Top Prospects to Watch at Volley by the James

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rumors around the recruiting world indicate the P5 conferences have stopped recruiting for 2023s and 2024s. The Power 5 conferences in volleyball are the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12 and the Southeastern. I don't really buy that. The transfer portal may change that as players transfer leaving holes in rosters. This spring should bring a bushelful of signings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Volley by the James this will be a moot point as Division I coaches are restricted from appearing at tournaments until mid-February. The only coaches that will be present at the Volley by the James will be Division II and III coaches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are some of the top recruits that have still not committed based on the information that I have that will be participating in Volley by the James. Most of them fit in the top 50 of our class rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023s </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["231633"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ba278431b62"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> [player_tooltip player_id='231633' first='Alexis' last='Scipione'] </strong>setter (Colgan/Club Five-Four- Zero) - This 5'9" setter ranks number ten on our list of top volleyball talents for 2023, the highest ranked player in the 2023 class still unspoken for as far as commitment. Alexis set Colgan to a Class 6 State championship in 2022 and got them to the finals in 2023. Her leadership qualities are excellent and she is adept at running an offense. When given an opportunity she can put the ball to the floor. A quiet but intense leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235826' first='Bryton' last='Hill'] </strong>OH/Opp (Robinson/Virginia Elite) - Ranked at number 32 Bryton sits as the next highest uncommitted prospect playing in this tournament. For Robinson she hit right side. At 6'2" she carries good length with a block jump that reaches 9'2". Robinson high school relied on her as one of their main terminators last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181209' first='Kennedy' last='Seekford']</strong> Libero (Dominion/Virginia Elite) - A tough little libero who shined in the States. The Dulles District and the Class 4C Region voted her to their first team while the Class 4 selected her second team All State. A team seeking passing or defense may want to watch her play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024s </strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["180284"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ba278431bc7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='190541' first='Hannah' last='Ball']</strong> OH (Midlothian/River City Volleyball Academy) - River City does not have rosters on their site, but it appears Hannah plays for their 17 team. She led Midlothian to their first ever Class 5 State Championship. Ranked at number 6 that puts her the highest ranked uncommitted player in the class of 2024 playing in the tournament. The Class 5 named her first team All-State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180284' first='Chloe' last='Hokenson']</strong> Setter (Langley/Virginia Elite) - She ranks number three in our class of 2024 setters. At 6'1" she brings some height to the position, with a block reach of 9'4". The Class 6 selected her to the All State first team and the region voted her player of the year. Whether setting or hitting she can be a difference maker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209789' first='Seliz' last='Aktuglu']</strong> OH (Oakton/Vienna Elite) - At 5'9" she stands small for an outside. Her jump and athleticism allow her to play above the block. Seliz moves smoothly through the back row playing a solid defense with a good platform for passing. Another player swimming with first team accolades.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180282' first='Paige' last='Ahakuelo'] </strong>setter (James Wood/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - She can fly around the court. James Wood won the Class 4 State championship for the first time in school history with her running a 6/2. On occasion, the Colonels used this 5'7 dynamo in the front row for offense. Paige has a block jump that reaches a couple inches short of 9 feet. The Northwestern District voted her to their first team and the Class 4 Region selected her for second team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232998' first='Campbell' last='Woods'] </strong>Opp (Hanover/Richmond VBC) - Richmond Volleyball club lack rosters on their website but you can find Campbell playing with them. At 6'2" she carries the length for the right side, but she also hits pretty well from the left side. The Class 4 voted her to the All-State second team while the class 4B selected her for the first team. An offensive talent worth the look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237667' first='Skyler' last='Riggio']</strong> Opp (Briar Woods/VAVA) - One of the main sources of offense for Briar Woods. She also played back row and stood her ground, generating some offense with her three meter attacks. At 6'1" she can provide a solid block on the right side. The Potomac District and the Class 5d Region voted her to their first team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233008' first='Greta' last='Barwick']</strong> setter/OH (Chelsea Academy/[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) - It will be interesting to see her role with [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. For her high school she led her team in kills and was voted to the VISAA Division 2 All State team as an outside hitter. Last year she set a 5/1 for her club team. The 5'9" setter/hitter has a powerful right arm. One week she showed it off accumulating close to 100 kills over three matches. Her hands also show a nice touch for setting, though her location can be a bit inconsistent at times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others to watch that are highly ranked in the class of 2024 are middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180298' first='Alice' last='Holoubek'] </strong>(Virginia Elite) and liberos <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207594' first='Paula' last='Sigurani']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209800' first='Sydney' last='Pham']</strong> (Vienna Elite). Put <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237239' first='Azavia' last='Thomas'] </strong>(Virginia Elite) in the sleeper category. She is a raw 6'5 outside who shows tremendous potential. Another sleeper to watch is outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209791' first='Grace' last='Tucker'] </strong>(VAVA). It will be difficult to find a player with a better attitude on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["235748"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ba278431c1b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic'] </strong>OH (Richard Montgomery/MVSA) - At number 4 she ranks the highest of the class of 2025 playing in the tournament. The U.S. National team took an interest in her by inviting her to their National Training Development Program (NTDP). That should be enough to spark some interest. She hits lefthanded but can play both pins. An excellent six rotation team player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='225187' first='Simone' last='Schaefer'] </strong>MB (Riverside/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - In the most complementary of terms I will refer to her as a beast. She won the Potomac District Player of the year as a sophomore and also earned a spot on the Class 5 second team All State. Standing close to 5'11" she can dominate a game from the middle. She does have that tendency to slam dunk a set to the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos'] </strong>OH (Langley/Virginia Elite) - At 6'0" her approach jump falls just shy of 10 feet. Her swing whips fast through the ball creating impressive velocity. There remains some inconsistency in her stroke but when in the zone her kills are automatic. For Langley she played six rotations. The Liberty District voted her to the first team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181299' first='Ada' last='McCoy']</strong> OH (Musselman/[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) - As a sophomore she flanked Gatorade player of the year in 2022 [player_tooltip player_id='181201' first='Hannah' last='Howard'] to lead powerhouse Musselman to the West Virginia State Championship. She will play opposite the number one ranked player in 2026 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] </strong>to lead a strong [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] 16 team. You can also get a head start at watching one of the top liberos of 2026 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong> play as well. Tons of talent to watch on this team but Ada may be the most impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players to watch from this class are outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181311' first='Skyler' last='Tennant']</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']), libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235291' first='Sadee' last='Gedse'] </strong>([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']), setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181242' first='Shylah' last='Swope']</strong> (Virginia Elite) and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235749' first='Kareena' last='Rathnam'] </strong>(MVSA). Kareena maybe be the smoothest libero I saw play in 2022. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->