Off the Radar Prospects Guiding DMV Top Twenty Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our first top twenty high school teams Prep Dig named players from the class of 2029/2030 who are making an impact to their team's success. For this updated top twenty high school teams Prep Dig takes a look at secondary players who may not get the hype but should certainly receive the credit for their team's success. Results are as of Friday 9/25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 <strong>Bishop O'Connell </strong>(18-0), last ranked 1 - The Knights continue to roll. They have yet to lose a set. In the 53 sets they have played only one team has reached 20 points.. They have a big match on Monday against Paul VI then travel to Arizona to play in the Nike Tournament of Champions. They have swept past two of the big dogs in the WCAC Holy Cross and St. Johns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["750056"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab7e44b2bd1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year she played for Annandale in the National District. She dominated the District winning the MVP award as a frosh. This year she chose to join her Metro 15 teammate, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746506' first='Carolyn' last='Maria']</strong> to play at a more competetive level. While the two left sides [player_tooltip player_id='753097' first='Nadia' last='Wooten'] and [player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'] are doing most of the damage Kiera is quietly making her contributions felt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is third on the team in kills and second in blocks. At 6'1" she can extend her arms high above the net to shut down many left side attacks. On occasion she swings from the left side to spell Nadia or Macie. Her swing is just as potent from the left side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kiera provides a good alternative at the pins and prevents teams from keying on the left sides. With only one blocker up the kill becomes automatic. And with a shorter right side the result is a no contest kill. A player to watch as her game matures and becomes more dynamic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2 <strong>Annapolis Area Christian</strong> (12-3) last ranked 2 - They travelled to Las Vegas to play in the Durango tournament. While they lost their first three matches on day one the Eagles recovered to win their next four. They came home with a trophy for winning the Challenger Division. The week also brought a couple good wins against <strong>Holy Cross</strong> and <strong>Paul VI</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749757"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab7e44b2bd54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton'] leads the team in kills, averaging 5.5 kills per set. Dakota is one of the two setters responsible for getting the ball to her. She is the lone senior on the team hovering over a bevy of sophomores and juniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because she stands 5'6" she sets mainly from the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='762823' first='Brie' last='Mouton'] may set from the front row in a modified 5/1 or could come out of the back row in a traditional 6/2. Sometimes setters who only play in three rotations do not get all the credit they deserve. Dakota clearly fits that description.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dakota has yet to commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3<strong> West Springfield</strong> (15-0), last ranked 3 - West Springfield is also bulldozing through their competition. After winning the Class 6 state championship last year and losing both of their outsides to graduation they continue to dominate. They lost one set in their opening match against Hayfield but have won their next 14 matches without losing a set. They have swept <strong>George Marshall</strong>, <strong>South County </strong>and <strong>Langley</strong>, even <strong>Madison</strong> in a two set match. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks']</strong> continues to set a 5/1 but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='693144' first='Layla' last='Babiker']</strong> has done more than enough to replace the departing left sides, sitting second on the team in kills, as well as covering six rotations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4 <strong>Richard Montgomery</strong> (5-0) last ranked 8th - The player who shines the brightest on the team is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell'].</strong> She leads the team in kills averaging 4.4 kills per set. Katherine has committed to Minnesota. However, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557876' first='Kinsley' last='Flores']</strong> has seen her contributions increase from last season, ranking second in kills with a team leading .389 hitting percentage. She also leads the team in blocks. And you cannot discount the team leadership of libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='491007' first='Ana' last='Djordjevic']</strong>, who covers more than half the court when in serve receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5 <strong>Ocean Lakes</strong> (12-2) last ranked 6th - One of their losses came against <strong>Bishop O'Connell</strong> but a five set loss to their Virginia Beach rival <strong>Landstown</strong> stung. That leaves them in a three way tie for first place in the Beach Division with<strong> Landstown</strong> and <strong>First Colonial.</strong> Ocean Lakes still lacks published rosters Setter/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746327' first='August' last='Bridges']</strong> recently committed to Bridgewater.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6 <strong>Holy Cross</strong> (5-2) last ranked 4th - Their only two losses have come against the top two teams <strong>Bishop O'Connel</strong>l and <strong>Annapolis Area Christian</strong>. They won a big WCAC 5 set conference match over Paul VI. This weekend they will compete in the Battle of Bethesda tournament where they will probably play <strong>Richard Montgomery</strong> for the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["472384"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab7e44b2bd77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The players you notice first are usually the pins <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</strong> or [player_tooltip player_id='536721' first='Ana' last='Woods']. What you fail to recognize is the picture perfect pass that falls into the setters hands that allows the set the duo can hit. That pass is usually initiated by [player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel'], but those teams with scouting reports try to avoid serving her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She leads the team with close to five digs per set but is only third in serve reception. That is because team avoid serving