Boys Volleyball Top 5 Hitters: Eastern Region
Boys volleyball became a championship sport by the Virginia High School League in 1997. While the number of teams has grown and the championship has grown into three classes for championships: 4A, 5A, and 6A, the varsity programs are only…
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Continue ReadingBoys volleyball became a championship sport by the Virginia High School League in 1997. While the number of teams has grown and the championship has grown into three classes for championships: 4A, 5A, and 6A, the varsity programs are only in the Central and Eastern regions of the state. What they lack in dispersion throughout the state, they make up for in the quality of the athletes. This year’s watch list includes several players who are within the Olympic Volleyball Pipeline and high powered men’s programs. We start our watch list with the Top Five Hitters from the East Region.
Riley McRandle is one of the most well rounded and fundamentally sound players in the state. The 6’0 Senior Outside Hitter from Kempsville is a coach on the court with a steady presence and calm leadership. Riley is a player who would be an exceptional Libero for a Division I or II program or a dominant player 6 Rotation Outside Hitter in NCAA Division III or NAIA. When coaches look past Riley’s modest height for his overall performance and find a spot in their program for this impact player. He plays travel ball for Coastal Virginia Volleyball.
Jack Sandhal from Gloucester High School is a dynamic and dominant Outside Hitter for the surprising State Semifinalists from the Class 5A program under first-year coach Lucas Gray. The First Team All-State selection compiled 231 kills for the 2019 season, At 6’3, he is a 6 rotation talent with a very quiet platform on serve receive and defense and hits with range and power from anywhere on the court.
Chris Peters is a standout performer for Frank W. Cox High School. The 6’3 junior Outside Hitter is the reigning 5A Region Player of the Year, Chris joined the 200/200 club, a rare feat in boy’s volleyball, amassing 238 kills and 207 digs. According to Head Coach Mariellen Gero, Chris has great maturity and volleyball IQ. Chris is on the wish list for many college programs and would be a great fit at any level of play. He was teammates with Riley McCracken and Liam French on the Coastal Virginia Volleyball team along with high school teammate, Daniel Hurley.
Daniel Hurley, a junior and the other part of the Frank W. Cox dynamic duo, is a force at the net at Middle Blocker. The 6’6 titan has a game-changing jump serve to add to his value to the program and his prospects for continuing his playing career in college. He compiled 43 aces and 42 while putting down 191 kills on offense. Coach Gero says, “he could easily become a 6 rotation player”. Hurley is another player who is on many college’s wish list and is still weighing his options entering his junior season.
Liam French, the dominant senior Outside Hitter and Opposite for Landstown High School and Coastal Virginia Volleyball Club, is one of the most dynamic and dominant players in the state. The 6’3 First Team All-State Selection is the type of player everyone notices when they walk into the gym. He is a high flying leaper with incredible attack range and can terminate from anywhere on the court. He is a 6 rotation player who was highly sought after by the top programs in the country. Liam has decided to continue his playing career for Coach Jay Hosack at George Mason University. Liam is also a player within the USA Volleyball Olympic Pipeline which feeds into the US Men’s National Volleyball Team. With these accolades and talent, Liam French is the Virginia PrepDig Class 6A Preseason Player of the Year.