Durango, Flint Hill and Other Key Happenings Around the DMV

Annapolis Area Christian went to Las Vegas to compete in the Durango tournament against some of the top high school volleyball teams in the country. Flint Hill held their annual tournament and it was another Paul VI/Flint Hill final at the end. West Springfield played in a tournament hosted by Alexandria City, remaining undefeated as they vanquished all five opponents without losing a set. Lots of big matches from last week.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Durango Meets Annapolis Area Christian</h2>   There were 16 pools of four in the Durango tournament. Over the years this tournament has evolved into one of the most prestigious high school events in the country. It began in 1995 growing a life of its own. Of the 16 pools 14 were won by the number one seed. Annapolis Area Christian was one of those two number one seeds who did not win. Unfortunately, in their pool they lost all three of their matches. It was a shocking beginning to the tournament. In hindsight, when you look at the opponents in their pool, they should not have been a number one seed, even though they were ranked number 26 by Max Preps.   A closer look at elite high school rosters will show the importance of a nationally ranked player on that roster, one who has played at Open level tournaments in Junior Nationals. A player brings to the court an advantage when nationally ranked while also entering their senior or junior year of high school. Annapolis lacked nationally ranked players. Only one of their top players [player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton'] played at the Open level in Junior Nationals. As a class of 2029 Sophomore she is still young for a high school player when pitted against Juniors and Senior level players with greater experiences. Girls gain strength and maturity as they rise through the high school level.   When you look at the team who won the pool, Corner Canyon (Utah) they roster a 6'4" Texas A&M commit middle Maija Mortensen to carry the offense. Prep Dig ranks her as the 17th nationally ranked player in the class of 2028. They also roster the number two player in Utah in the class of 2027 setter Nafanua Alofipo. Her twin sister has committed to Utah but does not appear on the roster. Corner Canyon swept Annapolis 25-19, 25-18.   The second team Annapolis played in the pool was Newport Harbor (California). They carry two nationally ranked players on their team in outside Ella Olson (2027/41) and outside Piper Coady (2028/21). Ella has committed to Texas while Piper has committed to Indiana. They also had a middle Kayden Clousing who ranked number 86 in the California class of 2027. While Newport Harbor came into the tournament with four losses, one of those losses came against Mater Dei, who ended up winning the tournament. Newport Harbor also swept Annapolis in two 25-16, 25-23.   The third team in their pool Palo Verde (Nevada) did not have any nationally ranked players. They carried three players ranked locally, Kennedy Cope OH/RS (2027/15), McKenzy Duszak Libero (2028/75) and Reagan Cope S/RS (2028/13). Finally, they carried eight players on the watch list for 2029 and 2030. In total, eleven players found a place in the rankings. Annapolis carried [player_tooltip player_id='749757' first='Dakota' last='Pentorn'] setter (2027/96), [player_tooltip player_id='587884' first='Charlotte' last='Dittmar'] middle/OH (2028/49) and [player_tooltip player_id='545725' first='Abisola' last='Adeyemo'] middle/RS (2028/16). Perhaps their top player is [player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton'] OH (2029/2), followed by seven more players ranked in the class of 2029. Both teams seem comparable and it showed when Palo Verde won in three 22-25, 25-18, 25-20.   After the rough first day start Annapolis dropped down to the Challenger Division. It would have been easy to fall into a web of discouragement, questioning if they belonged. This team brings a habit to winning finishing 23-2 last year. The three losses in one day were one more than they lost all last year. However, they did not quit. They put on the uniform the next day to compete playing in the qualifying round match of the Challenger Division. The teams were not quite as strong, but they were still formidable. Kaboom!!! Annapolis won the Qualifying round match the next day against Village Christian 25-19, 25-20. Momentum began to rear its head.   The win put the Eagles in the Challenger Division. With their swagger back they easily handled their opponents, sweeping past Shadow Ridge, Etiwanda and Coronado to finish 4-3 overall. The commonality with the last four teams is none of them carried a nationally ranked player. Overall, Annapolis became the champions of the Challenge Division, finishing in 49th place out of the 64 teams. Not a bad showing for a young team playing in their first big high school tournament. Wait until next year when the majority of the team become juniors.   The top three high schools for the tournament were:   number one Mater Die (California) 2. Sierra Canyon (California) 3. Cornerstone Christian (Texas)   Below lists the names of the All tournament team. The rankings are those established by Prep Dig.   