Colgan Jamboree Team Review

Eight high schools competed in the Colgan Jamboree this past weekend. It provided a good opportunity to watch a number of players and teams. Because the games were considered scrimmages the wins and losses were not important. This created an opportunity for coaches to put players at various positions to measure their performance.   Below is my all tournament team where I select one player from each team to fill a roster.    outsides - [player_tooltip player_id='209790' first='Aubrey' last='Hatch'] (Colgan), [player_tooltip player_id='235293' first='Destini' last='Pickett'] (Forest Park), [player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos'] (Langley)   Libero/defensive specialist - [player_tooltip player_id='248630' first='Kayla' last='Foley'] (First Colonial), [player_tooltip player_id='242358' first='Megan' last='Stone'] (Kellam)   middle - [player_tooltip player_id='180295' first='Ryla' last='Jones'] (Flint Hill, [player_tooltip player_id='294589' first='Maya' last='Tillman'] (North Stafford))   setter- [player_tooltip player_id='182753' first='Isabel' last='Ostvig'] (Colonial Forge)    Colgan   First, the newcomers. Last year they ran a 5/1 around Alexis Scipione. At the jamboree they rotated three setters into the lineup, [player_tooltip player_id='469179' first='Maddison' last='Bowman'], [player_tooltip player_id='464563' first='Elizabeth' last='Robinson'] and Skyler Medina in running a 6/2. The new faces in the middle appear to be Denise Kamgaing and [player_tooltip player_id='333653' first='Elizabeth' last='York']. Both list at 6'0" and give the Sharks some length at the position. The 5'10" [player_tooltip player_id='388777' first='Jordan' last='Miller'] can also play there, but she can also be used on the right side.   The Sharks will rely on [player_tooltip player_id='209790' first='Aubrey' last='Hatch'] to provide the bulk of their offense in the front and back row. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='238593' first='Tehillah' last='Garrison'] will be another offensive weapon from the left side. She also brings a pretty consistent jump spin serve to the court. Last year as a frosh she got into the lineup as a server, but got few opportunities to get into a loaded lineup. Another returning player [player_tooltip player_id='223582' first='Skylar' last='Johnson'] will remain a right side option. [player_tooltip player_id='207594' first='Paula' last='Sigurani'] returns as the libero for her senior year.   Lots of new players covering critical positions. Reaching the finals of the Class 6 State championship for a third consecutive season appears a long shot at this point in the season. They should still have enough to win the Cardinal District.   First Colonial   Last year they reached the finals of the Class 5 State championship. They return a number of key players to make another run at the title. Their last state championship was in 2014 when they upset an undefeated Madison High team in five.   Libero [player_tooltip player_id='248630' first='Kayla' last='Foley'] will provide a steady presence on the court, with her passing and defense keeping the team in system. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='465285' first='Keely' last='Heffelfinger'] returns to the left side to provide some offense as well as veteran leadership. She plays all six rotations. Two second year players, Grace Davies-Hackenburg and [player_tooltip player_id='249294' first='Teagan' last='Emdadi'] look impressive from the left side. Teagan played for the Patriots last season as a frosh.   Gabrielle Taylor returns to the middle. She hits both the quick and higher sets. Two seniors [player_tooltip player_id='465293' first='Juliana' last='Dooren'] and [player_tooltip player_id='643829' first='Jordan' last='Baker'] will share the setting roles. Another senior [player_tooltip player_id='481863' first='Madison' last='Horn'] was used on the right side and provided some pop for the position. [player_tooltip player_id='326538' first='Helen' last='Murray'] came in as a defensive specialist and impressed with her bullet serves.   Good vibes for First Colonial bringing back a lot of returning talent, each gaining one more year of experience to make another run at the Class 5 State Championship. They will have to contend with some of their Southern Virginia foes who have dropped from Class 6 to Class 5.    