Layla Babiker Layla Babiker 5'8" | OH/DS/L West Springfield | 2028 State VA is having quite the high school season. She sits second on the team in kills while also playing a solid six rotations. Her overall improvement also puts her second on the team in digs as well as service aces. Layla has improved in all categories of her game, one of the reasons West Springfield has started the season with 27 straight wins.

At the beginning of the Patriot District championship match against Fairfax Layla was rewarded with a first team selection on the Patriot District all tournament team. She then went on fire with 18 kills to finish off Fairfax in three sets.

At 5’8″ she might be considered slightly undersized for an outside hitter, but her offensive production seems to counter that. Last year she played for Paramount Alec 16. Based on her performance at the junior nationals I predicted her high school offensive numbers from last year would show improvement. They have certainly done that.

Layla does not really belong on the list as one of those players not really known until the tournament. After all she ranked at number 56 in the class of 2028. However, she seemed to really put it together playing for Paramount Alec. She played an impeccable six rotations. hitting the ball with strong velocity when in the front row and passing the ball with precision while in the back row. She was one of the principle reasons for Paramount Alec finishing 11th in the 16 American Division.

Last year Layla played for the Class 6 state champion West Springfield. She ranked 4th on her team in kills with a .214 hitting percentage. She also played a solid six rotations for West Springfield. Expect improvement on her offensive numbers for next year.