<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You will never see a gaggle of coaches crowding around a Freedom Division match in the USAV National Championship. They tend to focus on Open, unless they are Division II and III or lower Division I coaches. I did see John Cook, the Nebraska coach watching a Freedom Division match once. Below are some of the D.C./Maryland/Virginia teams competing in the Freedom Division highlighting a player who might be worth a watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">14U</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Priscella</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - 9th Regionally, 369 Nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Qualified</strong> - An Open, an additional National bid and a USA bid provided enough trickle down to get [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Priscella into the tournament despite a ninth place finish in the Chesapeake Regional Bid championship. Two seventh place teams, Maryland Juniors and MOCO Magic must not have been available to play, opening a spot up for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. They do have a couple 9th place finishes in Qualifiers competing in the American Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players to Watch</strong> - I have yet to see them play so the Junior Nationals will be my first opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Premier EDGE also qualified for Freedom Division play but they are a Chesapeake Region team located in Delaware. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">15U</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Morales</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - 35th Regional, 978 Nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Qualified</strong> - A seventh place finish in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship with enough trickle down from an Open, National and USA bid and [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] bumped up to snag the Freedom bid. They did finish 5th and 9th in two Qualifiers (Sunshine and Northeast) in the American Division and a 53rd place finish in a Liberty Division Salt Lake City Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players to Watch</strong> - This is a second team who I have watched play. To date no player has made it to the rankings or watch list, but perhaps this will change after their participation in the Junior Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Liberty Elite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - 50th Regionally, 741 Nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Qualified</strong> - Despite finishing 9th in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship they earned a bid via trickle down. The 15 age group will have 10 teams compete in the Junior Nationals. That means only two of the 12 teams who competed in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship did not get a bid. Liberty Elite did finish 9th in the Liberty Division at the Northeast Qualifiers and 40th at the Show Me Qualifier competing in the USA Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["895568"],"_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-6a209d224bc88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Hagerstown carried a nice run of three state championships before losing in the finals this past season to Howard. As a frosh Payton did not get a lot of playing time last year but she was on the roster. She only played in 15 of the 65 sets but she led the team in blocks per sets (0.5). She is listed as a middle/right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At number 100 she ranks the highest of the Liberty Elite players. She has some good height but still a bit raw, especially with her arm swing. Give her some time and she could make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other players ranked</strong> - Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='937574' first='Tenley' last='Cobb']</strong> (101) outside<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='963173' first='Rylie' last='Woltz'] </strong>(watch list)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">16U</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MVSA Sparks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - 9th Regionally, 296 Nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Qualified</strong> - Finished 6th in the Chesapeake Regional Bid. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] capturing a USA bid allowed them to bump up one to a Freedom bid. They finished in third in the American Division at the Northeast Qualifier. At the Show Me they finished 21st out of 72 teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["697424"],"_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-6a20aed2c393c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I wrote an evaluation on her two weeks ago after her performance at the East Coast Championships. She set a 5/1 leading MVSA to a second place finish in the East Coast Championship. Her game comes with a strong volleyball IQ while running the offense with quick tempo sets in the middle and back row attacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellie ranks as the 11th best setter in the class of 2028. Her older sister Sofia reached the 1,000 assist mark for her high school career. Ellie combines athleticism with her strong volleyball IQ to make the game appear easy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her older sister ranked 123 in the class of 2025. Ellie has risen above her at 63. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players Ranked</strong> - left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772016' first='Molly' last='McWhorter']</strong> (109), outside/middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='518008' first='Aubrey' last='Wade'] </strong>(121). left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778720' first='Jordyn' last='Goh']</strong> (147), right side/Libero/ds<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='625586' first='Alana' last='Day']</strong> (158), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='779506' first='Feliza' last='Faradonez']</strong> (164), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='990534' first='Elizabeth' last='Jedrilinic']</strong> (WL), left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='991033' first='Karolina' last='Stankova']</strong> (WL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Alex</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking</strong> - 11th Regionally, 363 Nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Qualified</strong> - They finished 5th in the Chesapeake Bid Regional Championship. This put them into the Freedom Division. Like [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Priscella they are a second team. Even as a second team they finished in fifth in the American Division at Northeast Qualifiers out of 117 teams. An 11th placed finish in the Liberty Division in Salt Lake City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730594"],"_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-6a20f487c964a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'6" she is undersized for a pin. Her approach jump only hits 9'0". Yet, she carries a good sense of the court as well as the location of the opponent's block. The deep corner is her friend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Prior to [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] she played a bit for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'], hitting right side. They have a way of developing the smaller outsides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a sophomore Gianna hit outside for Light Ridge. They reached the Regionals in the State playoffs but lost in the first round to Potomac Falls. As she gets older and goes against taller players she may have to move to a back row role. Barring that she can hope for either significant growth or an increase in that vertical.