Flint Hill   They came into this tournament at a disadvantage since they only formed their roster that week. This was their first opportunity to play games. They used the setting combination of [player_tooltip player_id='209798' first='Emily' last='Kearney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='180283' first='Natalie' last='Nguyen'] in the two sets that I watched. Emily played defensive specialist for the Huskies last year but set for their junior varsity team a couple years ago. She also set a 5/1 for Saint James a couple years ago in club ball. [player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin'], their main setter last year took some swings on the outside. She stands 6'2" and could fill the vacant left side spot.   [player_tooltip player_id='465301' first='Audrey' last='Sealock'] was also used on the left side, which provides the Huskies with a couple options. Isabelle could then return to the setting role and hit right side. [player_tooltip player_id='233010' first='Mickhaila' last='Murray'] returns as a left side. This year the Huskes will count on her to be the main offensive presence for the team. [player_tooltip player_id='180295' first='Ryla' last='Jones'] will be the other offensive component hitting from the middle.   The Huskies will rely on two frosh to fill vacant spots. [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] will fill a vacant middle spot. At 6'0" she brings plenty of offensive fire power to her game. [player_tooltip player_id='437446' first='Alli' last='Z Robinson'] will fill the vacant right side spot. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='180299' first='Sarah' last='Manson'] will also play right side but could also be available for a middle spot. [player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] will fill the libero role.   Based on past performance the Huskies rank high in many of the polls. But they have three important vacancies covered by youth and inexperience. Will that allow them to grab a sixth consecutive state championship? That may be the least of their worries. Winning the Independent School League (ISL) title, with both an improved Bullis and Georgetown Day providing them with stiff competition could be their first challenge.   Colonial Forge   Last year they were upset by Forest Park to miss an appearance in the Class 6 State Playoffs. This year they drop to Class 5. Because of this drop the odds have improved for them to compete in another state championship. The talent exists for them to do so.   UMBC commit [player_tooltip player_id='182753' first='Isabel' last='Ostvig'] will lead the offense with her setting. She runs a 5/1, but if the team chooses to set Karlei Gibson in a 6/2 Isabel remains a threat in the front row for her hitting ability on the right side. Her younger sister, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='465297' first='Grace' last='Ostvig'] will provide the offense on the left side. Grace also brings the heat from the back row.   Claire Wortman creates some good wrist snaps with her left side hits, but she can also move to the right side. She also brings a strong serve to the court. Julissa Corner returns as the libero.    Forest Park   They made it to the States last year but they got swept by Kellam in the first round. They last won a State championship in 2003. The Bruins pose the biggest threat to Colgan repeating as Cardinal Division champs.   They lost a lot from last season. Their biggest offensive threat is [player_tooltip player_id='235293' first='Destini' last='Pickett']. At 5'9" she is a smaller left side, but her athleticism allows her to play six rotations. Another junior [player_tooltip player_id='535062' first='Alysia' last=''] Diaz provides some solid libero play. [player_tooltip player_id='181237' first='Zoe' last='Strachan'] hit well from the right side. Last year, she had some big games to get the Bruins into the State playoffs. The senior hopes for the opportunity to repeat that process.   They do carry a number of seniors on the team so that is to their advantage.    Kellam   Last year Kellam lost to Colgan in the semi-finals of the State championship. They won in 2019 and 2016, as well as a three year run from 2010 to 2012. Kellam carried 26 players on their roster because budget issues prevents them from having a junior varsity team. It also appears they will be dropping to class 5, leaving the Class 6 to mostly Northern Virginia schools.   They should be competitive in Class 5 with [player_tooltip player_id='242358' first='Megan' last='Stone'] as their libero and [player_tooltip player_id='246935' first='Avery' last='Hanly'] hitting left side. Megan plays a scrappy defense and Avery hits the ball from all six rotation spots. Trying to find playing time for the eight frosh on their roster will be a challenge. During pregame warmup it appeared 13 participated while the rest shagged.   