West Springfield Sweeps Fairfax to Win Occoquan Region

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Springfield and Fairfax already battled each other three times this season. In all cases the matches resulted in a West Springfield sweep. The main difference between the two teams is the Spartan roster is filled with seniors who have experienced the playoff environment. The Fairfax roster carries two frosh, two sophomores and no seniors filling the starting rotation. West Springfield carries four seniors in their starting rotation. To win long rallies sometimes experience wins over talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the opening set the Spartans raced out to an early 9-3 lead. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1055992' first='Andi' last='Tobin'] </strong>contributed a block and a kill while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='693144' first='Layla' last='Babiker']</strong> contributed two kills. Overall, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720348' first='Milena' last='Kibret']</strong> finished with six kills in the first set, including the set winning kill to end it 25-17. The only lead for the Lions in the first set came after a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888542' first='Nina' last='Leander']</strong> setter "dump" that gave them a 1-0 lead. Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888626' first='Blake' last='Ahn']</strong> was busy in the back row keeping rallies alive by digging up some Spartan shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set started just like the first, except this time West Springfield jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two aces from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks'].</strong> That lead quickly extended to 9-2. Again, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720348' first='Milena' last='Kibret']</strong> finished the game with a tip kill over the block for the 25-5 rout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third set Fairfax kept the game competitive early, with a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='785509' first='Pia' last='Pardikar']</strong> ace serve tying the set at 11-11. Unfortunately, a couple Fairfax errors and another <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720348' first='Milena' last='Kibret']</strong> kill extended the lead to 15-12. Defensive specialist <strong>Emmy Huynh</strong> played excellent defense for the Lions, preventing a number of hard driven balls from hitting the floor. A right side kill by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768530' first='Ellen' last='Verwys']</strong> brought the Lions right back into the set 14-15.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754934' first='Addison' last='Lopez'] </strong>strung together a couple aces and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks']</strong> punched a tight set to the floor to put the Spartans up 19-15. For Fairfax, the lead was too much with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720348' first='Milena' last='Kibret'] </strong>again ending the set with a blast to the floor for a 25-21 finish. By my count Milena ended the match with 16 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the other Class 6 final Madison defeated Oakton in four. In hindsight, if I was playing for seed it would have been better off for Madison to lose that game, in which case they would not have to play West Springfield until the finals. As it stands now, if both West Springfield and Madison win their opening quarter final match, they will play each other in the semi-final. The winner of that semi-final may get to play Fairfax.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Ocoquan Regional First Team</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks']</strong>, setter West Springfield, 14th ranked in the class of 2027, Uncommitted - <strong>Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720348' first='Milena' last='Kibret']</strong>, outside, West Springfield, 34th ranked in the class of 2027, committed to New York</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='469197' first='Olivia' last='Garey']</strong>, outside, West Potomac, 15th ranked in the class of 2027, committed to South Florida</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1055992' first='Andi' last='Tobin']</strong>, middle, West Springfield, unranked in class of 2027 (and that will change), Uncommitted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725456' first='Audrey' last='Busch']</strong> Libero, West Springfield, 40th ranked in the class of 2027, committed to Mary Washington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749640' first='Kiara' last='Oguno']</strong>, middle, Thomas Jefferson, 77th ranked in class of 2028, Uncommitted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='630678' first='Iris' last='Jin']</strong>, setter, Thomas Jefferson, 39th ranked in class of 2028, Uncommitted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888542' first='Nina' last='Leander']</strong>, setter, Fairfax, 72nd ranked in class of 2028, Uncommitted </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='941779' first='Jordin' last='Guthrie']</strong>, outside, South County, 10th ranked in class of 2030, Uncommitted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DMV Players Invited to the NTDP Winter Training Series</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are seven players who have been invited to the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program (NTDP) for consideration to possibly play for the United States team in Junior international events and ultimately play for the U.S. Olympic team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["437441"],"_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-6af5da82baf33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hunter is our second ranked player behind [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] in the class of 2027. This year she broke the Flint Hill career record for kills in a season. Last year she earned the MVP award for leading her Flint Hill team to the VISAA championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While she plays middle for Metro she hits outside for Flint Hill. Her future will probably be at the middle. Hunter has won a top performer award at the Prep Dig showcase. She impresses with an approach jump that reaches 10'5". If you are looking for a player who can dominate a game Hunter is a good