More Virginia and Maryland Playoff Action

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday the ISL finished their playoffs. Sunday night the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) will finish their playoffs. And finally, the public high schools in Maryland and Virginia are going through their District, then regional and finally the state playoffs. DC will also be preparing for their state playoffs. Below is the end of week action for the public high schools. for the week of October 28.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Match of the Week - Marshall Over McLean in Four</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["320816"],"_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-6728d47e5b6f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Her game has improved quite a bit since the first time I saw her play. Her arm swing still needs some work to get more power on her hits but at 6'3" she can hit it over most blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She had a number of kills for the Highlanders in their Liberty District playoff game against Marshall. While the team fell short Catherine contributed in the middle with her blocking and her hitting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She earned a spot on the honorable mention list for the Liberty District. Looking forward to her improvement this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a district semi-final match with the winner to advance to play Langley in the finals. Langley had swept Herndon in their match. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] </strong>from Langley was named Player of the Year for the Liberty District.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In their two previous outings McLean surprised Marhsall with a five set win the first time the two teams played. Marshall swept them in the second encounter. The Highlanders started the match off with a 25-20 first set win. Middle hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320816' first='Catherine' last='Long'] </strong>put two balls down to put them up 19-14 while the Statesman hitters were still trying to find their range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second set the jump spin serve from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='643819' first='Julia' last='Schumer']</strong> proved difficult to pass and with all the free balls coming over the net <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd']</strong> put a number of balls to the floor. The seven point serving run turned a tight contest into a 16-8 Marshall lead. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='643819' first='Julia' last='Schumer']</strong> finished the game off with two kills to end the set 25-14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the third set <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='369730' first='Gracie' last='Froemling']</strong> went on a seven point scoring run and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd']</strong> strung together additional kills to give Marshall an early 9-2 lead. The Highlanders would never come within six points after that. Again, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='643819' first='Julia' last='Schumer'] </strong>finished it off with a kill for a 25-17 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the fourth set <strong>Katherine Abelev</strong> contributed two early kills and McLean jumped out to a 10-6 lead. They would lead 13-9 until <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd']</strong> contributed three bombs and an ace to tie the set at 15-15. A couple kills from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='643819' first='Julia' last='Schumer']</strong> and an ace from <strong>Antonia Gouvis</strong> put the Statesman ahead for good at 19-16. The Highlanders would never get to within two points after that. Marshall takes the set and the match with a 25-20 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Matches</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christiansburg</strong> (19-3) beat <strong>Salem</strong> (15-9) in four. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='495264' first='Ela' last='Shepherd']</strong> strung together 12 kills and 14 digs with 28 assists to pull off a triple double. <strong>Blythe Akers </strong>and <strong>Addison Reasor</strong> both contributed 13 kills to lead the team. They then faced <strong>Hidden Valley</strong> (24-1) in a District final and were swept. Their first two meetings went to five sets with each team taking a match. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn']</strong> (14) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464576' first='Sophie' last='Arnold']</strong> (13) combined for 27 kills for the Titans. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235285' first='Calli' last='Anderson']</strong> bagged together 13 digs and 29 assists. The Blue Demons were held to less than 20 points in all three sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cox</strong> (20-3 beat <strong>Ocean Lakes</strong> (19-4) in five. Cox won the fifth set 15-12. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deep Run</strong> (21-3) beat <strong>Midlothian</strong> (19-2) in four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["452562"],"_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-6728d47e5b74b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Ole Miss commit has been on a roll. With 68 kills in two matches she now leads all of Virginia in kills as tracked by Max Prep. Her volleyball skill level goes beyond just hitting the ball. She ranks number two in blocks and digs and sits on top in aces. She also finds herself third in assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'1" it is hard to find a player that brings all those skills to the game. Last year she earned Player of the Year honors in Class 1. As a frosh she made the first team all state. By the time she becomes a senior she will reach 2,000 kills for her high school career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Giles </strong>(19-3) beat <strong>Grayson County</strong> (17-5) in four. Ole Miss commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='452562' first='Sophie' last='Taylor']</strong> finished with 29 kills and 22 digs. Later in the week Giles beat <strong>Auburn</strong> (23-2) in four taking the fourth set 27-25. Again, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='452562' first='Sophie' last='Taylor']</strong> proved to be the difference with 39 kills and 20 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Howard</strong> (21-0) remained undefeated with another four set win over <strong>Glenelg</strong> (20-3). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='702631' first='McKenna' last='Brown']</strong> (13) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720806' first='Jackie' last='Klugh']</strong> (11) combined for 24 kills. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier']</strong> contributed 38 assists. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346815' first='Isard' last='Bernades']</strong> blasted 15 kills in the loss. Glenelg came back and downed Mariotts Ridge (8-9) in four. [player_tooltip player_id='346815' first='Isard' last='Bernades'] (16) and [player_tooltip player_id='346816' first='Avery' last='Hubbard'] (14) combined for 30 kills.<strong> Ilyssa Newman</strong> contributed 8 blocks, three of them solo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team remaining undefeated is <strong>Northern </strong>(15-0) with a sweep over <strong>Leonardtown</strong> (13-2). Both losses for Leonardtown have come against Northern.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["435745"],"_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-6728d47e5b793"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I had Mountain View as my sleeper pick to make states. They have one of the top players in the class of 2027. While she plays middle for her high school she has the skills to hit outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] she played six rotations and hit left side. This past club season with her hitting outside [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] won the Beast of the Eas tournament in Pittsburgh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While it is tough to find middles it is also difficult to find outsides who can dominate a game. When Alyssa plays outside she can dominate a game. She won a top performer award at our Prep Dig showcase in August. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mountain View</strong> (14-1) pulled off an upset over <strong>North Stafford </strong>(21-5) in five in a District matchup, while <strong>Massaponax</strong> (22-7) swept<strong> Colonial Forge</strong> (12-5). In the championship match Massaponax swept past Mountain View. Mountain View has some talent on their team with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523343' first='Elsie' last='Afful']</strong> leading the way. They could surprise in these playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Patriot </strong>(19-9) defeated <strong>Battlefield</strong> (17-6) in four in their District final. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220923' first='Soleil' last='Rancourt'] </strong>from Patriot was voted Player of the Year for the Cedar Run District. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Wood</strong> (17-3) avenged an earlier loss by sweeping Kettle Run (18-2). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']</strong> led the way with 15 kills and 11 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riverside</strong> (23-1) avoided a second upset against <strong>Independence </strong>(10-7) this time beating them in five. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["235293"],"_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-6728d47e5b7da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Destini has committed to American. Despite the second place finish of Forest Park in the Cardinal District the coaches were impressed enough with her play to vote her Player of the Year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 5'10 some may consider her undersized for an outside. When you watch her play your doubt is erased. Destini can dominate a game. For the Bruins she led the team in kills with an impressive .385 hitting percentage. She also plays six rotations, finishing second on the team in digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An all around player she earned a spot hitting left side for Metro at Junior Nationals in Las Vegas with her consistent hitting. Earlier in the year she played mostly back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colgan</strong> (24-2-2) swept past <strong>Forest Park</strong> (17-8) in the District championship despite the 14 kills from Cardinal District Player of the year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235293' first='Destini' last='Pickett'].</strong> For Colgan it is their eighth straight title win. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223581' first='Skylar' last='Johnson']</strong> (13) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238593' first='Tehillah' last='Garrison']</strong> (11) combined for 24 kills for the Sharks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Woodgrove</strong> (16-7) got past <strong>Broad Run</strong> (11-13) in five despite the 17 kills, 7 blocks, 16 assists and 18 digs from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181244' first='Ryan' last='Hicks']</strong>. That translate to a triple double with almost a fourth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Falls Church</strong> (15-5-1) got past <strong>Edison</strong> (9-6) in five. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='664148' first='Ainsley' last='Phillips']</strong> contributed 11 kills and 7 blocks while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248668' first='Eliana' last='Tamayo']</strong> came one ace shy of a triple double with 9 aces, 22 digs and 26 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->