2030s Who Will Make an Explosive Impact Their Frosh Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are six incoming frosh who should make an explosive impact on their high school teams this coming season. All contributed significant roles on their club teams. I tried to limit the players to one per club but Metro picked up two. The class of 2030 looks very strong for frosh who should make significant contributions to their varsity rosters. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["753097"],"_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-6a73bdf921022"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">O'Connell saw three players from the Metro 15 travel team transfer to O'Connell. They also have [player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'] from the Metro 17 team and setter [player_tooltip player_id='612396' first='Natalie' last='Hobson'] from the Metro 16 team. However, the player who could make the biggest impact from Metro may come from the Metro 14 team with [player_tooltip player_id='753097' first='Nadia' last='Wooten'] making her frosh debut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">They have an opening on the left side with the graduation of <strong>Ellyson Miller</strong>. There will be some strong competition from a junior varsity team that finished undefeated last season as well as [player_tooltip player_id='750056' first='Kiera' last='Jordan'] who can crush the ball from either the right side or the left side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, when a player receives an invite from Nebraska to attend a volleyball camp this tells you the kind of future she may have in volleyball. She stood out as the primary offensive piece for Metro 14 as they finished 17th out of 48 teams in the Open Division of Junior Nationals. A poor second day prevented them from playing in the gold bracket but they bounced back on the third day to win the bronze bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Connell will play in the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona in October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1001180"],"_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-6a73bdf92109f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 14 team won the American Division at Junior Nationals. [player_tooltip player_id='1001180' first='Liana' last='Lipscomb'] was named to the all tournament team. She and [player_tooltip player_id='785509' first='Pia' last='Pardikar'] dominated in the middle. Pia will play for the new school Sky View while Liana will play for Forest Park. Liana also won a top performer award in a Prep Dig Showcase this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Forest Park finished a disappointing third place in the Cardinal District. In previous years they have finished in second place, always behind Colgan, who has won nine straight Cardinal District titles. This year they should get some competition from Woodbridge and Forest Park.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Bruins lost their top middle <strong>Emerson O'Connor</strong> who led the team in blocking while finishing second in kills. Liana should slot in her spot to make an immediate impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["932773"],"_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-6a73bdf921123"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jemma made an appearance at our Prep Dig showcase. She performed so well she won the Avoli Prep Dig MVP award. Jemma has been on my radar since she played so well at the libero position on the BAVA 14 team as a 13 year old. Now she plays for the BAVA 15 team for her rankings debut. Her consistency in passing and excellent defense led BAVA to a 21st place finish in the American Division at Junior Nationals out of 96 teams. They may have finished even higher if their outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='787925' first='Camryn' last='Bedell'] </strong>did not suffer an ankle injury when they were battling to take a spot in the gold bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jemma will play for Crofton. It is ironic that one of their teams in their region is Broadneck, where<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='787925' first='Camryn' last='Bedell']</strong> should make a significant contribution. In 2024 Broadneck eliminated Crofton from the Class 4 Maryland State Playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jemma should improve the passing and defense significantly. Crofton does return two senior defensive specialists, but it will be difficult to take the libero position away from Jemma. Even as a frosh she may be one of the best liberos in the DMV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897643"],"_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-6a73bdf921175"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Julia plays in Virginia Beach where high schools do not carry frosh or junior varsity teams. When you watch their home games they normally play with 15 players on their bench. Julia should have the skills to make an immediate impact to the varsity team so she may not have to be one of those 15 waiting on the bench.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She played outside for [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] Black, which finished 33rd out of 96 teams in the American Division at Junior Nationals. They started out well winning four of their first five matches on the first day. The second day provided a little more of a challenge. Ultimately, they ended up winning the Bronze B bracket on the third day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before the play started Julia competed in the Prep Dig National showcase. She impressed enough with her play to win a top performer award. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Julia will play for First Colonial this high school season. Last year they lost to Ocean Lakes in the first round of the Regional playoffs. They have had a couple graduations at the pins which should open up an opportunity for Julia in the starting lineup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768588"],"_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-6a73bdf9211f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eliana also won a top performer award at the Prep Dig National showcase in Indianapolis for her setting skills. She was identified as a must see setter showing great location with her sets. This makes it easier for the hitters to put the ball away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She runs a 6/2 for the Metro 14 team which finished 17th out of 48 teams. Eliana also has a solid beach game finishing in the top ten beach players in the Virginia class of 2030.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year South County finished at the bottom in a very competitive Patriot Division. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='917866' first='Sloan' last='Tann']</strong> started for the team as a frosh earning a spot as an honorable mention for the Patriot District all tournament team. She plays for Metro 15. Eliana as well as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='941779' first='Jordin' last='Guthrie']</strong> should join her on the varsity this year. This should make South County more competitive in their division. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586523' first='Victoria' last='Hobson']</strong> also returns as a setter for the team. She played for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 Maggie last year and ranks at number 164 in our class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Eliana and Maggie running the offense South County should be very competetive this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1013119"],"_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-6a73bdf921240"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sofia wowed me early at the DMV Prep Dig showcase. This was the first time I watched her play. Anyone that powers the ball to the floor in queens play gets my attention. Extremely athletic which could open up an outside position for her. She showed the ability to pass and play defense, which wastes that ability when she plays middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sofia will play for Jackson Reed, which is clearly the top public school in DC. They lost in the finals of the DC state playoffs to Georgetown Day last year. Jackson Reed has middle [player_tooltip player_id='893947' first='Annika' last='Warren'] on their roster. She also plays for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 Nick, which competed in Open last year. The Tigers biggest loss from graduation appears to come from the outside hitters. They seem to have a lot of depth at the middle. More reason to move Sofia to an outside position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->