But this wasn't the first time Chao, a junior and No. 1 singles player, has tried to use nature to his advantage. Chao prefers to find opportunities to make his opponents uncomfortable rather than go on extended rallies that rely on consistency and conditioning. Often that means considering weather and coat details.
“You can adjust your shot so that the wind pushes the ball deeper, making it more difficult for your opponent to catch it,” she said. “Or if the sun is in my opponent's eyes, I just raise the ball and hit it high. And they have to see the sun, and they usually miss.”
Chao's strategy of finding every advantage paid off against Sherwood, and she won the match, with the Falcons winning 6-1. As a Class 2A team in Montgomery County, Poolesville typically competes against larger schools such as 4A teams Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Blake and Walter Johnson. Zhao said the tough competition will set the team in shape for defending the 2A title.
“Playing against these bigger schools opened our eyes as a team and said, 'Oh, there are bigger fish out there…and we still have a good record against them.' ,” Zhao said.
Madison was undefeated through the first 10 games of 2023, but its first loss in 2024 came long before that.
After a season-opening win over Robinson, the Warhawks lost to Marshall 3-1. The early loss brought about a much-needed turning point. Entering Monday, the Warhawks hadn't lost since then, riding a five-game winning streak against solid opponents.
“We realized losing to Marshall was something we didn't want. It also helped us look back and think about what we could have done differently.” said first-year coach Jim Mensah, who previously led the junior varsity team. “We've gotten better and better since that game. I think we feel like we're ready for whatever opponent comes our way.”
The Warhawks are led by captains Keira McCloskey, Erin Lockard and Kayla Hartogs. Freshman forward Daphne van der Weide scored both goals in Madison's 2-1 win over undefeated Washington Liberty on Friday.
Van der Weide's late winner was the embodiment of the Warhawks' new offensive philosophy.
“We're trying to win every game. … A draw is never very good, especially in intraregional play. It doesn't help us learn anything. We’re just trying to take advantage of it and figure out what works best for us,” Mensah said. “We sat in the back and [gotten a draw]But that's not part of the new DNA we're building. ”
Nearly two years after being fired from Severna Park, where she won two state titles in seven seasons, Caitlin Fuller is still coaching and winning. Fuller, currently at Chesapeake, led the Cougars to a 6-1 start in his second season.
“I probably never would have left Severna Park,” she said. “To be fired and forced to look elsewhere…I needed to do that in order to go to Chesapeake and be with the girls who really wanted me. I want to be there with you.”
Fuller's first season went well, with Chesapeake winning 11 games and reaching the regional finals, where they lost to his former team. Fuller spent most of his year laying the foundation for a new program, training fundamental skills and focusing on team play. This year, the Cougars continued to grow.
They only have five active seniors, and one player is out for the season with two torn ligaments in his knee. Midfielder Kelsey Payne is leading the charge. She had 17 goals, 32 draw controls and 15 ground balls, all team highs. Payne scored the game-winning goal in an 11-10 overtime win against Annapolis on April 5.
“Those girls were just jumping up and down on each other. … It's very exciting, very nerve-wracking, but I don't like it,” Fuller said of the win. “I wish it wasn’t that close, but it was fun for us to get it that way.”
Lightridge coach Jimmy Thomas knew his team would be vastly improved from last year's group, which won just six games. The Lightning have a large roster of freshmen and sophomores who have excelled at the middle school level and have the potential to make an immediate impact.
After 10 games, the young Lightning have exceeded Thomas' expectations. Lightridge opened Monday 10-0, giving up just seven runs.
“I couldn’t be happier with where we are and how we started,” Thomas said.
Freshman Peyton Robinson excelled inside the circle, going 8-0 with a 0.67 ERA, 64 strikeouts and just six walks. Along with senior Riley Huang, a Rutgers signee, Robinson helped the program reach new heights.
Thomas knows his team still has a long way to go to be a Class 5 contender in Virginia. The Lightning must prove themselves against regional opponents Briar Woods and Riverside. Both have a wealth of experience and championship aspirations.
“The next few weeks will reveal what kind of team we are,” Thomas said.
Bethesda Chevy Chase girls often hear coach Brian Comey giving them instructions when they practice on the Potomac River. “Don't cut the corners of your stroke!'' he often says. This is to remind rowers to keep their oar blades submerged to avoid water splashing into the air and slowing down the boat.
Comey's advice is professional, but it's also the team's motto. B-CC has set a goal of breaking team records and placing high in May's regatta, and the Barons are making sure to stay on top of their preparations.
Comey said, “From August until now, I've been working almost full time.''
The first few weeks of the season have been frustrating for most teams. Bad weather kept his B-CC out of the water, canceled several regattas, and forced Barons to follow his unusual training routine. Still, senior Eliza Boniface said the team is focused on giving it their all in every indoor workout.
“Rowing is a truly unique sport,” she said. “It's hard to do unless you really want to, especially when you have days where you can't row because of the weather. But everyone wants it and I We want to work hard to get you the results you want.”
