TOP Five DMV 16 U Club Teams

All the top five clubs named below will play in the USAV Open, National or USA Division with the exception of [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']. [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] will play in the Elite Division in AAU Wave 4. The AAUs does have an Open Division but AAU teams can enter in any Division so trying to figure out where the strongest teams play is difficult. It does appear the Open has the stronger teams.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro Travel</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/IMG_4214-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-787823" style="width:386px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='612399' first='Riley' last='Ko'], MVP [player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='787533' first='Chika' last='Onukwugha']</figcaption></figure>   Metro Travel 16 earned a bid early with a third place finish in the Sunshine Qualifier. They lost to A5 in the semi-final of the gold bracket. They also finished third in the Windy City and Show Me Qualifiers. In the Northeast Qualifiers they stumbled to a ninth place finish. Last year this team won the National Division. Now they get a chance to spread their wings in Open.   The biggest strength for Metro resides with their pins. [player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell'] is the top prospect in the class of 2028 while [player_tooltip player_id='787533' first='Chika' last='Onukwugha'] sits at number three. Last year, when the 16 team won the National Division those two earned a spot on the All Tournament team. Katherine actually earned the MVP award. She whipped out a top spin serve that accumulated aces for most of the tournament. At 5'8" Chika is a bit undersized but her approach jump of 10 feet makes up for that. Before she turns 18 I expect her to grow a couple inches. Her older sister is 6'2" and played volleyball for John Hopkins.   The other pins [player_tooltip player_id='536721' first='Ana' last='Woods'] and [player_tooltip player_id='721145' first='Claire' last='Tepper'] usually occupy the right side. Claire has the versatility to play middle as well as left side. She blocked middle for her high school during her frosh season and spent the first part of the season last year hitting left side when Chika was not available. [player_tooltip player_id='515489' first='Chloe' last='Canetto'] at 6'4" can also give them some size on the right side. [player_tooltip player_id='550688' first='Sienna' last='Mitchell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='587876' first='Ariana' last='White'] have the flexibility to play both pins as well.   Metro carries the top setter in the class of 2028 in [player_tooltip player_id='612396' first='Natalie' last='Hobson']. Last year Natalie set for Virginia Elite. She also sets for Bishop O'Connell, one of the top high schools in the area. If given the opportunity she shows a pretty good swing from the right side, but Metro carries so many strong arms who can hit right side. She runs a 6/2 sharing the setting opportunities with [player_tooltip player_id='625574' first='Ashley' last='Nguyen'].   Middle [player_tooltip player_id='612397' first='Eliana' last='Koram'] is a regular NTDP participant. While she lists 6'0" she is extremely athletic with a 10'2" approach jump. The 6'1" [player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner'] helps her at middle. She skies even further at 10'4". Watch for a break out season from her as she transfers from St. Johns to Paul VI. [player_tooltip player_id='781020' first='Harper' last='Slate'] has the height at 6'3" but not quite the jump (9'11"). Her introduction to volleyball has only recently begun when began her frosh year in high school.   Add libero [player_tooltip player_id='612399' first='Riley' last='Ko'] as another player named to the All-Tournament team for Metro based on their first place finish in the National Division. She hits outside in high school playing six rotations. Riley also won the 18U Chesapeake Open beach championship. [player_tooltip player_id='784849' first='Delaney' last='Malloy'] provides support for Riley in the back row. Delaney hit outside for Flint Hill last year and made the VISAA first team as an outside hitter. With both Chika and Katherine six rotation players the defensive replacement usage is more to give the outside pins some rest.   The task of taking first is not so easy in the Open Division as the National Division. This team has the talent to accomplish a high finish, ranked 14th in AES.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maureen</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/16-Maureen.