2029s Leading Their Clubs to Success

While volleyball is a team game you can always find one player who stands out for their teams' success. Below is that one player for eight different clubs finding success this season in the 15U category. Above are three players invited to the UA Next in Louisville - [player_tooltip player_id='746506' first='Carolyn' last='Maria'], [player_tooltip player_id='750047' first='Caroline' last='Conroy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner'] - the three C's.    Poor Carolyn. It almost seems like there is a media conspiracy against her. She wins the Capitol Hill Classic MVP award but the website still erroneously lists [player_tooltip player_id='755672' first='Jaylin' last='Park'] as the MVP. And recently I received a list of local players who participated in the UA Next event down in Louisville to write a piece about them, but Carolyn's name was not included on that list. I received a few emails letting me know about her attendance there. It turns out [player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner'] was not mentioned either so the photo above a proof of their attendance.   However, Carolyn carries on. After winning the MVP at the Capitol Hill Classic she goes on to help her team win the Sunshine Classic, going undefeated in the process. That secured Metro Travel an open bid. They had to beat the second and third place teams from the Triple Crown to win the gold. First Qualifier and already an Open bid secured. Pretty sweet.   She also received an invite to the NTPD, where she got thrown in with the setters. Not that there is a problem with that but they did not give any of the setters an opportunity to hit. If they did Carolyn would have stood out as one of the top right side hitters of the group as well.   Carolyn is a sure bet to draw interest from a number of power four colleges.     When you watch Sierra play you can see the athleticism in her game. Her dad played professional basketball for a number of years while her mom also played basketball for Syracuse. It is no wonder she flies with an approach jump reaching 10'4".   Last year she played for Maryland Juniors 14, which earned an Open bid for Junior Nationals. Many of those players left to play for either Metro Travel or Metro National. Sierra stayed with Maryland Juniors. Despite all those departures they still rank as the third best team in the Region, repeating as winners of the 15 Open at National Harbor (they won it last year as 14s). They also battled to a competitive ninth place finish at Capitol Hill Classic.   At some point it would not surprise me to see her get an NTPD invite. She certainly has the skill set. They can't all be Metro players. It also would not surprise me that plenty of power four schools have her name in their notebooks as a player to pursue.       Last year Sophia played a year up with the Maryland Juniors 15 team. This year she is playing for Metro 15 National, which is easily the most talented of the three new National teams formed this year.   Metro National battled to a ninth place finish in the Capitol Hill Classic, winning their first six matches. They lost in the first round of the gold bracket playoffs to Virginia Juniors 25-27, 25-22, 13-15. In Charm City they finished fifth, losing only to [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Nick and Metro Travel.   In the match against Metro Travel at Capitol Hill Sophia was in a zone, almost single handedly giving Metro National an upset win. She hits right side, playing six rotations but that could be an issue for her back row play if Metro decides to run a 6/2. She could probably also hit left side if it came down to using her strong six rotation play.   Last year at the Prep Dig Showcase Sophia was our first Avoli winner just winning out over [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas']. Metro National is currently ranked number 23 in the Region, but those rankings do not include their performance at Capitol Hill.     [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] ranks number two regionally while also ranking at number 20 nationally. They had a very good showing at Triple Crown finishing a respectable 37th place. This would put them just short of the power pool for next year. Elliot is their big bomber from the left side who scores the majority of points for Paramount, whether she hits from the back row or front.   She gets excellent arm extension on her hits leading to some good velocity. If she can get some improvement on her approach jump of 9'6" she could reach the next level. When compared to the Metro players and even a couple of her own teammates who are about equal in height they can reach 10 feet or more.   Last year she added sand volleyball to her athletic pursuits, which also include lacrosse and basketball. I found that my beach play helped with my indoor play, especially when it came to my jump and serve receive.     I have not yet watched the Virginia Juniors 15 team play this year. Last year Madison was their most consistent outside hitter. Juniors ranks 12th regionally, but they finished in second place in the American Division of the Sunshine Classic, one win short of earning a bid.   There are still some little things Madison needs to improve on, which will come with experience. Finding more consistency with her passing in the back row and improving upon her hitting percentage when in the front row. Last year she hit left side for Oakton as a frosh. She was one of the top offensive players on the team. Playing against older players always presents a challenge for incoming frosh, but Madison held her own.   The one huge attribute that impresses you is her enjoyment of the game. She can fire up her t4eammates with her enthusiasm, which hopefully remains with her throughout her career.     Last year [player_tooltip player_id='762823' first='Brie' last='Mouton'] set a 5/1 for BAVA. She left to play for Metro National this year. Stepping up to set is the 6'1" [player_tooltip player_id='766895' first='Neely' last='Olish']. Last year she played middle for BAVA. Watching her set this year clearly shows she has the ability to move the ball around the net with pretty good accuracy. Also, while in the front row she is a threat to dump the ball over the net.   For Broadneck she saw little playing time as a middle. [player_tooltip player_id='478903' first='Barrett' last='Bolter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='750053' first='Alexis' last='Luscomb'] are bot setters for Metro as well as possible future setters for Broadneck. This past season Alexis played libero while [player_tooltip player_id='721762' first='Sydney' last='Lawrence'] set from the front row as well as blocked middle. Neely has a couple inches on Sydney which would allow her to take that same role.   It will be interesting to see where the road takes Neely. She certainly has the skills to be an accomplished setter. Her height makes it even more intriguing.     Avery has certainly filled the middle spot for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. At 5'10" she can put the higher sets to the floor. Against more accomplished teams it may be more difficult as they can put up a double block.   Avery moves well to the pins to block while getting good arm extension over the net. The athleticism also exists for her to hit the pins.   Metro recently earned a bid in the USA Division with their third place finish at the Sunshine Classic. This will give her an opportunity to showcase in Indianapolis at Junior Nationals.   This past high school season Avery made the first team for the Northwestern District. She was one of two frosh to make the team and one of two players from Shernando to be selected.     Mallory is the lone Old Dominion player to make this list. Most of the clubs there play in the AAU tournaments, which do not get reported into AES. [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] is the top ranked team in Old Dominion. At 6'0" Mallory has grown a couple inches since our last ranking.   Mallory can play either right side or middle. When hitting the higher sets she still needs work more on her transition game to get a better approach. Many times she arrives to the ball too early. That should improve with more playing time on the outside. As a frosh she finished second on the team in kills.   For East Coast they also list her as a right side.