At 5'11" [player_tooltip player_id='484751' first='Riley' last='Erwin'] stands as a strong setter who can also put up a good block on the right side. Gracy Stuart provides strength to one of the left sides, while Lauren Krause distinguished herself as another possibility for a left side. Interesting that both those players stand 5'11". The Knights have nine players on their roster that stand 5'11" and two who stand taller.   Another 5'11" player is middle [player_tooltip player_id='465308' first='Blakely' last='Barnes']. The senior contributed to a number of big blocks and hit the quicks well.   The Knights bring some length to the Class 5 Division. They should be in the hunt for the State championship crown.    Langley   They are my pick to win the Class 6 State championships this year. They just have too many offensive weapons. Their last state championship was in 2017.   The libero position and middle appear to be the biggest positions they need to fill. Gabriella Cid played the libero position well in the tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='239322' first='Hailey' last='Park'] also played a little there, as well as contributed to the setting. [player_tooltip player_id='470555' first='Ava' last='Barnett'] and Amajion Eligwe saw much of the playing time in the middle.   The pins stand out as their strength with [player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181307' first='Leni' last='Stanton-Parker'] hitting missiles from the left side and [player_tooltip player_id='180284' first='Chloe' last='Hokenson'] launching from the right. [player_tooltip player_id='180292' first='Riley' last='Buddie'] rotated between the right and left side. Leni has an impressive jump that can get her close to 11 feet (10'6") but still needs to find some consistency with her hits. Now that her focus sits with the pins the consistency will come with increased repetitions.   [player_tooltip player_id='180284' first='Chloe' last='Hokenson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] share the setting duties. Chloe stays on the right side to provide the offense, while Claire yields to a taller front row player. In the junior nationals Claire ran a 5/1 and carried [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] just short of gold in the USA bracket but winning the silver bracket. Both setters are capable of setting a 5/1.    North Stafford   North Stafford has some playoff history, finishing in the Class 5 finals in 2018 and 2019, but falling short of a championship.   Unfortunately, I only saw them play once. [player_tooltip player_id='294589' first='Maya' last='Tillman'] gave them some offense in the middle. She plays taller than her listed height of 5'11", Their two setters Ashely Stafira and [player_tooltip player_id='290419' first='Sanai' last='Jones'] set well for them, finding all areas of the court. Both list at 5'4" so taking them out for taller right sides creates more offense.   They got solid libero play from [player_tooltip player_id='471627' first='Allison' last='Spittal']. She showed good hands for setting and rears back to bring it with a jump spin serve. [player_tooltip player_id='436117' first='Sydney' last='Turner'] hit well from the left side, but she lists at just 5'4". [player_tooltip player_id='221415' first='Lindsey' last='Canty'] hits well from the left side and with increased back row play she can bring the offense to all six rotations.   [player_tooltip player_id='436122' first='Arianna' last='Mancari'] ranks number 28 in our class of 2027. She hit left side for Club 540 and brought enthusiasm when on the sidelines. Those kind of players are always positives on the volleyball court.   Chesapeake Chirps: [player_tooltip player_id='210539' first='Emma' last='Gardner'] put together a career high 20 kills as Woodson downed a tough Oaktown team in five. [player_tooltip player_id='233000' first='Maura' last='Fay'] also strung together 20 kills...Bullis played Bishop O'Connell tough in a scrimmage taking the opening set. [player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='321677' first='Charis' last='Burge'] alternated setting a 5/1. [player_tooltip player_id='181300' first='Alexis' last='Ewing'] plays six rotations to make her a threat front and back row. The roster is young but they bring the heat...Massaponax got their season off to a good start with a big win against Atlee....First Colonial beat Kellam in four to start their season.

Eight high schools competed in the Colgan Jamboree this past weekend. It provided a good opportunity to watch a number of players and teams. Because the games were considered scrimmages the wins and losses were not important. This created an opportunity for coaches to put players at various positions to measure their performance.