Three Virginia Schools on the Road to Tampa
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Three Virginia high schools travel to Tampa this weekend to compete in the Nike Tournament of Champions. The three are Bishop O’Connell, Flint Hill and Virginia Academy. Six high schools ranked in the top 25 in the country according to…
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Continue ReadingThree Virginia high schools travel to Tampa this weekend to compete in the Nike Tournament of Champions. The three are Bishop O’Connell, Flint Hill and Virginia Academy. Six high schools ranked in the top 25 in the country according to Max Preps will also compete in this event. They include number one ranked Prestonwood Christian Academy (Texas), number six Cornerstone Christian (Texas), number 11 Pace (Georgia) number 12 Skutt Catholic (Nebraska) and number 17 Venice (Florida). Flint Hill ranks at number 10. A couple Florida schools (Santa Fe and Westminster Christian) are named on the bubble.
The link for the site can be found here: NIKE Tournament of Champions Southeast 2022 (thetoc.org)
Bishop O’Connell
Summary – This team brings some length to the court with six players listed 6 feet or over. Most teams struggle to find middles. The Knights roster lists six players who can occupy that spot. The 6’3″ senior and Mary Washington commit Alice Holoubek Alice Holoubek 6'3" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State VA and the 6’2″ sophomore Teodora Stamenkovic Teodora Stamenkovic 6'2" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2026 State VA will see most of the time there. The 6’2″ senior and Vanderbilt commit Madison Bowser Madison Bowser 6'2" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State VA played middle last year but her powerful arm fits the left side best. She just needs to work on her consistency there, but when her timing is right no block can stop her. The 6’3″ junior Eva Robertson focused on basketball but her athleticism made for a quick transition to volleyball.
Though they can play middle the 6″0″ senior Grace Faughnan Grace Faughnan 6'0" | RS Bishop O'Connell | 2024 VA and the 5’11” sophomore Ellyson Miller Ellyson Miller 5'11" | OH Bishop O'Connell | 2026 State VA fit better on the right side. The 6’1″ senior and Colorado State commit Erin Debiec Erin Debiec 6'1" | S Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State #92 Nation VA sets for the team. She can set a 5/1, but she stands out as one of the better hitters on the team so when they need her offense in the front row they go with Emily Reyburn Emily Reyburn 5'8" | S Bishop O'Connell | 2024 VA as a second setter.
In addition to Madison Bowser Madison Bowser 6'2" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State VA , the Knights use 5’11” junior Jocelyn Pye Jocelyn Pye 6'0" | OH Bishop O'Connell | 2025 State VA as their main left side. She also plays six rotations and creates offense in the back row. Junior Payton Vieselmeyer Payton Vieselmeyer 5'8" | OH Bishop O'Connell | 2025 VA can also hit from the pins.
For passing and defense the Knights rely on libero junior Hannah Kotb Hannah Kotb 5'6" | DS/L Bishop O'Connell | 2025 State VA and defensive specialist junior Maia Cerezo Maia Cerezo 5'2" | DS/L Bishop O'Connell | 2025 State VA . When Senior Emily Reyburn Emily Reyburn 5'8" | S Bishop O'Connell | 2024 VA is not setting she can fill a back row slot. Senior Cara Nearpass Cara Nearpass 5'8" | DS/L Bishop O'Connell | 2024 VA brings a strong serve and can also play in the back row. Junior Lily Spann Lily Spann 5'6" | S Bishop O'Connell | 2025 VA acts as the third setter and can also fill a defensive slot.
Uncommitted Players to Watch: At 5’11” Jocelyn Pye Jocelyn Pye 6'0" | OH Bishop O'Connell | 2025 State VA creates a variety of shots to put the ball away. She finds the corners, but she also brings the velocity. Hannah Kotb Hannah Kotb 5'6" | DS/L Bishop O'Connell | 2025 State VA moves quickly in the back row and her passing has gotten more consistent this year. Grace Faughnan Grace Faughnan 6'0" | RS Bishop O'Connell | 2024 VA plays the game with a lot more confidence this year and with her 6’0″ height she brings the skills to create a strong block on the right side. Teodora Stamenkovic Teodora Stamenkovic 6'2" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2026 State VA still belongs to the class of 2026 but definitely a player to watch for the recruiting process next year.
Highlights
Flint Hill
Summary: Flint Hill just formed their roster last week. They played in a jamboree on Saturday, the Huskies first salvo of games. While scrimmages do not dictate how a team will play, they do exhibit the skills of the players. And the skill level remains high.
