Frederick volleyball matches last season’s win total with sweep of Catoctin
The Cadets improved to 2-0 with a straight-set win over Catoctin as senior Ava Morales delivered nine aces and junior Kaniyah Ball added nine kills.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Frederick swept Catoctin 3-0. Set scores were 25-23, 25-12 and 25-18. The Cadets improved to 2-0. Frederick has already matched its win total from last season. Ava Morales recorded nine aces. Kaniyah Ball finished with nine kills. Kendall Ortiz had 24 assists. Frederick has six seniors this season after having only one last year.
Frederick High’s volleyball team has already matched its win total from all of last season.
The Cadets swept visiting Catoctin 25-23, 25-12, 25-18 on Tuesday, improving to 2-0 after opening the season with a win over Middletown.
Senior Ava Morales played a major role in the victory, recording nine aces, including one on match point.
Morales missed the opener with an ankle injury and did not play volleyball during the offseason, understandable for an athlete whose primary sport is track and field. But the 6-foot senior middle hitter made an immediate impact in her first match back.
Her size, jumping ability and newly developed topspin serve gave Frederick another weapon in a lineup that looks much deeper than a year ago.
Junior Kaniyah Ball, one of the area’s top returning players, finished with nine kills, while senior setter Kendall Ortiz recorded 24 assists and continued to serve as the engine of the offense.
Morales and Ortiz have played together since their freshman year, and that chemistry showed throughout the match.
Senior Laila Green also contributed from the right side after moving from middle hitter, giving Frederick another experienced attacking option.
The biggest difference from last year may be the amount of returning experience.
Frederick had only one senior last season. This year, the Cadets have six, many of whom have played together throughout high school.
That familiarity appears to be translating into stronger communication, trust and consistency on the court.
Morales also brings value at the net as a blocker, and coach Courtney Hutchinson said the senior may already own — or be close to — the program record for blocks.
After a difficult 2025, the Cadets have opened this season with two straight wins and are showing early signs that this group could be much more competitive.
WHAT IT MEANS
Frederick’s early improvement looks tied to both experience and depth.
The Cadets now have multiple veteran hitters, an established setter and better chemistry across the lineup. If that continues, this season could look very different from 2025.
Morales’ return also gives Frederick another major weapon at the service line and net.
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