James Wood Takes Down Georgetown in Endless Summer

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two years ago James Wood only lost two matches. Both were at the Endless Summer tournament when they had [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] playing libero. They decided to move her back to left side and they won their second consecutive Class 4 state championship. This year they played in Endless Summer and Brenna was hitting left side. It is impressive watching this 5'5" hitter lift herself off the ground and power balls to the floor. This year with Brenna and [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] hitting outside they won the Endless Summer tournament, beating Georgetown Day in three in the finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a summary of the top four teams in the tournament. Another post this week will provide information on other teams and players who impressed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">James Woods</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you watch the 5'5" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong> jump and hit the ball it usually seems to find an open spot. What really impresses is an overpass where the ball just crosses the net and she lifts all 5'5" of her and pounds the ball at or in front of the ten foot line, bringing some impressive bounce to the ball. That is certainly a momentum changer when you see that happen. She also has an incredible ability to get her hands or arms on almost any ball, hit her way no matter how hard it is crushed and pop it up near the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brenna might get my MVP vote if <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']</strong> did not also play well. She puts a little more velocity on the ball than Brenna as they also find their way to an open spot on the court. Both play a spectacular back row, which could be a reason that James Wood has been state champs since the two have arrived at the school as frosh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They had in their pool some pretty strong teams in Bishop McNamara, Flint Hill and Maryvale Prep but none of those teams reached 20 points against them. Maryvale got the closest reaching 18 and 19 points in their two games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even after the loss of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320815' first='Tenley' last='Mattison'],</strong> this cast of characters is tough to beat. Tenley moved out of the James Wood school district which created a hole in the middle. That hole seems to have been filled quite nicely by a trio of sophomores/juniors<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='845377' first='Claire' last='Keefer']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827679' first='Reese' last='Justice'] </strong>and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806216' first='Kyla' last='Wilhelm']. </strong> None of the three stands over 5'8" yet they still manage to get their blocks up and create an offense when set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for as I know the Colonels have played without a libero since [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] moved from there to hit outside. two and a half years ago They do have <strong>Kyleigh By</strong> and frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='877848' first='Macie' last='Hewitt'] </strong>who can come in for the middles. Or themiddles can stay in the back row and play defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720415' first='Bella' last='Middleton']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='621440' first='Kylee' last='Plumb']</strong> share setting responsibilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the playoffs Kellam proved more competitive. In the first set James Wood captured an early lead pulling ahead at one point 13-9. Kellam battled back to tie the game 16-16 on a middle kill by <strong>Vanessa Jarvis</strong>. A block by middle <strong>Skylar Witte</strong> actually put the Knights ahead by one 21-20. A setter dump by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484751' first='Riley' last='Erwin']</strong> again put them ahead 22-21. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That would be the last of their leads. Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845377' first='Claire' last='Keefer']</strong> found an open area in the middle for her tip to tie it at 22-22. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong> then shot a kill through the Kellam block to put the Colonels up by one. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484970' first='Sofia' last='Barnes']</strong> tied it at 23-23 but Corbin responded with a shot down the line. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] </strong>ended it 25-23 with a tool off the block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second set James Wood built up a 17-13 lead. Kellam could only pull to within one when a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484970' first='Sofia' last='Barnes']</strong> kill made it 19-20. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] </strong>ended it with a tip over the block for one point and a blast through the block for the last point finishing off a 25-22 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against Georgetown Day the first two matches were dominated by the winning team. The Colonels opened up an 11-2 lead in the first set. The Mighty Hoppers battled back to 23-20 but two aces by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827679' first='Reese' last='Justice'] </strong>ended the set 25-20. The second set was dominated by Georgetown Day early, fueled by two kills and a block by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472234' first='Tessa' last='Fergusson']</strong> to put them up by 13-5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437985' first='Zora' last='Dimbo'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377396' first='Alexa' last='Telly']</strong> finished it off from the outside for a 25-14 rout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James Wood did not panic. In the third set a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827679' first='Reese' last='Justice'] </strong>block followed by a kill gave James Wood a 9-5 lead. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong> buried a pass that carried over the net to make it 10-5 shifting the momentum so drastically that the game was all but over. James Wood went on to win 15-8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After this win James Wood improves to 14-0, with three wins over state champions Georgetown Day, Riverside and Maryvale Prep. This might get them some national recognition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Georgetown Day</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":789933,"width":"272px","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:272px;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 found themselves in a challenging pool with two other teams named in my top 25 rankings. James Wood was the only team ranked in their pool. Early shockwaves were sent when Annapolis Area Christian beat them in the opener 28-26. It was one of those epic games that saw no lead slip away by more than two. A <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton']</strong> kill and a Georgetown Day hitting error gave the Eagles the 28-26 win. Georgetown Day was able to bounce back and win the next two sets 25-16, 25-13 to win the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mighty Hoppers were able to sweep past Kellam in three 25-21, 25-18 and 25-13. They used their depth at every position to capture their pool.