DMV Showcase Bringing Some Talent

My first order of business when in Las Vegas is to check out the National Showcase on July 2. Last year Virginia held their first show case. This is a good opportunity for me to watch how a national showcase operates.   There will also be some local DMV players at this showcase. [player_tooltip player_id='537117' first='Annika' last='Cortez'], [player_tooltip player_id='490057' first='Avery' last='Lefman'], [player_tooltip player_id='346815' first='Isard' last='Bernades'], [player_tooltip player_id='490462' first='Adyson' last='Seymour'] and [player_tooltip player_id='535101' first='Kamora' last='Mack'] registered for the event. Another opportunity to watch the DMV girls play against some of the top players in the country. Writeups will happen afterwards.   The DMV area will have their second showcase on August 3. The morning is scheduled for the frosh to showcase their talent. The afternoon is for the older girls. If you have a group of three or more girls who would like to attend this event Prep Dig offers a $25 discount per attendee. Always good to bring a pepper partner to one of these events.   Some of the impressive talent who have already registered for this event.    The number three prospect in the class of 2027. She plays middle as well as left side. With her 6'0" height the left side would seem to be her best fit.   When playing middle she brings good tempo for hitting the quicks. She also creates a good block. Even while playing middle 540 used her in serve receive.   The advantage of playing her left side gives 540 a six rotation player who creates more opportunities to hit the back row or swing at out of system sets. A very athletic player, she can dominate from the pin. Her beach play also allows her to be effective in serve receive and on defense.   No matter where she plays Alyssa will win games for you with her ability to generate offense. But the left side doubles those opportunities.     First saw her play in a Maryland Juniors tournament against [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. She almost single handedly won the match for them. She plays six rotations and generates offense no matter where she plays. Her serve receive and defense also play above average. Annika sits at number 7 in our class of 2027.   She also recently played in a double's tournament with teammate [player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li'] (Pottstown Rumble) and finished first. Her Sports Recruit page now lists her at 6'0".     First saw her play for North Stafford at the Colgan Jamboree and came away impressed with her libero play. She showed good hands for setting and brought an impressive jump spin serve that brought good velocity as it travelled over the net. Couldn't really find her playing travel ball, but she spends her time on the beach. She seems to do very well there. Volleyball Magazine did a Fab 50 for the top beach players in the country and Allison was the only player from the DMV area to make the list.     She plays for a high school in Annapolis. Fortunately, she plays for Metro as well, which gives me an opportunity to watch her play. For Metro I have only seen her play back row. For Broadneck High she made her team as a frosh and set them to the State playoffs. Her hands carry the strength where she easily flicks the ball to either pin but also has the touch to feed the middles with the quick sets.   Her Max Preps page now lists her at 5'8". Playing for Metro gives her a lot of opportunity to enhance her game against top level competition.    [player_tooltip player_id='369263' first='Ryan' last='Heminsley'] middle (Walter Johnson/[program_tooltip program_id='499248' first='Academy' last='Volleyball Virginia']) - At 6'1" she brings some height to the middle. She also shows some athleticism for the position. At times I have seen her play back row instead of the libero. She currently ranks at number 130 in our top 150 in the 2026 class, but that could rise. This will be an opportunity to see her play.   [player_tooltip player_id='448705' first='Danika' last='Swanson'] setter (Patriot/American) - She stands 5'9". As a setter she ran a 5/1 for her high school team as a frosh and did the same for her club team American playing up with the 16s. At least, that is what I saw from the games I watched. She ranks number 20 in the class of 2027. Impressed with her attitude when on the court. Even when playing against older competition she gets the job done.    At the 14 level Eva stood out as one of the main left sides for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. The next year they stocked up a little at the pin position and Eva moved around playing both right and left side. At 6'0" she brings a lot of potential to the outside position, with a jump a few inches short of 10 feet. For South Lakes she made the varsity as a frosh.   She needs the opportunity to play. Moving the needle for South Lakes may give her that opportunity.     Cat plays on the second team for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. Her height makes her an intriguing prospect. She brings a powerful swing to the court. A little more elevation in the jump would make her a player to watch. It will be interesting to see her improvement over the course of the season. Despite playing on the second team I saw enough potential in her play to include her in the rankings.     You always have to love liberos who hustle on the court and really look like they are enjoying playing the game. That is what you see when you watch Kennedy play. Small in frame but appears big in heart. Looking forward to watching her play. While she ranks 61 in the top 150 for the class of 2026 this could rise after her play at USAV and the showcase.

My first order of business when in Las Vegas is to check out the National Showcase on July 2. Last year Virginia held their first show case. This is a good opportunity for me to watch how a national showcase operates.