Top Bros Making a Rise in the Class of 2028

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of 2028 saw 25 players make significant gains in the rankings. Of those 25 ten play the libero position. Below are the ten liberos making an impact in the DMV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755672"],"_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-6a84849c63c39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The class of 2028 carries three liberos in the top ten. Slowly but surely Jaylin is making the climb up the rankings to join them. She plays down with Metro 15. Another libero on that team [player_tooltip player_id='755675' first='Charlotte' last='Nelson'] is also included as a top riser. A club like Metro knows that if you don't have consistent passing your offense will be lacking because it will always be out of system. Metro 15 made it to the gold bracket in the Junior Nationals last season with Jaylin primarily playing the libero position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaylin won the top digger award at Capital Hill Classic in 2025. In 2026 she won top receiver. Some liberos can pass well but need work on defense while others are great on defense but need to work on their passing. Jaylin is strong at both. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She shows good reactions when playing defense on hard driven balls. She also shows quickness when scrambling for tips. This is her second consecutive ranking update in which she has been identified as a top riser. The last rankings she went from 77 to 42. For this year she has moved from 42 to 32. She does not have far to go to reach a couple of her Metro compatriots <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612399' first='Riley' last='Ko']</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='437443' first='Kaniyah' last='Ball']</strong> in the top ten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Reservoir reached the final four in the Class 3 Maryland state playoffs before getting swept by North Hagerstown in the semi-finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["772028"],"_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-6a84849c63cf2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Sofia played outside on the second team for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. Only 5'7" the smaller height would not have been as effective if she hit outside on the first team. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] must have liked what they saw in her backrow play because they promoted her to the first team this past season. The [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16 team finished in second place in the National Division playing in Junior Nationals. She and [player_tooltip player_id='612399' first='Riley' last='Ko'] made my all tournament team at libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This year for Lightridge it would not surprise me to see her hit outside. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='545727' first='Giuliana' last='Mastrangelo'], who jumped from 33 to 25 also plays for Lightridge. Last year they lost to Potomac Falls four times, including in the first round of the Class 5 Regionals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sofia jumped from 109 to 76 in the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["625589"],"_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-6a84849c63d53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lauren played an excellent Libero for Liberty Elite in a local tournament. They eventually reached the gold medal match where they lost to [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16. The previous year Lauren played for Metro 15 playing behind [player_tooltip player_id='612399' first='Riley' last='Ko']. That team finished in first in the National Division in Junior Nationals. Liberty Elite gave her an opportunity to start at the libero position on a more consistent basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lauren uses her speed to cover the court on defense. Last year Smithburg reached the Regional finals before suffering a sweep against South Caroll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lauren moved from 104 to 93 in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898889"],"_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-6a84849c63da3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ava saw one of the biggest jumps in this class rising from 181 to 99 in the rankings. She stood out at the Prep Dig showcase this summer showing off a smooth platform that fired consistent passes to the setter. Her serve also stood out at the Northeast Qualifier when she played for [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year she played for Virginia Academy. It was a down year for their team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587033"],"_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-6a84849c63dee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lily won a top performer award at a Prep Dig showcase way back in 2024. She showed a scrappiness in playing defense. In the East Coast championship American Red finished a respectable 11th place out of 24 teams playing in the Beast of the East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For Forest Park Lily shares a back row with [player_tooltip player_id='530368' first='Sadie' last='Barrera'] who ranks in our top 50 in the class of 2027. Sadie also was recognized as a top climber in the class of 2027. Last year Sadie finished second in digs while Lily finished third. Forest Park lost in the first round of the Class 6 Regionals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lily moved from 131 to 118 in the ranking. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["948005"],"_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-6a84849c63e53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Niko won the top server award at the Capitol Hill Classic. She played libero for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. Last year as a sophomore for Woodgrove she was listed as an outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodgrove made it to the semi-finals of the Class 4 Regional before being swept by Dominion. With their libero returning Niko will probably continue to hit outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Niko shot up from 185 to 121 in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["625581"],"_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-6a84849c63e9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Makena jumped from 136 to 122 in the rankings. She has a shot to start at libero for Bishop McNamara. This should raise her stock even more. Like [player_tooltip player_id='781700' first='Gianna' last='Bonnett'] she does not get an opportunity to showcase her skills as frequently playing as a defensive specialist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She passes well and covers the court on defense. Playing in the WCAC will expose her to many premier hitters. There are currently 11 hitters ranked in the top ten between the years 2027 to 2030. That will keep her active.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755675"],"_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-6a84849c63eef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carlotte moved up from 175 to 125 in the rankings. This will probably shoot up again after she starts the season with Bishop O'Connell. For Metro 15 she doesn't get a lot of exposure with [player_tooltip player_id='755672' first='Jaylin' last='Park'] the primary libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing for the Knights will provide her that exposure. Few back row players hustle or play defense as well as Charlotte. Her passing needs a little more consistency but playing in the WCAC may cure that. She will face some tough servers in the conference so her passing will be challenged.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charlotte has committed to Fairfield, which right away tells me I have under estimated her playing abilities. It would not surprise me to see her get another big boost in the rankings after the high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587034"],"_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-6a84849c63f63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mackenzie is another libero that received a big boost up in the rankings from 176 to 133. She impressed at a Prep Dig showcase which resulted in her debut in the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At the Atlantic Grand Prix she brought out her game. Her serve generated numerous aces travelling across the net with bullet speed and a downward trajectory. Those are the toughest to pass. She stays low on defense, showing the quickness to cover the court. Another player who will continue to advance if the opportunities present themselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gainesville is in need of a libero this year after losing Riley Stever to graduation. Last year Gainesville lost in the first round of the Class 6 Regionals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["960051"],"_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-6a84849c63fb2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caroline rocketed up from 189 to 135 in the rankings. She first appeared on the radar with a top performer award at a Prep Dig showcase. She also snagged the libero of the year award in the Cardinal District as well as first team all district and second team all Region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a libero she shows good hands for setting. Early in her career she was a setter. She moves well in the back row leading her team in digs. She also breaks out a good serve listing second on the team in aces. This year she faced the challenge playing for Metro National.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year Woodbridge lost in the first round of the Virginia Class 6 Regionals to Mountain View. With many of their players gaining one more year of experience they should improve upon that this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->