Standouts and Notables from Queens of the Court (Elite Varsity)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Queens of the Court Tournament is the equivalent of the final dress rehearsal before the high school girls volleyball season beginning in California. The elite varsity division is where teams partake in to see where they are at in terms of their roster or prepare them for some of the greater tests in store for them when it counts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the end of the two-day tournament held at Momentous Sports Center in Irvine, Mater Dei was the last one standing, having defeated Trinity League rival and last year's tournament champion Santa Margarita in the final. The Monarchs' pin hitters such as [player_tooltip player_id='482047' first='Westley' last='Matavao'] and [player_tooltip player_id='228678' first='Layli' last='Ostovar'] can terminate the ball and will more than likely be the one-two punch for them, but someone to keep an eye out for on their team are the setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":853397,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/Mater-Dei-setter-rotated-crop-2420x1589-1754510728.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-853397" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">From left to right: [player_tooltip player_id='533581' first='Kalea' last='Lee'], [player_tooltip player_id='492684' first='Samantha' last='Capinpin'], [player_tooltip player_id='451716' first='Kate' last='Scherlacher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='227273' first='Soraya' last='Dennis'] are Mater Dei's setters for this year. (Photo credit, Teran Rodriguez)</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, setters not setter. Mater Dei has more than one setter it can count on to lead the offense and head coach Dan O'Dell said that this might be the deepest his setter room has been.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The setter position isn't the only position that the Monarchs are deep in, their middle blockers are deep too, headlined by junior [player_tooltip player_id='455792' first='Emma' last='Kingston'] who recently committed to Cal. They also have rising freshman [player_tooltip player_id='748210' first='Jael' last='Smith'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='391082' first='Addison' last='Coady'], who missed the tournament due to an ankle sprain, but will be ready when the season begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM61grjupZr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM61grjupZr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players from the six teams that made the gold bracket that turned heads and stood out in the elite division include:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":853506,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/Emma-Lizzy-and-Westley-rotated-crop-2420x1589-1754511802.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-853506" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei:<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='455792' first='Emma' last='Kingston'], [player_tooltip player_id='850183' first='Lizzy' last='Robinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='482047' first='Westley' last='Matavao']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kingston has upped not only her offense, but her defense in the middle, having showed that all tournament. Matavao's tough top-spin serve is something that continues to improve and be tough to handle if you're on serve receive and her all-around game is incredible. Robinson really showed signs of brilliance at the libero position, as she fills the void following the graduation of Kayla Ostovar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":853541,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/Memphis-and-Ireland-rotated-crop-2420x1589-1754512309.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-853541" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Margarita: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='391078' first='Memphis' last='Burnett'], [player_tooltip player_id='500618' first='Ireland' last='Real']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether there was block up on her or not, Burnett was registering kill after kill at the net and her overall game has improved as well. Real also was spectacular for the Eagles in the tournament, as her ability to get over the block was what really stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":853611,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/Katherine-and-Catherine-rotated-crop-2420x1589-1754512750.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-853611" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JSerra: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486781' first='Katherine' last='Nowak'], [player_tooltip player_id='601655' first='Catherine' last='Beadles']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior outside hitter and senior setter proved to be a lethal combination, helping JSerra take third in the tournament. The connection between the two has been there for the past two seasons and with how well they connected in the tournament, the third year is definitely going to be the charm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":853718,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/Asia-and-Cydnee-rotated-crop-2420x1589-1754513832.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-853718" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corona Centennial: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454603' first='Asia' last='Udo-Ema'], Cydnee Bryant</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Udo-Ema's smart swinging was on full display for the Huskies, as she knew where to go through and around the block. Bryant had a lot of things going for her this tournament - whether it was swinging the ball, blocking the ball or top serving the ball inbounds, her versatility was mind-blowing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":853864,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/Megan-and-Whitney-crop-1665x1093-1754515011.