Three Virginia Schools on the Road to Tampa

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three Virginia high schools travel to Tampa this weekend to compete in the Nike Tournament of Champions. The three are <strong>Bishop O'Connell</strong>, <strong>Flint Hill </strong>and <strong>Virginia Academy</strong>. Six high schools ranked in the top 25 in the country according to Max Preps will also compete in this event. They include number one ranked <strong>Prestonwood Christian Academy</strong> (Texas), number six <strong>Cornerstone Christian</strong> (Texas), number 11 <strong>Pace</strong> (Georgia) number 12 <strong>Skutt Catholic </strong>(Nebraska) and number 17 <strong>Venice</strong> (Florida). Flint Hill ranks at number 10. A couple Florida schools (<strong>Santa Fe</strong> and <strong>Westminster Christian</strong>) are named on the bubble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The link for the site can be found here: <a href="https://www.thetoc.org/product/nike-tournament-of-champions-southeast-2023/">NIKE Tournament of Champions Southeast 2022 (thetoc.org)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["180298"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ec1cc17fae1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop O'Connell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Summary</strong> - This team brings some length to the court with six players listed 6 feet or over. Most teams struggle to find middles. The Knights roster lists six players who can occupy that spot. The 6'3" senior and Mary Washington commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180298' first='Alice' last='Holoubek']</strong> and the 6'2" sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238341' first='Teodora' last='Stamenkovic'] </strong>will see most of the time there. The 6'2" senior and Vanderbilt commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180296' first='Madison' last='Bowser']</strong> played middle last year but her powerful arm fits the left side best. She just needs to work on her consistency there, but when her timing is right no block can stop her. The 6'3" junior <strong>Eva Robertson</strong> focused on basketball but her athleticism made for a quick transition to volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though they can play middle the 6"0" senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235779' first='Grace' last='Faughnan']</strong> and the 5'11" sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377397' first='Ellyson' last='Miller']</strong> fit better on the right side. The 6'1" senior and Colorado State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180281' first='Erin' last='Debiec'] </strong>sets for the team. She can set a 5/1, but she stands out as one of the better hitters on the team so when they need her offense in the front row they go with [player_tooltip player_id='226029' first='Emily' last='Reyburn'] as a second setter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180296' first='Madison' last='Bowser']</strong>, the Knights use 5'11" junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475116' first='Jocelyn' last='Pye']</strong> as their main left side. She also plays six rotations and creates offense in the back row. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235778' first='Payton' last='Vieselmeyer']</strong> can also hit from the pins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For passing and defense the Knights rely on libero junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235295' first='Hanna' last='Kotb']</strong> and defensive specialist junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212888' first='Maia' last='Cerezo']</strong>. When Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226029' first='Emily' last='Reyburn']</strong> is not setting she can fill a back row slot. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='183410' first='Cara' last='Nearpass']</strong> brings a strong serve and can also play in the back row. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249342' first='Lily' last='Spann']</strong> acts as the third setter and can also fill a defensive slot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Uncommitted Players to Watch:</strong> At 5'11" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475116' first='Jocelyn' last='Pye']</strong> creates a variety of shots to put the ball away. She finds the corners, but she also brings the velocity. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235295' first='Hannah' last='Kotb']</strong> moves quickly in the back row and her passing has gotten more consistent this year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235779' first='Grace' last='Faughnan']</strong> plays the game with a lot more confidence this year and with her 6'0" height she brings the skills to create a strong block on the right side. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238341' first='Teodora' last='Stamenkovic']</strong> still belongs to the class of 2026 but definitely a player to watch for the recruiting process next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["437446"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ec1cc17fb42"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Flint Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Summary</strong>: Flint Hill just formed their roster last week. They played in a jamboree on Saturday, the Huskies first salvo of games. While scrimmages do not dictate how a team will play, they do exhibit the skills of the players. And the skill level remains high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tournament will also provide the Huskies an opportunity to reunite with one of their ex players <strong>Macaria Spears</strong>, who plays for the number one ranked Prestonwood Christian. Spears also played for a couple Bishop O'Connell players (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180281' first='Erin' last='Debiec']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180296' first='Madison' last='Bowser'])</strong> when she played for Metro. Many publications rank Spears as the number one prospect in volleyball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest offensive weapon for the Huskies sits on the shoulders of the 6'4" senior and Pittsburgh commit middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180295' first='Ryla' last='Jones']</strong>. This is the first year she will play without her sister <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181232' first='Renee' last='Jones']</strong>, who will transfer her playing skills to IMG Academy in Florida. Another senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233010' first='Mickhaila' last='Murray']</strong> will take one of the left side roles. She lists at 5'11" and brings a variety of shots to the court. She disguises her roll shots well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'0" frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] </strong>will fill the role as the other middle. If they want more experience, they can call on senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180299' first='Sarah' last='Manson']</strong>. The Huskies have a hole on the other left side with the loss of [player_tooltip player_id='238859' first='Sydney' last='Bryant'] to Maryland. They may call on the 6'2" junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong> to fill that role. Last year she was used as a setter and right side. She also set for her club Metro. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465301' first='Audrey' last='Sealock']</strong> remains another option for the left side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team used seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180283' first='Natalie' last='Nguyen']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209798' first='Emily' last='Kearney']</strong> a lot in the setter role at a recent jamboree tournament. Natalie, a Georgetown commit, remains a given at that position. Emily set well for St. James a couple years ago and also set for the junior varsity. But last year at the club level and with the Huskes she was used primarily as a defensive specialist. Emily brings the skills and intelligence to be a good setter, but at 5'7" she lacks the height to remain in the front row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That leaves frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437446' first='Alli' last='Z Robinson']</strong> to play one of the right sides. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180299' first='Sarah' last='Manson']</strong> could fill the other. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang']</strong> returns as the libero. Last year she won the job as a frosh over more experienced players. Junior defensive specialist <strong>Kodi Pynchon</strong> stands as another option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Uncommitted Players to Watch</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233010' first='Mickhaila' last='Murray'] </strong>brings craftiness to the outside position. She also brings a lot of enthusiasm to the court. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin'] </strong>brings length to the setting position but she may add to her diversity by playing some outside. The National team has invited her to a number of their training programs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209798' first='Emily' last='Kearney']</strong> can also bring some diversity to a roster. Her setting skills are strong, but she also brings an intense defensive game. No ball hits the floor before Emily hits the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["238859"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ec1cc17fb90"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Virginia Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Summary</strong> - The Patriots have started out the season with two wins. They tend to play in the smaller divisions. Currently their roster lists only nine players. The primary offensive force fits on the shoulders of the 6'2" junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181764' first='Kristen' last='Moore']</strong>. Her twin sister [player_tooltip player_id='181313' first='Alexandra' last='Moore'] also appears on the roster as a middle. Senior<strong> Hailey Piccirillo </strong>stands as another option. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238859' first='Sydney' last='Bryant']</strong> (pictured above) transferred from Flint Hill. For the Huskies she ranked as their third setter. For the Patriots she will fit in the setting rotation with junior <strong>Niya Awoye.</strong> The Patriots may rely on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart'] </strong>for one of their outsides. Senior <strong>Jessica Choe </strong>will fill the other pin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kat Gleason</strong> will fill the libero spot. <strong>Sydney Douglas</strong> can hit outside, but the roster lists her as a defensive specialist as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Uncommitted Players to Watch</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181764' first='Kristen' last='Moore'] </strong>carries some length to play the middle or a right side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->