There were two minor upsets that prevented all of the Top 16 seeds from advancing to the championship qualifying rounds Saturday morning at Durango High. Nevertheless, this year’s edition of the Durango Fall Classic has everyone dripping with anticipation to how it is all going to play out.
On paper, the biggest upset was No. 20 seed Lone Peak UT downing Marymount CA – the No. 13 seed – in three sets, 25-23, 23-25, 25-11. Lone Peak arrived to Las Vegas early to play Coronado NV on Thursday ahead of the tournament and ended up dropping that one in five sets. That didn’t necessarily bode well for the Knights when it came to this weekend’s competition, but they showed they were ready when it counted.
While it was the biggest upset on paper, it wasn’t really a major shocker based on vballrecruiter.com’s Top 50 National HS Rankings. Marymount started the week ranked No. 39, with Lone Peak right behind at No. 40. It just so happened the two got paired in the same pool Friday to open the two-day event.
The other result to go against seeding was Bishop Alemany CA knocking off Kamehameha/Kapalama HI in straight sets. Kamehameha was seeded No. 16. Alemany was placed at No. 17 to start, so that was as small as an upset that could’ve taken place based on the seedings for Day 1. However, Kamehameha was No. 45 in our Top 50, with Alemany coming into the week unranked.
Other than Marymount and Kamehameha, the other 14 teams which were No. 1 in their respective pools all advanced. Not all breezed through however.
Mater Dei CA – the No. 3 overall seed and No. 6 in our Top 50 – went three sets with Palo Verde NV in the 1 v 4 match to close out that pool. With Palo Verde surprising and winning its first two contests, the winner of that one was set to advance to the top 16.
It was the same scenario for St. Francis/Mountain View CA. The Lancers went three with South/Torrance CA in a must-win 1 v 4 showdown in order to make the top 16.
Assumption, the No. 6 overall seed and ranked No. 5 in our Top 50, opened the day with a three-set victory over The Hockaday School TX. Archbishop Mitty CA – the No. 7 seed and ranked No. 4 in our Top 50 – did the same. The Monarchs needed three in their opener before fending off Mercy KY and eventually advancing.
Of course we will have plenty more once Day 2 action is complete. But looking ahead, here is how the top 16 measures up to start Saturday’s competition:
- Mira Costa CA (1 national ranking) v Bishop Alemany CA (n/r)
- Huntington Beach CA (43) v Torrey Pines CA (16)
- Prestonwood Christian TX (7) v Redondo Union CA (34)
- Cathedral Catholic CA (9) v Lone Peak UT (40)
- Assumption KY (5) v Saint Francis CA (22)
- Mater Dei CA (6) v Xavier Prep AZ (25)
- Archbishop Mitty CA (4) v Sierra Canyon CA (23)
- Cornerstone Christian TX (2) v Branson CA (n/r)
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DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS
Alauna Hooiman JR OH Silverado NV – Hooiman was providing an offensive lift and showed great range in her attacking. She also puts up a solid block on the defensive side.
Megan Fitch JR OH Cornerstone Christian TX – A 5-star Texas AM commit, Fitch has showed up big all season long and was once more an offensive menace with her dynamic attacking. She’s relentless and just keeps coming at the defense.
Maria Avendano SR L Cornerstone Christian TX – Avendano was solid out of serve receive. She was also doing a great job keeping rallies alive.
Grace Carroll SR RS Cornerstone Christian TX – Carroll carries a big, powerful arm and when she has it going finishes points as well as anyone in the field. The 4-star Baylor commit showed her terminal attacking in a big way on Day 1.
Avery Jackson SR OH Hockaday TX – A 5-star recruit who committed to Stanford beach, Jackson is a springy hitter with a lively arm. As a six-rotation outside, she’s not only a key offensive weapon but a steadying presence as well.
Olivia Wayne JR OH Hockaday TX – Wayne – a 3-star Duke commit – plays in the middle or on the right side in club but has moved to the left side for high school. She has a strong arm and makes herself felt at the net on both sides of the ball.
Ai-vy Ho SO S Hockaday TX – Ho did well guiding the attack. She dished with consistent location and does a nice job connecting with all her hitters.
Vivian Hickman SO S Xavier Prep AZ – Hickman – a 3-star recruit – is so smooth setting and running the offense. She gets all her hitters involved and plays strong defense as well.
Elle McCreery JR MB Xavier Prep AZ – McCreery showed up well in the middle for the Gators. She was a scoring presence and was putting away balls on the regular when called upon.
