When ranking the class of 2030 Arina placed third based on her performance at the Junior Nationals with East Coast Volleyball Club . Sometimes, when you watch a player a second time there can exist shades of regret at the high ranking. That did not occur with Arina. She started middle for Ocean Lakes and pounded balls to the floor along various locations at the net. As she gains experience the potential exists she could transform into a more dominant player.

At 6’1″ she brings good height to the game with a strong right arm. She does not appear intimidated as a frosh playing against older players. Ocean Lakes defeated a strong Woodgrove team to advance to the Gold bracket. They finished second overall after losing to Bishop O’Connell but beating First Colonial. Arina strung together a couple key blocks and kills in their win against First Colonial.

A couple of her recruiting sites have listed her high school as Ocean Lakes or First Colonial. I watched First Colonial play this past weekend and she appeared absent there. This weekend I will watch Ocean Lakes. In a conversation with her mother she said she would attend Ocean Lakes.

Arina is one of those rare taller players who show a good arm swing that can put the ball away with fire. She has the timing to run the quick tempo sets with the speed to run slides to the right side. Her hands also get high over the net to create a powerful block.

Her parents moved here from Belarus when she was four years old. Ocean Lakes has started the season off with three straight wins, all of them sweeps. The Dolphins do bring back two strong middles in Lyla Shannon Lyla Shannon 6'1" | MB/OH Ocean Lakes | 2027 State VA and Kennedy Walls Kennedy Walls 5'10" | OH/MB Ocean Lakes | 2027 State VA .

Her parents moved from Belarus but because she was only four years old at the time volleyball was not a big part of her life. That developed while she lived in the United States. She now is a dominating 6’1″ middle playing for East Coast Volleyball Club Black.

Her mom said she would be going to Ocean Lakes, however a recruiting profile listed First Colonial. No matter the school she should make an impact for them her frosh season. She hits the ball hard in the middle unlike many taller players her age who spend most of their time tipping over blocks.

Arina already has some height for her age. While her listed height is 6’1″ she looks a little taller. She is also not one of those tall young, middles who spend most of their time tipping over the block. Arina hits the ball hard in the middle whether it is the higher sets or quick tempo.

Her parents are from Belarus. Before they moved to Virginia she was really too young to play volleyball in Belarus. She also lists going to First Colonial for high school. Wherever she goes it would not surprise me to see her make an impact her frosh season.

She looks taller than her listed 6’1″ height. She also is pretty adept at putting some velocity on the ball as she drives it to the floor. Her parents come from Belarus. She moves well from pin to pin to put up a good block. She will need to work on her quickness if she wishes to hit outside. Since she was playing middle I did not see too much of her in the back row.

Definitely has the potential to be a difference maker on the court.