935939' first='Maya' last='Peery'] is a teammate of Raegan at Potomac School. She only stands 5'7" but has the highest approach jump on the team at 9'7". As a frosh she finished second on the team in kills. [player_tooltip player_id='903896' first='Nicole' last='McDermott'] plays middle for Herndon but hits outside for Virginia Elite. At 6'1" she brings good potential for an outside hitter with good arm extension with her spikes.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14 Open</h2>   Metro Travel    At Capitol Hill Classic she recently won the MVP award, leading Metro to a first place finish with her offensive power. At 5'10" she can already bring an approach jump at 10'4". A number of older players would wish for stat lines like hers.   She does have a little bit of windup in her swing, which for most kids you would try to fix because it can have an impact on their timing and consistency. For Nadia she seems to make it work resulting in bombs into the middle of the court.   Not yet in high school but she has the tools to make her a first teamer at almost any Division.    Sleeper Picks - [player_tooltip player_id='941763' first='Sai' last='Herndon-Brown'] earned the best attacker award at the Capitol Hill Classic. She also brings some impressive tools at 5'11" with a 9'9" approach jump. [player_tooltip player_id='893943' first='Mila' last='Smith'] is from the class of 2029 but helped Flint Hill to a VISAA state championship playing right side. [player_tooltip player_id='888626' first='Blake' last='Ahn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='777558' first='Kayla' last='R Tutoni'] are a talented back row combination, also from the class of 2029. Blake started for Fairfax as a frosh and Kayla won a top performer award at our Prep Dig frosh showcase.

There are not as many DMV teams at the Boston Qualifier so I can name one player from each team from the 14-16 age group that are participating in the Open or USA Division that are worth a watch. There are no 17 U teams competing.