Tessa Larkin FR OH Xavier Prep AZ – A 4-star recruit, Larkin has made a big impact so far this season as a rookie and showed how much trouble she’s going to be for the next four seasons. She’s a smart, physical attacker who torments defenses with her various shots.
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Finley Krystkowiak SO OH Torrey Pines CA – Krystkowiak – a 5-star recruit – is the featured part of the attack. She’s long and extends very well. She has a strong arm too and can power balls down at tough angles to defend.
Kiara Edwards SR RS Torrey Pines CA – Edwards was among the top right sides we saw. She plays all the way around and has to be tracked when she’s across the front row. The Falcons like to get her the ball because she can deliver.
Taly Cloyd SR RS Faith Lutheran NV – Cloyd put down a few big-time kills. Watch out when she connects, because she’s very capable of sending the ball down in impressive fashion.
Bianca Richardson SR OH Faith Lutheran NV – Richardson was part of solid pin play by Faith Lutheran. She’s a six-rotation outside who brings consistency to the lineup.
Ella Swinn SR OH Faith Lutheran NV – Swinn is another six-rotation outside who is a steadying presence. She’s a reliable hitter who helps carry the offensive load.
Danica Rach SR OH Sierra Canyon CA – Rach – a 3-star Boston College commit – can get after it. She has a solid arm and can attack both front and back row effectively.
Halie McGinest SR OH Sierra Canyon CA – McGinest – a 3-star recruit – is finally able to play after transferring to Sierra Canyon and she’s helped spiced up the offense with her scoring punch.
Taylor Treahy SR RS Sierra Canyon CA – Treahy is another transfer who’s helped open up the attack. The 6-4 lefty can hit at high angles and can send the ball down with plenty of pace.
Sade Ilawole SR S Sierra Canyon CA – Ilawole is a quick setter who does well getting her feet to the ball. She’s also able to mix up her sets and keep defenses guessing.
Kristen Simon JR L Assumption KY – Simon – a 5-star Wisconsin commit – is a smooth passer and defender. She’s owns the back row and is rarely out of position to make a play on the ball.
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Emma Barnett JR OH Assumption KY – Barnett is a physical hitter who doesn’t let up. She can power balls through, around or off the block consistently.
Bailey Blair JR MB Assumption KY – Blair is trouble in the middle. She’s another hitter with a strong arm who can blast away out of the middle or run the slide and beat defenses that way.
Chloe Smith SR RS Assumption KY – Smith has a loose arm and can really let it fly at times. She takes swings all over the court and is just another reason why the Rockets are so tough to cover.
Kyleigh Moore SR OH Vista Murrieta CA – Moore wasn’t backing down at all. She’s an aggressive hitter who doesn’t show any fear when it comes to challenging the defense.
Charlotte Underwood JR MB Vista Murrieta CA – Underwood was a problem on the slide attack. Her ability to get out and make blockers move caused havoc as she scored over and over on the play.
Taylor Williams SR OH St. Francis/Mountain View CA – A 4-star Duke commit, Williams is lanky with a smooth swing. She’ll swing front and back row and the way she extends she can go right over the block.
Whitney Wallace SR L St. Francis/Mountain View CA – Wallace – a 3-star Oklahoma commit – was another standout defender. She’s not one to get rattled. She plays under control and defends with tons of poise.
Maya Baker JR S Archbishop Mitty CA – A 4-star Notre Dame commit, Baker has great hands and is rarely off with her location. She does well setting out-of-system balls and still giving her hitters a chance to score.
Makenna Crosson SO OH Archbishop Mitty CA – Crosson – a 4-star recruit – played up two age groups for club this past season. She plays with more experience and poise than her age. She’s a heady attacker who can hit with power or get one down on defenders with off-speed shots.
Elena Fisher JR OH Branson CA – A Stanford beach commit, Fisher didn’t play club this past season but is back playing indoor for high school. She’s a springy hitter who does well moving the ball around and finding the open spaces.
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Logan Tusher SR S Branson CA – Tusher is another Stanford beach commit who didn’t play club this past spring but is back for high school. She has nice hands and a clean release and brings a lot of leadership to the court.
Madisyn Green JR L Mercy KY – Green brings a lot of energy to the defensive side. She was making lots of hustle plays and helping keep her side in the rally.
Kinnari Atluru SR OH University/SF CA – Atluru shoulders a lot of the offense. She gets set all over the court and takes many swings. She’s a solid hitter who stays aggressive.
Chloe Poort SR OH Shadow Ridge NV – Poort is an undersized outside but she comes with it and is relentless on the attack. She jumps well too and gets up quickly.
