Ten Top Performers at Volley by the James

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are some of the players who stood out in the Volley by the James. Only players from the 15 and 16 open are listed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["325603"],"_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":"While Paramount struggled against [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in a three set loss Parker (pictured above) stood out for her middle play.  Her game has clearly improved from last year.  She appears to have gotten stronger and taller.  On the offensive end she proved difficult to stop.  On the defensive front she moved well from pin to pin.  She may need to work on her quickness moving for the ball on defense after the serve, but that would be quibbling.  Overall, her game looks strong.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a81690ce89e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='346818' first='Charlotte' last='Deraleau'] setter (MVSA Sparks) - Charlotte shared the setting duties with [player_tooltip player_id='238376' first='Anasofia' last='Zanellato']. She brings good hands to the setting position, putting up a good ball for the hitters to track. More impressive was her serve. She put together four aces against 540 Academy. MVSA Sparks finished sixth in the 16 Open, a good finish for the tournament. Charlotte will be a 2026 setter to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='464573' first='Blake' last='Crawford'] left side ([program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']) - Blake is a battler on the court. [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] was a bit overmatched playing against eventual champion Paramount in the 15 open division. With her left handed swing Blake creates offense from the back row as well as the front row. RVC started strong winning their first four matches. After the Paramount loss they were swept in their final two matches, settling for a sixth place finish in the 15 Open. If Blake can gain a little more growth on her 5'7" frame she will be a tough hitter to stop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["455102"],"_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":"Against [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] she completed kills from both the right side and left side.  While she plays right side she certainly shows the ability to hit from either pin.  Erin swings hard and gets results.  The frosh finished fourth on her high school team in kills and third in blocks.  Certainly, a promising start to her high school career.  Time for the club season to enhance her game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a81690ce91c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438046"],"_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":"She teamed with [player_tooltip player_id='298857' first='Ingrid' last='Smith'] to set Paramount to the 15 open championship.  While her setting shined it was her serve that stood out.  She blistered the back court to mount a number of aces against [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'].  For West Springfield she set a 5/1 as did [player_tooltip player_id='298857' first='Ingrid' last='Smith'] for Dominion so Paramount has options with their two setters.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a81690ce97b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["435745"],"_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":"When you watch her warm up on the volleyball court she does not look like your typical middle.  She reminds me a lot of [player_tooltip player_id='181307' first='Leni' last='Stanton-Parker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='225187' first='Simone' last='Schaefer'], middles who eventually moved to the pins.  Alyssa creates incredible hang time with her jump.  This hang time allows her to excel at terminating the quick sets.  A beach player during the summer Alyssa should have the ability to play six rotations if given the opportunity.  Currently, the way 540 Academy 16 is formulated middle appears to be her best position this club season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a81690ce9d4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["221415"],"_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":"Lindsey works hard to enhance her game.  When she goes up against a single block the odds are likely that the ball will hit the floor hard.  Last year she played for Paramount.  This year she moved to 540 academy.  Her ability to hit left side almost gave them a championship, falling just two points short.  A 16-14 loss to [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] put them in second place.  They did not get the opportunity to play Paramount in this tournament.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a96d6fcf8cd"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='333653' first='Elizabeth' last='York'] right side (540 academy) - Elizabeth looked impressive from the right side against MVSA Sparks, crushing balls down the line as well as cross court. At 6'0" she also put up an impressive block against the left side attack. She provides 540 academy with diversity as she can also play middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart'] left side ([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - Louise was difficult to stop against [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'], having a field day as she tallied up the kills. At that point it was a battle between two undefeated teams. The win over RVC was the first step Paramount took towards their path to the 15 Open gold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='309028' first='Gracelyn' last='Brown'] left side ([program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] - Gracelyn plays both basketball and softball for her Hedgesville high school team. She was not going to play club volleyball this year, but [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] had a beach tournament over the weekend and [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] needed someone to hit outside until Kennedy was available on the third day. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gracie had the game of her life against Paramount, digging balls in the back row and achieving kill after kill in the front row by hitting balls high off the hands of the Paramount block. She also contributed a couple key blocks on the left side. Her efforts allowed [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] to take home the gold medal in the 16 open division. Perhaps her play may also convince her to make herself more available to the volleyball world. Prep Dig ranks her 30th in the class of 2026. That could easily rise if she continues to play like she did at the James. While she stands just 5'9" she has a sense of knowing where to attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->