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The Magruder Girls Varsity volleyball team won the 3A state championship with a 25-0 record. The team consistently played at an extremely high level, winning 69 sets and losing only 5. Along the way the team set several school records for volleyball including: most wins, highest win percentage for sets won/lost, kills in a season, attack percentage and passing percentage.

Magruder went undefeated in the regular season (20-0). The team captured it’s 13th county division title and had several big wins over great teams from across the state. Magruder then marched through the playoffs dropping only one set. They defeated Watkins Mill (3-0) and then Damascus (3-0) to win the regional title. In the state tournament, Magruder defeated Northeast (3-0), Bel Air (3-0) and an undefeated Northern (3-1). The state finals were played in front of over 1,000 people at Ritchie Coliseum at the University of Maryland.

This Magruder team was led by a core group of players who’ve been on the team together for 3 or more years. Coach Scott Zanni told me senior captains, Tonessa Jhingory, Kaliyah Moss, Sarah Schaupp and Maya Scott helped create a very cohesive and positive team culture where the goal was to push themselves to keep improving all while putting the team first.

Their success in playoffs was a true team effort. Kaliyah Moss and Maya Scott get most of the attention due to their powerful attacking and blocking. Both finish their careers as the top attackers in school history and have won a multitude of honors and awards.

Yet the true success of the team was that they played as a cohesive unit, Zanni said. Senior Sarah Schaupp selflessly switched positions this year. She was one of their leading blockers and led the team in aces while having several key kills throughout the playoffs at vital times.

Senior Tonessa Jhingory was the primary setter and did an incredible job running the offense all year. She had a huge breakout year for the Colonels.

Junior libero Alex Campero was the backbone of the team, anchoring their team passing and defense. Alex was the quiet rock.

Magruder had players who would be starters and stars on other teams that made huge contributions all year.

Damaris Rodriguez was a strong server and defender all season.

Joie Allen was the starting opposite assigned to block the other teams best attackers.

Kendra Jimenez was hurt the first half of the season, but came back and made some huge contributions serving in the playoffs.

Kristen Jennings, a freshman, started all year and played her best volleyball in the state playoffs.

Anastasiya Invanova was an outside hitter for us who also selflessly played out of position at times.

Virginia Gomez was a first year senior on the team that was possibly the best teammate. Magruder players adore her.

Kenna Scott, another freshmen, was the backup setter and improved incredibly throughout the season.

In the end, team focus and camaraderie combined with great talent and work ethic produced the best volleyball season in Magruder history.