Players Who Stood Out at the Virginia Volleyball Showcase

North Stafford is in a rebuilding mode with five frosh on their roster. Cailin stands out as one of those veteran club players on a young team with expectations to fill a leadership role. She did a good job of that at the Virginia Volleyball Showcase, earning a spot on the all tournament team for leading her team to a second place finish in a strong pool. They placed second in the same pool as Bishop O'Connell, who went on to win the tournament

While North Stafford failed to beat the Knights they did upset Colgan (the defending showcase champions from last year) to finish second in the pool. Once they dropped to the silver division two strong VHSL state contenders Madison and Woodgrove swept them.

At 5'9" Cailin is a bit undersized for an outside but she brings a good vertical jump. Her passing and defense are strong allowing her to play six rotations. In almost any tournament I go to in which club 540 is playing Cailin seems to pick up her play to lead her teams into the playoffs. She did the same at this tournament.

Kayleigh also earned a spot on the Virginia Volleyball Showcase all tournament team representing Patriot. Another undersized left side at 5'9' who brings a good vertical and excellent arm extension to her swing.

Last year she earned a spot on the second team in the All Cedar District. I could not find a club foot print for her this past club season after she did not play for Paramount . That does not seem to have impacted her high school play.

Patriot finished third in the opening round of pool play but then bounced back to win the silver division, beating Colgan and Langley (the two previous winners of the showcase). Last year Patriot lost in the first round of the Class 6 state playoffs to eventual champion West Springfield. This year they need someone to replace the production of the graduated Soleil Rancourt on offense. That role seems to fit Kayleigh, along with senors Reese Roberts Reese Roberts 5'9" | MB/RS Patriot | 2027 State VA and Violet Masiello Violet Masiello 5'11" | OH/RS Patriot | 2027 State VA .

Laila Chadwick Laila Chadwick 5'8" | DS/L/OH James Madison | 2027 State #46 Nation VA earned the spot on the all tournament team for Madison. However, her counterpart on the outside was just as deserving. If Madison had advanced to the gold division the odds would be better to have more than one player make the all tournament team. Madison lost to First Colonial in three in the first round of pool play, knocking them down to the silver bracket. Once there, they swept both Woodbridge and North Stafford to win the silver Division.

At 5'9" Chloe is also undersized for a front row player. Early in her club career she played back row as a defensive specialist who could be used as a back row attacker. However, coaches at Madison and Virginia Elite could not ignore that powerful right arm she brings to the court and she returned to front row play.

Chloe has committed to Colby.

When ranking the class of 2030 Arina placed third based on her performance at the Junior Nationals with East Coast Volleyball Club . Sometimes, when you watch a player a second time there can exist shades of regret at the high ranking. That did not occur with Arina. She started middle for Ocean Lakes and pounded balls to the floor along various locations at the net. As she gains experience the potential exists she could transform into a more dominant player.

At 6'1" she brings good height to the game with a strong right arm. She does not appear intimidated as a frosh playing against older players. Ocean Lakes defeated a strong Woodgrove team to advance to the Gold bracket. They finished second overall after losing to Bishop O'Connell but beating First Colonial. Arina strung together a couple key blocks and kills in their win against First Colonial.

Another East Coast Volleyball Club player who impressed at the Junior Nationals, first winning a top performer award at the National Prep Dig showcase, then performing well hitting outside for East Coast. That got her ranked in the top ten of our class of 2030.

At 6'0" she carries good height for an outside hitter. She plays a full six rotations showing the ability to pass and play defense. She also can provide offense in the back row.

In the gold bracket match against Ocean Lakes she had her share of kills in the first set to keep First Colonial in the set. Her last kill gave First Colonial a 23-21 lead, but they eventually lost the set 25-23. Julia still has a tendency to tip when the set is not to her liking. As she gains more experience improving her transition game she will put a number of those balls away.

At 6'3" Evie brings some good height to the Catholic middle. Unlike many younger, tall middles she has the ability to make an approach and put the ball away. Last year she made the team as a frosh but did not contribute a lot on offense. She finished fifth on the team in kills and fourth in blocks.

This year she should make a better contribution, although for a middle passing dictates their offensive contribution. Evie does not appear to have a club footprint, but she plays basketball for her high school team.

An interesting player to watch for a class of 2029. Since club tryouts have already occurred in the Old Dominion Region it may be too late for her to latch on to a club team.

Elliot Dorgan Elliot Dorgan 6'1" | OH/DS/L Woodbridge | 2029 State VA earned a spot to the all tournament team. Her setter at both Paramount and Woodbridge Braylin Coacher Braylin Coacher 5'9" | S Woodbridge | 2029 State VA was just as deserving. Perhaps if they had overcome a strong Ocean Lakes team they would have two representatives on the all tournament team. They lost to Ocean Lakes in three to fall into the silver bracket. In the silver bracket they lost to Madison to finish in second place.

Braylin sets a 5/1 for Woodbridge. She also sets a 6/2 for Paramount . At 5'9" she brings decent height for a setter but her 9'3" approach jump falls short of what you need in the front row when playing club ball at the open level. She shows good leadership on the court when leading her teams to success. Last year Woodbridge made the Class 6 state bracket. However, they lost in the first round to Mountain View.

For her 5'8" frame Francise can hit the ball from the left side about as good as any player who fills the position. Every time I watch her play she dazzles me with how easy she makes it look to put the ball to the floor. While the blocks in high school are not as strong as at the higher club levels Francise still makes it look so easy. Her approach jump falls just shy of 10 feet.

She also plays six rotations. Elizabeth Hemberg Elizabeth Hemberg 6'1" | S/RS Langley | 2028 State VA won a spot on the all tournament team for Langley, but if the Saxons finished in the gold bracket she may have also found a spot on the team.

A Division III school could find her skills quite attractive.

Claire brings a strong lefthanded swing to the right side. Another Langley player improving her game with MOJO. She teams with setter/right side Elizabeth Hemberg Elizabeth Hemberg 6'1" | S/RS Langley | 2028 State VA to give the Saxons two strong hitters on the right side. Claire normally gets rotated out for the setter once she enters the back row.

While she may lack the jump of Francise her height is two inches greater. She can also put some sting on the ball when she makes contact. Langley has gotten off to a slow start but they have been missing their top hitter Rujuta Singh Rujuta Singh 5'8" | OH/DS/L Langley | 2028 State VA . When she returns the offense will be formidable.

Brynn was a bit of a surprise. She belongs to the class of 2029. A spot opened up for her on the left side with the unavailability of Rujuta Singh Rujuta Singh 5'8" | OH/DS/L Langley | 2028 State VA early in the season. She has shown an ability to put the ball away from the left side. Another player from MOJO but at a younger age group.

With the return of Rujuta to the lineup her presence can only provide needed depth to the team. She has the talent that she could also help out in the back row or she could spell struggling front row players..