Players Driving DMV High Schools to Perform Above Expectations

Below are some high schools that are performing better than previous years. Some are not a surprise based on the addition of valuable club players. Others have undergone a maturation process where the frosh have now upgraded their skills now that they have hit their sophomore season. It will be interesting to continue tracking them to determine if their early season success is a mirage or reality.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">George Marshall (12-2)</h2>   Last year they started out 1-9 but went on a tear to end the season appearing in the Virginia Class 6 state bracket, knocking out traditional powerhouse Langley in the Regionals. They were eliminated from the playoffs by Grassfield in the first round of the state playoffs. A couple key players graduated or transferred elsewhere while the coach decided to take a sabbatical.   They have started this season much better than last with a big win over Madison. Their two losses have come against West Springfield and Grassfield, the latter in the Endless Summer tournament. A big game against Langley awaits them next week.   George Marshal is currently ranked 12th in Prep Dig's first top 20 list. With their start to the season this year they are not being looked at like an underdog.    While [player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd'] is driving the offense leading the team in kills contributions are coming from unexpected places. Setters [player_tooltip player_id='778213' first='Ellie' last='Nguyen'] and Kaitlyn Ng are veteran seniors making the right choices with their setting. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='965034' first='Lily' last='Davison'] is keeping the team in system with solid passing while senior middle Elise Yashar leads the team in blocking.   Perhaps the biggest impact is being made by [player_tooltip player_id='1019959' first='Samantha' last='Apgar'] who is second on the team in kills while also playing an important part in serve receive. She shows her versatility by being able to play middle, left side and right side. Last year she played for St. James with [player_tooltip player_id='965034' first='Lily' last='Davison']. As a junior she appears in bloom as a player with volleyball skills to watch.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lightridge (8-1) </h2>   Last year Lightridge finished 15-7, qualifying for the Regionals however losing to Potomac Falls in the opening round. This year they have bolted off to an 8-1 start with their only loss coming against Loudoun County. Their last two wins have been sweeps against Potomac Falls and Freedom. They made a mild statement last year showing they were competitive. This year they hope to show they have game.    The Lightning have a good mixture of club players contributing to their success. [player_tooltip player_id='832261' first='Gia' last='Molfino'] creates the offense from the left side while libero [player_tooltip player_id='772028' first='Sofia' last='Gelston'] handles the back row.   The difference maker has to be their 6'3" middle [player_tooltip player_id='545727' first='Giuliana' last='Mastrangelo'], who teamed with Sofia to lead [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 16 to a second place finish in the National Division at Junior Nationals. Her play earned her a spot on the All Tournament team. Now she is whacking the ball in the middle on offense, leading their team in kills while also putting up blocks to shore up the defense. At 6'3" she has the height to make a difference.   Giuliana ranks at number 25 in our class of 2028 however, a championship run could change that quickly. Stilly a mystery why some college has not latched on to her talent.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potomac School (3-0)</h2>   Last year Potomac struggled to a 6-9 record with six frosh on their roster. Those frosh have now elevated to sophomores with a year of club under their belt. With many teams in the Independent School League (ISL) facing down years they could create some buzz in the AA division. This year they swept past Ireton after getting swept by them last year. The big date to put on their schedule is October 7 when they play Flint Hill.    This team is well balanced with [player_tooltip player_id='763132' first='Raegan' last='Giuliani'] the primary setter, [player_tooltip player_id='722541' first='Lily' last='Gurney'] at libero, [player_tooltip player_id='893947' first='Annika' last='Warren'] plugging up one of the middles and [player_tooltip player_id='762826' first='Avery' last='Nierenberg'] flashing her skills at one of the outsides. A little more depth on the roster and this team would be dangerous.   Their most powerful outside hitter is the 5'8" [player_tooltip player_id='935939' first='Maya' last='Peery']. She may be undersized at 5'8", but she brings a powerful jump and a strong right arm to the left side position. She can reach 9'11" with her approach jump. Raegan was her setter at Virginia Elite so they already have that connection.   The ISL could turn into a three team race with Flint Hill and Georgetown Day. The ISL winner two years ago, Bullis, has dropped down to the "A" division. In my opinion the "AA' is wide open.