Future Frosh Impacting the East Coast Championship

Below are some of the top players from the East Coast Championship who will be frosh in high school next year. Odds are good the varsity will be calling their names. This class of 2029 is a talented crop.   [player_tooltip player_id='779106' first='Isabella' last='Jeantel'] middle (Libero) - The Huskes played in the Select Division. When you watch them play they showed the talent to compete in the Beast of the East. They lost in the semi-finals of the gold bracket, however their point percentage of 1.5 stood atop the Division. Isabella stood over 6 feet powering balls over the block from the middle position. In the Select Division there was no reason to run quicks in the middle. She also put up an intimidating block. An interesting player to watch in the future.    Zari played middle for a very talented [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] team. Their only loss of the tournament came against a Canadian team in the first round of the gold bracket. That Canadian team went to the finals before losing to Maryland Juniors. 540 took them to three sets, losing the third set 15-9.   Zari played middle but her athleticism could also allow her to swing from the left side. She jumps well and puts good velocity on the ball when she hits. I did not get a chance to see much of her back row play because a libero came in for her.   Next year Zari will attend Colonial Forge. The Eagles made it to the semi-finals of the Class 6 State championship in 2023 before losing to eventual state champion Langley.    [player_tooltip player_id='779114' first='Lacie' last='Rayford'] Middle (Club 540) - Lacie plays the same position as Zari. She stands a bit taller at 5'9". At this age it is difficult to predict the position they will play in the future. Lacie only started playing volleyball this year. Already she has developed the skills to play on the Elite team. She produced the game winning kill in set one that took down Virginia Juniors. On her hits she has a tendency to hit the ball left and needs to vary her shots to hit the ball to the right side of the court. This will develop after she gains more experience.    While she lists middle blocker as her first position Gabrielle played left side in the sets I watched. When she hits the ball she puts good velocity on the ball. Against Virginia Juniors she combined with [player_tooltip player_id='778444' first='Zari' last='Northam'] to put up a good block.   Next year she will attend Courtland which made it to the Class 4 Virginia state finals last year before losing to three time state champ James Wood. At 5'9" her height falls short of a normal middle in high school so her best position stands out as a left side.    [player_tooltip player_id='779119' first='Isabelle' last='Thompson'] setter ([program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy']) - She set a 5/1 for 540 when they played Virginia Juniors. Isabelle brings good hands to the setting position, though I don't recall any quick tempo sets she delivered to the middles. She also showcased a strong serve, stringing together a couple aces against Virginia Juniors. Her height lists at 5'7" with an approach jump just over 9 feet. It will not surprise me if she hits the ball well from the right side, but she focused on setting.   [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas'] left side (Maryland Juniors) - A physically strong girl, Sierra powers the ball from the left side. On tight sets against some of the smaller blocks she just slams balls over the block. Sierra lists at 5'11" but she seems to stand taller. Maryland Juniors won the East Coast Championship for the second straight year. The consistent hitting Sierra brings to the court generates team victories. For the most part Sierra plays the back row, but later in sets she may be taken out for a defensive specialist. Maryland Juniors does not play too many games in which they win by less than five points.   [player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton'] setter/right side (Maryland Juniors/Atholton) - At 5'9" she brings good height to the left side for the 14 age group. When you watch her hit you feel like you just watched a college match kill. For now, she has just scratched the surface. Playing the right side she brings the ability to turn on the ball and power it down the line. Scarlett is one of three setters on the Juniors team. She can be erratic at times with her location, pushing the ball too outside. With more repetition her sets will gain greater consistency. No doubt in my mind that she will be a difference maker on the varsity this season.    Madison is the more consistent of the Virginia Juniors hitters. She also consistently plays six rotations, becoming part of the offense when hitting in the back row. Her passing and defensive play also pass muster for a back row player.   She brings unbridled enthusiasm to the court. Last year Oakton had a down season after losing both of their left sides. It would not surprise me to see her make an immediate impact for the Cougars this coming season.     Alaenah strung together some big hits for Virginia Juniors in their second set win over club 540. A physically strong girl who has the potential to impact the game with a little more growth. When she plays six rotations she can crush the ball from the back row. Despite the success she still needs to develop a little more consistency with her offense and her serving.   Alaenah will play for Battlefield, which usually brings a competitive team to the playoff scene every year. In 2023 they made it to the Class 6 Virginia state finals before losing to Langley. This past season they got knocked out by Colgan in a semi-final regional battle. This coming year could be a rebuilding season. for Battlefield.    Rachel Bauer left side ([program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite']) - A shout out to Rachel for the most impressive performance of the tournament. She actually lists in the class of 2030 playing outside for [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] 14. They won the Silver Bracket in 14 select. Her big contribution for the tournament was opening up the East Coast Championship by singing the National Anthem. That is more powerful than any volleyball spike. Still, for a seventh grader her hitting is pre4tty powerful.

Below are some of the top players from the East Coast Championship who will be frosh in high school next year. Odds are good the varsity will be calling their names. This class of 2029 is a talented crop.