The prestigious Durango Fall Classic is on tap this Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas. It’s a phenomenal tournament that always manages to live up to the hype if not surpass it. This year’s 64-team field features schools from 12 states, with 13 programs participating from vballrecruiter.com’s Top 50 National HS Rankings. It includes national No. 1 Cathedral Catholic CA, which is the top seed overall. Friday’s action opens with 16, four-team pools. The 16 pool winners advance to Saturday’s championship qualifying bracket at Durango High School where one will walk away with the coveted trophy.
Will it be Cathedral Catholic? The Dons have yet to lose this season and were victorious here recently having captured the Durango title in 2019. Or could we see Assumption KY reclaim its reign? The Rockets dominated the desert for a stretch, winning titles in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018. Or is someone else going to deliver an unforeseen storyline of their own?
Plenty are capable. Watching it unfold is sure to deliver its share of chills and goose bumps as teams chase Durango gold during two intense days of competition. Below is a breakdown of the tournament featuring nationally-ranked teams, team spotlights and players to watch.
vballrecruiter.com Nationally Ranked Teams (13):
1. Cathedral Catholic CA
7. Assumption KY
10. Sierra Canyon CA
16. Marymount CA
23. Punahou HI
27. Torrey Pines CA
29. Redondo Union CA
34. ‘Iolani HI
37. Mater Dei CA
38. Fayetteville AR
39. Kamehameha HI
45. Mountain View UT
50. Timpview UT
***
Breakdown by State:
Arizona (3): Ironwood Ridge; Queen Creek; Xavier Prep
Arkansas: Fayetteville
California (28): Archbishop Mitty; Bakersfield Christian; Beckman; Bishop Alemany; Branson; Campolindo; Cathedral Catholic; Clovis West; Flintridge Sacred Heart; Foothill; Harvard-Westlake; La Costa Canyon; La Salle; Lakewood; Liberty; Los Alamitos; Marin Catholic; Marymount; Mater Dei; Ontario Christian; Rancho Cucamonga; Redondo Union; Sierra Canyon; South Torrance; St. Ignatius; Torrey Pines; Vista Murrieta; Wilson
Florida (2): Leon; St. Thomas Aquinas
Hawaii (5): ‘Iolani; Kahuku; Kamehameha Kapalama; Kamehameha Hawaii; Punahou
Idaho (2): Madison; Skyview
Kentucky (2): Assumption; Mercy
Nevada (12): Arbor View; Bishop Gorman; Bishop Manogue; Centennial; Coronado; Desert Oasis; Durango; Faith Lutheran; Moapa Valley; Palo Verde; Rancho; Shadow Ridge
New York: Poly Prep Country Day
Texas: The Hockaday School
Utah (6): Corner Canyon; Crimson Cliffs; Lone Peak; Mountain View; Pleasant Grove; Timpview
Washington: Lakeside
***
THE FAVORITES
CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC (1 – overall seed)– The Dons bring their unblemished mark to the desert and will go for its third tournament title of the year after securing championships at the Kamehameha and Dave Mohs tourneys. The loaded lineup includes senior outside Julia Blyashov, senior right side Noemie Glover, senior outside Milan Bayless, senior middle Ryleigh Patterson, junior middle Jenna Hanes, junior setter Amanda Saeger and sophomore libero Maya Evens.
ASSUMPTION (3) – Fresh off a second-place showing at the LIVT last weekend, the Rockets took on Mater Dei on Wednesday before making the trek to Vegas. There’s no doubt Assumption has the goods to win it all. At the helm is senior setter Whitney Woodrow. She has talented options surrounding her, ones that include junior outside Charlotte Moriarty, senior Gabrielle Gerry and sophomore Bailey Blair in the middle, and senior Alexis Strong on the right. Sophomore libero Kristen Simon helps makes up a strong defensive and disciplined mindset the Rockets are known for.
SIERRA CANYON (4)– The Trailblazers finished runner up at the Ann Kang Invitational, where they split a pair of matches with Mira Costa, which is absent from this year’s field. The only other loss for Sierra Canyon was a surprise set back to San Clemente. If the ball control is there the Trailblazers have enough firepower to leave with the trophy. At the top of the list is senior right side Olivia Babcock. She’s backed by senior outside Jade Sione, junior outside Danica Rach and junior middle Madeline Way. Directing the offense is junior setter Sade Ilawole and anchoring the defense is sophomore libero Lauren Lynch.
MATER DEI (8) – The Monarchs certainly have the talent to get it done but haven’t fully put it together yet. Mater Dei scored a big victory over Ann Kang champ Mira Costa but stumbled in losses to Redondo Union, Lakewood and San Clemente. Junior outsides Isabel Clark and Babi Gubbins carry the offensive load. Junior right side Cymarah Gordon, senior middle Liz Hertzog and freshman right side Layli Ostovar also contribute to the attack that is directed by sophomore Ayva Ostovar and senior Mikayla Delgadillo. Junior Malyssa Cawa suits up at libero.
REDONDO UNION (15)– The Seahawks have been on the upswing recently. Redondo picked up losses to both ‘Iolani and Punahou at the Ann Kang Invitational and then was upstaged by both Sierra Canyon and Torrey Pines once back on the mainland. However, the Seahawks haven’t lost since, including victories over Mater Dei and Marymount. The lineup is also bolstered by the addition of a pair of newcomers in junior outside Abby Benefield and junior right side Alanna Jones, who are eligible to play this week. They join the already dangerous senior outside Mele Corral-Blagojevich.
