Holy Cross Wins Tiger Paws Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Journeyed into DC for the first time to watch the Jackson-Reed Tiger Paws tournament. While Holy Cross remained undefeated for the season they had to battle Flint Hill to win the tournament, losing two sets in their matchups. It also gave me a chance to watch Jackson-Reed play. The final four ended up being Holy Cross, Flint Hill, Jackson Reed and Bishop McNamara, so we will focus on those four teams in our summary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holy Cross Tartans</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732503,"width":"517px","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:517px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It would be tough to identify an MVP for the tournament since for Holy Cross it appeared to be a total team effort. Everyone seemed to contribute in their team's victories. They chose to run a 5/1 with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='887098' first='Vivian' last='Blue']</strong> unavailable because of a minor injury. They did have<strong> Kaitlyn Grenham</strong> available as a second option. The sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='623199' first='Trinity' last='Rowles'] </strong>was tagged with setting the 5/1. While her inexperience showed on occasion, she nailed it for the long haul setting the Tartans to the championship of the Tiger Paws tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holy Cross used Kaitlyn as the primary setter in their first match against International Scholars Academy. Despite most of the regulars sitting out the Tartans won the match easily 25-10, 25-7. Against Georgetown Visitation they used their starting lineup, while the Cubs were missing three of their starters. Georgetown Visitation had beaten Flint Hill in five just two days ago. The Tartans swept past the short staffed Visitation with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</strong> leading the way with 11 kills and Trinity finishing off with 20 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The real challenge was their last pool play match against Flint Hill. The Huskies dominated the first set early with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</strong> getting most of the action. She played left side and showered the Tartan backcourt with her kills. While they hid her in the back row in serve receive, she also pummeled balls consistently from the back row. A <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</strong> kill in the middle pushed their early lead to 7-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holy Cross battled back with an <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</strong> kill leveling the score at 13-13. An ace serve by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='699993' first='Ava' last='Zender']</strong> gave the Huskies the lead back at 17-16. After the Tartans tied it frosh right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893943' first='Mila' last='Smith']</strong> buried a ball from the left side for an 18-17 lead. A combo block by Smith and middle <strong>Camdyn Parker </strong>extended the lead to 19-17. Two aces from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</strong> and two more kills by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893943' first='Mila' last='Smith']</strong> seemingly put the set out of reach at 24-17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589333,"width":"483px","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/Trinity-Rowles.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589333" style="width:483px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='623199' first='Trinity' last='Rowles']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tartans battled back with a redirect front court kill by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='623199' first='Trinity' last='Rowles']</strong> to push the score to 20-24 followed a few points later by a Trinity block to pul them to within one at 23-24. There was an opportunity to tie the set but a hitting error resulted in the Tartans falling short at 23-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set was battled out early with no team extending the lead beyond two points. A redirect kill by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438091' first='Catherine' last='McIntyre']</strong> followed by a block extended the Tartan lead to 18-15. An [player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe'] roll shot from the back row followed by her three kills in the front row put the set out of reach at 24-17. The Huskies scrapped together three points but fell short after a hitting error ended the set 25-20. The head to head point differential was enough for Holy Cross to finish first in the pool.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the playoffs, the Tartans faced second place Jackson-Reed Tigers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel']</strong> finished with 4 aces and 11 points serving and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</strong> pounded 8 kills and the Tartans swept past the Tigers 25-12, 25-19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As expected, the championship match pitted the Tartans against the Huskies for a rematch. This time there would be no split. A best two out of three would define the winner. Just like the first set in pool play the Huskes dominated early with a [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] kill putting them up 1-0. While the Tartans kept the set close they could never capture the lead. The Huskies went on to win 25-20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Huskies captured a brief lead in the second set. A quick tempo set to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753073' first='Aniston' last='Williams']</strong> put the Tartans ahead 8-7. They would roll out to a four point run with two kills by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438091' first='Catherine' last='McIntyre']</strong> and a front row kill by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='623199' first='Trinity' last='Rowles']</strong> to extend the lead to 12-7. Williams finished the set with a statement kill buried to the floor on a quick tempo set to give the Tartans the 25-19 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In set three Holy Cross jumped to a 4-0 lead but Flint Hill got the serve back and responded with three aces by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini']</strong> to give the Huskies a 5-4 advantage. A <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</strong> big bounce kill on an overpass followed by an ace serve further extended the Huskie lead to 9-6. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753073' first='Aniston' last='Williams']</strong> then won a joust battle at the net followed by a quick tempo kill to give Holy Cross an 11-10 lead. Her redirect kill extended that lead to 14-11. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438091' first='Catherine' last='McIntyre']</strong> finished the match with a back row attack to end it 15-12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536721' first='Ana' last='Woods']</strong> finished that last match with 7 kills, 2 aces and three blocks as well as a team leading 14 digs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel']</strong> also played a solid back row, served up a number of aces and was critical in the serve receive. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='622282' first='Emerson' last='Wolfe']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438091' first='Catherine' last='McIntyre']</strong> put together a number of kills from the left side while frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753073' first='Aniston' last='Williams'] </strong>played a critical role in the third set of the championship match. Finally, one must not forget the role of setter [player_tooltip player_id='623199' first='Trinity' last='Rowles'] who set a 5/1 for much of the tournament. That might have been her first time setting a 5/1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Flint Hill Huskies</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732535,"width":"501px","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/Mandela-Masimini1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732535" style="width:501px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flint Hill had just come off a five set loss to Georgetown Visitation a couple days ago. Now they were in a four team pool with Visitation and Holy Cross. Surviving the pool to get to the championship bracket appeared to be a major hurdle for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They defeated the International Scholars Academy rather easily. With Georgetown Visitation missing three players from their starting rotation they managed to sweep past the Cubs. The last match against Holy Cross would not deny them an appearance in the championship bracket but would determine a first or second place standing. Even though they split with Holy Cross (see narrative above) they finished in second place because of points spread.