Over the past month, the Varsity Girls Volleyball team fought through the 2025 VISAA State Girls Volleyball Tournament, finishing with a five-set win in the finals over Paul VI and solidifying themselves as a now fourteen-time state champion.
Flint Hill, coming into the tournament as the 6th seed, was not favored to win. Head Coach Thai Nguyen spoke on how veterans on the team eased up that pressure.
“We were fortunate to have five players returning from last year’s finals, who played a crucial role in easing our collective nerves.”
In the quarter finals, they played Norfolk Academy who were the 3rd seed, they swept them 3-0, setting the tone for the tournament.
In the semifinals, they played 2nd seed Bishop O’Connell, in which they continued to show their dominance in another 3-0 sweep. Some of the key players from this game were Hunter Ross with 20 kills, Evie Huang with 11 digs, and Ava Zender with 18 assists. Although this game proved Flint Hill’s skill and team chemistry, the state championship final against PVI, the number one seed of the tournament, awaited them.
Both teams went back and forth, with Flint Hill winning the 1st set 25-22 and the 4th set 25-23, whilst PVI won the 2nd set 25-15 and 3rd set 25-19. Coach Nguyen talks more in depth on how their rigor in practice showed up in that 1st set.
“One of my personal favourite (scenarios in practice) is the 15-18 scenario, where we find ourselves trailing and must rally to secure a comeback victory in the set. This particular drill proved invaluable, as it closely reflected the challenges we faced in the first set of the state finals. In that critical moment, we were down 15-18 but showed incredible resilience, ultimately turning the tide and winning the set 25-22. Because we had rehearsed this situation numerous times, it felt almost second nature to us when it mattered most.”
Flint Hill would ultimately win the 5th set 15-8, beating the odds and taking home another state championship. The stats show the power Flint Hill was able to put up, with Hunter Ross having 30 kills, Evie Huang having 14 digs, Delaney Malloy having 18 serves received, as well as Ava Zender with another 22 assists. It was a battle to the final set, but Flint Hill was ultimately able to pull it through.
When Coach Nguyen was asked, “What/who do you believe was a defining factor that allowed the team to be so successful going into states?,” he responded that “our standout performer, Hunter Ross, proved to be an absolute game-changer for our team. Throughout our journey in the state tournament, she delivered her most remarkable performances, showcasing her incredible skill and determination when it mattered most.”
Hunter Ross ‘27, committed to UCLA for volleyball, was named VISAA player of the year through her dominance on the attacking end of the ball, which played a crucial role in the Huskies’ results throughout the tournament.
Coach Nguyen also emphasized the help of the whole coaching staff, “whose keen insights and strategic guidance enabled me to make crucial adjustments on the fly.”
In contrast to their success in the tournament, Flint Hill’s regular season was not as dominant as their appearance in the state tournament, finishing 15-13-1. This record gave them their 6th seed in the tournament, and Coach Nguyen spoke about how the pressure of the season played into the tournament.
“This season was a rollercoaster of emotions; it was not our strongest year overall. Entering the state tournament as the underdog, we had absolutely nothing to lose. The players embraced the challenge with a sense of relaxation, truly enjoying the moment.”
Their mentality definitely showed, and Coach Nguyen’s “nothing to lose” mindset really shaped the players into taking risks and being active on the court.
Finally, when asked about that feeling of victory as a team, Coach Nguyen said that “This victory means so much to us—it’s not just a win; it’s a wonderful experience we’ll treasure forever!”
With their 14th state championship to end the season, the Flint Hill Girls Varsity Volleyball team has authored yet another successful chapter for Flint Hill Athletics.
