More Top Prospects to Watch in Northeast Qualifiers

This is the 16 and 17 age groups, minus any open teams in the 17s. Because there are so many Virginia teams playing in this tournament we will take a look at just one team per division and the top players from that team. Last week five of the 11 teams we highlighted in the class of 2026 age group appeared in the gold bracket, two of them coming away with bids. This time we are only highlighting five, excluding any American Division teams.   Qualifiers are ending when April ends. Division I colleges hit another quiet period from May 1 to June 1 when coaches are not allowed to watch tournaments. Colleges may want to look at some of these players below, only one of whom has committed.   16 Open (Metro)   The 15, 17 and 18 teams have won their open bids. The 16's won a National bid by winning the local Chesapeake Regional Qualifier. The open bid remains their goal. There are 28 teams competing in the open division, with four of those teams already capturing open bids.   This roster carries gobs of talent. So do their opponents. It will take more than just talent to earn an open bid this weekend.   The most consistent left side player is [player_tooltip player_id='181805' first='Madison' last='Smith']. She plays six rotations, passes well and brings a lot more velocity on the ball than she did last year. The other left side position rotates between [player_tooltip player_id='181307' first='Leni' last='Stanton-Parker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='249341' first='Baylee' last='Doolan']. Leni has an approach jump far over 10 feet. She also plays a dominating middle. At 6'0" her kills in the middle are almost automatic. When she goes middle Baylee plays left side.   With Baylee on the left side the passing and defense improve. When not playing left side she is used as a defensive specialist. At 5'8" Metro loses some height in the front row for blocking, but her offense remains strong.   [player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181244' first='Ryan' last='Hicks'] share the setting duties. At 6'2" Isabelle stays in the front row to hit. She is one of those players who has attracted the attention of the National team training development staff. [player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu'] comes in to hit for [player_tooltip player_id='181244' first='Ryan' last='Hicks'] on the right side. She carries a left handed swing built for the right side and brings a lot of emotion to the court.   When Leni hits left side [player_tooltip player_id='181315' first='Sierra' last='Evans'] and [player_tooltip player_id='235284' first='Caitlin' last='Johnson'] share the middle position. Caitlyn stands 6'4" and Sierra 6'2". [player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] is the libero that comes in for them. Evie belongs to the class of 2026. She brings a consistent passing game and quick movements to the floor.   16 USA (Blue Ridge)   They have already earned an American bid from the Chesapeake Regional Qualifiers. This team has the talent to move up higher in the bid chain. The most talented would be their two left sides [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181299' first='Ada' last='McCoy']. Kennedy ranks as a 2026. As a frosh she led her high school team James Woods in kills, leading them to the Virginia Class 4 State Championship. Not many frosh have that on their resume. Ada plays for Musselman, who were the West Virginia State champs. Both play six rotations and are relied on for their back row attacks. It gives Blue Ridge four hitters on the court regardless of rotation.   [player_tooltip player_id='290934' first='Ava' last='Dickerson'] plays middle but hits a higher set. She can turn and put the ball to the floor on either the left or right side. It is a rare occasion when a team finds a way to block her. [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] ranks with the 2026 as well but competes with [player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] for best libero in the 16U class. She uses her beach instincts to cover the indoor court.   The setting duties are shared by Kendall Watcher and Alexandra Lynch. Finding Kennedy and Ada on the court remains their biggest task.   16 Liberty (VAVA Blue)   They come to Philly seeking a bid. There are 16 teams in the Liberty Division, all of them lacking a bid. VAVA will be my long shot to shine.   They carry four players on their roster who can set. [player_tooltip player_id='242039' first='Michelle' last='Kim'], [player_tooltip player_id='238857' first='Julie' last='Xu'] and [player_tooltip player_id='240028' first='Emma' last='Adiacontei'] are listed as setters. [player_tooltip player_id='235327' first='Jenna' last='Hathaway'] set for her high school but on the roster is listed as a right side. At 5'10" she carries the length to play front row. So does [player_tooltip player_id='238857' first='Julie' last='Xu'] at 5'11". Julie actually was used as a right side hitter for her high school team Oakton playing as a frosh. Michelle impresses with soft hands and consistent location.   