While volleyball is a team game you can always find one player who stands out for their teams' success. Below is that one player for eight different clubs finding success this season in the 15U category. Above are three players invited to the UA Next in Louisville - Carolyn Maria Carolyn Maria 6'1" | S/RS Bishop O'Connell | 2029 State VA , Caroline Conroy Caroline Conroy 6'3" | MB Walt Whitman | 2029 State VA and Cairo Turner Cairo Turner 6'2" | MB St. Paul VI Catholic | 2028 State VA - the three C's.

Carolyn Maria

VA #1

S/RS #1

HEIGHT 6'1"

POS S/RS

CLASS 2029

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Carolyn Maria

State: Virginia

School: Bishop O'Connell

Club: Metro Volleyball Club

Poor Carolyn. It almost seems like there is a media conspiracy against her. She wins the Capitol Hill Classic MVP award but the website still erroneously lists Jaylin Park Jaylin Park 5'6" | DS/L Georgetown Day | 2028 State VA as the MVP. And recently I received a list of local players who participated in the UA Next event down in Louisville to write a piece about them, but Carolyn's name was not included on that list. I received a few emails letting me know about her attendance there. It turns out Cairo Turner Cairo Turner 6'2" | MB St. Paul VI Catholic | 2028 State VA was not mentioned either so the photo above a proof of their attendance.

However, Carolyn carries on. After winning the MVP at the Capitol Hill Classic she goes on to help her team win the Sunshine Classic, going undefeated in the process. That secured Metro Travel an open bid. They had to beat the second and third place teams from the Triple Crown to win the gold. First Qualifier and already an Open bid secured. Pretty sweet.

She also received an invite to the NTPD, where she got thrown in with the setters. Not that there is a problem with that but they did not give any of the setters an opportunity to hit. If they did Carolyn would have stood out as one of the top right side hitters of the group as well.

Carolyn is a sure bet to draw interest from a number of power four colleges.

Highlights

Sierra Thomas

VA #3

OH #2

HEIGHT 6'0"

POS OH

CLASS 2029

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Sierra Thomas

State: Virginia

School: Bishop McNamara

Club: Maryland Juniors Volleyball Club

When you watch Sierra play you can see the athleticism in her game. Her dad played professional basketball for a number of years while her mom also played basketball for Syracuse. It is no wonder she flies with an approach jump reaching 10'4".

Last year she played for Maryland Juniors 14, which earned an Open bid for Junior Nationals. Many of those players left to play for either Metro Travel or Metro National. Sierra stayed with Maryland Juniors. Despite all those departures they still rank as the third best team in the Region, repeating as winners of the 15 Open at National Harbor (they won it last year as 14s). They also battled to a competitive ninth place finish at Capitol Hill Classic.

