Danika ranks at number 19 in my class of 2027, the fourth ranked setter in the class. The only three setters ahead of her all led their high schools to state championships setting 5/1s. Danika was close, getting Patriot into the state championship bracket before losing to the eventual state champions West Springfield in the Quarter finals.

As far as I can remember Danika has always set for American. This year she will make the move from the Chesapeake Region to Old Dominion to set for 540 Volleyball Academy . So far so good. 540 Volleyball Academy is ranked number 1 in the 17U for the Old Dominion Region and number 38 nationally.

Next, they will compete in the Charm City 17 U Open Division this weekend. It appears she also brought with her libero Sadie Barrera Sadie Barrera 5'3" | DS/L Forest Park | 2027 State VA from American. Those are two valuable pickups for 540 Volleyball Academy .

Sometimes I have conversations with club coaches who are watching a match. One club coach watching Danka set was impressed with her volleyball IQ. For a setter she brings good awareness of the court around her and the hitters available to her.

For the most part I have seen her set a 5/1. At one match I watched American was setting a 6/2 and using Danika to hit right side. She showed she can put some pop on the ball when given the opportunity to take a swing.

For Patriot they finished second last year in the Cedar Run conference. They made an appearance in the state bracket but lost in the first round to Chantilly. Danika actually finished third on the team in blocks, first in service aces and based on the number of assists set a 5/1. The team roster carries a number of returning starters. With her running the offense another state championship run exists.

Danika moved from 22 to 17 in the 2027 rankings. Only Caycee Chhum Caycee Chhum 5'7" | S Georgetown Day | 2027 State VA sits ahead of her among the setters in the rankings.

Another setter to take into consideration for the mantel of top setter at the event. Danika carries a sixth sense when on the court. Many call that a high volleyball IQ. She seems to know when to feed the middle, when to go outside and when to dump it over the net.

As a right side hitter she also surprised me with the velocity she can put on the ball when she takes a swing. Also, her ability to get her hands over the net when making the block. Because middles are rare in these events, when playing sixes her team was lacking a middle. Danika volunteered to play the position.

Danka will play with American when they travel to Florida to play in AAUs. They will play in the Select Division. When that is complete she will focus on her high school season for Patriot. Last year Patriot advanced to the quarterfinals of the Virginia state championship before elimination by Chantilly. With a fairly young roster returning they hope to play further into the playoffs.

I wrote a lot about Danika in the last post when I pointed out the top players to watch at the East Coast Championship. Only two setters in the class of 2027 rank higher than her.

At 5’9″ Danika brings decent height to the setter position. For American I have seen her set a 5/1 and a 6/2. At the Chesapeake Showdown when she set a 6/2 she stayed in the front row to play right side. When given a set on the right side she showed the ability to put the ball away.

She won a top performer award at the Prep Dig Showcase last year. Next month she will make a second appearance along with a number of other top performers at the Prep Dig Showcase in June.

For Patriot she set a 5/1, getting the team to the Class 6 Virginia state championship. They fell in the first round to Chantilly. While getting her team to the states her performance earned her an appearance on the Cedar District second team. She actually finished third on the team in blocking showing she can be a force at the net.