2028s to Watch in the East Coast Championship

Seven of the top eight prospects from the Class of 2028 play for Metro. Because Metro is not playing in the East Coast championships is it worth the effort to travel to Pittsburgh to watch this tournament? I would think so. You never know what nuggets you will miss if you ignore the field. Below is one prospect from 9 of the 11 clubs who Prep Dig has ranked or appear on the watch list. Only two teams are absent a ranked player but that could change with one look. Looking forward to seeing who is out there.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Virginia Juniors</h2>    Mandella is by far the highest ranked prospect playing in this tournament from the class of 2028. A physical 6'4" middle who has the potential to dominate a game. The U.S. National team was impressed enough to invite her to the last NTPD session this year. An injury prevented her from actually participating in the drills, but she was there to listen to the instruction.   She has come a long way from her frosh season at Archbishop Carroll. A transfer to Flint Hill has allowed her to play a higher level of volleyball. Last year Flint Hill came on strong at the end of the season to win the VISAA state championships. For Flint Hil she led the team in blocking and was third in kills with a team leading .286 hitting percentage.   Now she is taking her skills to Virginia Juniors. The team has been upgraded to play Junior Nationals in the National Division. That is one Division short of Open. She is definitely a player to look at, especially since she has only been playing two competitive years of volleyball. Her game is only going to get exponentially better the more she plays.   Mandella was also a top performer at a Prep Dig Showcase. Always have to throw that in.    Other Payers ranked in the class of 2028 worth the watch - [player_tooltip player_id='562335' first='Zeynep' last='Anaz'] (setter - # 26), [player_tooltip player_id='536724' first='Ariel' last='Callwood'] (setter - # 27), [player_tooltip player_id='609504' first='Brooklyn' last='Rothwell'] (libero/ds - # 59), [player_tooltip player_id='768529' first='Tess' last='Mahon'] (left side - # 74), [player_tooltip player_id='944218' first='Annie' last='Larrivee'] (libero/ds - # 152), [player_tooltip player_id='829291' first='Allie' last='Bowen'] (left side - # 197)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Libero Huskies</h2>    Another player who has won a couple Prep Dig top performer awards. A 6'0" setter who has learned from Megan Phan at Bullis. Now that Megan has graduated, she will be taking over the setting responsibilities for Bullis. Currently the sixth ranked setter in the Class of 2028.   Katelyn has set a 6/2 for Libero the last two years. Prior to that she set for the [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] second team. She normally stays in the front row to hit right side for offense.   This is a big year for her to improve on the technical aspects for setting. In June she will be taking her skills to the Junior Nationals where she will be setting for Libero in the American Division.    Other players ranked in the class of 2028 worth the watch - [player_tooltip player_id='623088' first='Irina' last='Padden'] (left side - # 67), [player_tooltip player_id='934826' first='Victoria' last='Liakos'] (middle - # 170)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Virginia Elite</h2>    The last two years Iris has set a 5/1 for Thomas Jefferson. The school is noted for its high educational standards. To attend the school you have to pass some rigorous tests to qualify. Attracting talented volleyball players is not their priority.   Iris is one of those exceptions in that she has the intelligence to attend the school and she brings to the school excellent volleyball skills. She is a quality setter that has been able to get the school into the Regional playoffs the last couple years. Last year they lost in the quarter finals of the Regionals.   This club season Iris takes her setting from Paramount to Virginia Elite. She sets a 6/2 for Virginia Elite. She plays excellent defense, standing her ground on some of the hardest hits. She also runs an offense well. Her small stature and lack of a vertical (less than 9 feet) restricts her to back row setting for Virginia Elite.    Other players ranked in the class of 2028 worth the watch - [player_tooltip player_id='521323' first='Ilana' last='Collingham'] (ds/libero - # 58), [player_tooltip player_id='587036' first='Olivia' last='Black'] (pin - # 71), [player_tooltip player_id='722925' first='Sophia' last='Yung'] (pin/ds/libero - # 92), Ellie Brumbeck (left side - # 126), [player_tooltip player_id='877859' first='Maria' last='Coronel'] (middle - # 173),   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MVSA Sparks</h2>    Last year Ellie was named one of three setters named to my all club team. She has again set her team to the Junior Nationals this year to play in the Freedom Division. So I feel a bit negligent not once mentioning her in 2026. For whatever reason MVSA has been absent from my schedule.   