choice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She has committed to UCLA </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["536719"],"_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-6af5da82baf6f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Katherine ranks as our top prospect in the class of 2028. She really broke out in Junior Nationals two years ago when she led Metro to the gold medal in the National Division, earning the MVP award for her effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She has shown a devastating top spin serve but at times it can prove inconsistent. When it is on and coming at passers from an angle it is difficult to pass. She brings an approach jump of 9'11" but her volleyball IQ allows her to find the open areas of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Katherine has led Richard Montgomery to one state championship as a frosh. She hopes to add a couple more to the list. Katherine has committed to University of Minnesota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612397"],"_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-6af5da82baf93"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eliana ranks at number six in our class of 2028. She brings an approach jump of 10'2". Her ability to read the setter allows her to reach both pins to close the block in the middle. She could also fill a spot on the right side as a pin hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her timing for going up to hit the middle is good. She brings the athleticism that makes up for her smaller height plus brings a strong physical presence to the net. If I had to bet on a player to win a joust at the net it would be Eliana.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eliana has committed to Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["296486"],"_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-6af5da82bafb1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor ranks as the top prospect in our class of 2027 for the DMV area. She is the only player here that has captured a gold medal by representing the United States in an International event. Taylor stands out as a player who can dominate a game from the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] they normally fed her higher sets in the middle to get her more involved in the offense. Teams were able to double block her by sliding the pins over to help with the blocking. That made it more challenging for Taylor to get a kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For high school she chose not to play for Wakefield this season. In the three years she played there the team had a winning season only during her frosh season. Ironically, this year the team finished over .500 without her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor will always have the distinction of being the first player in the DMV to be selected as a top performer in a Prep Dig showcase. She is about as athletic as they come. It would not surprise me to see her convert to an outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor has committed to Penn State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["750047"],"_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-6af5da82bafce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caroline has improved her game this past club season when compared to her previous season. When I watched her play the previous season she was a tall girl who usually tipped over the smaller blocks to get her kills. Last season she consistently hammered the ball to the floor. If she continues to hammer she could rise from her current number 4 ranking in the class of 2029.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Currently, with her 6'3" height she can bring an approach jump of 10 feet. Ideally, that jump should get higher as she gains more strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caroline plays for Walt Whitman, which usually advances to the Regionals in State. With the improvement in her game this year they may advance further. She also was pretty dominant for Metro last year, leading them to a fifth place finish in the Junior Nationals Open 15 Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["746506"],"_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-6af5da82bafeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carolyn's mom played basketball for the University of Connecticut in their early days of championsip basketball. Her older sister Grace played for O'Connell, eventually committing to play volleyball for the Huskies. Carolyn may have her own plans. She ranks number one in the class of 2029 for the state of Virginia (DMV). There are a number of colleges watching her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Setting a 5/1 for Metro at Junior Nationals Carolyn was voted to the All Tournament team for their fifth place finish in the Junior National Open Division. She also won a first team selection in the WCAC this year, leading the team to the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While her focus is on setting she may also be one of the top right side hitters in the DMV area. She can bounce the ball in front of the 10 foot line if only one block is up against her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["753097"],"_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-6af5da82bb00a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nadia came in as a frosh and dominated like a senior. She ranks as the number one prospect in the class of 2030. Put her in the class of 2027 and she may rank in the top ten in that class based on the number of kills she has now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 5'10" it would be ideal to get a foot or two more of growth, but even with her current height she brings an approach jump of 10'4". She gets excellent reach over the net, especially with her blocking. The big part of the game she needs to work on is her passing and defense. Her back row hits fly over the net like supersonic missiles making her an offensive force in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you get an invite to a Nebraska camp there isn't a college in the world who would not want you. It will not surprise me if she gets a top 20 ranking nationally. Since my ranking days <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] </strong>was the first player I watched who I felt was a top twenty national player. Not to put any pressure on Nadia but she is now the second player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->