Impressive Record Performances from Last Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a number of impressive performances last week, including two additional players reaching 1,000 assists and another who may have hit her own high school career kill mark for a match. While the season is winding down some of the players are stepping it up as the playoffs appear around the corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='612396' first='Natalie' last='Hobson'] Reaches 1,000 Assists for O'Connell</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612396"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad8387607ea3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We were going to include <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612396' first='Natalie' last='Hobson']</strong> in last week's article when discussing setter milestones but the coach wanted to keep things quiet until she achieved 1,000 assists. She did that against Ireton in the third set of a sweep on Monday of this week. Ironically, the player who put the ball away was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'],</strong> who achieved her own 1,000 kills mark a couple weeks ago for the Knights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Natalie is the top ranked setter in the class of 2028 ranked at number 18 in the DMV. Fifteen of the 18 players ranked higher than her have already committed to top level Division I volleyball programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Natalie shares the setting duties with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746506' first='Carolyn' last='Maria']</strong>. Together the two have set the O'Connell Knights to a number one Prep Dig Ranking of all high schools in the DMV area and number 62 nationally as ranked by MaxPreps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last setter to reach 1,000 assists for the Knights is <strong>Erin Debiec</strong>, who now sets for Colorado State, leading them atop the PAC 12. She is now more than halfway to achieving 1,000 assists in her college career. Erin finished her high school career ranked number 2 in the class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sayd Explodes Against Langley for Record Kills Performance</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438068"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad8387607f57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marshall took down Langley in five with three of the five sets decided by two points. The fifth set was won by Marshall 15-13. In the match Ayla collected 33 kills in 54 swings, which could be a record for her for one match as pointed out by the Washington Sun.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ayla has been their top hitter since her sophomore season when she strung together 354 kills. This year she has already accumulated 348. She should break that sophomore record in her next match. Since she has started for the Statesman since her frosh season it is no doubt that she has already reached the 1,000 kill mark but stats for her frosh and junior season are not available.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year the Statesman appeared in the Virginia Class 6 state bracket for the first time in school history. Unfortunately, they were swept by Grassfield in the first round. This year they hope to surpass that mark. With Ayla leading the way they are a strong playoff contender, recently ranked at number 14 in the DMV, the third highest ranking for a Class 6 Virginia high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ayla has committed to Elon. She sits at number 13 in our 2027 rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deana Shows that Big Results Can Come in Small Packages</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1054147"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad8387608033"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deana lists at only 5'5" but she can put the ball away. Last week against Norfolk Academy she banged out 37 kills with 78 swings. The effort fell short as Norfolk Academy won in five sets, taking the last set 15-11. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her big accomplishment came two days prior when she strung together 18 kills in a sweep over Hampton Roads Academy. That brought her total number of kills for her high school career to 1,000.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While she leads the team in kills this year averaging 4.8 kills per set she also sits third in digs per set as well as third in ace serves. This would make her an ideal libero candidate. Deana has yet to commit and is not yet ranked by Prep Dig.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her athleticism is not restricted to just volleyball. She also plays power forward for a somewhat undersized Peninsula basketball team. She also played volleyball last year for [program_tooltip program_id='498498' first='Virginia' last='Wave'] playing predominantly in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hanks is Digging it in Her First Year at Hickory</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1004626"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad83876080ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Don't know how they calculate digs at Hickory but Preslirose scooped up 31 digs in a 5 set match, Hickory taking the last two matches 25-17, 15-11 for the critical win over first place Grassfield. For the year Preslirose averages 4.8 digs per set which would normally put her at 24 digs in a 5 set match. So, she was most impressive in this battle for first in the Southeaster District match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back in 2025 Preslirose made my all club team for libero for the 14U category. The only issue with that is that she belonged to the class of 2030. I had to wait another year before ranking her. Back then she impressed me with her movement on the court, her consistent passing as well as her ability to put up a nice high out of system set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preslirose debuted at number 23 in our class of 2030. That could move higher based on her starting as a libero as a frosh for Hickory and putting them in second place behind Grassfield. Last year Hickory lost in the first round to Cox in the Class 5 Regional. The Hawks hope to fly higher in the playoffs this year with Preslirose covering the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='747031' first='Braylin' last='Coacher'] Reaches 1,000 Assists for Woodbridge </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747031"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad8387608153"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It did not take Braylin long to reach 1,000 assists. She sets a 5/1 for Woodbridge with the 6'1" [player_tooltip player_id='747560' first='Elliot' last='Dorgan'] on the outside to deliver the kills. The duo are teammates on the [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a frosh Braylin strung together over 600 assists. This year she is close to 500. In a stirring upset against Colgan Braylin dished out 43 assists in a four set win. They played Colgan earlier in the year and lost in five sets. Braylin delivered 41 assists in that match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Colgan has won the Cardinal District for eight consecutive seasons. With one more win Woodbridge will be tied with Colgan at 10-1. Woodbridge may have both tie breakers, with a win against Colgan the last time the two played or by beating them in fewer sets. Don't know what the tie breaker rule is in the Cardinal District.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->