Elina Mortensen SR OH Corner Canyon UT – A 4-star BYU commit, Mortensen hits with power from both pins. She carries a lot of responsibility on offense and does well staying with it.
Chloe Pravednikov SR OH Long Beach Wilson CA – Pravednikov – a 3-star Pepperdine commit – is part of a 1-2 punch on the outside that makes the Bruins tough to deal with. She’s very long and can hit over blocks and put balls straight down.
Babi Gubbins SR OH Long Beach Wilson CA – A 5-star Stanford beach commit, Gubbins was recently able to play after transferring this fall. She’s another big-time scorer who defenses must commit to.
Deloris Nangah SR OH Palo Verde NV – The Panthers did well in going 2-1 as the No. 4 team. Nangah is an athletic outside who explodes off the ground. She was taking big swings as well and giving her team a boost offensively.
Charlie Fuerbringer SR S Mira Costa CA – A 5-star Wisconsin commit, Fuerbringer does things many can’t and it’s what makes Costa so tough to beat. She excels in off balls and still putting the set in a great spot for her hitters to do something with.
Audrey Flanagan SO OH Mira Costa CA – Flanagan – a 5-star recruit – has a whippy arm and was unleashing it time and time again. She was punishing opponents with her pace and placement and let loose on a few highlight kills.
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Taylor Deckert JR L Mira Costa CA – A 5-star USC commit, many consider Deckert the top player at her position in the country for her class. She’s a smooth operator and is a lights-out passer and defender.
Alex Bower SR S Skyview ID – Bower – a 5-star BYU commit – is among the top setters in the tournament and has to do a lot to keep her team in matches. She’s all over the court making plays and turning tough balls into great sets.
Lizzie Bower FR OH Skyview ID – Bower spends her club seasons playing libero and getting after it defensively. She’s been asked to swing away as an undersized hitter to help bring more offense to the lineup. She’s a fearless attacker who doesn’t get deterred.
Bellamie Beus SO OH Skyview ID – A 4-star recruit, Beus had a breakout club season and has carried it on to the high school year. She’s a physical hitter who can hammer balls down.
Cari Spears JR OH Prestonwood Christian TX – The Lions are full of stars, including the 5-star recruit in Spears. She can get up and launch balls from sideline to sideline like few can.
Gillian Pitts JR L Prestonwood Christian TX – Pitts – a 5-star Houston commit – is part of a stellar libero lineup at Durango. She’s an athletic defender who flies around the court and does a great job covering at the net.
Izzy Mahaffey JR L Queen Creek AZ – A 4-star Long Beach State commit, Mahaffey brings steadying play to the defensive end. She’s a consistent passer out of serve receive and does well on her first-ball touches defending.
Madisyn Crnjac SO OH Queen Creek AZ – Crnjac has no problem taking big swings and challenging blockers. She goes right at them and gets her fair share of kills because of it.
Blaykli Bobik SR OH Queen Creek AZ – A 4-star BYU commit, Bobik has a lively arm and lets loose often. She can rip balls all over and gives her team a go-to option on the left.
Elle Vandeweghe SO MB Marymount CA – Vandeweghe – a 4-star recruit – is a rising prospect. At 6-5, she’s long and takes up a lot of space at the net with her block. She’s also a reliable option on the attack with the ability to hit straight down.
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Zoey Burgess SR MB Lone Peak UT – A 5-star Kansas commit, Burgess is more than a handful to try and contain in the middle. She’s a long and quick and can sizzle balls down in a hurry.
Sam Pope JR S/RS Lone Peak UT – Pope plays a key role setting and hitting. She’s consistent setting and locating. She can also contribute to the attack with timely kills.
Ava Burgess FR OH Lone Peak UT – Burgess – a 4-star recruit – is a six-rotation outside who is asked to be a consistent part of the offense. She has a nice arm and can send balls around the block with pace.
Haley Clark SR RS La Canada CA – Clark – a 3-star recruit – can crush balls on the right side. She’s a featured part of the attack and can even pass out of serve receive.
Ashby Zubchevich JR OH La Canada CA – A 3-star Duke commit, Zubchevich also carries a lot of the offensive load. She’s a wirey hitter who can rocket balls past the block.
Sami Blackett SR OH Orem UT – A 3-star recruit, Blackett gets up in the air in a hurry. Combined with her quick swing, she can pound winners down in impressive fashion.
Ava Napierski SR MB Orem UT – Napierski – a 3-star Utah State commit – is another part of the attack and one defenses need to keep track of. She moves well and has a quick swing.
