A new fall season marks a fresh start for the D.C. area’s top high school volleyball programs. With the slate wiped clean, local powers have begun jockeying for position. The season is already in full swing in Virginia, while matches are just getting underway in Maryland and D.C. Here are three players who have made strong early impressions:
Anna Dierks, Senior, Setter, West Springfield
The Spartans are on a quest to repeat as Virginia Class 6 champions after earning the first state crown in program history last season. Dierks, who brought a steadying presence to West Springfield’s attack during its title run, is one of several key returners for coach Stephanie Noriega’s team. With Dierks back at setter for her senior season, West Springfield got off to a 6-0 start, dropping just one set. In that span, Dierks averaged 9.4 assists per set and amassed 25 serving aces.
Against fellow Class 6 contender Marshall in late August, Dierks dished 35 assists in a dominant three-set sweep. Many of those assists were lobbed to senior Milena Kibret, who racked up 15 kills. With Dierks commanding the offense and a plethora of size and versatility on the block, the Spartans look more than capable of defending their title.
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Macie Murray, Senior, Outside Hitter, Bishop O’Connell
The Knights are one of the buzziest teams in the area this season, thanks to a roster that is loaded with Division I talent. Murray, O’Connell’s veteran outside hitter, is off to a dazzling start this season. The senior averaged 4.2 kills per set and hit at an efficient .528 percent clip through the team’s first six matches.
The Knights kicked off their season with a 3-0 sweep of fellow Washington Catholic Athletic Conference contender Holy Cross, then swept each of their opponents at the Virginia Volleyball Showcase over the weekend. Murray, sophomore setter Carolyn Maria and freshman outside hitter Nadia Wooten were each named to the all-tournament team.
Ayla Sayd, Senior, Outside Hitter, Marshall
Sayd notched double-digit kills in each of Marshall’s first seven matches of the fall, announcing herself as one of the most potent offensive threats in the area early this season. The 6-foot-1 senior, who is committed to Elon, amassed 111 kills in 23 sets played to get the Statesmen off to a 6-1 start.
The team is under new leadership this season with coach Allie Selznick taking over the varsity program — and with Sayd anchoring the Marshall attack, the Statesmen look poised to make a Virginia Class 6 run. ”Even from last year to this year, she’s grown tremendously,” Selznick said of Sayd. “She’s really come into her own [and] become a powerhouse.”
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