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-936611" style="aspect-ratio:1.4992869787568843;width:613px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16</figcaption></figure>   [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maureen fell short of earning a bid to Open but will play in the National Division as a result of them winning the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship. They finished 99th out of 163 teams in the Triple Crown. A second place finish at the Charm City Classic in Baltimore included a loss to Metro 16 in the finals. They rank number 34 in the AES.   While this team lacks a player some would consider a superstar, they have a mixture of players who can still dominate other teams at their position. [player_tooltip player_id='755134' first='Ava' last='Ewald'] is a 6'1" pin who rotates from left to right side. She is one of two players on the team with an approach jump reaching 10 feet. [player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh'] lists only 5'8" with an approach jump of 9'4" with a very high volleyball IQ. The concern is that as she plays at the older levels it becomes more difficult to put the ball away. At one point [player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther'] (5'7", 9'4") was one of their primary pin hitters for Paramount but at 17s she is now a back row player. The upside with undersized hitters is blockers begin their jump too early for smaller outsides. Left sides who hit the ball high can have success contacting the ball as the blocker begins their descent.   [player_tooltip player_id='569865' first='Eireni' last='Scott'] has the height 5'11" and approach jump 9'10" to rotate to either pin. [player_tooltip player_id='744458' first='Arielle' last='Stopak'] and [player_tooltip player_id='536728' first='Lalah' last='Washington'] both list at 6'1" with the ability to play both pins. [player_tooltip player_id='933350' first='Aran' last='Bernades'] is a smaller pin who hit outside for Class 2 Maryland State champion Glenelg.   Middle [player_tooltip player_id='744453' first='Megan' last='Elder'] has the height (6'1") and the athleticism (10'3") to make a difference. In my opinion, currently a bit under the radar with a number 24 ranking. Like [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] she plays at a high school (Poolesville) that is not traditionally strong at volleyball. The 6'3" [player_tooltip player_id='545727' first='Giuliana' last='Mastrangelo'] is the other primary middle. If they need a third middle, they can use Stopak or Washington.   [player_tooltip player_id='541140' first='Maris' last='Francescon'] set Paul VI to a first place finish in the WCAC and a second place finish in the VISAA. She earned a spot on the all state second team. She is one of three setters competing for Paul VI that plays for Paramount but the only setter playing for a first team. [player_tooltip player_id='735315' first='Zaire' last='Hewlett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks'] also fill in at setting. Anna belongs to the class of 2027 but set Wet Springfield to a Class 6 Virginia state championship. She earned a spot on the Class 6 Virginia All State first team. At 5'10 she set a 5/1 for West Springfield but her vertical is a bit limited. Zaire is another class of 2027.   [player_tooltip player_id='722541' first='Lily' last='Gurney'] is the main libero but [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] also has [player_tooltip player_id='588468' first='Bella' last='Chen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='772028' first='Sofia' last='Gelston'] who can also play the position. Historically, Paramount always grabs the top liberos in the area.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] Blue</h2>   [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] is one of those under the radar clubs that traditionally competes well against Metro and [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] but fails to get recognition. Normally, they do not compete in USAV Junior Nationals, turning down a number of USA bids last year to play in AAUs in Orlando. They also have players dedicated to the beach, so when the warm weather arrives, the players are more attracted to the sand.   This year they will be going to Indianapolis. The 16 team earned a USA bid in the Big South with a third place finish. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] also competed in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship to earn a National Bid, finishing second to [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''].   This is a club many colleges may not be familiar with. One player that should fall on their radar is their 6'3" middle [player_tooltip player_id='536736' first='Alexis' last='Stephens']. She ranks number 20 in our class of 2028 playing for a high school in West Virginia. While Alexis is the main source of their offense they do have some left sides that can put the ball away in [player_tooltip player_id='830996' first='Catherine' last='Warren'], [player_tooltip player_id='536738' first='Avery' last='Fauver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='744473' first='Sophie' last='Weir']. They can mix and match to either pins as well as use [player_tooltip player_id='932199' first='Hannah' last='Mood'] on the right side.   [player_tooltip player_id='752047' first='Teagan' last='Braun-Duin'] sets and sometimes remains in the game to play right side. [player_tooltip player_id='625566' first='Olivia' last='Barvick'] also sets but at 5'4" is restricted to the back row.   One position you can always rely on from [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] is the consistency of their liberos. [player_tooltip player_id='948005' first='Niko' last='Diller'] fills that roll for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. Niko earned a spot as the best server at the Capitol Hill Classic while [player_tooltip player_id='830996' first='Catherine' last='Warren'] snagged the best digger award. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] finished second in the tournament taking Metro Travel to three 25-23, 25-27 and 8-15.   Other than Alexis their roster lacks players with height. What they carry is high IQ volleyball players who know how to play the court. They will surprise you with their ability to battle with any team. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] beat [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] National in the Reindeer Rumble.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] National</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/57-Alexis-VerMeer.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-935641" style="width:392px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='768375' first='Alexis' last='VerMeer']</figcaption></figure>   The more I watch [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] 16 play the more impressed I am with their talent. They might be more competitive if they played in more qualifiers. Last year they played in a couple qualifiers, earning USA bids but turning them down to play AAU in Orlando. This year they played in the Northeast Qualifier, finishing 21st out of 87 teams. They will play in AAU Elite wave 4 this year. [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] did play in the Charm City Challenge in Baltimore, finishing in third place, behind [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Maureen and Metro Travel   The 6'1" [player_tooltip player_id='768375' first='Alexis' last='VerMeer'] snags the role as top hitter on the team. She reminds me a lot of [player_tooltip player_id='941986' first='Coco' last='Lewis'], with a strong frame that can put some muscle on the ball. A six rotation player who still needs to be more consistent with her passing. She won our MVP award at the Prep Dig showcase in Richmond. The other left side [player_tooltip player_id='464573' first='Blake' last='Crawford'] (Loyola Maryland) swings left handed but she has all the shots. She only lists at 5'8" but playing left side allows her to play six rotations and provide offense from the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='536717' first='London' last='Jones'] can put the ball away as well. Her 5'7" height is undersized but she still buries the ball. She normally plays right side substituting out for one of the setters.   One of the reasons their hitters are so successful is the setters [player_tooltip player_id='936618' first='Ryann' last='Owensby'] and [player_tooltip player_id='721139' first='Mollie' last='Wamhoff'] can move the ball to multiple areas of the net allowing Blake to shift right side and Alexis to sneak in the middle. Spreading London around creates havoc on the defense as well because she can bury the ball with only one blocker up. Ryann lists at 5'10" while Mollie is a tad shorter at 5'8".   While the middles may not carry the primary offensive load you still can't ignore them. The 6'1" [player_tooltip player_id='936617' first='Ava' last='Shabazz'] can hurt you if she sees just one block as will the 5'11" [player_tooltip player_id='936616' first='Mycah' last='Bingham']. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='937152' first='Ella' last='Davis'] keeps the offense rolling with her consistent passing and hustling defense.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] Black</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/12-Kennedy-Walls.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-935601" style="width:331px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='891350' first='Kennedy' last='Walls']</figcaption></figure>   [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] split with 540 Volleyball Club Elite in the Old Dominion Bid Championships. They won the more important gold bracket final match 25-23, 25-18 to earn the National Division bid. When playing in a couple Qualifiers East Coast finished mid-level in both USA and Open. They also beat 540 in the Virginia Beach Brawl. Competing in Charm City they finished 5th, losing to Metro.   