Weekly Report of DMV Action – Some Big Upsets this Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of many of the games played last week in the DC, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) areas. If you have a report to give, send them in. Most of these results are courtesy of Max Preps and the detailed information provided by the coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game of the Week</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You could tell this was a big game by the crowd. College coaches, club coaches and a number of volleyball fans filled the bleachers at <strong>Bishop O'Connell</strong> high school just to watch the match. The one thing missing was a raucous student section to make the event feel more electric. Flint Hill (16-2) has always been the dominant private school in the area, but O'Connell (18-2) recently swept them in two at the<strong> Flint Hill </strong>Invitational. This was an opportunity for Flint Hill to reclaim their dominance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first set O'Connell could not do anything right early, with a number of hitting errors and shanked passes allowing the Huskies to race out to a 20-9 lead. The Knights battled back and closed the game to 19-22 with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'] </strong>creating problems with her powerful jump spin serve. The Huskies got the ball back and an <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='699993' first='Ava' last='Zender']</strong> dump into an empty middle court ended the first set 25-20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights again had to battle back in set two, down 18-22 and 20-24. They pulled to within 23-24, when a set to the middle to tie the score was tipped into the waiting arms of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='520868' first='Caroline' last='Semko']</strong>. This was followed by a set to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong>. She finished it off with a smoking missile into the middle of the court for the 25-23 win. Flint Hill finished off the Knights for the sweep in the third set 25-21.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong> finished the game with 21 kills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465301' first='Audrey' last='Sealock']</strong> contributed 12 kills and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] </strong>added 11 with 5 blocks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181279' first='Kadi' last='Pynchon']</strong> was a defensive machine with her 21 digs. Overall, Flint Hill played a superb defensive game, even getting two kick saves to keep rallies alive. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong> finished with 16 kills for the Knights, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181279' first='Kadi' last='Pynchon']</strong> with her defensive prowess prevented a number of her vicious hits from finding the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast']</strong> issued 32 assists while the combo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin'] </strong>(16) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='699993' first='Ava' last='Zender'] </strong>(20) combined for 36 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Big Upsets </strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a big conference game <strong>Independence</strong> (6-4) may have pulled off the biggest upset of the season with their five set win over number one<strong> Riverside </strong>(16-1). They followed that up with another big conference win over <strong>Briar Woods</strong>, putting them 2-1 in the conference. Of course, Riverside would rather have their lone loss come during the season, not like last year when their lone loss occurred in the finals of the state championship. No details provided on the matches but video showed [player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton'] with a number of left side kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christiansburg</strong> (12-2) lost to<strong> Hidden Valley</strong> (16-1) earlier in the year. They bounced back with a five set upset on Thursday, giving the Titans their first loss of the season. The Blue Demons won the last two sets 25-20 and 15-11. They are now tied with Hidden Valley in conference play at 6-1. [player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn'] (21) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464576' first='Sophie' last='Arnold']</strong> (16) combined for 37 kills in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Results From Around the DNV</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In an important WCAC matchup <strong>Bishop O'Connell</strong> (18-2) was able to hold on to beat <strong>St. Johns </strong>(17-3) in four. The Knights won the first two but the Cadets battled back to win the third 25-22. The Cadets carried a 9-4 lead in the fourth set but O'Connell came back to squeeze out a 26-24 win. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast']</strong> dished out 51 assists in the win. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong> powered 21 digs to the floor while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235295' first='Hannah' last='Kotb']</strong> finished with 15 digs and passed at a 2.18 rating. St. Johns received 36 assists from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221032' first='Wynn' last='Mendez Eaton']</strong>, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier']</strong> (11) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238356' first='Morgan' last='Reeves']</strong> (10) combined for 21 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["508159"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6701fadc48bc6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='508159' first='Allie' last='Lynch'] picked up her 2,000 assists on September 10th. A sweep this week over Luray puts the team in first place in the Bull Run conference. Since Lynch has set for Clark County beginning in the fall of 2021 the team has advanced to the regional semis. In 2022 she was voted to the first team all region team. She also won a spot on the Bull Run first team last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'10" she brings good height to the setting position. She also is known as a team first player, one of the reasons she is considered the leader of the team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week she was included in the Prep Dig national player of the week vote and finished in fourth place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='508159' first='Allie' last='Lynch']</strong> for <strong>Clark County</strong> (10-3) picked up 2,000 assists in a game on September 10th. This week she led her team to a sweep over Luray. This improved their Bull Run conference record to 7-1, putting them in first place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a surprise win <strong>Kettle Run</strong> (12-0) remained undefeated with their four set win over <strong>James Wood</strong> (8-2). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']</strong> did all she could to get the victory for the Colonels with her 26 kills in the loss. Kettle Run now finds itself ahead of both Millbrook and James Wood in the Northwestern conference. They have another match against James Wood at the end of the season. In their previous 11 matches they had won by sweeps so James Wood was the first team to take a set off them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a big game <strong>Loudoun County </strong>(11-1) took down<strong> Dominion</strong> (14-2) in four. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523337' first='Ana' last='Smithson']</strong> led the way with her 15 kills and four aces. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377334' first='Josephine' last='Seekford'] </strong>(11) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington']</strong> (10) combined for 21 kills. <strong>Abigail Long</strong> contributed 8 blocks. For Dominion, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346738' first='Alena' last='Smith']</strong> finished with 12 kills and four aces. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Stafford </strong>(14-3) took the top spot in their conference by sweeping past <strong>Riverbend</strong> (9-10). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221415' first='Lindsey' last='Canty']</strong> led the way with 13 kills and 9 digs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471627' first='Allison' last='Spittal'] </strong>contributed 15 digs and 4 aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn'] </strong>reached 2,000 kills while <strong>Hidden Valley</strong> (16-1) swept past <strong>Cave Spring</strong> (6-10).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Glenelg </strong>(14-0) lost their first set against the defending class 2 state champs <strong>Centennial</strong> (5-4) but bounced back to win the next three. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346816' first='Avery' last='Hubbard']</strong> led the way with 15 kills and 15 digs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li']</strong> finished with an impressive 38 assists and 24 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Flint Hill </strong>swept past <strong>Virginia Academy</strong> (12-3) with the usual reporting of a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong> triple double (18 kills, 11 digs and 10 assists). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] </strong>contributed 12 kills. Virginia Academy received 8 blocks from the 6'1" frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763151' first='Sydney' last='Lewis']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grafton</strong> (14-2) swept past <strong>New Kent</strong> (13-2) led by the 16 kills from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248639' first='Alana' last='Washington']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Madison</strong> (9-1) escaped an upset with a 5 set win over <strong>Oakton</strong> (1-8). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong> led the team with 13 kills and 24 digs, while the front wall of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230817' first='Riley' last='Lynch']</strong> (9) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397550' first='Chloe' last='Bonney-James']</strong> (8) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181314' first='Aubrey' last='Loughlin']</strong> (5) combined for 22 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["448705"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6701fadc48c7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In our last post we named the ten setters who have stepped it up this year. Danika is another setter to watch. She started setting for the Patriot as a sophomore. Currently she leads her team in assists and service aces. Even at 5'9" she has gotten high enough on the net to achieve three solo blocks and assist in 14 other blocks. Those three solo blocks are third on the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their only loss in the conference has been to Battlefield and they play them next week. The winner will likely take first in the Cedar Run conference since Battlefield lost to Gainesville in the conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Patriot </strong>(13-8) downed <strong>Freedom</strong> (5-6) to improve to 6-1 in the region. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220923' first='Soleil' last='Rancourt']</strong> led the way with 14 kills. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='448705' first='Danika' last='Swanson']</strong> contributed 6 aces and 33 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong> (6-5) won in five over <strong>Edison</strong> (3-4). The big story here is frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='630678' first='Iris' last='Jin']</strong> contributed 8 aces, 14 digs and 37 assists, falling two aces short of a triple double. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181310' first='Ava' last='Stewart']</strong> contributed 23 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Defiance</strong> (14-1) improved to 14-1 with their four set win over <strong>Staunton</strong> (5-3). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720606' first='Maecy' last='Frizzelle']</strong> led the way with 26 kills and 25 digs. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845331' first='Caroline' last='Hanger']</strong> dished out 27 assists, 21 digs and 7 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bullis</strong> (16-1) swept past <strong>Jackson Reed </strong>(12-3) but it was not easy, 27-25, 27-25 and 25-23. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181300' first='Alexis' last='Ewing']</strong> led the way with 15 kills for Bullis. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='699991' first='Elianette' last='Escalera'] </strong>found the floor with 11 kills for Jackson Reed. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan']</strong> had four blocks with one solo and spread out 40 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437457' first='Jasmin' last='Tucker']</strong> took an incredible 70 swings for 25 kills, but it fell short as <strong>Glenelg County </strong>beat <strong>St. Paul's Girls</strong> (7-5) in four. No stats for Glenelg County but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493358' first='Kennedy' last='Cummins']</strong> probably prevented a number of Tucker hits from finding the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Courtland</strong> (12-1) swept<strong> King George</strong> (8-3-2) in a important Battlefield conference match to move to 7-0 in the conference while King George dropped to 6-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Auburn </strong>(18-0) won three two point sets, 25-23, 26-24 and 26-24 to down <strong>Giles</strong> (8-3) in four. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='452562' first='Sophie' last='Taylor']</strong> collected 27 kills in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And finally, <strong>Covenant</strong> (15-1) downed<strong> Frederick Christian</strong> (16-2) in five. Covenant had to take the last two sets 25-20 and 15-10 to capture the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->