Three Programs Rising Like a Pheonix

Sometimes high school volleyball programs become trapped in a depth of disinterest. Athletic directors first thoughts turn to football or basketball. Volleyball coaches come and go once they see the apathy wedged into the sport. The better athletes run to the private schools to escape the torture of constantly losing. Below are three programs rising from the ashes of despondency to give promise to their sport.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Annandale Atoms</h2>   Love the name. Can't imagine the look of their mascot. Last year the Atoms were a little below par, finishing 8-14. When you consider the previous six years the team never won more than one match winning eight matches would be celebratory. This season is still young yet the Atoms find themselves with six wins already against two losses. The five conference wins places them second in the National District, one game behind Edison.   One of the two losses for the Atoms this year came in a five set match against Edison. After Annandale won the first two sets Edison pulled a reverse sweep and won the last three sets, including a 16-14 win in the fifth set. Their other loss was to Fairfax in four, ironically another team highlighted below.   Since the loss to Edison they have swept their last five opponents, including Falls Church, which won the National District last year. Their next big match arrives on Thursday when they play Thomas Jefferson, who has historically been a powerhouse in the Division. A win on Thursday would cement their standing as one of the favorites in the National District.   This is a young team with a number of promising players, the most talented clearly tied to the right arm of frosh left side [player_tooltip player_id='750056' first='Kiera' last='Jordan']. She plays for Metro travel, ranking at number 14 in our class of 2029. She hits the ball hard but still needs an accurate set to attack the ball. Her passing could also use some more work. For Metro she played mostly right side, a position that does not get involved much in the passing rotation. However, the promise in her game is through the roof.   Another frosh starter is setter [player_tooltip player_id='888520' first='Rachel' last='Bauer']. This past club season she was an outside hitter for [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite']. Annandale needed someone to set so eventually Rachel got the call. She still needs to work more on the consistency in location and height of her sets. This is understandable since the high school season is the first time she has been thrust into the setter's role.   [player_tooltip player_id='535380' first='Esther' last='Jung'] is a smaller outside hitter who puts the ball away. As a senior this is her last year with Annandale. She is thankful to eliminate those losing seasons from her memory. Getting an opportunity to play for a state championship would be an ultimate award after three torturous years of losing. They also have three sophomores in libero [player_tooltip player_id='760223' first='Miah' last='Henderson'], middle Margaret Moreland and right side [player_tooltip player_id='696208' first='Kiley' last='Foster']. Another sophomore is setter Alyvia Banks, who did not set in the Hayfield match. She came in to serve and play back row, scoring numerous points with her serve.   So, the table is set for them to at least get beyond the first round of the Regional Playoffs. They have yet to win a state championship, much less even qualify for the eight team state bracket. This year they hope to get beyond the first round of the Regional playoffs to set themselves up next year for a more successful season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fairfax Lions</h2>   The Lions are another program that had trouble generating winning seasons. They did pull one together a couple years ago going 11-8 and winning one Regional match. However, last year they reverted back to their typical struggle with a 2-17 record. This year they are already 5-3 but with tough games coming up this week with undefeated South Lakes and Alexandria City staying above .500 will be a challenge.   Like Annandale, Fairfax has yet to make the final four in the state playoffs. They rarely find themselves surviving past the first round of the Regional bracket. However, the roster is built for the future with starting sophomore left side [player_tooltip player_id='768530' first='Ellen' last='Verwys'] and frosh left side [player_tooltip player_id='756340' first='Erin' last='Moir'] taking control of the offense.   While they currently have senior [player_tooltip player_id='800352' first='Elinor' last='Suh'] as their libero her future replacement for the position next year appears to be frosh [player_tooltip player_id='888626' first='Blake' last='Ahn']. Elinor plays beach instead of club ball and last year she was the one Lion to make the All tournament team for Fairfax at the Flint Hill tournament. Ahn plays for Metro and should be in charge of the libero position for the next three years. Her focus remains on the indoor game.   Currently setting for them in a 5/1 is sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='888542' first='Nina' last='Leander']. She stands 5'10" and set for the Braddock Road 16 team this past club season. [player_tooltip player_id='768530' first='Ellen' last='Verwys'] also plays for Braddock Road but one year younger in age. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='888546' first='Scarlett' last='Sikorski'] fills one of the middle positions.   While they have a number of talented younger players who will fill their same positions next year ideally, they will still need an influx of talent from the Junior Varsity or incoming frosh to improve on their success.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">South Lakes Seahawks</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/83-Ava-Grilliot.jpg?w=961" alt="" class="wp-image-577395" style="width:404px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='569730' first='Ava' last='Grilliot']</figcaption></figure>   Unlike the two teams named above the Seahawks have not had poor seasons. They have stumbled into a web of mediocrity, finishing either a couple games over or under .500. When it comes to end of season tournament play, they have yet to win a state championship or finish in the final four. This year though the Seahawks have a different vibe starting the season 8-0 including a five set win over Concorde powerhouse James Madison. This puts them in first place in the Concorde Division, something they have not seen in a long time.   While the season is still young, matches later this week and next against Westfield and Chantilly could define their season. They swept past Oakton last week with their outsides [player_tooltip player_id='437448' first='Eva' last='Collingham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='888598' first='Sena' last='Elston'] leading the charge with 20 kills. Sena lacks height and velocity with her swings. She also will not intimidate when you watch her hit in warmups. However, when the games begin, she more than makes up for it by finding the empty spots of the court. She played for Volley Viet 17 last year, which earned the DMV Prep Dig award for the surprise club of the year after their 9th place finish in the AAU junior nationals Aspire Division.   While Sena is not ranked in the class of 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='437448' first='Eva' last='Collingham'] is more of what you look for in an outside hitter. She ranks at number 38 in our class of 2027, lists at 6'0" and hits the ball hard. Eva hit outside for Virginia Elite last year but her club season ended prematurely with a fractured finger. She leads the team in kills, just barely ahead of Sena.   The Seahawks are not lacking in height with the 6'3" junior [player_tooltip player_id='569730' first='Ava' last='Grilliot'] hitting right side and the 6'1" senior [player_tooltip player_id='526752' first='Ella' last='Wang'] playing middle. Both rank outside the top 100 in their classes but their performance seems to suggest that should rise. Ella is first on the team in blocks and third in kills while Ava is third on the team in blocks.   The setting is solid with [player_tooltip player_id='559650' first='Rhea' last='Bhatia'] and [player_tooltip player_id='521323' first='Ilana' last='Collingham'] sharing the responsibilities. Rhea impressed at a Prep Dig showcase and won a top performer award. What stood out at that event was her serve. That seems to hold true with South Lakes as she is third on the team in aces. Ilana is the first setter out of the box, leading the team in assists, many of them to her older sister Eva. At 5'4" Ilana did not get Eva's height but she still sits at 48 in our class of 2028 rankings.   Finally, the offense could not run as efficiently as it does without the consistent passing of [player_tooltip player_id='754929' first='Keira' last='McManus']. She also keeps the team in system with her passing and prevents balls from hitting the floor with solid defense. She leads the team in digs.   This team could pull out some surprises before the season ends. Stay tuned.

Sometimes high school volleyball programs become trapped in a depth of disinterest. Athletic directors first thoughts turn to football or basketball. Volleyball coaches come and go once they see the apathy wedged into the sport. The better athletes run to the private schools to escape the torture of constantly losing. Below are three programs rising from the ashes of despondency to give promise to their sport.