2027s Contributing to 18 U Junior Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because a number of players from many of the successful 17 U clubs last year decided to leave for college early it created a number of openings on 18 U rosters. Perhaps playing a tournament in Reno was not as exciting as playing an exhibition season with your college. Or perhaps the players wanted to take a year off from club. To help solidify those rosters some clubs are relying on players from 2027 to enhance their rosters. Below are some of those players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No Old Dominion Region clubs are competing in the 18 Junior Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Open Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["716365"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f3a84b0c9b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Skyler seems to shadow her ex-teammate Lameen Mambu, which won't be so bad if she finds her way to Purdue. Both were the primary offensive players for Chantilly, leading them to state playoff runs. Skyler was a sophomore when Lameen was a senior. This weekend Skyler will hit left side for Metro as they battle in the Open Division, the same position Lameen played when she suited up for Metro. This is not the same team that finished third in 17 Open last year. All of their big guns made the decision to leave early for college. This year they will rely on consistent play from a crew of talented back row players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Skyler has yet to commit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>setters - Claire Mo (Columbia), Taryn Su (Stony Brook)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pin Hitters - [player_tooltip player_id='716365' first='Skyler' last='Riley'] (uncommitted), Charlotte Arrington (Duquesne), Raegan Lentz (Amherst), Eliana Murphy (UNC - Wilmington), Sydnee Peters (Loyola - Maryland), Soleil Rancourt (uncommitted)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middles - Simone Assasie (George Washington), Gabriella Vizek (American), Gabrielle Wigglesworth (Denison)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero/Defensive Specialist - Lilly Kennedy (uncommitted), Evie Huang (George Washington), Kennedy Cummins (Seton Hall), Kadley Zee (uncommitted)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players Leaving early - Nadiya Johnson (Baylor), Caydence Doolan (Marquette), Morgan Williams (Tennessee), Teodora Stamenkovic (St. Johns), Charis Burge (Syracuse), Bryah Breaux (Kentucky), [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] (Oklahoma - staying with 17's)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">National Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443570"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f3a84b0ca3d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lexiana recently won a top performer award at our Exposure showcase in Richmond. Originally, she was going to play for the 17 team, but the 18 team lacked a third middle. Lexiana's primary position is right side, but she has played middle. Her versatility made her an ideal fit for this roster. Her back row play seems to be limited. in the matches I have watched.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With her 6'0" height she has an approach jump of close to 9'10". Lexianna has yet to commit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>setters - Makenzie Davis (Christopher Newport), Sofie Ferrell (Mary Washington) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>pin hitters - [player_tooltip player_id='443570' first='Lexiana' last='Everetts'] (uncommitted), Elizabeth Gordon (uncommitted), Josephine Seekford (Queens NC), [player_tooltip player_id='438043' first='Katherine' last='McLaughlin'] (Uncommitted - 2027), Chloe Lin (Carnegie Mellon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle - Tessa Fergusson (Tufts), Fiona McDermott (Colby (ME)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero/Defensive Specialist - Molly Gardner (Bridgewater), Nora Yang (uncommitted), Madison Phan (Bates College)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not Playing 18s - Ellyson Miller (uncommitted)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Juniors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["728971"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f3b5b2cb6ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She now reaches 6'4". Currently her blocking game is ahead of her offense but that has improved as she has gained experience. Another player invited to the NTDP training camps. She joins [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] as one of two non-Metro players invited to these camps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Flint Hill surprised the VISAA by winning the state championship. They were the sixth seeded team coming into the event. Mandela led the team in hitting percentage with .281, better than UCLA bound [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']. Overall, Mandela led the team in blocking while also finishing third in kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mandela has yet to commit but as a 2028 she has until July before she can talk to colleges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>setters - Camille Ciambruschini (Ithaca), [player_tooltip player_id='735304' first='Meg' last='Ronayne'] (uncommitted - 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>pin hitters - Aniah Bass (North Carolina Central), Layla Parker (Rochester), Morgan Reeves (Hampton), Eden Tardy (Mary Washington), Piper Xeller (Eastern