Pia was in a group of middles that I wasn’t expecting to have so much talent as freshmen. Usually they are still growing and adjusting to that growth so it’s usually a year or two later you really see the Middle development. As I was watching a couple of my other targets I caught a good look at her and she forced her way into my Top Performer group. She’s got amazing height and length already as a 2030 and was using that to put balls down at the 10 foot line with authority. It’s fairly rare to find combos of athletic middles and setters with the touch to set them this soon. I’ve found that usually starts to show up more at 15-16s, but in the right pairings here, Pia was a nightmare for blockers. She ran the slide with lethality, and was putting down both low, quick tempo balls and lighter touch, higher balls as well. She’s a big part of why that Paramount Jaz team dominated so much this year.

Pia blocks middle for Paramount 14 Jaz. They won the American Division championship at Junior Nationals. Pia was one of the two middles critical to their win consistently mashing balls to the floor. She continued mashing balls to the floor at the frosh showcase. She also showed an ability to play some quality defense when playing back row.

I first saw her block middle last year for the Libero Huskies when she shared middle duties with Isabella Jeantel Isabella Jeantel 6'0" | RS/OH Tuscarora | 2029 State VA . Ironic that Isabella also transferred to Paramount to play for the 15 Nick team. She has now moved from middle to the pins.

While Pia did not make the all tournament team at Junior Nationals her contribution to the offense was critical to Paramount’s success. Next year she will attend the new high school Sky View. It would not surprise me to see her make the varsity there.

Last year at the East Coast Championships two middles from the Libero Huskies impressed with their play. Both went to Paramount with Isabella Jeantel Isabella Jeantel 6'0" | RS/OH Tuscarora | 2029 State VA playing for the 15 team and Pia playing with the 14 team. Isabella is now hitting primarily right side while Pia sees the extent of her time playing middle at Junior Nationals.

Pia and Liana Lipscomb Liana Lipscomb 6'0" | MB Forest Park | 2030 VA created offense from the middle as well as blocked their position well. Pia participated in a block for the match winning 27-25 win in the finals to win the first set. She earned a spot on the Prep Dig DMV 14 Junior National all tournament team as a middle.

Pia will attend Fairfax high school, which could find themselves a power this year with their returning players along with a couple solid incoming frosh.

Pia is registered to participate in the Prep Dig frosh showcase coming in late July.