Top Ten Players from the Class of 2027

The Class of 2027 are all new. They also lack any rising players since no previous ranking exists. Originally, I intended to create a ranking of "watch list" players but that looked about as appetizing as a piece of white bread on a dinner plate. Below are the players ranked in the top ten of the class of 2027. At this age skill levels can change drastically.   [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] middle (Wakefield/Paramount) - When you stand 6'1" at this age coaches have a tendency to assign you to middle. With her athleticism it would be interesting to see how she handles hitting outside. For the most part she focused more on attacking the higher sets at middle. With an approach jump reaching 10 feet you do not have to worry about quicks. All she does is hit the ball over the block. Taylor also possesses a rich intensity for the game. She clearly wants the ball in critical situations.   [player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah'] middle/left side (Club 540) - My first time watching her play she hit left side as a three rotation player. She dazzled with her ability to hit the ball through and around the block. The next match she played middle and on occasion slipped into the passing rotation. At 5'11" she brings some length to the court. For Club 540 she played up with the 15s. What impressed me most was her wicked wrist snap to the ball. From the middle she put some high sets down, but she also ran a couple quick sets. Eventually, moving to the left side could be in her future. She played in the Junior National Beach championships in Fort Lauderdale at the 14U level and reached the gold bracket, losing in the first round. Playing beach shows me she should develop a good all around game.   [player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Katherine' last='Lewis'] left side (Herndon/Virginia Jrs) - At 6'2" she plays a six rotation left side. She provides offense from the back and front row. When she attacks she puts some serious velocity on the ball. Despite her height she moves fluidly to the ball, whether for passing or playing defense. One of the frosh who will be interesting to watch this high school season to see how she progresses. The last Herndon outside to hit with this velocity was Virginia Gatorade Player of the year Akasha Anderson.   [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] libero/left side (James Madison/Metro - pictured above) - At the 14 level she saw some success as an outside hitter. For Metro 15 she played libero. At 5'8" it would have been tough to see playing time at the pins with their towers of power. Her quickness and athleticism in the back row allows her to make some spectacular plays on defense. She also moves her feet well and creates a good platform to show consistency with her passing. At the high school level it would not surprise me to see her move to the outside as a six rotation player. Many libero club players find success hitting outside in high school.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Kieran-Rhoton1.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-336099" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton'] right side (Independence/Metro) - This past club season for Metro she played right side. I believe she has the ability to play left side as well. Kieran normally came in for the setter in the front row so I did not see any back row play from her. When she plays right side she has the diversity in her hits to go cross court or down the line. At 5'11" (or perhaps 6 foot now) she can also put up a good block. Of all the Metro pins she seems to hit the ball with the greatest velocity   [player_tooltip player_id='390169' first='Katherine' last='Russell'] right side (Mountain View/Club 540) - Katherine played on the 14 team. At 6'0" she puts up a good block on the right side. She also swings left handed, which makes her a nice fit for the right side. There still appears to be some awkwardness in her approach but that should resolve itself with time and continued repetition.   [player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther'] left side (Loudoun Country/Paramount) - She played one year as a libero at the 13 level playing up. That gave her some good repetitions learning the back row. Standing just short of 5'8" there remains some concern about her height to play outside at the higher levels. That won't deter her. One issue that is not be a concern is her work ethic. She works hard at improving her game. Another positive is being a good teammate on the floor. Paramount was the top team in the Chesapeake Region and ranked number 72 in the nation, according to AES. Kayla provided the positive energy on the court as she captained the team to their success.   [player_tooltip player_id='435748' first='Aaliyah' last='Green'] left side (Millbrook/Blue Ridge) -One expectation when playing for Blue Ridge is the consistency of their all around play. Aaliyah plays a great defense in the back row, passes well and puts the ball away from the left side. She does it all. Not a particularly tall player so some growth would keep her on the outside. Otherwise, libero remains an alternative for her.   [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] middle (Flint Hill/Metro) - At 6'0" Hunter brings length to the middle position. She also blocks well and has the ability to hit quicks. Her arm extension allows her to hit over many of the middles at this age level. As a frosh it will be interesting to see how she fulfills a role for a Flint Hill team that collects state championships. They did lose senior middle Sonja Meyer.   [player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum'] setter (Chantilly/Metro) - Caycee carries an instinct for setting. She takes advantage of all her players on the court. One concern is that at 5'6" setting could be restricted to the back row. At the Capitol Hill Classic they awarded her best setter for leading her team to gold at the event. Wherever her hands travel her team seems to win. Chantilly could be tough with the Caycee/Mambu connection.

The Class of 2027 are all new. They also lack any rising players since no previous ranking exists. Originally, I intended to create a ranking of "watch list" players but that looked about as appetizing as a piece of white bread on a dinner plate. Below are the players ranked in the top ten of the class of 2027. At this age skill levels can change drastically.