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Freedom (South Riding) 9-1</h2>   Freedom won their first nine matches, but recently played Lightridge and were swept. Last year Freedom was an ugly 9-13. They have now already reached last year's win total. They were swept by Briar Woods and Riverside last year. This year Riverside appears to be a shell of what they were. Making some waves in Class 5 appears to be their vibe.    They have some solid players on mid sized clubs that make them tough. [player_tooltip player_id='444617' first='Kamilla' last='Hendrix'] sets for Loudoun elite, [player_tooltip player_id='536731' first='Rawan' last='Salem'] plays libero for Metro National and then you have the undersized [player_tooltip player_id='623088' first='Irina' last='Padden'] who plays for Libero. The trio plays scrappy, not allowing the ball to hit the floor.   Irina may only list as 5'6" but her play makes her height much greater. She swings hard at every set, hustles for every ball. Once she begins thinking about college the transition to libero should not be difficult. She is a gamer that does what it takes to win.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">South County (7-1)</h2>   I suspected South County would be pretty good when I heard they were picking up frosh setter [player_tooltip player_id='768588' first='Eliana' last='Butler'] and pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='941779' first='Jordin' last='Guthrie'], two players who starred for Metro 14 travel. Those two would join returning frosh [player_tooltip player_id='917866' first='Sloan' last='Tann'] who played for Metro National.   Last year they finished the season 7-17. This year, they have already reached their win total from all of last year. They are looking at making an impact as they progress closer to the state playoffs.    Playing for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''], normally Victoria would be trying to beat her Metro opponents. For South County she has three Metro players on her team. Standing only 5'4" with an approach jump not reaching 9 feet she needs a partner in a 6/2. That is where [player_tooltip player_id='768588' first='Eliana' last='Butler'] comes in. She has a little more height than Victoria at 5'8" with an approach jump of 9'3". That is high enough that Eliana can stay in the front row to hit while running a 6/2 in high school.   Victoris showed off her setting skills at a Prep Dig showcase. She can move the ball around, finding her hitters at various areas of the net. She can run a quick offense if given the players to do so. With [player_tooltip player_id='941779' first='Jordin' last='Guthrie'] and [player_tooltip player_id='917866' first='Sloan' last='Tann'] that gives her some good ammo. Add in the lefty swinging Peyton Boteng and she will keep the opposing blockers guessing where that ball will be directed. She brings to the court good leadership qualities.   In an ideal world she would use her volleyball skills to help her pursue her education in the pre-med biology world. That will probably play better at a smaller Division III school. She certainly appears to have the intellect and volleyball skills to do both.      <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bullis (4-0)</h2>   Bullis has won their first four matches. That is one more than they won all last season. Last year Jackson Reed was their second game on their schedule. They lost in four. This year they were the third team on their schedule and they swept. They have a little more talent on their team with five frosh on their roster. The top two frosh [player_tooltip player_id='941763' first='Sai' last='Herndon-Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1042855' first='Kaila' last='Banks'] are the top two leaders in kills. They also have frosh Zoe Anderson who can take care of the back row.   Because of their poor record Bullis has now dropped down to the "A" Division in the ISL. The schedule should be a lot easier, though they still have Potomac on their schedule.    Last year had to be a challenging year for Katelyn. During their championship season when they won the ISL with a 24-2 record Katelyn tutored under Megan Phan who set a 5/1. Megan had a slew of weapons in her arsenal such as Alexis Ewing, [player_tooltip player_id='377396' first='Alexa' last='Telly'] and Sydney Mayfield. All those players either graduated or transferred to another school.   Megan Phan stayed on the team last year but with a commitment to Brown she turned the setting opportunities over to Katelyn and Jazmin Washington. Jazmin is no longer on the roster this year allowing the offense to belong to Katelyn. At 6'0" she has excellent height to run a 5/1. She also has some weapons at her disposal in the two frosh [player_tooltip player_id='941763' first='Sai' last='Herndon-Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1042855' first='Kaila' last='Banks'].

Below are some high schools that are performing better than previous years. Some are not a surprise based on the addition of valuable club players. Others have undergone a maturation process where the frosh have now upgraded their skills now that they have hit their sophomore season. It will be interesting to continue tracking them to determine if their early season success is a mirage or reality.