O’Connell and Georgetown Day Win State Championships

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two state champions were crowned over the weekend. Bishop O'Connell won the state championship for Independent schools in Virginia, the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) defeating six time defending champion Flint Hill. And even though the D.C. area is not considered a state, Georgetown Day won the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) state championship for their third consecutive season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>O'Connell Defeats Flint Hill for Division I State Championship</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last time Flint Hill lost a state championship was in 2016 when Bishop O'Connell defeated them in four. It took close to a decade but the Knights came back from a two game to one deficit to add a second state championship to their banner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["238341"],"_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-67314345ecc83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Teodora put together 65 blocks, averaging nearly two blocks per match. For the year the Knights put together 318 blocks. For whatever reason those numbers were down this season to 34 blocks or 1.2 per match. As a team they completed only 106 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the finals against Flint Hill both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='488812' first='Olivia' last='Boggs'] </strong>and Teodora completed six blocks each. As a team they completed a season high 16 blocks. The Knights had a much taller front row last year with four players listed at 6'3" and seven players over 6 feet. With a smaller front line this year perhaps opposing hitters found other places to hit to avoid the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whatever the reason, Teodora came up big in the final with six blocks and 12 kills, many of them coming at critical times to change the momentum in the match. A big time player who came up big in an important match. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After back to back losses to Flint Hill and Holy Cross the team finally got healthy and went on an 11 match winning streak, including wins over Holy Cross in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) and Flint Hill in the VISAA state championship to end the season. Early in the season concussion protocols and sprained ankles were the topic of discussion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":719994,"width":"865px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/share_image_1731281856764.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-719994" style="width:865px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Teodora Saminkovic and [player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast'] with the block</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you look at the contributions you can say it was a total team effort with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong> (19), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475116' first='Jocelyn' last='Pye']</strong> (13), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238341' first='Teodora' last='Stamenkovic']</strong> (12) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377397' first='Ellyson' last='Miller']</strong> (10) combining for 54 kills. The person responsible for providing this balanced offense <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast']</strong> dished out 54 assists. Finally, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='488812' first='Olivia' last='Boggs'] </strong>and Teodora put on their blocking boots to string together 6 blocks each, the most the duo has put together in one match all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first set O'Connell led 22-19. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin'] </strong>turned the set into a nightmare scoring six consecutive points with her serve for a 25-22 win. Because of poor passing the Knights were forced to hit free balls over or tip and the Huskies turned them into quick points. Bardin ended the set with a two handed setter dump over the net for the final point in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The loss could have been devastating to the Knight morale, but they bounced back. In the second set two<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='235295' first='Hannah' last='Kotb']</strong> aces put the Knights ahead 21-18. A <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238341' first='Teodora' last='Stamenkovic'] </strong>tip in the middle prevented another Huskie comeback extending the lead to 23-20. Two hitting errors, one on a free ball ended the set at 25-20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flint Hill controlled the third set for most of the game. An<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='488812' first='Olivia' last='Boggs']</strong> block, an <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast']</strong> ace and a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong> kill pulled the Knights to within two at 17-19. Hopes for another comeback were dashed after a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</strong> bomb in the middle put them within two points of winning at 23-20. The Huskies pulled it out 25-23 on a Bardin cross court kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going into the fourth set the number of kills from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong> equaled the number of her hitting errors. In order for the Knights to win they needed her contribution. When the Knights perform their hitting warms up before a match you do not have to watch the hitters to know who to block. You can close your eyes and listen to the sound of the hand hitting the ball to know when Macie has crushed the ball. The Huskies blocking keyed on Murray as she often came up against two person blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Set four <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong> began to find the floor with her hits. The Knights stayed comfortably ahead in the set, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475116' first='Jocelyn' last='Pye']</strong> contributing two redirect kills to seal the victory. Her first gave the Knights a 20-16 lead while her second ended the set 25-18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":719908,"width":"527px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/share_image_1731213137646.png?w=707" alt="" class="wp-image-719908" style="width:527px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">O'Connell pile on after championship point</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fourth set was all Knights. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='238341' first='Teodora' last='Stamenkovic']</strong> contributed a statement block to give the Knights a commanding 8-4 lead. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212888' first='Maia' last='Cerezo']</strong> made two incredible digs on hard hit balls and the Knights converted with a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475116' first='Jocelyn' last='Pye']</strong> tip kill and a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong> back row missile. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='475116' first='Jocelyn' last='Pye']</strong> served an ace to make it 13-5 and you could see the anticipation building. Flint Hill got the serve back at 14-6 and all the Knights needed for the championship was a sideout. Sometimes that is the hardest point to earn. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='238341' first='Teodora' last='Stamenkovic']</strong> made it look easy with kill number 12 converting a quick set from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235322' first='Avery' last='Prendergast']</strong> into the final point. Let the pile on begin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other VISAA Matches</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In other VISAA matches Covenant swept Stonebridge in the Division II championship. Last year Stonebridge won the Division III but were bumped up to Division II because of increased school enrollment. They found the going a bit rough losing 25-14, 25-10 and 25-15.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles were led by the 16 kills from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720073' first='Cara' last='Hamil']</strong>. That earned her the MVP for Division II. She provided offense from the front row and back row. Another deserving candidate for MVP was their setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720077' first='Maya' last='Veselinovic']. </strong> She exhibited great hands for setting totaling 28 assists while playing stellar defense with 12 digs. Her lefthanded swing proved ideal for a 5/1. When the passes were tight to the net her left handed swing put the ball to the floor. Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720080' first='Miller' last='Grimes']</strong> also stood out. She finished with four blocks and eight kills. She also showed an ability to play defense with her 6'1" frame, digging three balls after her serve. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division III saw Timberlake sweep Chelsea Academy. No surprise to see <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530601' first='Cambre' last='Phillips']</strong> lead the charge with her 26 kills. She stands just 5'6" but she brings good athleticism to the court. She also plays soccer for the Tornados. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division IV saw Brunswick Academy sweep Denbigh Baptist. The Vikings received 8 kills each from <strong>Bayne Carroll</strong> and <strong>Kylie Walker.</strong> Both Bayne and Kylie play softball for Brunswick. Bayne also contributed 8 aces and six blocks while Kylie put up seven blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Georgetown Day Defeats St. Johns for State Championship</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mighty Hoppers were a bit disappointed after their loss to Bullis in the ISL championship. They recovered in the DC state championship with a 25-14, 25-16 and 25-10 win over St. Johns. It was their third consecutive championship. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu']</strong> earned the MVP for the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->