A player who has yet to reach her potential is the 6'4" right side [player_tooltip player_id='617089' first='India' last='Starr']. She stands head and shoulders above her teammates. Playing for Cox high school she finished second on her team in blocks, but her offensive game still falls a bit short. She hit a team high .445 hitting percentage but only generated 68 kills, 5th on the team. India ranks at number 10 in our class of 2028, a lot of that based on potential. Class of 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='891350' first='Kennedy' last='Walls'] also hits right side but at 5'9" relies more on shots. Kennedy also ranks as a top rated beach player.   When I first saw India play for East Coast she played middle. However, with [player_tooltip player_id='617109' first='Margaret' last='Manzer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='918928' first='Caitlin' last='Fogarty'] they are pretty set in the middle. Both list at 6'0".   [player_tooltip player_id='746323' first='Isabella' last='Decker'] has a nice rocket for a right arm on the left side. At 5'10" she brings good height. [player_tooltip player_id='746329' first='Emma' last='Piccola'] is a teammate of India at Cox . At 5'9"she relies more on guile than power to put the ball away. She was 4th on the team in kills, but with the two leading hitters graduating she should take on a larger role. [player_tooltip player_id='894199' first='Alyssa' last='Ellerbe'] also hits left side but at 5'11" can also take her swing to the middle.   [player_tooltip player_id='746327' first='August' last='Bridges'] and [player_tooltip player_id='887089' first='Kyla' last='Goode'] share the setting duties running a 6/2. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='617112' first='Ava' last='Davis'] covers the back row. Cox uses Ava more as a defensive specialist rather than libero. She finished fourth on the team in digs. [player_tooltip player_id='787824' first='Isabella' last='Wright'] is also a quality back row player who made our rankings at 195.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Alec - Surprise Club of the Year</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/30-Anna-Hudson.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-935617" style="aspect-ratio:0.6676550664474217;width:291px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='730577' first='Anna' last='Hudson']</figcaption></figure>   Normally, I would not pick a [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] team as a surprise club, even if it is a second team. However, when you look at their roster they have no player above 5'11" with the highest approach jump accomplished by setter [player_tooltip player_id='941988' first='Amanda' last='Dadio'] at 9'5". They also were the only [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] second team invited to Triple Crown (finishing 143 out of 163) and one of two second teams earning a bid to Junior Nationals (Freedom). Capturing fifth place at the Chesapeake Regional Bid championships earned them the Freedom bid. They also finished 5th out of 111 teams in the Northeast Qualifier American Division and 11th out of 94 teams in the Liberty Division in the Salt Lake City Qualifier.   [player_tooltip player_id='730594' first='Gianna' last='Molfino'], a 5'6" outside hitter stands out as their highest ranked player at number 53. [player_tooltip player_id='693144' first='Layla' last='Babiker'] stands out as another undersized outside at 5'8" ranked number 57. When you fall far short of 10 feet with your approach jump you need to rely on your wits to find the empty portions of the court. [player_tooltip player_id='893945' first='Josie' last='O'Connell'] provides a little bit of height to the pins at 5'11". She can also showcase that height on the right side, as can the 5'10" [player_tooltip player_id='545723' first='Ella' last='Jarvis'].   Getting the balls to them are setters [player_tooltip player_id='941988' first='Amanda' last='Dadio'] and [player_tooltip player_id='893325' first='Bella' last='Pham']. Amanda set for Paul VI leading them to a WCAC crown and a second place finish in the VISAA state championship. She has sprouted to 5'10" allowing her to stay in the front row more often when she sets. [player_tooltip player_id='893325' first='Bella' last='Pham'] helped Madison as a secondary setter. She can also fill the libero/defensive specialist position.   [player_tooltip player_id='730577' first='Anna' last='Hudson'], who won a top performer award at our most recent Prep Dig showcase in Richmond covers the back row. With no player reaching six feet [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] relies on smaller blockers [player_tooltip player_id='893944' first='Keira' last='Benes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='789955' first='Nia' last='Isirimah'] for middle.

All the top five clubs named below will play in the USAV Open, National or USA Division with the exception of Richmond Volleyball Club . Richmond Volleyball Club will play in the Elite Division in AAU Wave 4. The AAUs does have an Open Division but AAU teams can enter in any Division so trying to figure out where the strongest teams play is difficult. It does appear the Open has the stronger teams.