29.03.2024

Volleyball Top 10: Flint Hill takes over the top spot; Northern on the rise

Coming into her team’s rematch against Middleburg Academy, Flint Hill coach Carrol DeNure was nervous. Why? Her team had been playing too well. They had just won the Garden State challenge in New Jersey and were still sporting an undefeated record. Success like that can breed confidence, and confidence can be dangerous.

“If you lose focus, it can go the other way real fast,” DeNure said. “But I guess it’s a good kind of nervous.”

The Huskies calmed their coach’s nerves by playing well from the start. They won the first set 25-14 and never looked back in a 3-0 win.

Flint Hill’s recent string of success and their impressive 22-0 record land them at the top of the rankings after a week that saw two of the top five teams go down.

1. Flint Hill (22-0) LR: 3

The Huskies followed up their big weekend at the Garden State challenge by knocking off Middleburg Academy for the second time this year and asserting themselves as a dominant program.

2. Northwest (8-0) LR: 2

The Jaguars have yet to drop a set this season, but face a tough Churchill team this week.

3. Loudoun County (12-1) LR: 1

The Raiders fell to Heritage 3-0 last week for their first loss of the season.

4. Middleburg Academy (17-2) LR: 4

For the second time this year, coach Maureen DiClementi’s team couldn’t get it done against Flint Hill.

5. Stone Bridge (16-1) LR: 6

Sophomore outside hitter Peyton Yamagata had 12 kills and 9 digs in a 3-0 win over Rock Ridge last week.

6. Yorktown (11-0) LR: 7

The Patriots keep finding a way to finish games, going to four sets in consecutive matches with Langley, Herndon and Washington-Lee.

7. Northern (11-0) LR: 8

Senior outside hitter Amanda Chew had a combined 25 kills last week in 3-0 wins over Great Mills and Lackey.

8. Holy Cross (16-2) LR: 5

The Tartans suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of Paul VI.

9. Arundel (9-0) LR: 9

The Wildcats haven’t dropped a set since mid-September.

10. Glenelg (8-0) LR: NR

Led by senior middle blocker Colleen McAuley, the Gladiators are the only undefeated team in Howard County.

Dropped out: No. 10 Chantilly (9-2) LR: 10

On the bubble:  Magruder (14-1), Damascus (11-2), Heritage (13-2), Calvert (9-0)

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