Rising Talent for Class of 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are the players who significantly climbed in rankings from the class of 2025. Four of those players appeared in our watch list and successfully worked their way into the top 150.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["184604"],"_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 look at her frame she appears she could have success as an outside hitter.  Her height dictates the libero position suits her best.  She plays it well, more times than not putting herself in the right position to dig a ball.  Bullis has an interesting group of talented offensive players next year, but it will be all for naught without a libero to provide the opportunities to play in system.  Like all good liberos her foot movement begins before the server contacts the ball making it easier for her to move to the ball on serve receive.  Nia jumped from 42 to 27 in the rankings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66140df7ecebe"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["235324"],"_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":"Rowan plays on the same Juniors team as Nia above.   For Holy Cross her primary position was middle where she finished third on the team in blocks and kills.  For Juniors she added right side to her repertoire.   Juniors made use of her 6'1' height for the right side to neutralize the left side attacker.  Her 9'11u0022 approach jump also provides her with an effective offensive attack from the pins.  It appears a lot of versatility exists in Rowan's game.  She climbed from 37 to 22 in the 2025 rankings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66140df7ecf41"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["235283"],"_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 Racquel was a frosh at St; Johns her passing stood out as a weak point in her game.  With a lot of hard work over these last couple years she certainly has improved that aspect of her game, transforming into a solid six rotation player.  As an outside she hits the ball hard and her 6'1u0022 height makes her a difficult block.  She led St. Johns in both kills and digs, while also finishing second in serve reception.  Virginia Juniors will be playing in the Freedom Division at Junior Nationals in Las Vegas.  Racquel climbed from 36 to 29 in our class of 2025 rankings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66140df7ecfad"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='483590' first='Rania' last='Lahbibi'] left side/middle (Rockridge/[program_tooltip program_id='494491' first='DMV' last='Elite'] - For Rockridge her position is shown as middle, outside and right side. She finished second on the team in kills but led the Pheonix in blocks. For [program_tooltip program_id='494491' first='DMV' last='Elite'] she stood out as their primary left side hitter. There exists some inconsistency in her swing as she adjusts to the higher outside sets but at 6'0" she can hit the ball high off the blocks. She also plays six rotations and attacks well from the back row. With [player_tooltip player_id='209791' first='Grace' last='Tucker'] graduating, expect a conversion from middle to the outside at Rockridge. Last year Rania earned a spot on the Dulles District second team. She rose from the watch list to our number 42 ranking in the class of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181279"],"_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":"Kadi shares the back row responsibilities with [player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] at Flint Hill.  With her passing and defensive abilities the Huskies were able to win the VISAA state championship as well as the Independent School League (ISL) title.  Flint hill has yet to lose a set in the ISL since 2011.  For the 17 Open Kadi earned the accolades of the best receiver at the Capitol Hill Classic.  She also becomes the third Chesapeake player to have committed to Lafayette, joining [player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu'] and [player_tooltip player_id='235746' first='MacKenzie' last='Calhoun'].  Kadi jumped from number 63 to 45 in our class of 2025 rankings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66140df7ed018"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["453965"],"_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 her listed height is 5'8u0022 she carries no fear when taking a swing at the volleyball.  Whether playing for Briar Woods or Virginia Volleyball Academy she produces some clutch hits.  A very emotional player she fires up a team with her enthusiasm.  Briar Woods had a successful playoff run, losing in the regional round to Riverbend in the semifinals.  Taylor finished second on the team in kills, trailing only to Clemson bound Skylar Riggio.  She finished fifth on the team in digs and serve reception.  She attacks well from the back row so playing six rotations allows more offensive opportunities.  Taylor advanced from 71 to 51 in our class of 2025 rankings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66140df7ed080"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["471627"],"_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":"Normally, I do not upgrade a player I have not seen play since the last ranking.  However, Allison earned a ranking in the Fab 50 of beach prospects on the volleyballmag.com undergrad list.  She was the only Virginia/Maryland player to make the list.  She also has committed to play beach for Florida Atlantic.  I did get to see her play at the Colgan Jamboree for North Stafford and she impressed me with her libero play, especially with the use of her hands for setting.  She had setter's hands.  She also brought a powerful jump spin serve to the court that she probably also uses at the beach.  For her libero play last year she earned a spot on the second team for the Class 6 Region.  She also won firs team honors in the Commonwealth District.  Allison rose from 78 to 40 in our class of 2025 rankings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66140df7ed0ef"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='397548' first='Sonia' last='Breslawec'] outside (Winston Churchill/Metro North) - She plays up on the Metro North 18 team. At 5'11" her height would stand up well for most teams, but Metro travel carries some taller girls who are just as athletic as Sonia. Metro North ranks as one of the top five Chesapeake teams based on AES rankings. Unfortunately, after winning a couple Maryland Junior tournaments to qualify them to compete in the Chesapeake Regionals, they fell short of earning a bid, finishing in seventh place in the Regionals. Sonia is the main offensive player on that team. She found herself rise from number 92 to 55 in our class of 2025 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='481964' first='Nevaeh' last='Ware'] middle/outside (North Hagerstown/Liberty Elite) - At 5'10" Nevaeh appears a bit small for outside, much less middle. Needless to say, her middle play proved instrumental in North Hagerstown winning the Class 3 state championship. When the Doolan sisters could not put the ball away in the third set of the State championship it was Nevaeh getting the call with the kill on a quick set to finish the sweep for North Hagerstown. Nevaeh continues to move up in the rankings, first appearing in December 2023 at 109 and moving up to 66 for this ranking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='235295' first='Hannah' last='Kotb'] Libero (Bishop O'Connell/Mojo) - MOJO 18 has qualified for the Junior Nationals in Baltimore in the Freedom Division. Hannah plays up for MOJO at the libero position. It would be hard to find a libero who plays the defensive game as well as Hannah. Her 5'6" height allows her to get low to the floor to prevent driven balls from touching the court. Bishop O'Connell won the WCAC championship her sophomore season with Hannah their primary libero. They fell to second this past year, but still finished as one of the top three high schools in the area. For her efforts Hannah rose from 94 to 72 in our class of 2025 rankings</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='235327' first='Jenna' last='Hathaway'] right side (Independence/Virginia Academy (VAVA) - Jenna finished third for Independence in blocks and kills. At one point she listed herself as a setter but that appears to have disappeared from her bios. She moved from 82 to 76 in our class of 2025 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["478130"],"_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":"Playing time on Metro is a challenge, especially with [player_tooltip player_id='528451' first='Sadie' last='Gladhill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] two of the top liberos in their age group sharing the back row duties with Danielle.  However, she does play libero for the top public high school in the DC area.  She led their team in digs and service aces.  Danielle has committed to Elon University.  She moved from the watch list to number 111 for the class of 2025.  Perhaps if I had seen more of her play she could climb even higher.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6615a78e907c3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["463849"],"_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":"Another player that moved from the watch list to a 2025 ranking.  She stands 5'10 with an approach jump reaching 9'7u0022.  I have yet to see her play but her videos show she can attack the middle well with a variety of sets.  Rebecca moved from the watch list to 128 but could move higher by the next rankings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6615a78e9082c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='490247' first='Leilani' last='Fongyen'] outside (Gainsville/American - Despite her 5'8" height she brings a vertical approach jump that reaches 9'5". Another player that went from the watch list to 138 based on a review of her videos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->