At some point it would not surprise me to see her get an NTPD invite. She certainly has the skill set. They can't all be Metro players. It also would not surprise me that plenty of power four schools have her name in their notebooks as a player to pursue.

Highlights

Sophia Groshek

VA #8

RS/OH #1

HEIGHT 6'0"

POS RS/OH

CLASS 2029

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Sophia Groshek

State: Virginia

School: Annapolis Area Christian

Club: Metro Volleyball Club

Last year Sophia played a year up with the Maryland Juniors 15 team. This year she is playing for Metro 15 National, which is easily the most talented of the three new National teams formed this year.

Metro National battled to a ninth place finish in the Capitol Hill Classic, winning their first six matches. They lost in the first round of the gold bracket playoffs to Virginia Juniors 25-27, 25-22, 13-15. In Charm City they finished fifth, losing only to Paramount Nick and Metro Travel.

In the match against Metro Travel at Capitol Hill Sophia was in a zone, almost single handedly giving Metro National an upset win. She hits right side, playing six rotations but that could be an issue for her back row play if Metro decides to run a 6/2. She could probably also hit left side if it came down to using her strong six rotation play.

Last year at the Prep Dig Showcase Sophia was our first Avoli winner just winning out over Sierra Thomas Sierra Thomas 6'0" | OH Bishop McNamara | 2029 State VA . Metro National is currently ranked number 23 in the Region, but those rankings do not include their performance at Capitol Hill.

Highlights

Elliot Dorgan

VA #7

OH/DS/L #4

HEIGHT 6'1"

POS OH/DS/L

CLASS 2029

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Elliot Dorgan

State: Virginia

School: Woodbridge

Club: Paramount

Paramount ranks number two regionally while also ranking at number 20 nationally. They had a very good showing at Triple Crown finishing a respectable 37th place. This would put them just short of the power pool for next year. Elliot is their big bomber from the left side who scores the majority of points for Paramount, whether she hits from the back row or front.

She gets excellent arm extension on her hits leading to some good velocity. If she can get some improvement on her approach jump of 9'6" she could reach the next level. When compared to the Metro players and even a couple of her own teammates who are about equal in height they can reach 10 feet or more.

Last year she added sand volleyball to her athletic pursuits, which also include lacrosse and basketball. I found that my beach play helped with my indoor play, especially when it came to my jump and serve receive.

Highlights

Madison Meiring

VA #14

OH/DS/L #6

HEIGHT 5'10"

POS OH/DS/L

CLASS 2029

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Madison Meiring

State: Virginia

School: Oakton

Club: VA Juniors

I have not yet watched the Virginia Juniors 15 team play this year. Last year Madison was their most consistent outside hitter. Juniors ranks 12th regionally, but they finished in second place in the American Division of the Sunshine Classic, one win short of earning a bid.

There are still some little things Madison needs to improve on, which will come with experience. Finding more consistency with her passing in the back row and improving upon her hitting percentage when in the front row. Last year she hit left side for Oakton as a frosh. She was one of the top offensive players on the team. Playing against older players always presents a challenge for incoming frosh, but Madison held her own.

The one huge attribute that impresses you is her enjoyment of the game. She can fire up her t4eammates with her enthusiasm, which hopefully remains with her throughout her career.

Highlights

Neely Olish

VA #15

S/OH #3

HEIGHT 6'2"

POS S/OH

CLASS 2029

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Neely Olish

State: Virginia

School: Broadneck

Club: Bay Area Volleyball Academy Of Md

Last year Brie Mouton Brie Mouton 5'7" | S Annapolis Area Christian | 2029 State VA set a 5/1 for BAVA. She left to play for Metro National this year. Stepping up to set is the 6'1" Neely Olish Neely Olish 6'2" | S/OH Broadneck | 2029 State VA . Last year she played middle for BAVA. Watching her set this year clearly shows she has the ability to move the ball around the net with pretty good accuracy. Also, while in the front row she is a threat to dump the ball over the net.

For Broadneck she saw little playing time as a middle. Barrett Bolter Barrett Bolter 5'8" | S Broadneck | 2027 State VA and Alexis Luscomb Alexis Luscomb 5'9" | S Broadneck | 2029 State VA are bot setters for Metro as well as possible future setters for Broadneck. This past season Alexis played libero while Sydney Lawrence Sydney Lawrence 5'9" | S Broadneck | 2026 State VA set from the front row as well as blocked middle. Neely has a couple inches on Sydney which would allow her to take that same role.

It will be interesting to see where the road takes Neely. She certainly has the skills to be an accomplished setter. Her height makes it even more intriguing.