2029 Breakout Hitters for the High School Season

Identifying breakout hitters for high school is a complicated recipe. First, you need to have some talented players surround you to help achieve success. Second, you need a position to play that allows you to contribute to that success. If both mix properly you create the breakout player.   Outsides are the easiest position to scout. They are normally the last player to hit a ball in a rally. Some of the traits you look for in an outside are the vertical jump, the fast arm swing and their ability to play back row, especially if they can attack the ball from behind the three meter line. Height can also be a factor, especially if that provides them the ability to put up a strong block. Smaller outsides with the ability to hit for velocity may lack the ability to reach high over the net to put up a strong block.   Below are eight elite players from the club season who may bring the ingredients to break out in 2026.    Woodbridge broke out to have a strong season last year. They finished second to Colgan in the Cardinal District. They accomplished this with a young team of frosh and sophomore standouts. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='960051' first='Caroline' last='Freeman'] led the team in digs while [player_tooltip player_id='877859' first='Maria' last='Coronel'] led the team in blocks. Frosh setter [player_tooltip player_id='747031' first='Braylin' last='Coacher'] ran a 5/1 leading the team in service aces and assists. Her favorite target on the team was left side frosh [player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan'].   Last year Woodbridge lost in the first round of the Regional playoffs to Mountain View. This year both setter [player_tooltip player_id='747031' first='Braylin' last='Coacher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan'] played for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] advancing the team to the Open Bracket in the Junior Nationals.   Elliot struggled a bit against this high level of competition, but the experience should improve her game for the high school season. At 6'1" with an approach jump nearing 10 feet Elliot is difficult to stop when in a zone. She will again lead the team in kills but this time it should lead Woodbridge into the state bracket playoffs. Colgan has won nine straight Cardinal District titles defeating Woodbridge last year in the last match of the season. This year it should be Woodbridge that will take the Cardinal District title. Don't be surprised if the player of the year for the District is [player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan'].     Last year Kiera won the Player of the Year award in the National District for Annandale. The Atoms finished second in the National District. The National District may be one of the weakest Districts in Northern Virginia. In the Regional Playoffs Annadale was swept by Alexandria City. Kiera was the offensive punch for the Atoms. Not a lot of recognition followed.   This season she will transfer to Bishop O'Connell. The Knights are loaded with pins this coming year. Kiera will stand out as part of that load. While she may not lead the team in Kills or win the MVP in the WCAC she will test her skills against some of the best players in the DMV area. She will also join her Metro 15 teammates [player_tooltip player_id='746506' first='Carolyn' last='Maria'], [player_tooltip player_id='755675' first='Charlotte' last='Nelson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='892024' first='Claire' last='Kennedy'] in a quest to win both the WCAC title and the VISAA state championship.     [player_tooltip player_id='762829' first='Angela' last='Zhang'] lists at 5'11"while falling a few inches short of 10 feet with her approach jump. While those are good number her most important attribute is her incredible volleyball IQ. At the Junior Nationals she finished a third set with eight kills, the last five giving Metro National a 15-10 win. The coach appreciates her mental acumen so much that Angela acts as the court captain on the team.   Last year as a frosh she played a primary role in Churchill's playoff run, finishing third on the team in kills. Only [player_tooltip player_id='465322' first='Siyena' last='Fitsum'] brought a better hitting percentage to the team.   Churchill returns both [player_tooltip player_id='772008' first='Meera' last='Patel'] and 6'5" right side [player_tooltip player_id='465322' first='Siyena' last='Fitsum']. Their leading hitter [player_tooltip player_id='438053' first='Lucille' last='Deraleau'] also returns. Last year they upset two time defending champion Richard Mongomery in the state quarter finals. They lost to Broadneck in the semi-finals. Broadneck would eventually win the Class 4 Maryland state championship over Urbana.     For [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] the 6'1" middle hit left side in the Junior Nationals. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] either had an injury or were trying to gather more offense. For [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] she is listed as a right side/left side hitter.   For North Hagerstown she was listed as a middle, playing that position in the finals. She finished second on the team in blocks and third in kills. Caydence Doolan graduates leaving a hole in the offense. Caydence accounted for more than 50 percent of the North Hagerstown kills. Their other outside also graduates.   North Hagerstown does carry frosh middle [player_tooltip player_id='895568' first='Payton' last='Sandridge'] on the roster. Last year she only played in 15 sets. She currently ranks number 99 in our class of 2029.     At 5'8" Zari is undersized for the outside or as a middle. What she does have is the ability to excel at the quick tempo sets in the middle as well as put the balls away on the outside set. For [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] she showed the versatility to play both positions well.   For the Colonial Forge roster, she lists as a middle/opposite. They do have some veteran hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='443570' first='Lexiana' last='Everetts'] and [player_tooltip player_id='581553' first='Karinne' last='Goodrum'] that may take some shine off her breakout. However, Zari is too strong a hitter not to make an impact.     Mila does not get a lot of playing time for Metro on the outside with [player_tooltip player_id='753097' first='Nadia' last='Wooten'] and [player_tooltip player_id='941763' first='Sai' last='Herndon-Brown'] hitting left side. She does bring some height for an outside hitter but whether she plays for Metro 14 or Metro 15 she has talented left sides playing ahead of her.   When playing as a frosh for Flint Hill last year she finished second on the team in kills and first in aces. Her experience with Metro should improve her .055 hitting percentage making her a more effective hitter. She plays a solid back row making her an ideal 6-rotation player.   [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] will again get the majority of the sets but Mila can take some pressure off her with a much improve hitting efficiency.     Broadneck won the Maryland Class 4 state championship. Their most effective hitter Kennedy Smith graduates. Someone has to take her place on the outside next year.   For Bay Area Volleyball Academy Camryn stood out as one of the more terminal left side hitters. Her and [player_tooltip player_id='763138' first='A'vielle' last='Lewis'] dominated from the left side. A sprained ankle ended the participation for Camryn playing at Junior Nationals. BAVA finished 21st out of 96 teams but could have finished higher with a healthy Camryn.

Identifying breakout hitters for high school is a complicated recipe. First, you need to have some talented players surround you to help achieve success. Second, you need a position to play that allows you to contribute to that success. If both mix properly you create the breakout player.