All Tournament team   MVP - Westley Matavao (Mater Dei) 6'0" outside 2027 4th ranked UCLA commit   Emma Kingston (Mater Dei) 6'4" middle 2027 157 ranked California commit   Kalea Lee (Mater Dei) 5'10" setter 2027 19th ranked yet to commit   Sienna Cicero (Mater Dei) 5'7" Libero/outside 2029 no national rankings for that class, yet to commit   Eva Jeffreis (Sierra Canyon) 6'3" outside 2027 35th ranked Tennessee commit   Kendall Omoruyi (Sierra Canyon) 6'4" middle 2027 1st ranked Nebraska commit   McKenna McIntosh (Sierra Canyon) 6'0' outside 2027 15th ranked USC commit   Claire Bolton (Cornerstone Christian) 6'0" outside 2028 not nationally ranked TCU commit   Esther Royal-Priest (Cornerstone Christian) 6'0" outside 2027 not nationally ranked Colgate commit   Ellie Enger (Orangewood Christian) 6'2" setter/right side 2029 no national rankings yet for that class, yet to commit   Kennedy Langmo (Orangewood Christian) 6'0" outside 2027 not nationally ranked Furman University commit   Georgie Lee (Iolani) 6'1" outside 2027 not nationally ranked USC commit   Addison Hurley (Assumption) 5'8" setter 2027 not nationally ranked Samford University commit   Taylor Johnson (Prestonwood Christian) 6'0" outside 2028 11th ranked yet to commit   Taylor Berg (Marist) 5'10 outside 2027 not nationally ranked Western Michigan commit   Emery Gonzalez (Torrey Pines) 5'10" setter 2027 30th ranked Santa Clara commit   Perhaps next year or in a couple years Annapolis will join the group above competing in a future Durango tournament. Don't let it surprise you if one or more Annapolis players make the all-tournament team next year.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Flint Hill Wins Their Own Hosted Tournament</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/140_-Hunter-Ross.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589282" style="aspect-ratio:1.501502019107653;width:434px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</figcaption></figure>   Flint Hill battled it out in the Endless Summer tournament with Paul VI in the silver division and won two of three. The games were close with Paul VI winning the first set 26-24 while Flint Hill took the last two 26-24 and 15-13. Last yer, these two played against each other in the championship match of the VISAA and Flint Hill won in five taking the last two matches 25-23, 15-8. [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] collected 18 kills in the Endless Summer tournament to add to the 30 kills she heaped on the Panthers in the VISAA finals.   At the Flint Hill tournament the two rivals squared off again pitted against each other in the same pool. This time the Panthers crushed Flint Hill 25-13, 25-13. [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] only collected six kills in the two set match. [player_tooltip player_id='699993' first='Ava' last='Zender'] only got credit for 7 assists in her 27 sets. Flint Hill recovered to defeat Oakton while Paul VI won their semi-final match to face each other again in the finals.   Paul VI won the first set 25-21. Flint Hill bounced back to win the second set 25-19. In the third set Flint Hill built up a big lead early. Paul VI battled back to tie it at 14-14. Flint Hill eventually won 17-15. Again, [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] contributed more than half the Huskies kills slamming down 21 of their 36 kills.   Flint Hill and Paul VI could see each other one more time before the year is out in the VISAA state championships. A vote identifies the top eight teams to compete in the VISAA championship. As it stands now both should fill the bracket as two of the top eight teams.    [player_tooltip player_id='699993' first='Ava' last='Zender'] was voted to the All tournament team along with her teammates [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] and [player_tooltip player_id='784849' first='Delaney' last='Malloy']. Certainly, a well-deserved reward for her. Last year at the VISAA championships won by Flint Hill [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] won the MVP while Delaney was named to the first team. Ava slipped in to make the second team along with libero Evie Huang.   During her first year Ava shared the setting duties with Isabelle Bardin. Isabelle is now playing at Purdue. Because Isabelle was one of their better offensive players the Huskies used her more to attack from the back row. That gave Ava more opportunities to grow as a setter. Flint Hill eventually lost to Bishop O'Connell in the finals of the VISAA in five.   Last year Ava set a 5/1, accumulating more than 1,300 assists. Flint Hill upset O'Connell in the semi-finals then beat Paul VI in the finals of the VISAA. In her three year career Ava has accumulated over 1200 assist. She should finish with 1500 assists before her Husky career is complete. Her growth as a setter has been fun to witness.   Ava has committed to Skidmore College.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West Springfield Continues Winning Ways at Alexandria City Tournament</h2>   Last year West Springfield lost two of their three top offensive performers after winning the Class 6 Virginia State championships. This doesn't seem to have phased them as they have won their first 14 matches this year, the last five coming at the Alexandria tournament. During that streak the Spartans have only lost one set. That was during their first match when they opened their season against Hayfield.   Middle [player_tooltip player_id='720348' first='Milena' last='Kibret'] seems to have taken over the offensive role, leading the team in kills. She bounces around between the two pins and continues to play the middle. At 6'3" she has committed to New York where she will return home to the middle. A newcomer for the offense is junior outside [player_tooltip player_id='693144' first='Layla' last='Babiker']. She ranks second on the team in kills while also playing six rotations. [player_tooltip player_id='725456' first='Audrey' last='Busch'] continues to handle the libero role. They are still a veteran team despite the losses from last year.    