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This put them up against Bishop McNamara in the championship bracket. The last time these two teams played was at the Endless Summer tournament. The Mustangs won in three. This time McNamara pulled out to an early 10-5 lead in the first set A net serve after a time-out and a couple kills from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini']</strong> as well as [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] and the Huskies found themselves on top 13-11. They pulled away after that, staving off a last minute comeback from McNamara to win 25-21. Hunter ended the set with a kill. While I watched the second set of Holy Cross and Jackson Reed, Flint Hill earned a spot in the finals with a second set win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though they did not win the tournament <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</strong> probably deserves the MVP award. Flint Hill probably could not have made the championship bracket without her. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='699993' first='Ava' last='Zender']</strong> earned an All tournament team slot with her setting. She is improving with her selection process as she plays the 5/1 more. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893943' first='Mila' last='Smith']</strong> has certainly improved her game since the start of the season. She has become a force to watch as the season has progressed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is good to see <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] </strong>patrol the back row again after a year of absence. Her movement in the back row is starting to get back to her old self. Normally <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='784849' first='Delaney' last='Malloy']</strong> is restricted to back row play, but she was playing six rotations for this tournament. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728971' first='Mandela' last='Masimini']</strong> continues to play a strong middle. Her game continues to improve as she plays against high level competition. When all the cylinders are running the Huskies prove to be a tough team to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bishop McNamara Mustangs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732481,"width":"452px","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/AnaSofia-Zanellato.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732481" style="width:452px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='238376' first='Anasofia' last='Zanellato']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs swept through their pool, giving them an opportunity to play Flint Hill in their opener. Earlier, in the Endless Summer tournament McNamara beat Flint Hill in three. They were not so fortunate in the playoff bracket. They played them tough but were swept in two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs strayed away from the 5/1 when they used <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238376' first='Anasofia' last='Zanellato']</strong> strictly as a setter in the back row only. For this tournament they used <strong>Keisha Adkins</strong> as the other setter and kept Anasofia on the right side to create more offense in the front row. They already carry two strong left sides in frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238595' first='Sofia' last='Delarosa'] </strong>as well as the 6'0" left handed swinging <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534058' first='Alexa' last='Bracey']</strong> for the other right side. Alexa has a good jump bringing a good reach across the net for blocking. Her hitting still needs more consistency but that will come with increased playing time. The junior already has a commitment to Delaware. There is a lot more growth in her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jackson Reed Tigers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378662"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ebdbe1702dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor ranks at number 173 in our top 200. Another right side [player_tooltip player_id='609533' first='Madeline' last='Dumais'] ranks at 179. Madeline was able to get a commitment from Bridgewater despite this ranking, however after watching her play that and seeing the improvement in her game this ranking should rise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The same can be said for Taylor. However, for Taylor she stands a few inches taller than Madeline and has a strong left handed swing built for the right side. Because Jackson Reed runs a 6/2 she rotates out after her front row play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When talking to her mom she did not think Taylor had an interest in playing college. When Taylor arrived she surprised her mom by stating that she had a strong interest in playing college. Unfortunately, she does not have a strong internet presence to show off her skills. She really expressed an interest in San Francisco.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She leads a strong Jackson-Reed team in kills with a .350 hitting percentage. Definitely a diamond in the rough worth pursuing. Last year she played for Metro North. This year Metro will expand to a National as well as a travel team. Taylor is well worth the watch. There still appears a lot more growth to her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson Reed is by far the top public school in the D.C. area. They won the DC state championship a few years ago when they were called Wilson high school. The only time they get any competition is when they play the private schools such as St. Johns and Georgetown Visitation. One of the reasons for me coming to this tournament was to watch Jackson Reed play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They finished second in their pool, sweeping past Bullis but losing twice to Bishop McNamara. Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893944' first='Keira' last='Benes'] </strong>is only a sophomore but she shows the leadership skills to still get nominated as a captain for the team. She plays middle but at 5'9" may be a little undersized for the position. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831542' first='Elianette' last='Escalera']</strong> plays left side. At 5'8" she may also be a bit undersized but she carries a strong swing to put the ball away. The senior appears on my watch list falling just short of a ranking when I watched her play last year against Flint Hill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Impressed with the strong right side play of sophomore right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893945' first='Josie' last='O'Connell']</strong>. She appears to hit well from either the left side or right side. At 5'11" she brings good size for the position. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893946' first='Layla' last='Hernandez']</strong> played libero. She held her own playing defense and in serve receive. Another frosh, 6'0" middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893947' first='Annika' last='Warren']</strong> looked impressive in warmup. She will be a player to watch. A third frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763154' first='Kendal' last='Lacey']</strong> stands tall at 6'0" and played left side. She brought a good serve, varying her velocity and location like a veteran.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a young team that bears watching. They appear to be building for a future run at a second state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->