DCSAA Finals vs. Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
The stands at University of the District of Columbia were packed—numerous GDS players had come to the game, and the atmosphere was electric. And for good reason: The GDS women’s varsity volleyball team was squaring up against Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) state championships. GDS was looking to take home their fifth straight DCSAA championship banner. In the end, they won in straight sets. The win marked the longest DCSAA championship streak ever for the volleyball program.
The state championship victory will bring home GDS’ 12th DCSAA banner, five of which have come from the women’s volleyball program. For four of the team’s players—seniors Zora Dimbo, Charlie Haft, Alexa Telly and Arielle Stopak—the game marked their final DCSAA championship game. (Stopak is a sports reporter for the Bit.)
Dimbo, Haft and Stopak—each of whom has been in the volleyball program for the past four years—have never lost a DCSAA title. Dimbo played on varsity her freshman year, while Haft and Stopak joined the varsity squad in their sophomore year.
All four seniors will continue their volleyball careers: Dimbo at Columbia University; Telly at American University; Haft at Amherst College; and Stopak at Skidmore College. These four seniors have left their mark on a program that has established itself as a dynasty.
Despite having defeated Georgetown Visitation twice before in the season—both times in straight sets—the Hoppers understood this game would be an entirely different level of competition.
“The toughest part of our preparation was trying to balance being confident versus being cocky,” head coach Brandon Wiest said. “We know we’ve had successes against Visitation, but at the same time we know their coaches and players very well; they are a very talented team.” GDS had not lost a set to Georgetown Visitation this season.
As both teams warmed up, the anticipation in the stadium continued to build. GDS’ student section was buzzing as the starters came on the court.
Haft served the first point and the team kept up the intensity; GDS’ persistent attacks at the net didn’t give Visitation much of a chance to score. However, after several rallies, Visitation tied the game at nine. Telly delivered a spike to put GDS back in the lead. Visitation picked up the intensity and briefly took a two-point lead, but eventually GDS took the first set, 25–20.
The second set started slower. Both teams were tied at one until Telly spiked the ball over the net, allowing GDS to take an early lead. Junior Jaylin Park dug the ball numerous times throughout the game, putting her body on the line by diving on the ground and keeping the ball in play.
Once again, Visitation called a timeout amid a four-point deficit. After the timeout, Visitation took back momentum and tied the set at 18. The Hoppers then called their own timeout to try to regain composure. They ended up winning the set 25–21.
All that stood between GDS and their fifth straight DCSAA championship was the third and final set. Visitation started out strong, though, and GDS quickly fell to a five-point deficit. A spike from the younger Telly put the team closer to taking home the banner. After a few long rallies, GDS was still behind, 8–10. But after a Visitation timeout, GDS started to take the lead, inching towards the trophy. The younger Telly served an ace for the final point, making the Georgetown Day Hoppers the 2026 DCSAA champions and bringing yet another banner back to Davenport Street.
Beyond the serves, blocks and points, the atmosphere inside UDC was a crucial part of the Hoppers’ victory. “I think having an audience helps me a lot because I see a lot of people counting on us, so it helps me push more,” Conley said.
The team will play Flint Hill School in the Independent School League championship game at home on Monday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. The team is looking for yet another championship banner to hang in the gym rafters.
DCSAA Semifinals vs. Jackson-Reed High School
With the third set tied 20–20, senior Alexa Telly looked prepared to make an aggressive, powerful hit, and the Jackson-Reed players braced themselves in response. Instead, Telly slowed her arm at the last second, and she softly tipped the ball over the net between two surprised Jackson-Reed players.
Telly made a light hit for a heavy moment, giving GDS a 21–20 lead in the third set amid a chorus of “Let’s go, Hoppers, let’s go!” chants.
“I didn’t want to go to a fourth set,” Telly said. “I try to be that player for my team.”
That team-player mentality showed up all throughout the GDS women’s volleyball team’s Thursday win against Jackson-Reed High School in the semifinals of the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) championship. The team won in straight sets—25–4, 25–17 and 25–20, respectively. The semifinal win left the Hoppers one game away from earning their fifth straight DCSAA championship.
Head coach Brandon Wiest said he wanted to give all his hitters—the elder Telly; her younger sister, sophomore Raquel Telly; and senior Zora Dimbo—the chance to be key players at different points in the game. “A big strategy is distributing the ball to all of our hitters, because they are all awesome,” Wiest said.
Apart from GDS’ tactical goal of getting the ball to their hitters, Wiest said Thursday’s game was part of the team’s broader emphasis on approaching the championship week with composure. “We talked about it all night, all week,” Wiest said. “A big theme for us is being poised.”
Three aces from senior Charlie Haft and several standout hits and defensive plays from the younger Telly helped GDS win the first set, 25–4. To score GDS’ twentieth point, the younger Telly smashed the ball diagonally into Jackson-Reed’s back-right corner. Even with the cheers of the crowd, the sound of Telly’s hand hitting the ball was still audible.
The second set opened with a competitive rally, but GDS sealed a 1–0 lead after a long hit from the elder Telly. GDS’ defensive hustle helped them extend several rallies: Sophomore Gigi Conley made a last-second diving save as GDS continued their rally and took a 14–6 lead. The next play, a powerful hit from Dimbo bounced off the net. Instead of letting the ball hit the ground on the GDS side, the elder Telly sprinted towards the ball and hit it over the net to give the Hoppers a 15–6 lead.
“Just going in with that mindset—‘You can’t let the ball drop’—really helped us,” junior Jaylin Park said.
Jackson-Reed then called a timeout, after which the Tigers began hitting behind GDS’ defense. Jackson-Reed’s well-placed hitting allowed them to close the gap to 18–12. That six-point deficit was the closest the set got; GDS took the second set with a 25–17 lead.
To start the third set, GDS raced to a 5–0 lead, unaffected by the Jackson-Reed fan section’s chants.
However, Jackson-Reed began to march back. After GDS missed a serve, the game was tied at 10. From there, Jackson-Reed took an 18–14 lead.
As the fan section grew increasingly intense, Park said focusing on the game was key. “We never let the other student section get into our play,” Park said.
The elder Telly took full advantage of Haft’s sets, scoring point after point to reclaim GDS’ lead. GDS’ relentless defense, highlighted by a one-handed diving save by Park, gave the team the third set, 25–20.
“It’s tough to overcome a situation like that, where everyone on the other side of the net is feeling great and playing their best game, and all their fans are going crazy,” Wiest said, “but we just stay calm, cool, collected and poised. That’s what I’m most excited to see, being able to handle that game and get the win.”
The Hoppers will face Flint Hill School on Monday, Nov. 9 at home at 5 p.m. in the ISL championship game, looking to take home their second championship banner of the season.