She now reaches 6’4″. Currently her blocking game is ahead of her offense but that has improved as she has gained experience. Another player invited to the NTDP training camps. She joins Taylor Harrington Taylor Harrington 6'3" | MB Wakefield | 2027 State #10 Nation VA as one of two non-Metro players invited to these camps.

Last year Flint Hill surprised the VISAA by winning the state championship. They were the sixth seeded team coming into the event. Mandela led the team in hitting percentage with .281, better than UCLA bound Hunter Ross Hunter Ross 6'2" | MB/OH Flint Hill | 2027 State #64 Nation VA . Overall, Mandela led the team in blocking while also finishing third in kills.

Mandela has yet to commit but as a 2028 she has until July before she can talk to colleges.

Another Sweet 16 blocker from the class of 2028. This year she received her first invite to NTPD. A foot injury prevented her from actually participating in many of the drills but she enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere.

Her blocking was a key piece in Flint Hill winning the VISAA state championship. She lists at 6’4″ which allowed her to average 0.7 blocks per set. Now that she is healthy it is time to work on getting Virginia Juniors a bid. They finished tied for last at the Chesapeake Regionals so they will need to capture a bid in a Qualifier. Otherwise they may play in AAUs in Florida.

Mandela moved from 27 to 16 in our class of 2028 rankings.

Mandela got her first invite to NTPD. Unfortunately an injury prevented her from participating in the drills. She is healthy now and ready to contribute. As far as I know she is only the second non-Metro player from the DMV area to participate in the NTPD. Taylor Harrington Taylor Harrington 6'3" | MB Wakefield | 2027 State #10 Nation VA was the first.

Last year Mandela helped Flint Hill win the VISAA state championship. Her blocking was a key. One of the strengths of Flint Hill was their back row. With her ability to block areas of the court the defense did not have to cover as much area. She led the team in blocks, averaging 0.7 blocks per set.

Virginia Juniors missed out on winning a bid in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship.

Last time I mentioned her she was just getting ready to come back from an injury, and since she’s been on the court at a couple recent tournaments. She’s a fantastic middle in an area that just can’t seem to produce enough of them. It helps that she’s such a sweet kid, and congrats to her as she was just recently picked to do the NDTP Spring Session. Working out with players at that level can only help her game. I expect her to be a force this weekend.

At 6’4″ she has some impressive height to cover the middle. She recently led Flint Hill to the VISAA state championship, leading the team in hitting percentage and blocking.

This year she got her first invite to NTDP. Because of an early season injury this will be her first tournament this club season so she may be a little rusty. She can cover a lot of ground blocking. Her competitive volleyball career only recently began last year when she transferred to Flint Hill from Arhbishop Carroll. She also played for Virginia Juniors. As she gains more experience at the elite level her game will improve.

She becomes the second non Metro player from the Chesapeake Region invited to an NTPD event. As far as I know she becomes the first Virginia Juniors player invited.

Her middle blocking for Flint Hill proved impactful in leading them to a VISAA state championship. She led the team in blocking as well as hitting percentage. She also finished tied for second on the team in kills, behind Hunter Ross Hunter Ross 6'2" | MB/OH Flint Hill | 2027 State #64 Nation VA , another NTPD participant. At 6’4″ she also brings broad shoulders that cover a wide area.

Her frosh year she played for Archbishop Carroll. I remember seeing her at a Prep Dig showcase where she won a top performer award. At that time she told me she was looking at transferring. Turned out it was a very wise decision.

Mandela is the opposite of Reese at Virginia Juniors. At 6’3″ she stands much taller, but you rarely see them apart. Last year Mandela’s game was a little raw. Not too sure where she played club the previous year, but she played high school at Archbishop Carroll, far from being a volleyball power in the WCAC.

Her game has improved a lot since her first appearance at a Prep Dig showcase. Playing against higher level competition with Virginia Juniors helped with that. Her hits are finding the floor with more force. When she blocks at the net her reads appear to be improving. Still a lot to work on with the reads although there exists no doubt she brings the intelligence to master that.

Mandela will also be playing for Virginia Juniors in the Freedom Division at Junior Nationals. More importantly, she has transferred to Flint Hill where her game should improve, Flint Hill has a habit of winning state championships.