Handicapping the WCAC Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the basketball world the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) is one of the top basketball conferences in the country. As the volleyball improves in the DMV area the WCAC is building up a reputation in the volleyball arena. If you look at the top ten players ranked from 2026 to 2029 nine of the 40 play in the WCAC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a breakdown of the top five teams in the conference. Other conferences will be broken down as time permits. I am going to try to cover as many of the conferences I can prior to the high school season begins. Once final rosters are posted the prediction of state champions will commence. Because the discussion of rankings will also begin next week there is a lot to cover in the next four weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WCAC is composed of teams in the Virginia, D.C. and Maryland areas. Below the five top teams who will contest for the WCAC crown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bishop O'Connell</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":840130,"width":"378px","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/DSC04891-Enhanced-NRcover_websize.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-840130" style="width:378px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Kojo Assasie , [player_tooltip player_id='835191' first='Macie' last='Murray']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year the Knights finished second in conference play but won the WCAC tournament. The only thing taking first in the conference gives you is the first seed. The Knights have played Holy Cross in the finals the last four years. O'Connell has won three of the last four. All of these finishes occurred after the 2020 season was cancelled because of CO-vid. Prior to CO-vid the Knights had only been to one final, in 2016 when they finished first in conference but lost to Holy Cross in the playoffs. They did win a title way back in 1985.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning players</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835191' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong> (OH), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377397' first='Ellyson' last='Miller']</strong> (OH), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612396' first='Natalie' last='Hobson']</strong> (S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='488812' first='Olivia' last='Boggs']</strong> (MB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828237' first='Gracie' last='Davig'] </strong>(MB/RS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='798913' first='Sofie' last='Giannelli'] </strong>(DS/L), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809614' first='Elle' last='Campbell']</strong> (RS/M), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377329' first='Natalie' last='Lyle']</strong> (DS/L)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers </strong>- <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='520868' first='Caroline' last='Semko']</strong> (DS/L), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746506' first='Carolyn' last='Maria']</strong> (S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755129' first='Lillian' last='Battcock']</strong> (MB/RS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755132' first='Abigail' last='Battcock']</strong> (MB/RS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='805097' first='Cayla' last='Sawyers'] </strong>(OH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Departing Players</strong> - <strong>Hanna Kotb</strong> (DS/L), <strong>Maia Cervezo</strong> (DS/L), <strong>Jocelyn Pye</strong> (OH), <strong>Avery Prendergast</strong> (S)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - They have the pieces to put together another conference run. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='520868' first='Caroline' last='Semko']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746506' first='Carolyn' last='Maria']</strong> should make the varsity as starters. Last year Caroline played for Flint Hill but because of a shortage of pin hitters she hit outside. She will play libero for the Knights. [player_tooltip player_id='835191' first='Macie' last='Murray'] won All State last year and recently was named to the All tournament team at the Junior Nationals, leading Metro 16 to a second place finish in the National Division. The depth at the outside and middle is a concern, but they have some options at the junior varsity level that could fill the void.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - The Knights broke Flint Hills six consecutive VISAA titles by defeating the Huskies in the finals last season. Prior to that the Huskies had another consecutive state championship streak broken by the Knights in 2016. The only VISAA state champions since 2011 in Division I play have been either Bishop O'Connell or Flint Hill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holy Cross</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732503,"width":"464px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Emerson-Wolfe.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732503" style="width:464px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a younger team that does carry a boat load of talent. The Tartans have been to the WCAC finals for 13 consecutive seasons. They have won the championship in seven of those seasons. They started last season 2-4 but during the rest of the year they only lost to Maryland state champion Richard Montgomery and VISAA state champion Bishop O'Connell. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</strong> (OH), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829469' first='Ana' last='Woods']</strong> (RS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel']</strong> (DS/L), <strong>Saina Fernando</strong> (DS/L) <strong>Addison Sewell (</strong>DS/L), [player_tooltip player_id='438091' first='Catherine' last='McIntyre'] (OH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Departing Players</strong> - <strong>Brooke Sylvestre</strong> (MB), <strong>Kendall Peterson </strong>(RS/S), <strong>Gabrielle Hill</strong> (OH/DS), <strong>Aaliyah Williams</strong> (MB), <strong>Sarah Jeramias</strong> (OH), <strong>Rowan Johnson</strong> (MB/RS), <strong>Lilly Polmateer</strong> (OH/MB),<strong> Sibel Ozan</strong> (S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238376' first='Anasofia' last='Zanellato']</strong> (S)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753073' first='Aniston' last='Williams']</strong> (MB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - Anasofia had one more year but transferred to Bishop McNamara for that last season. She set mostly as a front row player. That means Holy Cross will need to find a setter from either the junior varsity, transfer or the frosh ranks. They could turn to libero<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel'] </strong>as a setter. She actually moved from libero to setter in the championship final against O'Connell. They will also need help at the middle. As a frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753073' first='Aniston' last='Williams']</strong> brings the tools to fill one of those varsity positions. The junior varsity or transfer should fill the other. Two of the four pins are covered by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829469' first='Ana' last='Woods']</strong>. Both are ranked in the top ten of the class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun fact</strong> - Holy Cross has rostered two players who have competed for the United State junior national team. Middle <strong>Rhamet Alhassan </strong>and outside <strong>Emmerson Sellman</strong>. Rhamet is now an assistant coach for Flint Hill varsity and head coach of the Junior Varsity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St. Johns</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Johns won the WCAC championship in 2019. It was their second WCAC championship, but first since 2004. The last four years they have not gotten past the semi-finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530367' first='Ava' last='Gill'] </strong>(MB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238356' first='Morgan' last='Reeves']</strong> (OH), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221032' first='Wynn' last='Mendez Eaton'] </strong>(S), <strong>Brook Lancaster </strong>(DS/L), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512276' first='Taylor' last='Dickerson']</strong> (OH), <strong>Anna Borges </strong>(DS/L),<strong> Layla Tamiz</strong> (DS/L), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828185' first='Cairo' last='Turner']</strong> (MB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437988' first='Sasha' last='Plummer']</strong> (OH), <strong>Emma Munoz-Pogossian</strong> (MH), <strong>Gabrielle Deutz</strong> (S), <strong>Shea Wilson</strong> (DS/L), <strong>Alexandra Potter</strong> (S/OH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Departing</strong> <strong>Players</strong> - <strong>Erin Carmody</strong> (DS/L), <strong>Leana Gould</strong> (OH), <strong>Marissa D'augostine</strong>, <strong>Racquel Frazier</strong> (OH), <strong>Avery Boesch</strong> (OH), </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong> - I have not heard of any new players who will play varsity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - The loss of WCAC player of the year <strong>Raquel Frazier </strong>hurts, but they appear to have many critical positions covered with the possible exception of libero. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238356' first='Morgan' last='Reeves']</strong> is their top returning left side. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530367' first='Ava' last='Gill']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828185' first='Cairo' last='Turner']</strong> share the middle blocking responsibilities. Last year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221032' first='Wynn' last='Mendez Eaton']</strong> set a 5/1. Filtering in other players from the junior varsity or transfers ranks would up their competitive quotient.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - <strong>Racquel Frazier</strong> earned the WCAC player of the year award despite their third place finish last year. St. Johns last player of the year was <strong>Rachel Richardson </strong>in 2019, the year they won their last WCAC championship. At 5'9" she was small for an outside hitter. She went on to play for Duke and was the player involved in the BYU racial slurs incident back in 2022. It is too bad those fans did not know her as a person.