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Ranked Players</strong> - left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='693144' first='Layla' last='Babiker'] </strong>(57), setter <strong>Amanda Daddio</strong> (65), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893945' first='Josie' last='O'Connell']</strong> (104), libero/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730577' first='Anna' last='Hudson']</strong> (118), pin <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545723' first='Ella' last='Jarvis']</strong> (138), setter/Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893325' first='Bella' last='Pham']</strong> (139), pin <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725299' first='Bella' last='Stringfellow']</strong> (168), right side/middle<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='725350' first='Leila' last='Bataineh']</strong> (171), Libero/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='744471' first='Olivia' last='Harris'] </strong>(180), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893944' first='Keira' last='Benes']</strong> (192), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='789955' first='Nia' last='Isirimah']</strong> (196)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">540 National</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES Ranking </strong>- 26th Regionally, 1470 Nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Qualified</strong> - They finished third in the Old Dominion Regional Bid Championships. Five teams competed in the tournament. 540 National is the clubs second team in the 15 age group. They beat another second team [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] White 15-12 in a third set playoff for third place. They competed in no qualifiers so this tournament will be a challenge for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player to Watch</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["524814"],"_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-6a20f487c9692"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She impressed at a Prep Dig showcase to make her debut in the rankings. At that time the scout who watched her was impressed by how quick she was to the ball and her pancakes when playing tips on defense. Her play was consistent and measured.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because she plays for a second team I have not had the opportunity to see a lot of her play. That will change with the Junior Nationals. While her video shows quick reactions to the ball a faster paced game may prove a challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other ranked players</strong> - Libero/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='781763' first='A'myah' last='Taylor']</strong> (WL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">17U</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro National</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES</strong> - 8th Regionally, 522 Nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got There</strong> - Finished 7th in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship. An Open and National Bid opened up resulting in a bump up. Premier Edge must have turned down a bid since they finished 6th. Metro National is a new team established by Metro this year to be a second travel team in addition to Metro Travel. Prior to that all the other Metro teams were considered regional teams. Metro National played in two USA Division Qualifiers and finished 31 and 27.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Uncommitted Player to Watch</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438098"],"_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-6a21ad258d435"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">National Cathedral is a smaller private school that plays in the Independent School League (ISL). They sometimes get overlooked because they play in the same conference as Flint Hill and Georgetown Day. Last year they had a big year finishing third in their conference led by the left side hitting of [player_tooltip player_id='438098' first='Kennedy' last='Williams']. She did it all, leading the team in kills, second in blocks and third in digs. She was an easy first team ISL selection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing for Metro National gives her an opportunity to up her game as she plays against better competition. She lists 5'11" with an approach jump just short of 10 feet allowing her to power the ball from the left side. A good opportunity to get a look at a player who may lack the exposure. In addition, competing against higher competition may up her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Ranked Players </strong>- middle/outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530366' first='Gabriela' last='Donley']</strong> (75), right side/middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='906029' first='Kristen' last='Boone']</strong> (99), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849614' first='Noya' last='Offurum']</strong> (157), left side/Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='731010' first='Raylin' last='Horst']</strong> (168), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='942702' first='Alivia' last='Jackson']</strong> (192), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992657' first='Raven' last='Smith']</strong> (WL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maryland Juniors</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES </strong>- 24th Regionally, 539 Nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got There</strong> - They finished 7th in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship. Premier Edge appears to have turned down a bid making them the last team in the Chesapeake Region to snag a bid. A couple years ago this team carried a lot of talent at 15 but lost <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='528707' first='Annika' last='Dandridge']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li']</strong> and <strong>Dylan Loggins</strong> (class of 2026) to [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438097' first='Haile' last='Ma']</strong> to MVSA. The team has yet to recover from the losses. They finished 23rd in the Liberty Division at Salt Lake City and 15th at Show Me in the USA Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>T<strong>op Uncommitted Player to Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["445987"],"_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-6a21ad258d4a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A couple years ago Kenley played middle for MVSA then moved to MEVC the next year. When she played for MVSA she won the best attacker in the 15 club division at Capitol Hill Classic. Now she brings her skills to Maryland Juniors where she hits outside. At 6'0" she brings some good height to the outside position. Her vertical is limited and her defense may restrict her to three rotations but she can be a force at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch</strong> - Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='547072' first='Victoria' last='Small']</strong> (46, committed to Bridgewater), left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753062' first='Madelyn' last='Mauro']</strong> (120), right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908869' first='Naomi' last='Kolo']</strong> (146), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='731013' first='Ella' last='Strain']</strong> (151), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='956365' first='Ella' last='Jones']</strong> (163), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='955216' first='Milla' last='Danek'] </strong>(178)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SERV</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AES</strong> - 3rd ranked regionally, 290 ranked nationally</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got There</strong> - Finished in third place in the Old Dominion Regional Bid Championship. Only four teams competed in the event. SERV downed [program_tooltip program_id='498498' first='Virginia' last='Wave'] in three, taking game three 15-12. SERV had an impressive 9th place finish in the Northeast Qualifier USA Division. Based on their performance this year Prep Dig recently named them as the surprise club team of 2026 for 17U teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong> - left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720452' first='Brianna' last='Douglas']</strong> (85) recently committed to Randoph Macon. That leaves right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586828' first='Marcy' last='Stambaugh']</strong> (109) who just two weeks ago I just finished an evaluation of her. Libero/defensive specialist <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='744269' first='Arianna' last='Murphy']</strong> (WL) has committed to Old Dominion. Middle <strong>Delaney Grey </strong>led her high school team in blocks. She belongs to the class of 2028 (143). Definitely a team worth a look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->