She stands 5'10" with an approach jump that falls short of 9 feet. She also plays one grade down for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16. Traditional scouting might choose to ignore her. That would certainly amount to a big whiff.   The first thing you would miss is that as a setter for West Springfield her record the last three years is 74-4 with one state championship last year. She also earned a spot on the Class 6 All state first team. The second fact you would miss is that she set [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16 to a second place finish in the National Division in Junior Nationals. She seems to take over a game and refuses to lose. I think some colleges would have an interest in that kind of attitude.   Anna ranks at number 14 in the class of 2027. She ranks as highest player in that class who has yet to commit. In three years she has dished out close to 1800 assists. She should reach 2,000 before the year is out.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Big Games to Report from Last Week</h2>   In a big Concord Division match Oakton travelled to Chantilly. In addition to [player_tooltip player_id='754650' first='Madison' last='Meiring'] swinging from the left side they also showcased two lefthanded swinging right sides in [player_tooltip player_id='465321' first='Marissa' last='Turek'] and [player_tooltip player_id='841125' first='Veronica' last='Kuznetsov']. The trio combined for 39 kills. Their two middles [player_tooltip player_id='814457' first='Jocelynn' last='Kinlaw'] and [player_tooltip player_id='768531' first='Luciana' last='Martinez'] contributed to the blocking game combining for 10 blocks. Jocelyn is a basketball player who plays volleyball during the high school season. Luciana played on the junior varsity last year. The talent is there to make an impact.   However, Oakton fell short to the mighty Chantilly duo of [player_tooltip player_id='716365' first='Skyler' last='Riley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='455102' first='Erin' last='Green'] who combined for 14 kills apiece to lead Chantilly to the five set victory. [player_tooltip player_id='455102' first='Erin' last='Green'] ended set three with two of her three aces to give the Chargers a 25-23 win. That set them up for the five match victory.    However, the biggest revelation for Chantilly is their 5'5" 5/1 setter. At 5'5" she can almost reach 9 feet. For club Sofia plays for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] Priscella, which is the second team. There, she sets a 6/2.   Setting for Chantilly as a frosh has sparked them to a 7-1 record. Against Oakton, she almost pulled off a triple double with 8 kills, 16 digs and 34 assists. She also powders the court with aces, leading the team with .8 aces per set.   Her ability to set a 5/1 allows [player_tooltip player_id='455102' first='Erin' last='Green'] to play six rotations. This allows Erin to become more of an offensive weapon in the back row. In a 6/2 Erin would be replaced by a setter once she reached the back row. Playing back row Erin is third on the team in digs and second in aces, something she did not have the option to do when taken out in the back row for a setter.    Prior to Durango Annapolis Area Christian defeated Holy Cross in four. [player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton'] bombed away with 29 of the Eagles 56 kills. [player_tooltip player_id='545725' first='Abisola' last='Adeyemo'] put up a wall with six solo blocks.   In the first big Independent School League (ISL) match Georgetown Day took down Flint Hill in four. The Telly sisters [player_tooltip player_id='750050' first='Raquel' last='Telly'] (20) and [player_tooltip player_id='377396' first='Alexa' last='Telly'] (25) combined for 45 of the Mighty Hoppers 57 kills.   Grafton (9-0) battled past Jamestown (7-1) in a reverse sweep. The Clippers won the last three sets 25-17, 25-22 and 15-13. [player_tooltip player_id='934464' first='Nicole' last='Haywood'] banged out 23 kills for Jamestown, but it was another duo of sisters who answered the call for Grafton. The Breckons sisters, [player_tooltip player_id='883712' first='Alivia' last='Breckons'] (24) and [player_tooltip player_id='465315' first='Ana' last='Breckons'] (17) combined for 41 kills.   Bishop O'Connell swept Catholic but libero [player_tooltip player_id='1044035' first='Tara' last='Gonzelles'] scrambled to dig up 23 bullets. She also passed well. As a class of 2027 some college might take a look at her. She is barely 5 feet and fast as a water bug on the court.   Churchill downed Chevy Chase in five, taking the last set 15-13. Again the mighty duo of [player_tooltip player_id='762829' first='Angela' last='Zhang'] (18) and [player_tooltip player_id='438053' first='Lucille' last='Deraleau'] (16) combined for 34 kills. [player_tooltip player_id='772008' first='Meera' last='Patel'] added six blocks while Stella Tian dished out 40 assists setting a 5/1. Chevy Chase worked 39 kills from [player_tooltip player_id='721145' first='Claire' last='Tepper'] (21) and [player_tooltip player_id='772016' first='Molly' last='McWhorter'] (18).

Annapolis Area Christian went to Las Vegas to compete in the Durango tournament against some of the top high school volleyball teams in the country. Flint Hill held their annual tournament and it was another Paul VI/Flint Hill final at the end. West Springfield played in a tournament hosted by Alexandria City, remaining undefeated as they vanquished all five opponents without losing a set. Lots of big matches from last week.