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-853864" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>San Juan Hills: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492164' first='Megan' last='Hodges'], [player_tooltip player_id='523224' first='Whitney' last='Port']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hodges slowly but surely continues to up her overall game from the right side, as she's proven tough to block - being the case at the tournament. Port was a strong force in the middle and helped the Stallions' offense whenever Hodges and the rest of the pin hitters needed it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":853964,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/Sofia-and-Casi-rotated-crop-2420x1589-1754516390.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-853964" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corona Del Mar: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='805663' first='Sofia' last='Dajnowiec'], [player_tooltip player_id='806853' first='Casandra' last='Doll']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the tournament, Dajnowiec added top spin serving to her arsenal, which made the Sea Queens a force when serving the ball. In every match at the tournament, Doll and Dajnowiec both finished as the top two kill leaders for their team, as the two will get to play the full season together after Doll had to sit out most of the season due to the CIF sit-out period.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other notable players from the Queens of the Court Elite Varsity Division: [player_tooltip player_id='712060' first='Kenzie' last='Houston'] (Orange Lutheran), Kamryn Andrews (Etiwanda), [player_tooltip player_id='547102' first='Vani' last='Tatoulian'] (La Canada), [player_tooltip player_id='492745' first='Kate' last='Jackson'] (Santa Margarita), [player_tooltip player_id='542713' first='Madison' last='Goodrich'] (JSerra), [player_tooltip player_id='770005' first='Charlee' last='Bengard'] (Orange Lutheran), [player_tooltip player_id='527781' first='Ella' last='Opene'] (Santa Margarita).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other notables from the elite varsity division:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Huskies playing with the "Big Dawgs" at Queens of the Court</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":854437,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/Centennial-Queens-of-the-Court-crop-3226x2118-1754523806.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-854437" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Corona Centennial winning Queens of the Court in the Varsity Division last year. Photo credit: Teran Rodriguez</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you all remember last year, <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/08/standouts-from-queens-of-the-court-varsity-division/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corona Centennial</a> won the varsity division at Queens of the Court. Fastforward one year later, the Huskies are back in Queens of the Court but are now playing in Elite Varsity Division. This year, Centennial made it all the way to the semifinals and was the only team to take a set off Mater Dei in the tournament. Quite an accomplishing feat for them, as they'll definitely be a fun team to watch this season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Under the radar player: [player_tooltip player_id='851043' first='Alexis' last='Robinson'] - Corona Del Mar</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["851043"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":858445,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6894d9a076dd6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While [player_tooltip player_id='851043' first='Alexis' last='Robinson'] didn't see too much playing time at the tournament, she is going to be a force for Corona Del Mar in the near future. Listed at 6'3, the sophomore middle blocker has potential take the Sea Queens to greater heights and perhaps be one of the top players from the class of 2028. When you also look at it another way, the Sunset League has some stud hitters and Robinson at the net would be huge for blocking. Time will tell, but Robinson is someone you should have on your radar. - Teran Rodriguez @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/set_pointiesr/?hl=en#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">set_pointiesr</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>🔥 <strong>Players</strong> — Use this article to grow. Take notes, study what makes others stand out, and apply it to your own journey. Want to go further? Reach out to a featured athlete and introduce yourself. Build connections, not just stats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>📣 <strong>Club Coaches &amp; Directors</strong> — Share this with your teams. If your athletes are highlighted, celebrate them loudly. Post it, tag us, and help their stories reach the right eyes. Visibility is everything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>🎯 <strong>College Coaches</strong> — Tag these athletes in your University Athlete app and evaluate them as potential fits for your program. We're tracking their performance, growth, and impact through <em><strong>Recruitable Credentials</strong></em> — earned indicators college coaches recognize. Follow their journey with us and connect with athletes built for the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>🙏 <strong>Parents &amp; Supporters</strong> — Thank you for being the backbone of this movement. Your subscriptions, shares, and belief in your athletes make this possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p>- Teran Rodriguez @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/set_pointiesr/?hl=en#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">set_pointiesr</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->