September 2, 2023

One of the attractions about the Nike TOC Southeast tournament being held at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex in Wesley Chapel just outside of Tampa is that even though the field features plenty of teams from the Sunshine State, it also draws its share of teams outside of Florida. Texas, California, Nevada, Nebraska, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia were all represented as the two-day event kicked off Friday with both AM and PM pools. However, when it came to the National division – the top of the three that also includes Premier and Elite – the home state held firm and advanced six teams to Saturday’s quarterfinals and is guaranteed to have at least one school playing for the tournament championship. The exceptions were Cornerstone Christian TX and Bishop Gorman NV. The two squads actually play each other in the quarterfinals, meaning one will be eliminated from contention before the semis. Cornerstone – the top seed which finished runner-up a season ago – finished second last month at the Ann Kang Invitational in Hawaii after falling to Mira Costa CA in the final. Cornerstone did not play in last week’s Volleypalooza event in Texas, where Mater Dei CA topped Prestonwood Christian TX in the final. Prestonwood, meanwhile, was scheduled to travel to the event here in Florida but canceled because of the hurricane impacting the area. Cornerstone held its seed by sweeping Berkeley Prep FL, Pace GA and Saint Andrews FL. As for Bishop Gorman, the Nevada school arguably has its best team ever and opened as the No. 8 seed overall. Though Bishop Gorman made it through by going 3-0, it was a fight as Bishop Gorman defeated Mt. Paran Christian GA, St. Henry KY and Trinity Catholic FL each in three sets. Both Cornerstone and Bishop Gorman are scheduled to play at the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas later this month. Bishop Gorman is also set to travel to Southern California in early October for the Redondo Power Classic featuring Redondo Union CA and Mira Costa. The quarterfinals could have featured another Texas school in Keller but Winter Park FL survived a three-set thriller Friday morning to go 3-0 and make it out of the pool instead. Another team which impressed was Carrollwood Day FL, which also went 3-0 after sweeping past Skutt Catholic NE, Tampa Prep Fl and King’s Academy FL. Both Venice FL and Viera FL were surprises in going 3-0 and reaching the quarterfinal as well. Venice swept Lake Brantley FL, Gainesville FL and Bishop Kenny. Viera, boosted by the addition of 5-star Penn State commit Izzy Starck to the roster, downed defending champion Westminster Christian FL, Sandy Creek GA and North Allegheny PA in straight sets. Oviedo FL and Hagerty FL both advanced despite dropping matches. Oviedo finished tied with Plant FL at 2-1 but owned the head-to-head tiebreaker to move on. Hagerty finished in a three-way tie with Calvary Christian FL and Timber Creek FL at 2-1 and advanced based on having the best set percentage of the trio. Here’s how the quarterfinals line up for Saturday:   *** DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS Isabelle Bardin JR S/RS Flint Hill VA: A 3-star recruit, Bardin plays a vital role as a setter and hitter. She’s lanky and it allows her to make plays at the net attacking, blocking or playing tight balls while setting in the back row. Ryla Jones SR MB Flint Hill VA: Jones – a 4-star Pitt commit – is a difference maker in the middle. At 6-3, she’s a presence on both sides of the ball with her hitting and blocking and is one of the team’s emotional leaders. Talia Johnson SO OH Richmond Hill FL: Johnson is a 6-1 six-rotation outside with lots of upside. She’s a bit raw but is athletic and jumps well. Carson Reeves SR MB Richmond Hill FL: At 6-3, Reeves brings height to the front row. She did well putting up a solid block and getting touches.   Olivia Guzman JR RS Lourdes Academy FL: A 4-star recruit, Guzman has shifted to the right side for high school after playing on the left during the club season. She has a lively arm and can bounce balls when given the chance. Ella Garcia JR OH Lourdes Academy FL: Garcia is a six-rotation outside who carries a lot of responsibility. She’s an aggressive attacker who challenges bigger blocks. Izabela Molina SR MB Doral Academy FL: Molina is a physical middle who puts up a wall of a block and can pound balls down with her powerful arm. Connor Rahn SR OH Middleburg FL: A 3-star University of Tampa commit, Rahn provides a lot of offense in her role. She has a solid arm and is a smart attacker with a range of shots. Camden Rahn SO RS Middleburg FL: A 3-star recruit, Rahn was holding down the right side and giving her team another scoring option that defenses needed to be mindful of. Charlotte Glass JR S Saint Andrew’s FL: Glass – a 5-star Duke commit – brings a lot to the floor and does a great job quarterbacking her squad. She has a clean, consistent release and at 6-1 can also make a ton of plays at the net. *** Grace Agolli SR RS Pace Academy GA: A Cal commit, Agolli can also set like she does in club. However, she was a six-rotation right side who showed off her powerful swing and was connecting well in carrying the offense with her scoring ability. Olivia Siskin SO S Pace Academy GA: A 3-star recruit, Siskin is a tall setter at 6-1. She’s a smooth disher with the ability to move the ball around well without sacrificing location. Brooklyn Tealer SR OH Gainesville FL: Tealer – a 4-star USC commit – is a major weapon for Gainesville and the go-to hitter the team relies heavily on for offense. She has a lively arm and can let it fly. Bella Schwantz JR OH Merritt