The tournament will also provide the Huskies an opportunity to reunite with one of their ex players Macaria Spears, who plays for the number one ranked Prestonwood Christian. Spears also played for a couple Bishop O’Connell players ( Erin Debiec Erin Debiec 6'1" | S Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State #92 Nation VA and Madison Bowser Madison Bowser 6'2" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State VA ) when she played for Metro. Many publications rank Spears as the number one prospect in volleyball.
The biggest offensive weapon for the Huskies sits on the shoulders of the 6’4″ senior and Pittsburgh commit middle Ryla Jones Ryla Jones 6'4" | MB Flint Hill | 2024 State #80 Nation VA . This is the first year she will play without her sister Renee Jones Renee Jones 6'5" | RS Flint Hill | 2025 State #132 Nation FL , who will transfer her playing skills to IMG Academy in Florida. Another senior Mickhaila Murray Mickhaila Murray 5'11" | OH Flint Hill | 2024 State VA will take one of the left side roles. She lists at 5’11” and brings a variety of shots to the court. She disguises her roll shots well.
The 6’0″ frosh Hunter Ross Hunter Ross 6'1" | MB Flint Hill | 2027 State VA will fill the role as the other middle. If they want more experience, they can call on senior Sarah Manson Sarah Manson 5'10" | MB Flint Hill | 2024 VA . The Huskies have a hole on the other left side with the loss of Sydney Bryant Sydney Bryant 5'8" | S Virginia Academy | 2026 State VA to Maryland. They may call on the 6’2″ junior Isabelle Bardin Isabelle Bardin 6'3" | S Flint Hill | 2025 State #121 Nation VA to fill that role. Last year she was used as a setter and right side. She also set for her club Metro. Audrey Sealock Audrey Sealock OH Flint Hill | 2025 VA remains another option for the left side.
The team used seniors Natalie Nguyen Natalie Nguyen 5'5" | S Flint Hill | 2024 State VA and Emily Kearney Emily Kearney 5'5" | DS/L Flint Hill | 2024 State VA a lot in the setter role at a recent jamboree tournament. Natalie, a Georgetown commit, remains a given at that position. Emily set well for St. James a couple years ago and also set for the junior varsity. But last year at the club level and with the Huskes she was used primarily as a defensive specialist. Emily brings the skills and intelligence to be a good setter, but at 5’7″ she lacks the height to remain in the front row.
That leaves frosh Alli Robinson Alli Robinson 6'1" | MB Flint Hill | 2027 State VA to play one of the right sides. Sarah Manson Sarah Manson 5'10" | MB Flint Hill | 2024 VA could fill the other.
Sophomore Evie Huang Evie Huang 5'6" | DS/L Flint Hill | 2026 State VA returns as the libero. Last year she won the job as a frosh over more experienced players. Junior defensive specialist Kodi Pynchon stands as another option.
Uncommitted Players to Watch: Mickhaila Murray Mickhaila Murray 5'11" | OH Flint Hill | 2024 State VA brings craftiness to the outside position. She also brings a lot of enthusiasm to the court. Isabelle Bardin Isabelle Bardin 6'3" | S Flint Hill | 2025 State #121 Nation VA brings length to the setting position but she may add to her diversity by playing some outside. The National team has invited her to a number of their training programs. Emily Kearney Emily Kearney 5'5" | DS/L Flint Hill | 2024 State VA can also bring some diversity to a roster. Her setting skills are strong, but she also brings an intense defensive game. No ball hits the floor before Emily hits the floor.
Highlights
Virginia Academy
Summary – The Patriots have started out the season with two wins. They tend to play in the smaller divisions. Currently their roster lists only nine players. The primary offensive force fits on the shoulders of the 6’2″ junior Kristen Moore Kristen Moore 6'2" | RS Virginia Academy | 2025 State VA . Her twin sister Alexandra Moore Alexandra Moore 6'2" | MB Virginia Academy | 2025 State VA also appears on the roster as a middle. Senior Hailey Piccirillo stands as another option.
Sydney Bryant Sydney Bryant 5'8" | S Virginia Academy | 2026 State VA (pictured above) transferred from Flint Hill. For the Huskies she ranked as their third setter. For the Patriots she will fit in the setting rotation with junior Niya Awoye. The Patriots may rely on Louise Neuhart Louise Neuhart 6'0" | OH Independence | 2027 State VA for one of their outsides. Senior Jessica Choe will fill the other pin.
Kat Gleason will fill the libero spot. Sydney Douglas can hit outside, but the roster lists her as a defensive specialist as well.
Uncommitted Players to Watch: Kristen Moore Kristen Moore 6'2" | RS Virginia Academy | 2025 State VA carries some length to play the middle or a right side.