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bishop McNamara</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732512,"width":"469px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Imani-Thomas2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732512" style="width:469px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='828558' first='Imani' last='Thomas']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They had a very successful fourth place finish in the WCAC. The Mustangs have yet to win a WCAC championship. Paul VI upset McNamara in the first round of the WCAC playoffs., taking the last three sets of a five set match. During the regular season the Mustangs had beaten Paul VI twice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828546' first='Alexa' last='Bracey']</strong> (RS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828558' first='Imani' last='Thomas']</strong> (RS/OH), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238595' first='Sofia' last='Delarosa']</strong> (OH), <strong>Jurnee Aromashodu</strong> (MB), <strong>Julia Robinson</strong> (DS), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572043' first='Journey' last='Gardner']</strong> (S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='783936' first='Reagan' last='Vaughn']</strong> (L/DS), <strong>Kennedy Conley</strong> (MB) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Departing Players</strong> - <strong>Shilo Miller </strong>(DS/L), <strong>Justyce McKenne</strong> (S), <strong>Sydney Pollard</strong> (OH/DS/L), <strong>Kayla Greenwood</strong> (DS/L), <strong>Alexandra Hamlor</strong> (DS/L), <strong>Chelsea Colbert </strong>((MB), <strong>Sydni Burse </strong>((DS/L), <strong>Kennedy Corley</strong> (MB) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas']</strong> (OH) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238376' first='Anasofia' last='Zanellato']</strong> (S)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - Their top player could be frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas']</strong>. She can light up the court with her offensive play. She will play opposite <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='838401' first='Sofia' last='Delarosa']</strong> who will play left side while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828546' first='Alexa' last='Bracey']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828558' first='Imani' last='Thomas']</strong> cover the right side. The big question is whether they will use <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238376' first='Anasofia' last='Zanellato'] </strong>in a 5/1 or use her in a 6/2 to hit right side. Most teams have used her in the front row as a setter in a modified 5/1 offense. Filling out the middle and libero position will determine whether they can contend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> -<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='828558' first='Imani' last='Thomas'] </strong>is the older sister of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas']</strong>. Their father played many years of professional basketball for the Washington Wizards. You know they have some of those athletic genes that makes their engine run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Paul VI</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732478,"width":"520px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Ali-Joyce.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732478" style="width:520px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='728459' first='Ali' last='Joyce']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paul VI last won the WCAC in 2018. They also won titles in 1996, then created a dynasty by winning from 1999 to 2002. A couple years ago they moved to a newer facility. They hoped that would attract top athletes to the school. It has not quite panned out for the Panthers but Bishop O'Connell seems to have benefitted from their departure from the Fairfax area. That could change after getting two new recruits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players </strong>- <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438043' first='Katherine' last='McLaughlin'] </strong>(OH), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='794671' first='Jaclyn' last='Park'] </strong>(DS/L), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='541140' first='Maris' last='Francescon']</strong> (S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728459' first='Ali' last='Joyce']</strong> (S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828424' first='Kate' last='Foley']</strong> (MB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='308751' first='Olivia' last='LeBlanc']</strong> (S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808073' first='Olivia' last='Stroupe'] </strong>(OH),<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='377340' first='Mary' last='Ross']</strong> (RS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Departing Players</strong> - <strong>Adie Ferrufino </strong>(DS/L), <strong>Jessica McCarey (</strong>OH),<strong> Emily Mitchell</strong> (OH), <strong>Emily Maguire</strong> (MB/OH),<strong> Riley Hamburger</strong> (MB), <strong>Tally Evans </strong>(DS/L)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] </strong>(OH), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart']</strong> (OH) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - They pulled a coup by bringing in two outside hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart']</strong> who rank in the top ten of our class of 2027. Prior to that they relied on smaller outside hitters to generate their offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438043' first='Katherine' last='McLaughlin']</strong> could move to libero or play right side. They are loaded with setters with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728459' first='Ali' last='Joyce']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='541140' first='Maris' last='Francescon']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='308751' first='Olivia' last='LeBlanc'] </strong>on the roster,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact </strong>- <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438043' first='Katherine' last='McLaughlin']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808073' first='Olivia' last='Stroupe']</strong> played for me at 13U. For Katherine it was her first exposure to club volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->