Last year Ellie stood out at the East Coast championship setting a 5/1 for MVSA 15. They finished second place in the tournament. For the 15 team she set a very sophisticated offense, running the quicks in the middle and setting the bics in the back row. Looking forward to watching her improvement as she plays for the 16s.   Strong volleyball IQ with the athleticism to make everything work.    Other players ranked in the class of 2028 worth the look - [player_tooltip player_id='772016' first='Molly' last='McWhorter'] (left side - # 109), [player_tooltip player_id='518008' first='Aubrey' last='Wade'] (pin/middle - # 121), [player_tooltip player_id='778720' first='Jordyn' last='Goh'] (left side - # 147), [player_tooltip player_id='625586' first='Alana' last='Day'] (right side/ds/libero - # 158), [player_tooltip player_id='779506' first='Feliza' last='Faradonez'] (left side - # 164)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] Elite</h2>    Elise shined at a Prep Dig showcase in Florida during the Sunshine Qualifier. She is in an unfortunate position playing for Colgan who carries one of the top liberos in the area, [player_tooltip player_id='747458' first='Angelie' last='Rose Carrasco']. Elise is quick with constant movement in the back row, ready to occupy the area where the hit is directed. Next year will be a critical year for her.   She plays for [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'], which will compete in the Junior Nationals in the American Division.    Other players in the class of 2028 worth the look -[player_tooltip player_id='609590' first='Leah' last='Eggleton'] (left side - # 77), [player_tooltip player_id='466369' first='Cailin' last='Connors'] (left side - # 81), [player_tooltip player_id='587035' first='Maggie' last='Race'] (setter - # 82), [player_tooltip player_id='627365' first='Alexa' last='Eggleton'] (setter - # 98), [player_tooltip player_id='664973' first='Annalese' last='James'] (ds/libero - # 122), [player_tooltip player_id='937250' first='Joy' last='Fawole'] (middle - # 128), [player_tooltip player_id='601748' first='MaKennah' last='Dovel'] (ds/libero - # 172), [player_tooltip player_id='918806' first='Abigail' last='Rexrode'] (middle - # 178)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">American Red</h2>    Lily is a Prep Dig top performer who covers the court when playing libero. In an evaluation I promised to put American Red 16 on my calendar to watch her play. Come May 23 they will be on my calendar. Time to finally meet my promise.   For Forest Park last season she finished third in digs, putting up a little more than 1 dig per set. She has a nose for the ball. Looking forward to watch her play.    Other players in the class of 2028 worth the look - [player_tooltip player_id='587034' first='Mackenzie' last='Gregory'] (ds/libero - # 177)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Reggie</h2>    Last year she moved from the watch list to the rankings. She showed vibrant enthusiasm on the court and hit well from the right side. At 5'7" she ultimately may be undersized for the position, but her solid defense could open up the possibility of back row play. She showed the ability to hit some bullets when set in the back row.   This would be my first opportunity to see her play with [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Reggie.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Izz/Hal</h2>    Not currently ranked but she impressed Jeremy at a Prep Dig showcase in Salt Lake City. She shows good finesse setting the middles and right sides. Her defense also stands out with good reads to react the tips. At 5'5" her size will restrict her to a 6'2" but she has the quickness to always get to her spot, then react to the pass to still get underneath the ball to set with two hands. Love to see setters play like that.   This will be my first opportunity to see her play.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">River City Volleyball Academy</h2>    Don't get a lot of opportunity to see River City play. Khloe created a profile on Prep Dig. She plays with [player_tooltip player_id='464573' first='Blake' last='Crawford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='770059' first='Allece' last='Anderson'] at Atlee.   Watching her video she does move to her base well, shuffles her feet smoothly then reacts quickly to balls hit away from her. The eyes seem focused on the hitter in an attempt to read where she intends to hit the ball.   Molly O'Sullivan Wright is another player from the club who created a profile. She plays setter/right side.

Seven of the top eight prospects from the Class of 2028 play for Metro. Because Metro is not playing in the East Coast championships is it worth the effort to travel to Pittsburgh to watch this tournament? I would think so. You never know what nuggets you will miss if you ignore the field. Below is one prospect from 9 of the 11 clubs who Prep Dig has ranked or appear on the watch list. Only two teams are absent a ranked player but that could change with one look. Looking forward to seeing who is out there.