Reviewing DMV Clubs in the Premier Division in AAUs

The Open Division has already been previewed. That is supposedly the highest level of competition in AAUs, though clubs can enter in any Division they want. The Premier Division is the second highest. There are 13 clubs in the DMV area covering four different age groups competing at this level. Below are some of the players perhaps worth a look in this Division.   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Premier 14</h1>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro East </h2>   AES Ranking - 82nd locally and 2,878 Nationally   Team Summary - This is a regional team that played well in the Northeast Qualifier finishing 9th out of 79 teams. They also brought an impressive third place finish out of 56 teams in the Chesapeake Non-Bid Regional Championships. They can be a feeder club for the Metro Travel team.   Players to Watch - Unfortunately, I have yet to see them play.   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Premier 15</h1>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Go Volley</h2>   AES Ranking - 100th Locally and 4,252 Nationally   Team Summary - Go Volley traditionally plays in Open tournaments but generally lack the consistent skills to play at the higher level. They usually finish near the bottom, but they compete. The high level of competition can help improve their overall play if they can tolerate the constant beat downs.   Player to Watch -    Reese made a talented Millbrook team as a frosh. I watched her play left side for the Go Volley 16 team at a local Maryland Juniors tournament. She lists as a right side. Her 5'5" height makes her a bit undersized for a front row player however she does get the arm extension to put the ball away. Her six rotation play allows her to also provide offense from the back row.   Ultimately, she could end up as that defensive specialist who can provide offense with her back row attacks.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maryland Juniors Elite Black</h2>   AES Ranking - 7th locally and 366 Nationally   Team Summary - I wrote about them in the USAV Liberty Division post at the link below. They are playing in both AAU and USAV.   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/06/review-of-liberty-and-usa-dmv-teams-playing-in-indy/">Review of Liberty and USA DMV Teams Playing in Indy | Prep Dig</a>   Player to Watch    [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas'] was highlighted when I wrote about them playing in the Liberty Division in USAV. Reagan is the other big left side hitter responsible for Maryland Juniors success.   Last year she played right side for the 14 team. She was used for only three rotations but was not a primary source for offense. With the departure of a number of players to Metro this coming club season Reagan moved to left side giving her an opportunity for her star to shine.   The transition has come easy for her. With her height, 10 foot approach jump and long arm extension she fires missiles from both the back row and front row that are rarely returned. She is also getting more involved in serve receive and playing defense.   A player with a lot of upside.    <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Premier 16</h1>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">757 Black</h2>   AES Ranking - 19th locally and 729 Nationally   Team Summary - In a USA Division Northeast Qualifier they finished 45th out of 87 teams. They did win the Atlantic Coast Grand Prix which I got the opportunity to watch.   Player to Watch -    Despite her 5'9" height she dominated in the middle. In the second set against [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] she put away two quick tempo kills to give 757 a 24-19 lead. She plays with a lot of fire in the gut.   For Catholic High School she hits left side, leading the team in kills. While her best position appears to be left side she shows her versatility with the ability to play middle.    Other ranked players to watch - left side [player_tooltip player_id='968662' first='Emma' last='Kesler'] (WL), Libero/DS [player_tooltip player_id='921000' first='Rilan' last='Smith'] (WL), left side [player_tooltip player_id='968681' first='Shekinah' last='Anderson'] (WL)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Columbia Black</h2>   AES Ranking - 6th ranked locally and 595 Nationally   Team Summary - A seventh place finish in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship fell short of earning them a bid. It doesn't appear they played in any Qualifiers. There were a number of first place finishes such as a Maryland Juniors Open tournament, Rocky Mount Super Regional and a UA Showdown.   Top Prospect to Watch    She had a breakout season for an undefeated Howard high school team this past year, leading them to the Maryland Class 3 State Championship. She stands 5'11" but she appears to have some additional growth left in her. When the season ended, she finished third on the team in kills, In the championship match against three time defending champ North Hagerstown she blistered the court with 16 kills.   