2029s Jumping from Watch List to Rankings

If you look at our rankings a number of players appear listed on the watch list. These players either attended a Prep Dig showcase however failed to appear in our rankings or created a profile yet remain absent from our rankings. The possibility also exists that I placed the player on the watch list for possible future ranking but decided to hold back on the ranking until I watched the player more. Players stay on this watch list normally for just one ranking period. There are close to 60 watch list players identified in the current 2029 rankings.   A total of 12 players from the last watch list rankings made it to our current rankings. Below are those players.    Nicole jumped the highest among the watch list players with a leap to number 60 in our class of 2029 rankings. At 6'1" she hits outside for Virginia Elite. Her block jump of 9'3" is the highest on the Virginia Elite roster, which would make her useful as a middle or right side as well. For Herndon she is the only frosh to make the varsity team.   Nicole tends to provide the muscle while [player_tooltip player_id='935939' first='Maya' last='Peery'] the flair for the Virginia Elite left sides. Both reach 9'7" with their approach jump.     [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] always seems to develop good liberos. Madisyn carries that no nonsense, intense character trait that allows for no spacing out on the court. She commands the back row, hustling for any ball within reach. On a top spin serve that showed some vicious drop she made a scoop platform pass right to the setter. Her 5'3" height helps her stay low to the floor.   Madisyn jumps into the rankings at number 73. For Millbrook, she is one of five frosh to make the varsity roster. Only [player_tooltip player_id='878688' first='Mckenna' last='Homans'] (#33) and [player_tooltip player_id='878697' first='Reese' last='Cooke'] (#133) made our rankings.   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] will compete in the National Division in Junior Nationals     She made the watch list after her appearance at the Prep Dig showcase. At that time she played for the [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] second team. Now playing for American she showed some good hands for setting, while also accumulating a number of aces with her serve. It always very satisfying to see a showcase player show off her skills in a match.   Mia moved from the watch list to #103 in the rankings.     As a frosh she appeared on the St. John's varsity roster. Her playing time was a bit limited, however when given an opportunity she put together a vicious serve. Her .6 aces per set were second on the team. She plays at both the pins and setter. Next year the Cadets will have a need for a setter.   For MOCO she played right side. She put a couple balls down when given an opportunity.   While MOCO ranks 5th in the Region they have fallen short of earning a bid. They recently finished fifth in the Liberty Division Northeast Qualifier, falling just short of earning a bid.     She held her own as the frosh libero for Jackson Reed at the Tiger Paws tournament. Overall, she led her team in digs and service aces. Jackson-Reed ended up losing to Georgetown Day in the DC state finals.   She played a grade up for American Volleyball North. They list her position as an outside. They will play this weekend in the Chesapeake Region non-bid championship.   Layla moved from the watch list to 119 in the class of 2029 rankings.     More than a decade ago she was my neighbor. They moved away when she was two years old so I never got to see her volleyball skills. Perhaps she glimpsed me playing pepper at a small park in the back of our units.   Quite a shock to be watching a Woodson match with my past neighbor that moved out more than a decade ago. Avery made the team as a frosh. At 5'9" she played middle and put up a block against the 6'3" [player_tooltip player_id='720348' first='Milena' last='Kibret']. That created quite the celebration.   Avery played for Braddock Road this year. She moves to 120 in our ranking for the class of 2029.     At the Prep frosh showcase she listed herself as a libero. During the showcase she took a couple mean swings from the outside to show she can also play in the front row. At 5'7" she may be a bit undersized but the potential exists.   The high school team struggled with a 1-14 record. Julia is one of two frosh to make the varsity. The other is [player_tooltip player_id='779106' first='Isabella' last='Jeantel'] from Paramount. Julia plays for the [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] Orange team. If those two return Tuscarora should play a more competitive game.   Julia moved from the watch list to 139 in the class of 2029 rankings.     Ema plays for MVSA Empire, which technically identifies as their second team to MVSA Charge. In AES Empire ranks higher than Charge but neither team qualified for the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championships.   Ema strikes the ball hard from the left side, however her 5'9" height leaves her a bit undersized for that position. She also lacks the jump to power balls over the larger blocks. What she does have is a good court sense with the ability to use the blocks well.   Ema moves from the watch list to 146 in our class of 2029 rankings.     When she played for the MOCO 14 team she hit right side. While she generated decent velocity on the ball when she hit her smaller stature created some concern. She appeared on the watch list to allow me more time to see her play.   This year for MOCO Menace they utilize her mostly as a defensive specialist where she showed off solid defensive skills. She also presented a good serve that resulted in a number of aces. [player_tooltip player_id='754674' first='Clarke' last='Rodney'] has the libero position wrapped up but Katja seems to provide a good alternative.   Katja debuts at number 151 in our class of 2029 ranings.     Bella was a late pick up by [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite']. For liberos it is ideal to have alternative choices in case your previous club decides to go in a new direction. [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] benefitted from that on make up day acquiring a very solid libero.   For O'Connell she played mainly as a defensive specialist for the junior varsity as a frosh. This year she may need to return to the JV team as a sophomore. O'Connell next year could be flush with back row players with two defensive players from Metro transferring to the school.   Bella moved from the watch list to number 153 in the rankings.     Clara was one of six frosh who made the varsity for Briar Woods. It appears that she was the second setter to frosh [player_tooltip player_id='752431' first='Kayla' last='Chang'], who ran a 5/1 in the match I watched. In that match Clara appeared as a defensive specialist in area "1" while Kayla set in the front row.'   Clara sets for the Dulles Youth Sports 16U team, playing a year above her grade.   Clara debuts at number 154 in our class of 2029.     [player_tooltip player_id='889249' first='Margaret' last='Gatchalian'] was one of four frosh on the North Hagerstown volleyball team. While North Hagerstown lists her on the roster as a setter she received most of her playing time as a defensive specialist.   Next year will shape up as a critical year for her. She debuts at number 154 in our rankings.

If you look at our rankings a number of players appear listed on the watch list. These players either attended a Prep Dig showcase however failed to appear in our rankings or created a profile yet remain absent from our rankings. The possibility also exists that I placed the player on the watch list for possible future ranking but decided to hold back on the ranking until I watched the player more. Players stay on this watch list normally for just one ranking period. There are close to 60 watch list players identified in the current 2029 rankings.