Big Matches from Last Week – IAAM Playoff Chase Begins

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the end of the high school season approaches some big matches are being played to determine conference champion. Below are some of those critical games. Also, the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (IAAM) playoff games begin today. A preview of the matches below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Hagerstown</strong>, the Class 3 Maryland state champion did battle against <strong>Williamsport</strong>, the Class 2 Maryland state champion. The Hubs flexed their muscle 12 days ago when they swept past the Class 4 Virginia state champion James Wood. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> powered her way to 38 kills in 77 swings to lead the Hubs past Williamsport in four, 28-26, 25-22, 18-25, 25-23. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='787919' first='Charlotte' last='Booth']</strong> also contributed 10 kills. The Hubs shot up 12 slots in the DMV rankings to number 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Episcopal</strong> pulled off an upset to knock off <strong>National Cathedral</strong> 13-25, 25-21, 26-28, 28-26, 15-11. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='412055' first='Lilly' last='Kennedy']</strong> for National Cathedral pulled off another triple double with 16 kills, 18 digs and 17 assists. The loss dropped National Cathedral to 15-3-1 while Episcopal improved to 5-9, winning their first ISL match to go 1-4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Colonial </strong>has been on a roll. They lost their first eight games of the season but with their upset over <strong>Cox</strong> 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 15-11 they have now won 11 of their last 12 matches. Cox dropped to second place in the Beach Conference at 11-2 while First Colonial moved up to fourth place at 9-4. At one point the Patriots were down 19-9 in the fourth set but rallied to win 25-23 to bring a fifth set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>George Marshall</strong> pulled off a big upset to down<strong> Langley</strong> in five. For Langley it is their first conference loss, while George Marshall improves to 9-2, a half game back of the Saxons. After a 1-8 start to the season the Statesman have racked up 13 wins in their last 15 matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732528,"width":"396px","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/Lacey-Bogues.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732528" style="width:396px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='536741' first='Lacey' last='Bogues']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Potomac Falls</strong> has been one of the surprise teams this year. They battled <strong>Riverside</strong> for the second time this season to determine dominance in the Potomac Conference. The Panthers fell short again losing for the second time 25-15, 25-18 and 25-15. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='377335' first='Mackenzie' last='Davis']</strong> did it all for Riverside with her setting and right side attacks. Last year she took the high school season off while Riverside went on to win the championship. This year she hopes to lead Riverside to a championship. She has committed to Christopher Newport <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536741' first='Lacey' last='Bogues'] </strong>did her best for Potomac Falls, drilling a number of spikes to the floor. However, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong> on the left side and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333652' first='Gabriella' last='Vizek']</strong> up the middle the Rams were too much for the Panthers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wootten</strong> pulled off a big upset with a four set win over <strong>Richard Montgomery</strong>. The Rockets took the first match 28-26 but then lost the last three 22-25, 22-25 and 25-27. Last year Wootten got to the finals of the Class 3 Maryland State championship before losing to North Hagerstown in three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589283,"width":"345px","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/Ana-Woods.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589283" style="width:345px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='536721' first='Ana' last='Woods']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Holy Cross</strong> remained undefeated by winning a big five set match against <strong>Paul VI </strong>17-25, 25-8, 26-28, 25-20, 15-7. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536721' first='Ana' last='Woods'] </strong>led the charge from the right side with 14 kills while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</strong> fired from the left side for 13 kills. Woods also picked up 16 digs as did [player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel']. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753073' first='Aniston' last='Williams']</strong> powered 7 blocks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Coco' last='Lewis']</strong> led the Panthers with 15 kills while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart']</strong> added 13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Catherines</strong> pulled off a big upset with their reverse sweep five set win over <strong>Norfolk Academy</strong>, 20-25, 19-25, 25-23, 25-21 and 15-11. For Norfolk Academy it was only their second loss of the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828736' first='Ada' last='Huntington']</strong> contributed 13 kills for the Saints while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817643' first='Paxton' last='Raymond']</strong> added 12 kills and 6 blocks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752059' first='Sydney' last='Peterson']</strong> powered 20 kills for Norfolk Academy with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='805109' first='Charleston' last='Hart']</strong> adding 17. They may have had more kills if <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='322106' first='Bailey' last='Loving']</strong> did not dig up 33 balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":790412,"width":"306px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/68-Delaney-Malloy.jpg?w=985" alt="" class="wp-image-790412" style="width:306px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='784849' first='Delaney' last='Malloy']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop O'Connel</strong>l looked like they had the match under control when they won the first two sets 25-18, 25-22. <strong> Flint Hill</strong> battled back to win the next two sets 25-20, 25-22. The Knights recovered to win the third set 15-10. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong> led the way with 27 kills while<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='746506' first='Carolyn' last='Maria']</strong> added 17. Caroline fell three digs short of a triple double. UCLA bound <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] </strong>was unstoppable with 35 kills. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini']</strong> was a force up the middle for the Huskies with five blocks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='520868' first='Caroline' last='Semko'] </strong>led the Knights with 16 digs while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='784849' first='Delaney' last='Malloy']</strong> scooped up 19 for the Huskies. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Broadneck</strong> downed <strong>Arundel</strong> in a five set donnybrook, 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 20-25, 15-11. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">IAAM A Bracket</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732561,"width":"317px","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/Victoria-Small.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732561" style="width:317px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Victoria small</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My favorite to win it all is <strong>Annapolis Area Christian</strong> with their super frosh of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753070' first='Avery' last='Lettinga']</strong>,<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='749642' first='Sophia' last='Groshek'],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748518' first='Harper' last='Walker']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748492' first='Paetyn' last='Brown'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='762823' first='Brie' last='Mouton']</strong>. Sprinkled in are a few non frosh like sophomore middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545725' first='Abisola' last='Adeyemo'] </strong>and junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749757' first='Dakota' last='Pentorn']</strong>. Their opening match is against <strong>St. John's Catholic Prep</strong>. The two have played once this season and Annapolis swept.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending A Bracket champion <strong>Maryvale Prep</strong> does battle against <strong>Archbishop Spalding</strong>. Spalding is led by junior outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753062' first='Madelyn' last='Mauro']</strong>. Maryvale Prep is led by one of the better liberos in Maryland <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='547072' first='Victoria' last='Small']</strong>. When these two teams last played Maryvale won in four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Garrison Forest</strong> takes its twin towers of 6'4" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='555602' first='Bryah' last='Breaux']</strong> and 6'2" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='895854' first='Dawn' last='Pena']</strong> against <strong>Notre Dame Prep</strong>. They also have 6'2" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='895852' first='Jessica' last='Murphy']</strong> who leads the team in blocks. Despite all that height Notre Dame Prep beat them in five when the two battled each other in the first match of the season, Notre Dame pulling off the reverse sweep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":336094,"width":"293px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Jasmin-Tucker.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-336094" style="width:293px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='437457' first='Jasmin' last='Tucker'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the other matchup <strong>St. Paul's Girls</strong>, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437457' first='Jasmin' last='Tucker']</strong> go against <strong>Mercy</strong>. The lone time these two teams faced off this year St. Paul's won in five, taking the last set 15-9. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">IAAM B and C Brackets</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":588575,"width":"364px","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/PDStockUp24_TP_DMV_Kennedy-Cummins.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-588575" style="width:364px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='493358' first='Kennedy' last='Cummins'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the B bracket <strong>St. Mary's</strong> and <strong>Gerstell Academy</strong> get byes. <strong>Glenelg County</strong> goes against <strong>Catholic</strong> and <strong>John Carroll</strong> battles<strong> Bryn Mawr</strong>. Glenelg is led by Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493358' first='Kennedy' last='Cummins']</strong>. The one time they played Catholic during the season they beat them in four. The last time John Carroll faced Bryn Mawr they won in four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the C bracket Severn School plays <strong>Concordia Prep</strong>, <strong>Indian Creek</strong> faces off against<strong> St. Timothys,</strong> <strong>Our Lady of Mount Carmel</strong> does battle with <strong>Beth Tfiloh</strong> and <strong>Park School </strong>plays <strong>Key</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My picks for champions were Annapolis Area Christian for bracket A, no pick for bracket B since I picked Garrison Forest, not realizing they advanced to bracket A and no pick for bracket C since many of the teams lacked rosters. My alternate pick for the B bracket will be Glenelg County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->