Currently, she appears to play just three rotations. For Howard she totaled only 7 service attempts with one ace and one error. Only a class of 2028 she still has a lot of opportunity to improve on the other areas of her game.   Perhaps a project but one that is worth a look.    Other Ranked Players to Watch - left side [player_tooltip player_id='831938' first='Emma' last='Golnoski'] (101), Left side [player_tooltip player_id='857977' first='Savannah' last='Smith'] (107), Middle [player_tooltip player_id='787927' first='Gianna' last='LaGuardia'] (162) outside [player_tooltip player_id='944214' first='Julia' last='Drapalski'] (WL)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='730175' first='Legacy' last='Volleyball Academy']</h2>   AES Ranking - 79th Locally and 3,780 Nationally   Team Summary - They played in the Northeast Qualifier American Division and finished 69th out of 115 teams. I have yet to see them play. [player_tooltip player_id='780433' first='Adelynne' last='Cocks'] plays libero and shows a good platform for passing. She also is not afraid to hit the floor to make a dig. That is based on video in her profile. She failed to make her high school team Chantilly as a sophomore, but she worked hard to make it as a junior. Since she does not appear on the varsity roster from last season she perhaps appears on the junior varsity roster. One of those hard workers who could be a late bloomer. Next year will be a critical year for her.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maryland Juniors Black</h2>   AES Ranking - 20th Locally and 615 Nationally   Team Summary - They finished 9th in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championships failing to earn a bid. In the Northeast Qualifier American Division, they finished 9th out of 117 teams again falling short of a bid. The Maryland 15 and 17 teams will play in both AAUs and USAV. Only eight players appear on their roster for this AAU tournament.   Top Prospect to Watch    When she showed up at our frosh showcase she stood just 5'7". For Holy Cross she now lists at 5'10". As a sophomore she did not get a lot of playing time for the Tartans but the roster is talented. Next year will be a critical year for her as she tries to develop more consistency with her hitting. Three inches of growth helps.   At number 135 she is the highest ranked player on Maryland Juniors in the class of 2028 that appears on the AAU roster. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='587884' first='Charlotte' last='Dittmar'] is the highest ranked player at number 52 but it appears she will not make the trip.        Other Ranked Players to Watch - Middle [player_tooltip player_id='809493' first='Alexis' last='Beasley'] (140), setter [player_tooltip player_id='749757' first='Dakota' last='Pentorn'] (2027, 96)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Platform Black</h2>   AES Ranking - 85th Regionally and 4,004 nationally   Team Summary - They finished second in the Chesapeake Non-Bid Regional Championships. Also, a 79th place finish out of 117 teams in the Northeast Qualifier American Division. To date, there are no players ranked or who appear on the watch list for Platform.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Virginia Juniors</h2>   AES Ranking - 4th locally and 311 Nationally   Team Summary - A 9th place finish in the Chesapeake Bid Regional Championships dashed their hopes of competing in the Junior Nationals. In the Sunshine Classic they played in the Open Division finishing 45th out of 48 teams. At the Northeast Qualifier they lowered their expectations playing in the American Division and falling just short of a bid, finishing 3rd out of 115 teams. Juniors ended their season with a second place finish in the East Coast Championship, losing to [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] Elite in the finals. In my opinion this team has the horses to do well. They just need to play with more consistency.   Top Prospect to Watch -    The upside with Mandela is she is a relative newcomer in the competitive volleyball world. Only after her frosh season in high school did she begin to try to raise her game. She transferred to Flint Hill from Archbishop Carroll as well as competed at the higher club level.   She has also sprouted to 6'4" making her a force at the middle. Virginia Juniors 18 picked her up to play in the Junior Nationals. Her improved play has led to NTPD invites. For her first invite to the NTDP she could not participate because of injury. She recently received a second invite and was able to compete in the drills.   Mandela is the type of player who will only get better as she continues to play against strong competition.    