Stock Up Top Performers Influence on Upcoming High School Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next month these players will attend high school tryouts as Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors. While tryouts are still required many of these players have already clinched roster spots. Steering their team to a state championship will certainly be more of a challenge. This is especially true when it comes to setters. Next week an article will be posted on the setters named in the top 50 for the class of 2027 detailing how many of them have led their team to state championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Setters</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1008370,"width":"246px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Iris-Jin.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1008370" style="width:246px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["630678"],"_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-6a61260c13e43"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Iris is one of those quality setters who I had to ask whether she had won a top performer award. She attended one event but claimed not to have won the award. This came as a bit of a surprise, considering her overall talent as a setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Iris has a nice clean set off the hands with good, consistent location. Her knowledge of running an offense runs high. Just to get into Thomas Jefferson you have to meet high educational standards. As a frosh she ran a 5/1 getting Thomas Jefferson to the second round of the Regional playoffs. As a sophomore she did a little of both a 6/2 and a 5/1. Again, they lost in the second round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For Virginia Elite Iris shares setting duties running a 6/2 with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='933335' first='Sunny' last='Zhu']</strong>. At 5'7" her height falls a bit short for blocking in the front row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The challenge for Thomas Jefferson is students get accepted to the school based on their educational excellence rather than their athletic excellence. That leaves Iris lacking big time weapons in the front row. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888291' first='Kelsey' last='Routman']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749640' first='Kiara' last='Oguno']</strong> are two weapons to watch. They were the top two players in kills last year and will return this year to lead the offense. Getting past the second round of the Regional playoffs should be the goal for this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1008371,"width":"294px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Adelena-Akers.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1008371" style="width:294px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899005"],"_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-6a61260c13eb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The first big step for the setters is when the middles team up with the setters to run the quick tempo sets/slides. A couple setter rotations occurred with little contact being made by the middles. When Adelena rotated to the middles the contact rate for the quick tempo sets increased dramatically. Adelena also brings good quickness to the position with the ability to chase bad passes. She does a pretty good job with the jump set as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At the Shamrock Showdown Adelena ran a 5/1 for [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'], setting them to a third place finish. For Stone Bridge Adelena made the varsity roster as a frosh. She was one of two players listed as a setter, both frosh in what turned out to be a winless season. With four frosh on their roster last season they hope for better results this season now that the frosh have gained more experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Middles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1008374,"width":"275px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Maria-coronel.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1008374" style="width:275px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877859"],"_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-6a61260c13f0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maria was clearly one of the top middles at the Stock up Showcase. She buried a number of balls hitting the quick tempo sets. Blocking is always a difficult skill to measure at these events since you don't see a lot of that until the six-person occurs near the end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Virginia Elite 16 won the Shamrock Showdown taking the third set in the finals 19-17. Maria scored the last two points of the set with a block followed by a redirect kill to end the match. That gives me a good read about her ability to block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Woodbridge brought in a number of frosh who contributed to a successful season. They lost in the first round to Mountain View in the Regionals. They do get another year of experience from some of their younger players. While Maria led the team in blocking last year as a sophomore she hopes to make a greater contribution with her offense. Last year she was fifth on the team in kills, but she carried the second best hitting percentage among the hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1008375,"width":"254px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Ella-Peay.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1008375" style="width:254px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768482"],"_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-6a61260c13f54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ella showed a nice ability to put away quick tempo sets, especially for a 2029. She also put some balls away hitting the right side. While you try to show some restraint before selecting someone as a top performer she was just putting too many balls away to ignore her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For Virginia Juniors she normally plays middle. Her partner in the middle [player_tooltip player_id='947948' first='Ava' last='Ibiezugbe'] plays a year down. She recently committed to William Mary. That bodes well for Ella.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year was a rebuilding year for Independence. They have a number of younger players returning. Ella has the flexibility to play middle or right side depending on the need. The Rhoton sisters should have the right side positions locked up, unless one or both get moved to the left side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Outside</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1008379,"width":"284px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Tranise-Bullock.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1008379" style="width:284px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["764150"],"_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-6a61260c13f9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'8" Tranise is a bit undersized for an outside but her 9'8" approach jump makes up for that. She did a good job of putting the balls to the floor at the Stock Up Showcase. Normally, I'm familiar with the Flint Hill players. One of their weaknesses last year was a lack of offense on the outside. Tranise is an outside but an unfamiliar name.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When I asked her about last season she missed almost all of it because of injury. They could have used her offense. Only [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] had more kills per set than Tranise. However, Tranise only played in eight of the 95 sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Next year should be different. Tranise was able to make the Metro 16 National roster. That should enhance her play when she returns to Flint Hill for her junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1008380,"width":"254px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Sara-Vloedman.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1008380" style="width:254px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["995004"],"_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-6a61260c13fe4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'7" Sara is a bit undersized as an outside hitter. However, she brings a good vertical that allows her to put the ball down. I watched the 16 Go Volley team play in a local tournament and came away impressed with another smaller outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944220' first='Sophia' last='Ray']</strong>. Sara is a couple inches shorter than Sophia. Sara also plays for Go Volley 15 N.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The challenge for Go Volley has been their willingness to play at the Open Level in the national tournaments. At the Open level the players are taller and more physical, which results in their 5-51 record over the season. Playing at a less competitive level could be more to their benefit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Musselman had a bit of a down season last year. Sara did not appear on the varsity roster. Based on what I saw she has an opportunity to make the team this coming season. The top hitter for Musselman was their 5'10" frosh<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='749353' first='Brielle' last='Wolf']</strong>, who currently ranks number 26 in our class of 2029. She plays for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. They lack a second outside to share in the hitting duties. That could open up to Sara.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1008381,"width":"255px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Hannah-McKinstry.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1008381" style="width:255px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["961813"],"_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-6a61260c14028"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When I watched BAVA at Junior Nationals Hannah hit right side. They carried two strong left sides in [player_tooltip player_id='763138' first='A'vielle' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='787925' first='Camryn' last='Bedell']. When Camryn injured her ankle during the playoff rounds BAVA moved Hannah to the left side. She killed it hitting left side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She also killed it left side at the showcase. That shows her versatility to hit both pins. Hannah made the varsity team for Severna Park last year where she lists as an outside/opposite. She finished second on her team in kills. This coming year she should be the top outside. Last year Severna Park lost in the Regional finals to Arundel in the Class 3 playoffs. This year Hannah hopes to take them to the State bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->