Future Frosh Poised to Make an Impact in High School

The club season is on its last legs. Before you know it high school season will begin. Though we will not rank the class of 2030 until after the junior nationals and AAUs are complete it is pretty clear that the below players will make an impact their first year in high school. It should be noted that what high school a player attends can always change.    The number one prospect for the class of 2029 currently plays for Bishop O'Connell. Could the number one prospect of 2030 also be a Knight? Too early to tell but Nadia is one of the more powerful hitters in the class of 2030. She is one of the primary sources of offense for Metro 14 as they play in the Junior Nationals in Indianapolis in the Open Division.   She plays six rotations, firing missiles from the back row. A difference maker suiting up for a Knights team that will carry three other difference makers who all play for Metro. This could get very interesting. O'Connell does appear to have an opening at left side for her to grab. Nadia, who won the MVP for both 13 Open and 14 Open at Capitol Hill Classic appears poised to grab that opening.     Veronica suited up for them as an 8th grader. She finished third on the team in kills. For [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] she was their primary source of offense for a team that will play in the National Division in Junior Nationals. Her 5'9" height is a bit undersized but she has the ability to hit around, through or off blocks.   Last year Chelsea lost in the VISAA Division III state finals to New Covenant. With three Barvicks on the roster, all gaining one more year of playing experience, this will be a tough team to take down in the playoffs.   Veronica was playing for the junior varsity when she was a 7th grader.     Jemma has always played a year up for BAVA. This year she played libero for the 15 team that will play in the USA Division in Junior Nationals. With her accurate passing and tenacious defense she should not have a problem suiting up for the Crofton varsity team.   The Cardinals will have three defensive specialists returning. Last year Crofton lost in the semi-finals of the Regionals after getting to the state championship the previous year. Jemma will provide improvement in the back row for almost any high school team. At least for this coming season Crofton appears to shake out as that school.     Two years ago Bullis won the Independent School League (ISL) championship for the first time in school history. With massive graduations mixed in with departures they finished at the bottom of the ISL last year.   Sai hopes to change that. She was the other left side for Metro, opposite [player_tooltip player_id='753097' first='Nadia' last='Wooten']. While Nadia won the MVP award at the Capitol Hill Classic this past season at 14 U Sai took the honors for best attacker.   It should not be a problem for Sai to earn a starting spot for a rebuilding Bullis team this coming year. The top talent on the roster will be a little thin. Sai may even lead the team in kills when the season is done.     It is not yet known what high school Itziar will attend. Whatever school she attends will get a talented left hand hitting right side. She has the height to put up a solid block with the arm extension to pop the ball as well. Saint James appears to have fallen short of competing in Junior Nationals in Indianapolis. Their last tournament may be the East Coast championship in Pittsburgh.   Whatever high school Itziar attends she has a good shot to make the varsity with her skill level.       Ava lists 5'7", plays right side when not setting and provides decent pop for the position. She also shows she can play defense as well, standing her ground to make a couple digs on a couple hard hit line shots. Recently Ava set American to a third place finish in the ACPL. American also qualified to play in the American Division at Junior Nationals. She still has a lot more club playing time before she thinks about high school.   When that time comes her odds are good to make the varsity. North Stafford did lose a large class of seniors, including setter Sanai Jones. At least one of the setter positions could open up for her as a frosh.     Gabriella was a dominant middle for Metro 14 this year. She lists a little over 6'0" with an approach jump of close to 10 feet. She will play in Junior Nationals in the Open Division in Indianapolis.   St. Johns recently lost a middle [player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner'] via a transfer to Paul VI. That opens up a position for Gabriella. She has the height and the skill level to take the starting position.     For Metro Jordin rotates between right side and middle, but she can also play left. In the set that I watched she put up a couple good blocks in the middle that rallied Metro to a win over [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. It just so happens that the talent level on the left side is just a bit crowded for Metro. Fortunately for Jordin, that versatility to play multiple positions creates opportunities for her in high school.   South County had a rough season last year. With her Metro counterpart occupying one left side Jordin could have an opportunity to win the second left side. If not that there is always right side or a middle.

The club season is on its last legs. Before you know it high school season will begin. Though we will not rank the class of 2030 until after the junior nationals and AAUs are complete it is pretty clear that the below players will make an impact their first year in high school. It should be noted that what high school a player attends can always change.