PA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middles - [player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini'] (uncommitted - 2028), Jolene Green Ewen (uncommitted)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberos/Defensive Replacements - Bailey Swinton (Morgan State), Celiana Caraballo (Uncommitted) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players Leaving Early - Sydney Ray (Clark Atlanta)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">American Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["698761"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f3b5b2cb730"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She set a 5/1 leading Howard to an undefeated season and a Maryland Class 3 state championship. At 5'11" she brings height to the setting position. She will team with Genevieve Harris to set a 6/2. One of the more fluid setters in the area. The only setter in the class of 2027 rated higher than her is DC Gatorade Player of they Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When not setting Imagine has the offensive game to play right side. She played right side for Columbia last year when she set a 6/2. Columbia made the decision to have her set for the 18 team this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Imagine has committed to Middle Tennessee State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>setters - [player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier'] (Middle Tennessee State), Genevieve Willis (Alaska-Fairbanks)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>pin hitters - Abigail Tranchini (uncommitted), Yvette Mercedes (uncommitted), Amira Billingsley (Lincoln University), Jada Virgin (Chowan), Terry Spring (uncommitted), Meredith Brown (Rowan)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle - Christina San (uncommitted), Londyn Camejo (uncommitted)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero/defensive specialist - Falynn Tackett (uncommitted), Josephine Calhoun (uncommitted) Lilian Sanchez (uncommitted - 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Freedom</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["529438"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f3b5b2cb78c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While she is listed at middle her 5'8" height makes her a bit undersized for the position. She played for the MVSA Wild when she made her debut in the 2027 rankings. As a frosh she started for Magruder, then found a spot on the Metro North team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She does bring the versatility to play middle or either pin. Sydney has yet to commit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>setters - Makenzie Kutzler (Rochester Institute of Technology), Sofia Sossa (Smith College MA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>pin hitters - Susannah Claney (uncommitted), Leila Manan (uncommitted), Clara New (uncommitted), Talia Docarmo (uncommitted), Yahserae Teasley (uncommitted), </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>middles - [player_tooltip player_id='529438' first='Sydney' last='Duppins'] (uncommitted - 2027), Jenna Ablondi (Uncommitted - 2027), Dalisa Ross (uncommitted)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero/defensive specialist - Angela Lei (uncommitted), Malea Moore (uncommited), Adalia Funderburk (Uncommitted) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Cozad </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["849619"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f3b5b2cb7d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is one of two players who originally played on this 18 U team through the Qualifiers. [player_tooltip player_id='734791' first='Sophia' last='Jenkins'] is the other original player. No player on the current team is from the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kiya has the height at 6'4" to dominate. She also has an approach that reaches close to 10'2" with a block jump at 9'9". When everything clicks, approach, jump and arm swing that ball hits the floor hard. When blocking she has nice fluid movements and the long legs to get to the pins quick. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Surprisingly Kiya still has not yet committed. It certainly isn't that hard to find her on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='849619' first='Kiya' last='Boggan'] - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>setters - Amanda Daddio (Uncommitted 2028), [player_tooltip player_id='728459' first='Ali' last='Joyce'] (Uncommitted 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>pin hitter - [player_tooltip player_id='734791' first='Sophia' last='Jenkins'] (Uncommitted), Ava Lewinsohn (uncommitted - 2027), [player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart'] (uncommitted 2027), Adrienne Randall (uncommitted 2027), [player_tooltip player_id='390169' first='Katherine' last='Russell'] (uncommitted 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>middle - [player_tooltip player_id='849619' first='Kiya' last='Boggan'] (Uncommitted - 2027), [player_tooltip player_id='910476' first='Penelope' last='Lester'] (Uncommitted 2027) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero/Defensive Specialist - Carys Behan (uncommitted 2028), [player_tooltip player_id='730577' first='Anna' last='Hudson'] (Uncommitted 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Departing Players - They lost a number of players to Metro, including Lilly Kennedy, Kennedy Cummins, Charlotte Arrington and Raegan Lentz</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->