Other Top Performers at DMV Prep Dig 250 Expo

Looking at some of the pictures taken by William Leucht appears to show many of the girls were having fun at the DMV Prep Dig 250 Expo. Whether they are top performers or not playing against or with others creates unique opportunities for them. It is not often you can get a talented group of girls together to play volleyball and not be in a competitive win or lose environment.   Erica Twarling was my eye on Baller TV. She normally handles the Nebraska area but she helped with the identification of some of the top performers. She also wrote a nice little piece on liberos you can see here (https://prepdig.com/2024/12/mastering-the-backcourt-libero-looks-at-the-top-250-expo/). Normally I spend a lot of time watching liberos but Erica was my eye in the sky for that group. While she focused on the libero group I did not ignore them since this is my area. It is helpful she named some players not on my radar.   Below are the remaining Top Performers not selected to my all tournament team but still talented players to watch. Later posts will discuss setters, pin hitters, middles and others that got my attention at the DMV Prep Dig 250 Expo.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Voto.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-729358" style="width:309px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='483591' first='Willa' last='Voto']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='483591' first='Willa' last='Voto'] (right side) - The nice thing about these events is I get to see some of these girls play for the first time. While Willa ranks number 98 in our class of 2027 that is based on video. Let's just say I came away impressed with the live version. At 6'1" she carries good height for a pin hitter, listing her position as a right side. With a shortage of middles to cover five courts I also saw her play a little middle. She appears to have the versatility to play either pin well or middle. I did not get to see any back row play. Willa played for Riverbend. This club season she will play for 540 Academy 16. Lots of potential to watch here.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Roberts.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-729371" style="width:245px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='523664' first='Reese' last='Roberts']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='523664' first='Reese' last='Roberts'] (middle) - She played at our August Prep Dig showcase. That was my first opportunity to see her play. At 5'9" she would be considered undersized for a middle. Excellent timing and a good jump allow her to block well. She did not get to play when I watched Patriot play this year, but they have two pretty good middles there. Next year she could move to a pin to increase her playing time. She does have the quickness to play the pins. Reese ranks number 73 in our class of 2027. This coming year she will play for American,   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Zender.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-729377" style="width:235px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='699993' first='Ava' last='Zender']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='699993' first='Ava' last='Zender'] (Setter) - There were a number of talented setters in this group. It did seem that each time I saw a good set or a nice defensive play and I looked at the number of the player it was Ava. She has good hands, setting for Flint Hill this year. After losing so many good players the last couple years Flint Hill needed some newcomers to step up in order to continue their success. Ava stepped up, sharing the setting duties with [player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']. While they failed to win the ISL the Huskies still remained competitive. Ava communicates well with her hitters. She will play for Virginia Juniors this year.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Zimmitti.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-729397" style="width:258px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='558212' first='Violet' last='Zimmitti']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='558212' first='Violet' last='Zimmitti'] (libero) - I remember [player_tooltip player_id='558212' first='Violet' last='Zimmitti'] from the August DMV Prep Dig Showcase. She told me she hurt her back so she might have to take it easy. When I watched her play she was all over the floor. Both Rebecca Russell and Erica Twarling noticed her when watching on Baller TV. She earned a number 21 ranking in our class of 2028. Now she stands out as a top performer. Violet will play for Virginia Juniors this year.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Hanson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-729404" style="width:219px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='728465' first='Valen' last='M Hanson']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='728465' first='Valen' last='M Hanson'] (libero) - I noticed her late when watching the six person play. She made a couple sparkling digs. I also remember watching her libero play when she played for West Potomac in Regional play. She has the quick reactions required for a libero. Valen is not yet ranked in our 2027 class but that should change after her performance at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo. Valen will play for Mojo Elite this year.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Brown.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-729412" style="width:240px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='729419' first='Taylor' last='Brown']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='729419' first='Taylor' last='Brown'] (libero) - Another player noticed late in the six player. She and her back row partner [player_tooltip player_id='499250' first='Kaitlyn' last='Harley'] seemed to form a duo that did not allow any ball to hit the floor. Taylor impressed me with her hustle on the court. I took note of her number 8 on a couple different occasions, which in the small window that exists for watching players deserves a top performer ranking. Taylor will play for Mojo Pink this year.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Harley.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-729420" style="width:281px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='499250' first='Kaitlyn' last='Harley']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='499250' first='Kaitlyn' last='Harley'] (libero) - The other half of the [player_tooltip player_id='729419' first='Taylor' last='Brown'] duo that covered the back row so well. She shows a good platform for passing. She also stays low, making a couple impressive digs. At 5'3" she has the ability to play close to the floor. Kaitlyn has yet to appear in our class of 2026 rankings. That should change once the new rankings come out.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Donley.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-729422" style="width:293px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='530366' first='Gabi' last='Donley']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='530366' first='Gabi' last='Donley'] (Middle) - She comes every year to our clinics at Bishop O'Connell. At that time, she played basketball, which was her sport of focus. I remember playing pepper with her. For a girl who lacked experience she impressed with her agility and quickness at getting to the ball, especially with her height. At 6'1" she can probably play outside but she listed herself as a middle for the Expo. Gabi will play for Mojo this year. She ranks at number 75 in our class of 2027.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/PDStockUp24_TP_DMV_Riley-Stever.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-588576" style="width:266px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='587625' first='Riley' last='Stever']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='587625' first='Riley' last='Stever'] (Libero) - Riley won a top performer award at our August DMV Stock Up Showcase. She turned that around to make first team in her District and second team all Region for her high school Gainesville. Riley will play for American volleyball club this season. She ranks number 90 in our class of 2026.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Thomas.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-729430" style="width:269px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='495262' first='Imani' last='Thomas']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='495262' first='Imani' last='Thomas'] (left side) - A second player from Bishop McNamera selected as top performer. At 5'11 Imani has good size to power the ball from the left side. Last year she played for a talented [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] team that finished fifth in the National Division in Junior Nationals. This year she will play for Maryland Juniors where she may receive more opportunities to hit outside. While this might be her second Prep Dig top performer award, this is her first one for the DMV area. Imani ranks number 147 in our class of 2026 but that should rise this year.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Rothwell.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-729468" style="width:239px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='609504' first='Brooklyn' last='Rothwell']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='609504' first='Brooklyn' last='Rothwell'] (libero) - She was the first libero that stood out early when I watched the libero gathering. I also saw her play a little bit with Colgan. As a frosh she would come in as a defensive specialist. Since their current libero is graduating Brooklyn could be in line to take over the libero position. Brooklyn ranks number 25 in our class of 2028. She will play for American this year.

Looking at some of the pictures taken by William Leucht appears to show many of the girls were having fun at the DMV Prep Dig 250 Expo. Whether they are top performers or not playing against or with others creates unique opportunities for them. It is not often you can get a talented group of girls together to play volleyball and not be in a competitive win or lose environment.