The Prep Dig Top 250 Expo Team

There were at least 86 players at the DMV Prep Dig 250 Expo event in Rockville, Maryland. While one Prep Dig scout watched via Baller TV, I walked the courts trying my best not to be hit by stray volleyballs. I survived although mentally it turned out extremely difficult to properly evaluate all the players in the two and a half hour time frame. As I reviewed the inventory of players that showed up there were many who I regretted not spending more time watching. Hopefully, that will be accomplished during the club season.   At the start of these events, I place an * by names of players I want to watch. That list included 36 players. In the course of trying to watch these 36 players someone would make a play that caught my attention. Unfortunately, when I looked for the name associated with her number it lacked an asterisk. So it was a real challenge for me to come up with this team. There are probably a number of deserving players who should also be here. I could do what the Big Ten did with their first team and have 25 players named, but that would lessen the honor.   Right sides   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/zebatto.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-728952" style="width:216px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='484960' first='Kinsley' last='Zebatto']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='484960' first='Kinsley' last='Zebatto'] - She clearly appeared to be the top selection of many. Before the event starts I ask the coaches to identify any player who stands out to them. Kinsley stood out in the first ten minutes of play for me and as I walked around the courts many of the other coaches would tell me to take a look at number 49. At 6'2" she certainly brings height to the pins and seemed fluid playing the back row. Clearly one of the more dominant players at the event. Kinsley played for Battlefield and will be suiting up for Virginia Jrs during the club season. A player to watch and one that will rise from her 2027 # 60 rank.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/McBorrough.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-728962" style="width:256px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='529439' first='Jasmine' last='McBorrough']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='529439' first='Jasmine' last='McBorrough'] - She lists herself as right side but when I watched her play for Heritage she hit left side. During hitting warmups she put the ball down to the floor pretty quickly. I did not have an opportunity to see her play in sixes at the 250 Expo but I have seen her play for Heritage. She hits the ball with power both from the back row and front row. She lists at 5'11" but achieves excellent extension with her arms. Ranked at number 95 in our class of 2027 this will also rise. Jasmine will play for Virginia Juniors this year.   Middles   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/IMG_4720.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-584842" style="width:268px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='587884' first='Charlotte' last='Dittmar'], </figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='587884' first='Charlotte' last='Dittmar'] - This photo of Charlotte is from her winning top performer at the Prep Dig frosh showcase. Normally, I avoid giving out back to back top performer awards. Charlotte again stood out among our middles. I did learn she played outside for her high school, so she got plenty of back row experience to add to her versatility. At Prep Dig 250 she focused on the middle. She lists 5'11" but covers a lot of court and hits the quick tempo sets well. Charlotte currently ranks number 20 in our class of 2028. She will be playing for Maryland Juniors.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Wheeler.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-728964" style="width:316px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='728965' first='Rhylie' last='Wheeler']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='728965' first='Rhylie' last='Wheeler'] - I am always open to a new name. At this event Rhylie met that criterion even though she plays for Bishop McNamara, a school we play frequently in the WCAC. Her listed height of 6'1" deserved an asterisk. Rhylie still needs work at improving her block at the pins. She arrives a bit late at times. This should improve as she gains experience at learning to read and anticipate the setter. A number of Maryland and Virginia players listed Legacy Volleyball Academy as their club. Rhylie will be playing for Legacy this year. She does not yet appear in our rankings. A new player to watch this club season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Masimini.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-728966" style="width:241px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini'] - There is an adage that you can teach a player skills, but it is difficult to teach them height. At 6'3" she definitely stood out among the other players. Her high school Archbishop Carroll does not have a strong volleyball program although they did have a player Azavia Thomas star for them in 2024. Azavia stood 6'5" but started her focus on volleyball late. Playing at Carroll may have stunted her development but playing two years at Virginia Elite led to a commitment at North Carolina Charlotte. Mandela is ahead of Azavia skill wise when you look at their frosh years. She could still use work on her arm swing to get more power on the ball. She also needs work on her transition game. Playing for Virginia Juniors could help in that development. Mandela is another girl who has yet to appear in our rankings.   Setters   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/PDStockUp24_TP_DMV_Danika-Swanson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-586391" style="width:207px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='448705' first='Danika' last='Swanson']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='448705' first='Danika' last='Swanson'] - She won a top performer award at our August Prep Dig stock up. I have watched her play at Patriot but did not get the opportunity to watch her perform at the DMV Prep Dig Top 250 Expo. I saw enough of her with Patriot to show me she is a quality setter. Danika will set for American 16 Red volleyball club. She ranks number 22 in our class of 2027.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Joyce.