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That depth all begins with setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum']</strong>. She has so many options at her disposal that it becomes much easier to make the right choices. On the outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437985' first='Zora' last='Dimbo']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377396' first='Alexa' last='Telly']</strong> dominated. In the middle/right side you have the trio of a healthy <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321676' first='Gabrielle' last='Wigglesworth']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='355124' first='Fiona' last='McDermott']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472234' first='Tessa' last='Fergusson']</strong>. Gabrielle appears to be a constant in the middle and brings tremendous timing to the quick tempo sets. She also blocks well despite her 5/10" height. Finally, her defense rates almost as good as any libero when she is back there digging hard driven spikes after her serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Georgetown was fortunate to get two transfers from Bullis. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377396' first='Alexa' last='Telly']</strong> was used mostly in the middle by Bullis but for Georgetown she hits outside. Younger sister <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750050' first='Raquel' last='Telly']</strong> will see a lot of left side time but for this tournament saw most of her play serving and playing back row. The libero was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800354' first='Ella' last='Higday']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the loss to James Wood was tough, they will bounce back. They play Flint Hill again on Tuesday, but their matches for the remainder of the season appears very weak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kellam</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They also played in the tougher pool with Georgetown Day and Annapolis Area Christian. While Georgetown Day swept them they were able to beat Annapolis Area Christian in two of their three matches. The first set, a 31-29 win proved key to getting into the gold medal bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No team could take charge in this set. The Knights relied on the outside right arm of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484970' first='Sofia' last='Barnes'] </strong>and right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484751' first='Riley' last='Erwin']</strong> to keep them in the game. Sofia connected on three consecutive kills to keep them up by one 28-27, 29-28 and 30-29. Annapolis relied on a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='762823' first='Brie' last='Mouton']</strong> block and a setter dump from the front row to keep tying the set. After the third kill by Sofia to put them ahead 30-29 a <strong>Vanessa Jarvis</strong> redirect block on an overset gave the Knights a 31-29 win. After taking the second set 25-15 they let the third set get away from them 25-22. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first round of the gold James Wood swept Kellam 25-23, 25-22. The James Wood narrative highlights the match. This dropped them down to a third place match where they played Maryvale. They swept them 25-16, 25-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Kellam their offense is reliant on left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484970' first='Sofia' last='Barnes']</strong> and right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484751' first='Riley' last='Erwin'] f</strong>or offensive production. Their middles <strong>Skylar Witte</strong> and <strong>Vanessa Jarvis </strong>focused more on blocking. The other left side who also put balls away was [player_tooltip player_id='608979' first='Mia' last='Schmidt'], although at 5'6" she is a bit undersized to play the position. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='544609' first='Giulia' last='Allison']</strong> made some nice digs in the back row playing the libero position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maryvale Prep</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maryvale surprised everyone early with their win over Flint Hill. After losing the opener 25-19 they bounced back to win the next two 25-23 and 15-11. They then beat Bishop McNamara in another three setter 27-25, 22-25, 15-9. This clinched an appearance in the gold medal bracket prior to their match against James Wood. The Colonels beat them 25-16, 25-19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoffs were not so kind to them. First they were swept by Georgetown Day 25-18, 25-11. They then lost to Kellam in the third place match 25-16, 25-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because Maryvale lacked rosters it was difficult to identify players. The only player I recognized was their libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='547072' first='Victoria' last='Small']</strong>. She is a tremendous passer and defensive player, ranking at number 47 in our class of 2027. Victoria is about as consistent a player you can ask for in a libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Volleyball Game of Last Week - South Lakes Shocks Madison</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589240,"width":"416px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/98-Eva-Collingham.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589240" style="width:416px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='437448' first='Eva' last='Collingham']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big game of last week was South Lakes upsetting Madison to remain undefeated at 6-0. This match was also their first regional match. It did not look like a match worth watching after Madison trounced them in the opener 25-9. Madison jumped out to a 12-2 lead and the Seahawks could do nothing right.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Lakes surprised Madison in the second set with middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='526752' first='Ella' last='Wang']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569730' first='Ava' last='Grilliot']</strong> leading the way. Setters<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='521323' first='Ilana' last='Collingham']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='559650' first='Rhea' last='Bhatia']</strong> successfully set them a number of quick sets opening up the lanes for the left sides <strong>Sena Elston</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437448' first='Eva' last='Collingham']</strong>. They pounced on Madison in the second set 25-18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the third set libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754929' first='Keira' last='McManus']</strong> strung together a couple nice digs while also mixing in some ace serves to put South Lakes to within one 22-23. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='359401' first='Chloe' last='Barth'] </strong>powered a couple of back row kills for the Warhawks to finish the set in their favor 25-22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the fourth set a big block by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753047' first='Olivia' last='Schulz'] </strong>tied the set at 19-19. A kill each by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569730' first='Ava' last='Grilliot']</strong> and <strong>Sena Elston</strong>, followed by an ace from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754929' first='Keira' last='McManus']</strong> put the Seahawks up 22-19. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='526752' first='Ella' last='Wang']</strong> followed with a block to up the score to 23-19. A Madison hitting error followed and a Sena tip that hit the court gave South Lakes the 25-19 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fifth set to 15 did not start out well for South Lakes early. They found themselves down 7-1 after a couple<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong> kills. Three kills from [player_tooltip player_id='437448' first='Eva' last='Collingham'] and two critical blocks by<strong> Sydney Morris</strong> brought the Seahawks back to within three 9-12. They were down 12-14 with the Warhawks having serve and another critical kill from <strong>Sena Elston</strong> gave them serve back behind 13-14. Madison was called for a back row attack to tie it 14-14. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753047' first='Olivia' last='Schulz']</strong> put Madison ahead again banging a quick shoot set in the middle to the floor for a 15-14 lead. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='526752' first='Ella' last='Wang']</strong> produced a critical tip kill in the middle to tie the set 15-15 and hammered a middle set to give South Lakes their first lead in the set 16-15. [player_tooltip player_id='437448' first='Eva' last='Collingham'] finished the game with a block from the outside 17-15.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Big Games from Last Week</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Briar Woods pulled off an upset against Loudoun County winning in five. They won the first two sets 27-25 then finished the match off with a 16-14 fifth set win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Virginia Homeschool swept Brunswick for the second time this season, winning the third set 33-31 to improve to 13-0. Brunswick dropped to 13-2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768545' first='Autumn' last='Schwartz']</strong> (15) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768547' first='Nadia' last='Jastrzemski']</strong> (14) combined for 29 kills. Later in the week Central Virginia Homeschool would take their first loss to New Life Camp, a team in North Carolina whose record improved to 22-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I attended the match in which Madison swept Yorktown in three 25-18, 25-18 and 25-19. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":753476,"width":"383px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/02/52-Emerson-Wolfe.jpg?w=963" alt="" class="wp-image-753476" style="width:383px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holy Cross beat Urbana in four led by the 34 kills from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829469' first='Ana' last='Woods']</strong> (19) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</strong> (15). Ana achieved a triple double with her 12 points scored serving and her 12 digs from the back row. <strong>Vivien Blue </strong>dished out 40 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glenelg also won in four over Centennial with<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='346815' first='Isard' last='Bernades']</strong> (14) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346816' first='Avery' last='Hubbard'] </strong>(16) combining for 30 kills. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li'] </strong>contributed 34 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cox takes down Kellam in five, winning the fifth set 15-13. Cox established a balanced attack with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='882319' first='Camdyn' last='Milisitz']</strong> leading the charge with 9 kills while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='693822' first='Lucille' last='Tignor']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='882552' first='Kathleen' last='Grosz']</strong> finished with 8. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='617089' first='India' last='Starr']</strong> led the team in blocking accounting for six of the 13 blocks collected by Cox. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='882556' first='Caroline' last='Butkovich']</strong> kept the offense balanced with her 37 assists. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484970' first='Sofia' last='Barnes']</strong> led the charge for Kellam with 20 kills. Later in the week Cox defeated Ocean Lakes in five, again winning that fifth set 15-13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Landstown squeaked past Bayside with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746325' first='Cheyenne' last='Wright']</strong> (17) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746323' first='Isabella' last='Decker'] </strong>(11) combing for 28 kills. <strong> Kailyn Johnson </strong>had a day with 20 digs and 40 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Giles had a big four set win against Auburn. For Auburn they dropped to 5-1 while Giles improved to 6-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christiansburg beat their rival Hidden Valley in four as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I went and saw West Springfield sweep Woodson despite their starting setter [player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks'] disabled wearing a boot. <strong>Mealea Menh</strong> and <strong>Saniyah Sadler </strong>shared the setting responsibilities. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='354086' first='Nina' last='Schweigert'] </strong>(12) and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720348' first='Milena' last='Kibret']</strong> (10) led the team in kills. I met my realtor at the game. Her daughter plays for Woodson. Also, a neighbor who moved away 14 years ago was at the game. When he moved his daughter was two, but 14 years later she plays for Woodson. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='886395' first='Avery' last='Bartos']</strong> is a 5'9" frosh middle who played the third set and mastered a kill. This is her first year of volleyball. She did not play club last year. The discussion is whether she should play beach or club to enhance her volleyball skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sherando pulled an upset by giving Kettle Run their first loss of the year. They beat them in four to improve to 6-1 while Kettle Run dropped to 8-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":789512,"width":"424px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/229-Amaya-Bowles.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-789512" style="width:424px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='475397' first='Amaya' last='Bowles']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='352831' first='Megan' last='Hiltner']</strong> accumulated 29 kills with 15 digs while<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='475397' first='Amaya' last='Bowles'] </strong>added 16 to lead Dominion to a five set win over Heritage. Dominion prevented a reverse sweep by winning the fifth set 15-10. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='298857' first='Ingrid' last='Smith']</strong> finished the match with 47 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Urbana pulled an upset win over two time defending state champion Richard Montgomery. Urbana took the last two sets 25-23, 25-22 to improve to 1-1. The Rockets dropped to 2-1. Later in the week Holy Cross would beat the Rockets in three in the Battle of Bethesda.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->