Frosh Top Performers Rising Above the Competition

There was some length appearing at the Frosh showcase. However, length does not get you recognized without talent. It was good to see middles and right sides breaking out their talent at the Frosh Showcase. Below are some players who rose above the competition to earn top performer awards. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] dominated with four players from their Paramount Jaz who contributed to winning the American Division national championship also earning top performer awards   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Pia-Pardikar.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1007265" style="width:362px;height:auto" /></figure>    Pia blocks middle for Paramount 14 Jaz. They won the American Division championship at Junior Nationals. Pia was one of the two middles critical to their win consistently mashing balls to the floor. She continued mashing balls to the floor at the frosh showcase. She also showed an ability to play some quality defense when playing back row.   I first saw her block middle last year for the Libero Huskies when she shared middle duties with [player_tooltip player_id='779106' first='Isabella' last='Jeantel']. Ironic that Isabella also transferred to Paramount to play for the 15 Nick team. She has now moved from middle to the pins.   While Pia did not make the all tournament team at Junior Nationals her contribution to the offense was critical to Paramount's success. Next year she will attend the new high school Sky View. It would not surprise me to see her make the varsity there.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Liana-Lipscomb.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1007267" style="width:336px;height:auto" /></figure>    Liana was the other middle for Paramount Jaz who won the American Division championship at Junior Nationals. She was one of three players named to the all tournament team for their contribution to that championship. At the frosh showcase she clearly stood out as one of the top middles in the group.   At the Junior Nationals she showed the ability to deliver on a number of clutch spikes to lead the team to many critical late set victories. An approach jump that falls just short of 10 feet allows her to play above the competition.   Next year she will attend Forest Park. My prediction is that she will make the team as a frosh. With her playing middle Colgan will have a tough time repeating as Cardinal District champions.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Gabriella-Scott.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1007271" style="width:356px;height:auto" /></figure>    Prior to the junior national tournament Gabriella participated in the USAV Prep Dig Showcase. She was one of six middles at the event you could not ignore. Gabriella is a strong player who uses her 6'1" height to dominate the opposition. That domination continued when she played on the local stage.   Gabriella plays for the Metro 14 Travel team. They played in the Open Division at Junior Nationals. While playing against the best in the country she proved she belonged by putting a number of balls down hard to the floor. Like Liana, Gabriella is just a couple feet shy of 10 feet with her approach jump.   Liana, Pia and Gabriella were three of the four middles to earn a spot on the Prep Dig 14 U all tournament team at Junior Nationals. It is not surprising to see them continue that excellence at the local Prep Dig Frosh Showcase.   Gabriella will compete for St. John's College. With one of their middles transferring to Paul VI Gabriella has a good shot at making the varsity as a frosh. She showed the physical strength at the Frosh showcase to compete at that level.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Sofia-Fuentes.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1007272" style="width:344px;height:auto" /></figure>    Sofia is one of those players who benefits most from this event. This was the first time both Jeremy and I had seen her play. She impressed me early in the Queens competition by whacking a couple of balls to the floor.   She plays for a smaller DC club. I have a difficult time finding them in AES. After one season playing for Jackson Reed she will get even more exposure. It would not surprise me to see some of the larger clubs start recruiting her after she shows off her skills at Jackson Reed.   Jackson Reed is the strongest public school in DC for volleyball. A couple years ago they became the first DC public school to win the DC state championship. Normally St. Johns and lately Georgetown Day have dominated this tournament for the last decade.   Sofia's mother is from Australia, so she is still getting used to the club volleyball environment here in the Chesapeake area. Enjoy the chaos that awaits.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Mattie-Gentry.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1007273" style="width:352px;height:auto" /></figure>    Mattie is another one of those local players who received recognition on the national stage. She dazzled at the Junior National Prep Dig showcase, earning recognition as one of the top players there.   Mattie plays right side for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] showing off a tricky left handed swing that comes up with a variety of shots. It would not surprise me if she plays beach. At 5'8" she doesn't quite meet the height requirement of rising above the competition. Her game relies more on finesse with a pinch of power when the opportunity arises.   She plays for Cornerstone Christian Academy, which appears to have only started volleyball last year at the organized level. With her skill level she should make varsity and perhaps dominate the competition.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Finley-Ferguson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1007277" style="width:352px;height:auto" /></figure>    Another right side with a left handed arm swing. At 6'2" she has plenty of height for the right side. While her skills are still a bit raw they are filled with potential. Her size and left handed swing make her a special player. This was my first time recognizing watching her play. I watched a little bit of Maryland 14 Black play and remember them having a tall right side but the opportunities to stand out were lacking then. For the frosh showcase she made a statement.   Maryland Juniors did not qualify for Junior Nationals. Ironically, they lost to Paramount Jaz in the reallocation bracket. Paramount Jaz would then go on to win the American Division at Junior Nationals. Maryland Juniors went to AAU where they played in the Elite Division and finished 21st out of 89 teams.   Finley will play for Glenelg Country School, which competes in the IAAM. Last year Glenelg won the Bracket B Division championship. With her height and ability to swing over many blocks she should find herself on varsity her frosh season.

There was some length appearing at the Frosh showcase. However, length does not get you recognized without talent. It was good to see middles and right sides breaking out their talent at the Frosh Showcase. Below are some players who rose above the competition to earn top performer awards. Paramount dominated with four players from their Paramount Jaz who contributed to winning the American Division national championship also earning top performer awards