The beneficiary of this loaded setting class are the pin hitters [player_tooltip player_id='346738' first='Alena' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='181312' first='Emily' last='Maguire'] and [player_tooltip player_id='235296' first='Makenzie' last='Dvorznak']. As outsides they tend to be on the smaller scale but they can compete. As a sophomore the Potomac District voted Makenzie to the second team.   [player_tooltip player_id='181314' first='Aubrey' last='Loughlin'] is a 6'0" middle to watch. With 15 players on the roster a lot of mixing and matching goes on with the lineups.   17 USA (Virginia Jrs)   Blue Ridge won their National bid at the Chesapeake Regional Qualifiers so winning the USA would not be a step in the right direction. Virginia Jrs earned a Freedom bid in the same tournament, so winning a USA bid would be a step up. I suspect Virginia Juniors has more of a motivation to win.   Juniors has a great setting combo in [player_tooltip player_id='182753' first='Isabel' last='Ostvig'] and [player_tooltip player_id='244159' first='Jaylyn' last='Simon']. Both run the offense well with their jump sets and wide variety of quick sets to the middles and outsides. Both also hit well when in the front row, though Isabel draws a slight edge in that category. She stands 5'10 while Jaylyn gives up an inch in height. Isabel has committed to UMBC.   They have the weapons to set in outsides [player_tooltip player_id='181234' first='Samia' last='Sayd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='209790' first='Aubrey' last='Hatch']. Samia may be the better passer and defensive player while Aubrey brings more velocity to her kills. [player_tooltip player_id='243772' first='Charizma' last='Lofton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181230' first='Lydia' last='Darville'] are additional outsides Juniors can bring in to spruce up the offense. Both can play right or left side. A lot of depth at the pins.   [player_tooltip player_id='182776' first='Brianna' last='Clay'] plays a strong middle. Class of 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='181235' first='Sydney' last='Mayfield'] can play there or move to the right side. If the middles are running the quicks it takes the double blocks away from the outsides.   `[player_tooltip player_id='181239' first='Lanie' last='Goff'],` [player_tooltip player_id='235278' first='Aava' last='Shingler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='209798' first='Emily' last='Kearney'] are top level passers and defensive players. If they are playing their game the offense runs on high octane. Lanie normally plays the libero position while Aava and Emily provide defensive support.   17 Liberty (East Coast Power Marble DC)   East Coast Power earned a reallocated Freedom bid. They finished third out of 96 teams in an American Division Mideast Qualifier. They also just missed a bid by finishing fifth in the Chesapeake Regional Qualifiers. Last weekend their 15 team (Shock) beat out 108 teams to win the American Division. Momentum appears to be carrying the East Coast Power teams.   The outsides are strong with the 6'1' [player_tooltip player_id='233000' first='Maura' last='Fay'] and the smaller [player_tooltip player_id='183414' first='Adrienne' last='Long'] and [player_tooltip player_id='192633' first='Kendall' last='Washington']. Kendall normally plays right side but can play six rotations because East Coast uses a front row and back row setter for one position. She bangs from behind the three meter line.   The front row setter is lefty hitting [player_tooltip player_id='348735' first='Audrey' last='Monlux']. She stands 5'10", as does her twin sister [player_tooltip player_id='348696' first='Julia' last='Monlux'] who plays middle. [player_tooltip player_id='226029' first='Emily' last='Reyburn'] normally sets in the back row but for this tournament they also have [player_tooltip player_id='181245' first='Anisa' last='Flowers'] on the roster. Anisa has been a part time player because of her obligation to run high school track. With Anisa on the roster they can rotate three setters to keep them fresh.

This is the 16 and 17 age groups, minus any open teams in the 17s. Because there are so many Virginia teams playing in this tournament we will take a look at just one team per division and the top players from that team. Last week five of the 11 teams we highlighted in the class of 2026 age group appeared in the gold bracket, two of them coming away with bids. This time we are only highlighting five, excluding any American Division teams.