Four Teams to Watch in the ISL Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the past the Independent School League consisted of Flint Hill and everyone else. Flint Hill had to schedule matches out of conference to play competitive teams. Eventually the ISL broke out into a Division A and AA to equalize the talent level. If you finish last in AA you drop down to A and if you finish first in A you bump up to AA. All that did not mean much to Flint Hill since they had not lost a set in their conference since 2011. Last year that streak was broken as three other teams have risen to excellence. It is no longer Flint Hill's conference to dominate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bullis</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589226,"width":"351px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/84-Mia-Fornasiero.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589226" style="width:351px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='238860' first='Mia' last='Fornasiero']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullis earned their way to AA by winning a championship in the lower A conference. After a few years there they have conquered the beast. The Bulldogs become the first team other than Flint Hill to win the AA Division. Flint Hill had won the conference since 2011. They swept past Flint Hill in the first round of the playoffs then dispatched Georgetown Day in four in the finals to win the championship. Bullis lost only two matches all season. Their first loss included a five set match against Flint Hill early in the season in which they were ahead in the fifth set 14-10 but lost 16-14. The second loss came against Georgetown Day later in the season. They avenged both those losses in the playoffs. However, repeating will be a challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - <strong>Olivia Mazur</strong> (OH/DS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan']</strong> (S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238860' first='Mia' last='Fornasiero'] </strong>(DS), <strong>Asha Simone</strong> (OH), <strong>Emily Walters </strong>(DS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238853' first='Dylan' last='Lin'] </strong>(S/DS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536729' first='Katelyn' last='Rolph']</strong> (S/OPP)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Departing Players </strong>- <strong>Nia Thomas</strong> (L/DS), <strong>Ava Sharma</strong> (DS), <strong>Angelique Desamour</strong> (OH),<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='829156' first='Alexa' last='Telly']</strong> (MB), <strong>Kyla Harris</strong> (MB), <strong>Sydney Mayfield</strong> (RS), <strong>Alexis Ewing </strong>(Penn State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong> - Not known at this time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - Six of their seven starters are departing, five to graduation and one to transfer. Only setter<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan'] </strong>returns. This will make it a challenge to repeat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fun Fact - <strong>Alexis Ewing</strong> is the daughter of basketball great Patrick Ewing. Her mother and coach, <strong>Cheryl Weaver </strong>played volleyball for the United States national team. Alexis committed to Penn State where she will have <strong>Emerson Sellman </strong>(Holy Cross/Metro) as a teammate. In two years [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] (Wakefield/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) will join them. Penn State is the defending NCAA champion. To have three local players committing to the university is a testament to the improved play in the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Georgetown Day</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":789933,"width":"281px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/DSC08900-Enhanced-NRcover_websize.jpg?w=685" alt="" class="wp-image-789933" style="width:281px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Kojo Assasie [player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mighty Hoppers only loss all season came in the ISL championship match against Bullis. They lost in four. Georgetown bounced back to win the DC state championship for the third consecutive season, sweeping past St. Johns in the finals. They won all nine sets in the state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828257' first='Julia' last='Heinzelmann'] </strong>(OH), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800354' first='Ella' last='Higday']</strong> (DS), <strong>Charlie Haft</strong> (S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472234' first='Tessa' last='Fergusson']</strong> (MB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='355124' first='Fiona' last='McDermott']</strong> (MB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809634' first='Gabrielle' last='Wigglesworth']</strong> (MB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828151' first='Arielle' last='Stopak']</strong> (MB/OH), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437985' first='Zora' last='Dimbo']</strong> (OH), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum']</strong> (S)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Departing Players</strong> - <strong>Shiraz Benyoucef</strong> (OH/DS/L), <strong>Liz Higday</strong> (S), <strong>Zoe Ryu </strong>(OH), <strong>Leia Levine</strong> (DS), <strong>Jada Aksu </strong>(RS), <strong>Alexa Gillespie</strong> (DS/l), <strong>Olivia Jin </strong>(DS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong> - <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='829156' first='Alexa' last='Telly']</strong> (OH), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750050' first='Raquel' last='Telly']</strong> (RS/OH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - They bring enough players back to win the Division. The transfer of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829156' first='Alexa' last='Telly']</strong> from Bullis to Georgetown Day will give them a left side to replace <strong>Zoe Ryu</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750050' first='Raquel' last='Telly'] </strong>could see some opportunities on the right side but as a frosh making the varsity is not a guarantee. The setter position is strong with [player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum'] running a 5/1 as well as the middle with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472234' first='Tessa' last='Fergusson'] </strong>and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='355124' first='Fiona' last='McDermott']. </strong> Finding a libero to replace Shiraz and a right side to replace Jada is a task for the preseason. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800354' first='Ella' last='Higday'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828151' first='Arielle' last='Stopak']</strong> sit as favorites for those positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - The last two Gatorade Players of the year for DC have come from Georgetown Day. Setter <strong>Clara Yu</strong> won it two years ago and right side <strong>Jada Aksu</strong> won it last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Flint Hill</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589282,"width":"357px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/140_-Hunter-Ross.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589282" style="width:357px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first time since 2011 Flint Hill fell short of winning either the state championship or at least the ISL championship. Normally, they win both. The 2024 season was also the first time since 2011 that the Huskies lost a set in conference play. Not only did they lose a set, but they also lost two matches, one to Bullis in the playoffs and the other to Georgetown Day during the regular season. It does not appear things will improve this coming year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800350' first='Delaney' last='Malloy']</strong> (DS/L), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='699993' first='Ava' last='Zender']</strong> (S/Opp), <strong>Breckon Paige </strong>(S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</strong> (MB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang']</strong> (DS/L),<strong> Camdyn Parker</strong> (MB), <strong>Boston Robertson</strong> (MB/OH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Departing Players</strong> - <strong>Isabella Bardin </strong>(S/RS), <strong>Audrey Sealock</strong> (OH),<strong> Kadi Pynchon </strong>(L/DS), </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong> - Possibly <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini']</strong> (MB). Mandela is not on the Flint Hill list of player names on the varsity roster. Also, her volleyball recruit site shows a high school DC International. But verbally she has indicated she will attend Flint Hill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment </strong>- <strong>Isabella Bardin</strong> is the biggest loss. The Purdue commit put together more triple doubles (kills/sets/digs) than any player in the area. [player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] coming back from injury will help them replace <strong>Kadi Pynchon </strong>at the libero position. An injury forced Evie to miss all of last season. If Mandela attends Flint Hill that will give them two solid middles in [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] and Mandela. They seem to lack pin hitters. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='699993' first='Ava' last='Zender']</strong> returns as the primary setter. In the last two years the newer players have not reached the talent level as the departing varsity players. This has allowed the rest of the schools in the conference to catch up to them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - for 13 years Flint Hill had not lost a set in conference. That lasted until the second set of the 2024 season when they lost two sets but still won the match to Bullis. They did not lose their first match until Georgetown Day beat them near the end of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potomac School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers had a surprising run last season. They came into the VISAA State championship undefeated against private schools in Virginia after upsetting Flint Hill in five, pulling off a reverse sweep during one of the last regular season matches. In the semi-final march of the VISAA playoffs Flint Hill needed to win the last two matches to beat Potomac School in five. They won the fifth set 15-13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807368' first='Sophia' last='Grimm']</strong> (S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836696' first='Olivia' last='Merino']</strong> (OH/DS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='795936' first='Lara' last='Senyuz'] </strong>((L/DS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800167' first='Lily' last='Gurney']</strong> (L/DS), <strong>Gianna Bognet</strong> (S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238594' first='Zoe' last='Eyre']</strong> (OH/RS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238861' first='Autumn' last='Okorie']</strong> (RS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475903' first='Avery' last='Byrnes'] </strong>(MB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Departing Players </strong>- <strong>Zora Burrell</strong> (OH), <strong>Skylar Giulian</strong>i (MB), <strong>Adelana Rodgers</strong> (S), <strong>Alexis Vaughan</strong> ( (S/DS/L)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Comers </strong>-<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='763132' first='Raegan' last='Giuliani'] </strong>(MB/RS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment </strong>- In the match they lost against Flint Hill 37 of their 42 kills were done by players graduating. It will be tough to replace them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - After Potomac beat Flint Hill in one of the last matches in conference play they received consideration as the first seed in the VISAA state championship. After all, they had yet to lose to a team in Virginia. Their paucity of opponents on the schedule ultimately dropped their seeding. Flint Hill redeemed themselves by beating them in the semi-finals. It did not come easy as they went five sets with the fifth set a 15-13 battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The "A" ISL Championship</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holton Arms defeated St. Andrews Episcopal in five in the A championship match. Despite this win St. Andrews Episcopal moved up to the AA Division. Stone Ridge dropped down from AA to A. St. Andrews Episcopal has a player to watch in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569865' first='Eireni' last='Scott']</strong>. She will make her presence felt hitting from the left side. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730963' first='Maya' last='Berkowitz']</strong> is a 6'0" junior setter should also make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->