***
TEAM SPOTLIGHTS
FAYETTEVILLE (2) – Entering this week, the Bulldogs had only dropped one set. There’s no doubt that mark is going to get tested this weekend in Vegas. Fayetteville opens as the No. 2 seed but doesn’t have the same strength of schedule as other in the field and thus we don’t have the Arkansas school counted among the favorites to win it. Regardless, this is a true measuring test for where the Bulldogs stack up. Leading the charge is senior setter Kennedy Phelan. Her main targets are senior outsides Brooke Rockwell and Madeline LaFata.
TIMPVIEW (5) – The Thunderbirds experienced their first defeat of the year when they fell to Mountain View – which is also in the Durango field – on Tuesday evening. Senior outside Taliah Lee is the go-to hitter and someone defenses must contain. Another to watch for is sophomore libero Tiana Mariner.
MARYMOUNT (6) – The Sailors are good enough to spoil anyone’s party. They are coming off a runner-up showing at Dave Mohs, where they lost to Cathedral Catholic in the final. Marymount is led by standout outside and senior Torrey Stafford. Also in the mix are junior outside Kate Martin and senior middles Dior Charles and Catherine Maffei. Setting is senior Lauren Brooker.
MOUNTAIN VIEW (7) – The Bruins are off to a 7-0 start, including a win over Timpview earlier this week. Mountain View takes on Bishop Gorman of Nevada on Thursday ahead of both schools participating in the tourney. Senior middle Mia Lee can overwhelm opponents and is a big-time scoring threat. Also adding to the offense are senior outside Lucy Perez and junior outside Kelly Wesley.
PUNAHOU (9) – Punahou had an eight-match winning streak snapped Tuesday with a loss to ‘Iolani, a team the Buff-n-Blue had previously defeated. The only other losses suffered came in the first two outings of the season against Mira Costa and Sierra Canyon. Among the triumphs for Punahou is beating Redondo. Punahou would have to have a spectacular run to win it all but can certainly upset anyone in the field with its scrappy style of play. Among the players of note is junior outside Haumea Marumoto, senior middle Koen Makaual and senior libero Melie Vaioleti.
TORREY PINES (10) – The Falcons are in a skid and will arrive looking to put a stop to it. Torrey Pines has lost three consecutive matches to La Costa Canyon, Mira Costa and Del Norte. Senior setter Nikki Quinn is at the center of what the Falcons do. She has freshman outside Finley Krystkowiak and senior middle Grace Flanagan among her targets. Senior Katerina Lutz sets the defensive tone at libero.
KAMEHAMEHA (11) – Add the Warriors to the list of teams capable of pulling off an upset and shaking up the field. Junior Kalei Watson and junior outside Adrianna Arquette are the main stalwarts of the attack.
‘IOLANI (12) – The Red Raiders are not favorites to win the title in Vegas but are definitely a team no one wants to play. That’s because ‘Iolani is going to make opponents earn points and come up with the knockout blow to finish it off. Senior outsides Senna Roberts-Navarro and Brooke Naniseni make life difficult on opponents. Senior middle Mari Lawton is another member of the attack defenses must prepare for.
SKYVIEW (13) – The Hawks have taken defeats against the likes of Maple Mountain and Mountain View, both from Utah. Those were the first two matches of the season for Skyview, which has since won seven straight without dropping a set. Junior Alex Acevedo and freshman outside Bellamie Beus are the two most frequent targets of junior setter Alex Bower.
LAKEWOOD (14) – The Lancers have already upset Mater Dei this season so you know they can beat good teams. A tournament like Durango is Lakewood’s chance to showcase its mettle. Senior setter Fatimah Hall and senior outside Samarah DaCoud are ones to watch, as well as backrow defender Cortni Youngblood.
ARCHBISHOP MITTY (16) – Mitty has lots of tradition and is always capable of making waves. Helping leading the way this fall are senior outside Audrey Liddle and sophomore setter Maya Baker.
***
MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brooke Schein SR MB Xavier Prep AZ
Maggie Benson SR OH Xavier Prep AZ
Elena Fischer SO OH Branson CA
Logan Tusher JR S Branson CA
Ashley Repetti SO OH Los Alamitos CA
London Wijay JR OH Alemany CA
Leilia Toailoa JR OH Bishop Gorman NV
Ashley Duckworth JR MB Bishop Gorman NV
Cha’lei Reid SO OH Kahuku HI
Abigail Paulson JR OH Coronado NV
Elina Mortensen JR OH Corner Canyon UT
Mia Smith SR MB Corner Canyon UT
Charlece Ohiaeri SR OH/S Centennial NV
Emma Rowell SO S/OH South Torrance CA
Alexis Luszeck SR MB Shadow Ridge NV
Tehani Ulufatu SR L Marin Catholic CA
Grace Thrower SR OH Harvard-Westlake CA
Ava-Marie Lange SR OH Harvard-Westlake CA
Avery Jones SR RS Harvard-Westlake CA
Halley Tang JR L St. Thomas Aquinas FL
Zy’aire Barr SR OH St. Thomas Aquinas FL
Amy Herman JR OH Bakersfield Christian CA
Claire Little SR OH Vista Murrieta CA
Lilliana Montes JR MB Vista Murrieta CA
Jaidyn Jager SO OH La Costa Canyon CA
Eva Rohrbach SR MB/OH La Costa Canyon CA
Madisyn Crnjac FR OH Queen Creek AZ
Blaykli Bobik JR OH Queen Creek AZ
Izzy Mahaffey SO L Queen Creek AZ
Naomi White SR OH Palo Verde NV
Maddie Hagan SR OH Mercy KY
Meredith Brown SR MB Mercy KY
Zoey Burgess JR OH Lone Peak UT
Kalia Kohler SR S Lone Peak UT
Avery Jackson JR OH Hockaday TX
Lauren Ingram SR OH Hockaday TX