her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She also can fill a role as an emergency setter as she did two years ago in the WCAC championship match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kate has committed to Cornell. She ranks at number 33 in our class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. <strong>Howard</strong> (5-0) last ranked 11th - They were supposed to have a big game with <strong>Glenelg</strong> but it got postponed because of a power outage. Howard had won the first two sets and Glenelg was ahead in the third set when the power went out in the neighborhood. Don't know if they will replay the match. Last year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832940' first='Jackie' last='Klugh']</strong> played in 11 sets when Howard won the Class 3 Maryland state championship. This year she is third on the team in kills. She provides support for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829552' first='Anna' last='Fiedler']</strong> while also giving<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier']</strong> another weapon she can exploit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. <strong>Handley</strong> (9-0) last ranked 13th - They have beaten the two dominating teams in the Northwestern Conference, <strong>James Wood </strong>and <strong>Millbrook.</strong> They have swept their last five opponents. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='511457' first='Breeze' last='Johnson'] </strong>appears on the roster as does <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807235' first='Sadie' last='Bailey']</strong>. If both are playing outside that would create a formidable offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. <strong>Madison</strong> (15-3-1) last ranked 9th - Two of their three losses have been at tournaments against <strong>First Colonial </strong>and <strong>West Springfield</strong>. An opening match loss against Marshall was their first loss. They strung together some good wins against <strong>Flint Hill</strong>, <strong>Langley</strong> and <strong>Chantilly</strong>. The sweep against Chantilly puts them in first in the Concorde Division. Their two outsides, last year's Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='359401' first='Chloe' last='Barth'] </strong>generate most of the offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='539414' first='Giulia' last='Pescosolido']</strong> contributes enough when hitting middle, forcing the opponents middle not to cheat too much on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. <strong>Georgetown Day</strong> (4-1) last ranked 14th - They lost to Paul VI in their only loss but beat Flint Hill. This weekend will be a tough challenge as they travel to Florida to play in the Sunshine State Invitational. The outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377396' first='Alexa' last='Telly']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750050' first='Raquel' last='Telly']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437985' first='Zora' last='Dimbo']</strong> provide the bulk of the offense. Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755672' first='Jaylin' last='Park']</strong> transferred from Reservoir and setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='499215' first='Charlie' last='Haft']</strong> has taken over the setting duties from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772034' first='Giselle' last='Conley']</strong> finds the spotlight taking over for the graduating middles. Their success will define the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. <strong>Grafton</strong> (9-0) last ranked 17th - Another team that keeps winning with their biggest coming recently against Jamestown where they pulled off the reverse sweep. The team is led by the sister duo of middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465315' first='Ana' last='Breckons']</strong> and left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='883712' first='Alivia' last='Breckons']</strong>. They rank 1/2 on the team in kills, accounting for more than 50 percent of their offense. That puts the pressure on the Clippers two setters, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='498364' first='Savanna' last='LeGrand']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='889272' first='Claire' last='Choi']</strong> to get them the ball using different locations and height to disguise the sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. <strong>Oakton</strong> (10-3) last ranked 6th - Two of their losses came in the Flint Hill tournament against <strong>Flint Hill</strong> and <strong>Georgetown Visitation</strong>. They have a balanced offense with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754650' first='Madison' last='Meiring']</strong> leading the charge from the left side. When the two middles, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768531' first='Luciana' last='Martinez']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='814457' first='Jocelynn' last='Kinlaw']</strong> get rolling this team will get interesting. Luciana played Junior Varsity last year and Jocelynn focuses on varsity basketball during the club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["814457"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab877c64a184"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jocelynn does not play club. Her focus during the winter season is on basketball. When the fall high school season comes around she shows off her athleticism playing volleyball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is second on the team in kills and first in blocks. While she lists at 5'10" her athleticism allows her to fly above the net to reject spikes or hit over blocks. Her .325 hitting percentage is tops on the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jocelynn ranks number 141 in our class of 2027. That ranking could rise if she focused more on playing volleyball during the club season. As it stands now, her job as a middle is to sky high to reject volleyballs from entering Oakton's area of the court. Kind of like blocking a shot in basketball to prevent it from entering the hoop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13 <strong>Briar Woods</strong> (10-2) last ranked 10 - Briar Woods had a tough stretch losing to <strong>Millbrook </strong>and <strong>Potomac Falls.</strong> They bounced back to win a five set match against <strong>Lightridge.</strong> They will get a chance to play Potomac Falls later in the season in a match that could decide the Potomac Division race. This is a young team that lacks a lot of star quality. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752431' first='Kayla' last='Chang']</strong> runs the offense with her setting, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755848' first='Mihika' last='Mamidi']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829291' first='Allie' last='Bowen']</strong> generate offense from the pins. They get the job done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14 <strong>George Marshall </strong>(13-3) last ranked 12 - Langley recently beat them to take over first place in the Liberty Division. They will face them again the next to last match of the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd']</strong> provides the bulk of the offense with her hitting from the left side but libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='965034' first='Lily' last='Davison']</strong> has taken the responsibility for the accurate passing. She makes it easier for setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778213' first='Ellie' last='Nguyen']</strong> and <strong>Kaitlin Ng</strong> to run the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15, <strong>Paul VI</strong> (12-5) last ranked 5 - Two of their losses came against<strong> Flint Hill</strong>, while <strong>Annapolis Area Christian</strong> and <strong>Holy Cross</strong> beat them. All three teams appear in the top twenty. Next week they have a crucial WCAC match against number one ranked <strong>Bishop O'Connell</strong>. After that they travel to Arizona to play in the Nike Tournament of Champions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='941986' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] </strong>generates most of the offense from the left side but St. Johns transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner']</strong> also contributes to the offense from the middle. She leads the team in blocks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='941998' first='Olivia' last='Stroupe']</strong> has given the team some offense on the right side ranking third on the team in kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 <strong>South County</strong> (8-3) last ranked 15 - In their last two matches they were swept by West Springfield, the first in the Alexandria City tournament and the second in a division match. Since they were also beaten by Robinson they dropped to third in the Patriot Division. Next week they play second place Lake Braddock. This team is led by a couple frosh from Metro, right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='941779' first='Jordin' last='Guthrie']</strong> and setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768588' first='Eliana' last='Butler'].</strong> I've been told that South County runs a traditional 6/2. The stat kills created by Eliana are all generated by setter dumps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17, <strong>Flint Hill</strong> (12-4) last ranked 16th - They won their Flint Hill tourney by defeating <strong>Paul VI</strong> 17-15 in the third set. Three of their four losses have come against top 20 teams <strong>James Madison</strong>, <strong>Paul VI </strong>and <strong>Georgetown Day</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</strong> provides the bulk of their offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='784849' first='Delaney' last='Malloy']</strong> has shifted over to the libero position, one more suited to her skills. Perhaps that will result in better opportunities at the club level. Her leadership qualities are top notch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["893943"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab92e00d0da4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Mila made the Flint Hill team as a frosh. As is not unusual for frosh playing on varsity her hitting lacked consistency. Despite that, she still finished second on the team in kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For club she played down for a Metro 14 team that was filled with talent at the pins. Three of those pins, [player_tooltip player_id='753097' first='Nadia' last='Wooten'], <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='941763' first='Sai' last='Herndon-Brown']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='941779' first='Jordin' last='Guthrie']</strong> are all making significant impacts as frosh on their varsity teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mila has also improved her game with Flint Hill, hiting with a bit more consistency. With [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] on the roster she still sits second on the team in kills, but she is now playing six rotations. She also leads the team in aces. As her experience grows her game will develop quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18 <strong>Glenelg</strong> (9-1) last ranked 18th - Their last match against <strong>Howard </strong>was interrupted by a power outage with Howard up two games to none with Glenelg in the lead in the third set. All nine of their victories have come from sweeps while their lone loss was a sweep by Urbana. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li']</strong> leads in both kills and assists. Last year she set a 5/1 but this year she is hitting right side with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749358' first='Eva' last='Bujanauskas']</strong> acting as the second setter. Second in kills is the 5'5" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='987024' first='Myah' last='Dutton']</strong>. They are getting results from some unexpected sources.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>19 <strong>Grassfield</strong> (9-1) last ranked 19th - Their one loss was against Kellam. They beat Marshall in the same tournament. Bridgewater commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='734796' first='Benisa' last='Moore']</strong> leads the team in kills. Ole Miss commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471714' first='Ryann' last='Bothof']</strong> controls the back row with her libero play. The key to the Grizzlies success may lie with frosh middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1038832' first='Scarlett' last='Lange'] </strong>and setter/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1008294' first='Brooklyn' last='Cassidy'].</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>20 <strong>Fort Defiance </strong>(13-0) last ranked none - Fort Defiance makes their debut with a critical five set win over <strong>Wilson Memorial,</strong> keeping them in first place in the Shenandoah Division. They have a big match against <strong>Alleghany</strong> in a couple weeks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845331' first='Caroline' last='Hanger']</strong> leads the team in kills while playing six rotations. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809104' first='Norah' last='Anderson']</strong> handles the back row duties. At 5'7" Caroline is a bit undersized for a front row player but she is dominating the Class 2 competition. Norah is ranked 201 in the class of 2027. The Indians are my pick to win the Class 2 Virginia state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dropped out - <strong>Woodbridge</strong> (9-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the Border - <strong>Freedom (South Riding)</strong> (12-1), <strong>Midlothian</strong> (9-1), <strong>Atlee</strong> (6-0),<strong> Northern</strong> (6-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->