Other Ranked Players to Watch - setter [player_tooltip player_id='562335' first='Zeynep' last='Anaz'] (26), setter [player_tooltip player_id='536724' first='Ariel' last='Callwood'] (27), libero [player_tooltip player_id='609504' first='Brooklyn' last='Rothwell'] (59), libero [player_tooltip player_id='944218' first='Annie' last='Larrivee'] (152), left side [player_tooltip player_id='829291' first='Allie' last='Bowen'] (197), Libero/DS [player_tooltip player_id='725456' first='Audrey' last='Busch'] (2027, Mary Washington, 49), middle/right side [player_tooltip player_id='523664' first='Reese' last='Roberts'] (2027, 57), left side [player_tooltip player_id='471485' first='Kaelyn' last='Wharton'] (2027, 62), right side [player_tooltip player_id='530280' first='Lora' last='Totcheva'] (2027, Old Dominion, 84)   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Premier 17</h1>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">American Red</h2>   AES Ranking - 15th Locally and 790 Nationally   Team Summary - American fell short of qualifying for the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship. In the Sunshine Classic Qualifier Liberty Division, they finished 37th out of 64 teams. For the most part American finished in the middle of the pack in the tournaments they competed in.   Top Prospect to Watch -    Kaitlin set a 5/1 for her home school team. She led her team in assists and aces while also tapping second place for digs. She also earned a Prep Dig top performer award at a recent showcase. Ranked at 136 she is the only ranked player in the class of 2027 listed on the American roster.   Kaitlin certainly has the mental acuity to run an offense whether setting a 6/2 or 5/1. Her 5'9" height is also decent for a setter if used in the front row. For American I have only seen her set a 6/2 where she was subbed out once she arrived in the front row   If you are looking for height in the middle take a peek at the 6'2" class of 2026 Sydney Brudwig. This past season she made first team in the Northwestern District for Brentsville High School. She sits at 154 in our class of 2026 rankings.    Other Ranked Prospects - right side [player_tooltip player_id='754655' first='Bella' last='Pereyra'] (2029, 89), left side [player_tooltip player_id='907774' first='Devin' last='Heholt'] (2029, WL), middle Sydney Brudwig (2026, 154)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Liberty Elite</h2>   AES Ranking - 36th Locally and 1,203 Nationally   Team Summary - They finished 9th in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championships, falling short of earning a bid. In the Sunshine Classic Qualifier they played in the Liberty Division finishing 21st out of 64 teams. At the Northeast Qualifier they played in Open slipping to 40th out of 48 teams.   Top Prospect to Watch -    A versatile player who can set, hit outside or play libero. Her high volleyball IQ allows her to play multiple positions, though at 5'6" her height may restrict her effectiveness in the front row at the higher levels. When she hits for Smithsburg high school she has the ability to find the open court. She also brings a good vertical that allows her to sting the ball over the net.   One of those players with a great attitude that you like to see playing for your team. Those kinds of players have the ability to motivate their teammates to play at their peak.    Other Ranked Prospects - middle/right side [player_tooltip player_id='957909' first='Aryanna' last='Walters'] (189)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='730175' first='Legacy' last='Volleyball Academy']</h2>   AES Ranking - 38th Locally and 2,188 Nationally   Team Summary - They played in the Open Division in their two Qualifiers, finishing near the bottom in both the Northeast and Show Me. They do carry two Libero/DS on their roster who are ranked in the class of 2027 ([player_tooltip player_id='921822' first='Jaeda' last='Diaz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='847368' first='Amirah' last='Jackson']) but they are not listed on the AAU roster. Middle Aklewis Akwara ranks at number 182 in the class of 2026 but she has committed to Albright.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maryland Juniors Elite Black</h2>   AES Ranking - 24th Locally and 565 Nationally   Team Summary - They will play in the Freedom Division in Junior Nationals. Below is a link to that post.   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/06/review-of-dmv-freedom-division-teams/">Review of DMV Freedom Division Teams | Prep Dig</a>   Top Prospect to Watch -    In the linked article above I profiled [player_tooltip player_id='438089' first='Kenley' last='Jacobs']. If you are looking for a six rotation left side you can take a look at [player_tooltip player_id='753062' first='Madelyn' last='Mauro']. At 5'9" she may be a little undersized for Division I but she knows how to find the floor on the other side of the net. She is the primary offensive performer for Archbishop Spalding.   Her game has certainly shown a lot of improvement since last season. Someone who is worth a second look if your last glance at her was last club season. This is her first year with Maryland Juniors.

The Open Division has already been previewed. That is supposedly the highest level of competition in AAUs, though clubs can enter in any Division they want. The Premier Division is the second highest. There are 13 clubs in the DMV area covering four different age groups competing at this level. Below are some of the players perhaps worth a look in this Division.