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-728973" style="width:259px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='728459' first='Ali' last='Joyce']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='728459' first='Ali' last='Joyce'] - Paul VI had three quality setters who showed up for this event. Two class of 2028s [player_tooltip player_id='541140' first='Maris' last='Francescon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='722900' first='Amanda' last='Dadio'] also impressed. Ali stood out first by performing well in a drill with [player_tooltip player_id='728974' first='Aria' last='Erdie'] where the coach would spike it at one player who would dig it to the second player who would set the ball back to the coach. The coach would then hit a ball at the player who set, and the process would repeat. The two seemed to stay on the court forever in that drill no matter how hard the coach hit the ball. Ali also communicated well. She has yet to appear in our class of 2027 rankings but that should change once rankings are updated. Our DMV Top 250 Expo list shows Ali will be playing for [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] this year. Another post will highlight Maris and Amanda.   Liberos/Defensive Specialists   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/PDStockUp24_TP_DMV_Ana-Djordjevic.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-588578" style="width:243px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='491007' first='Ana' last='Djordjevic']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='491007' first='Ana' last='Djordjevic'] - A quality libero who has covered the back row for Richard Montgomery in their first two state championships in school history. She ranks number 14 in our class of 2027, the second ranked libero in the class. This top performer award is from her performance at the Prep Dig Stock up showcase in August. Ana will play club for MVSA this year.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Bickel.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-728979" style="width:252px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel'] - Katie can impress with both her hands and her back row play. Holy Cross used her as a setter in a couple playoff games when injuries or poor setter play required her to become the emergency setter. During the libero queen of the court play she was used as a setter and showed off her good hands. She also is excellent at playing pepper with the opposing team's hitter, digging everything hit her way. Katie will play for Virginia Juniors this year.   Left Sides   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/Scott.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-584033" style="width:271px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='569865' first='Eireni' last='Scott']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='569865' first='Eireni' last='Scott'] - Eireni won our top performer award at the Prep Dig Showcase in August of this year. She clearly stood out in this group. For high school she played at St. Andrews Episcopal, one of two frosh who earned a spot on the ISL "A" first team. She lists at 5'11" but it appears there is more growth potential. Eireni will play for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] this year. She ranks number nine in our class of 2028.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/IMG_4718.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-584844" style="width:320px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='550688' first='Sienna' last='Mitchell']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='550688' first='Sienna' last='Mitchell'] - As a frosh Sienna was instrumental in getting Colgan to the state championship this past year. She played both middle and right side. Her future appears to be at left side. At 5'11" she also could find more growth in her. Our scout watching from Baller TV nominated her as a top performer. Sienna ranks number 11 in our class of 2028. She will be playing with [player_tooltip player_id='569865' first='Eireni' last='Scott'] for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] this year.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Wolfe.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-729034" style="width:291px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe'] - In August Emerson participated in our Prep Dig Frosh Showcase. She missed out on winning a top performer award. At that time she was listed at 5'7". A four inch growth spurt has occurred since that August event. When you look at her it would not raise a shock if she sprouts some more. She clearly stood out as one of the premium hitters in this event. Those extra four inches make a difference. She also hit left side for Holy Cross and guided them to a successful season, finishing in the top ten in the Washington Post rankings. Emerson will play for Maryland Juniors this year. She ranks number 32 in our class of 2028, but this should rise based on her performance.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Violet-Masiello.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-729844" style="width:229px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='500510' first='Violet' last='Masiello']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='500510' first='Violet' last='Masiello'] - I first saw her when she played for Patriot. She impressed me then. Violet still needs a little work on her approach to achieve greater consistency with her hits. Clearly, she put the ball away in warmups and even in the scrimmage she buried some left side hits. While she lists her position as a right side, she played left side for Patriot when I watched her. She lists at 5'10" but brings a good vertical to her game. Her club affiliation shows still pending but she played at Virginia Juniors last year. Violets lists at 107 in our rankings but that should rise based on her performance at our DMV 250 Expo.

There were at least 86 players at the DMV Prep Dig 250 Expo event in Rockville, Maryland. While one Prep Dig scout watched via Baller TV, I walked the courts trying my best not to be hit by stray volleyballs. I survived although mentally it turned out extremely difficult to properly evaluate all the players in the two and a half hour time frame. As I reviewed the inventory of players that showed up there were many who I regretted not spending more time watching. Hopefully, that will be accomplished during the club season.