Top Teams Competing In The 2017 Durango Fall Classic
Top Teams Competing In The 2017 Durango Fall Classic
Anyone who's anyone in the world of high school volleyball has played in, coached at, or at the very least heard of the Durango Fall Classic. This year, 12 teams ranked in the Flo50 will compete at Durango. Here's what you need to know about the top teams
Anyone who's anyone in the world of high school volleyball has played in, coached at, or at the very least heard of the Durango Fall Classic. The Las Vegas tournament was started 23 years ago, and has always attracted the top high schools in the country. FloVolleball will be streaming the competition live starting Friday.
This year, 12 teams ranked in the Flo50 will compete at Durango. Here's what you need to know about the top teams in attendance.
Santa Ana, California
Former Penn State Nittany Lion Dan O'Dell serves as head coach for the Mater Dei Monarchs, which have lost only two matches so far this season. Both losses happened at the Ann Kang Invitational, to Iolani of Honolulu and Oak Ridge of Texas.
Already in CIF play, the Monarchs have toppled Santa Margarita, Archbishop Mitty, and Huntington Beach. Star players for Mater Dei include UCLA-bound libero Kelsey Campeau, USC-committed outside hitter Siena Secrist, junior outside Natalie Berty, sophomore middle Meg Brown, and setters Mia Tuaniga and Brielle Mullaly.
Louisville, Kentucky
With Durango Fall Classic titles in 2005, 2011, 2014, and 2015, Assumption is tied with Archbishop Mitty for the most DFC championships of all time.
The Rockets are 15-1 so far this season, with their sole loss coming at the hands of Georgia powerhouse Waltong. Sophomores Anna DeBeer, a Louisville commit, and Rylee Rader lead the Rockets in kills, while Duke-bound setter Camille Nazor directs the offense.
San Francisco, California
The Wildcats of Saint Ignatius have kicked the season off in almost flawless fashion, winning the Varsity Milpitas Spikefest Tournament and boasting a 14-1 overall record.
Duke-committed middle Elizabeth Fleming has contributed to the Wildcats' success with offensive and defensive acumen. The 6-foot-2 junior also serves as captain along with seniors Skye Daval-Santos, Delaney Peranich, and Rose Holscher.
Honolulu, Hawaii
The 21-1 Iolani Raiders made a big statement early on by winning the Ann Kang Invitational Tournament, taking down fellow Hawaii powerhouse program Kamehameha in the championship match.
Led by reigning Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year sophomore outside hitter Elena Oglivie, Missouri-committed pin hitter Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres, and Oklahoma-bound setter Kristen McDaniel, Iolani has defeated nationally-recognized Archbishop Mitty, Santa Margarita, and Huntington Beach already this season and will be looking to make another push for national prominence at Durango.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Kamehameha is legendary in the world of Hawaiian volleyball. The Warriors are 12-2 so far this season, with both losses to fellow Hawaii all-star team Iolani.
Pitt-bound junior setter Lexis Akeo runs the Warriors' offense, and Kili Robins is the team's kills leader. Braelyn Akana is the second-highest kills contributor and the team's leading blocker.
San Jose, California
Having played some tough competition early in the season, Archbishop Mitty already has three losses -- only one fewer than their loss total for all of the 2016 season.
Even with those uncharacteristic losses, the other teams at the Durango Fall Classic would be unwise to underestimate the Monarchs, who are the reigning champions of the Vegas tournament.
Seniors Kamrin Caoili and Nicole Liddle lead the team's offensive efforts, while libero Lauren Haniger and outside Julia Devine provide a generous dose of ball control.
Check out these teams, which were also featured in the latest Flo50 national high school ranking.
Marymount | Los Angeles, California
Torrey Pines | San Diego, California
Redondo Union | Redondo Beach, California
Xavier College Prep | Phoenix, Arizona
Mercy Academy | Louisville, Kentucky
Fayetteville | Fayetteville, Arkansas
Marin Catholic | Kentfield, California
Sacred Heart | Louisville, Kentucky
This year, 12 teams ranked in the Flo50 will compete at Durango. Here's what you need to know about the top teams in attendance.
1. Mater Dei (Flo50 No. 5)
Santa Ana, California
Former Penn State Nittany Lion Dan O'Dell serves as head coach for the Mater Dei Monarchs, which have lost only two matches so far this season. Both losses happened at the Ann Kang Invitational, to Iolani of Honolulu and Oak Ridge of Texas.
Already in CIF play, the Monarchs have toppled Santa Margarita, Archbishop Mitty, and Huntington Beach. Star players for Mater Dei include UCLA-bound libero Kelsey Campeau, USC-committed outside hitter Siena Secrist, junior outside Natalie Berty, sophomore middle Meg Brown, and setters Mia Tuaniga and Brielle Mullaly.
2. Assumption (Flo50 No. 8)
Louisville, Kentucky
With Durango Fall Classic titles in 2005, 2011, 2014, and 2015, Assumption is tied with Archbishop Mitty for the most DFC championships of all time.
The Rockets are 15-1 so far this season, with their sole loss coming at the hands of Georgia powerhouse Waltong. Sophomores Anna DeBeer, a Louisville commit, and Rylee Rader lead the Rockets in kills, while Duke-bound setter Camille Nazor directs the offense.
3. St. Ignatius College Prep (Flo50 No. 12)
San Francisco, California
The Wildcats of Saint Ignatius have kicked the season off in almost flawless fashion, winning the Varsity Milpitas Spikefest Tournament and boasting a 14-1 overall record.
Duke-committed middle Elizabeth Fleming has contributed to the Wildcats' success with offensive and defensive acumen. The 6-foot-2 junior also serves as captain along with seniors Skye Daval-Santos, Delaney Peranich, and Rose Holscher.
4. Iolani (Flo50 No. 13)
Honolulu, Hawaii
The 21-1 Iolani Raiders made a big statement early on by winning the Ann Kang Invitational Tournament, taking down fellow Hawaii powerhouse program Kamehameha in the championship match.
Led by reigning Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year sophomore outside hitter Elena Oglivie, Missouri-committed pin hitter Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres, and Oklahoma-bound setter Kristen McDaniel, Iolani has defeated nationally-recognized Archbishop Mitty, Santa Margarita, and Huntington Beach already this season and will be looking to make another push for national prominence at Durango.
5. Kamehameha (Flo50 No. 16)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Kamehameha is legendary in the world of Hawaiian volleyball. The Warriors are 12-2 so far this season, with both losses to fellow Hawaii all-star team Iolani.
Pitt-bound junior setter Lexis Akeo runs the Warriors' offense, and Kili Robins is the team's kills leader. Braelyn Akana is the second-highest kills contributor and the team's leading blocker.
6. Archbishop Mitty (Flo50 No. 36)
San Jose, California
Having played some tough competition early in the season, Archbishop Mitty already has three losses -- only one fewer than their loss total for all of the 2016 season.
Even with those uncharacteristic losses, the other teams at the Durango Fall Classic would be unwise to underestimate the Monarchs, who are the reigning champions of the Vegas tournament.
Seniors Kamrin Caoili and Nicole Liddle lead the team's offensive efforts, while libero Lauren Haniger and outside Julia Devine provide a generous dose of ball control.
The Others
Check out these teams, which were also featured in the latest Flo50 national high school ranking.
Marymount | Los Angeles, California
Torrey Pines | San Diego, California
Redondo Union | Redondo Beach, California
Xavier College Prep | Phoenix, Arizona
Mercy Academy | Louisville, Kentucky
Fayetteville | Fayetteville, Arkansas
Marin Catholic | Kentfield, California
Sacred Heart | Louisville, Kentucky