Volleyball Game Preview: The Vanguard School Coursers vs. Ellicott Thunderhawks + How To Watch

The Vanguard School is 8-2 against Ellicott since September of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Coursers will head out to take on the Thunderhawks at 5:30 p.m. The Vanguard School is coming into the contest hot, having won their last six games.

On Tuesday, The Vanguard School made easy work of Atlas Preparatory School and carried off a 3-0 victory.

The Vanguard School's got stronger as the match went on, holding Atlas Preparatory School to fewer and fewer points set over set. The match finished with set scores of 25-12, 25-9, 25-6.

Meining Zhang

Attacks Kills

10/28/25 vs Atlas Preparatory School	9
10/23/25 @ St. Mary's	12
10/21/25 vs Florence	9
10/20/25 vs DSST: Conservatory Green	16
10/16/25 @ Colorado Springs Christian	17
+ 20 more games

The Vanguard School relied on the efforts of Ainsley Anderson, who had nine assists and three aces, and Meining Zhang, who hit 61.5% for nine kills and five digs and four aces. Zhang is on a roll when it comes to kills, as she's now had five or more in each of the last 25 games she's played dating back to last season. Ava Davis also deserves some recognition as she posted her first assists of the season.

They weren't the only good servers: The Vanguard School was lethal from the service line and finished the match with 22 aces. That's the most aces they've posted since back in November of 2024.

Meanwhile, Ellicott came up short against St. Mary's on Tuesday, falling 3-0. The Thunderhawks haven't had much luck with the Pirates recently, as the team has come up short the last eight times they've met.

Once all was said and done, the final score wound up at 25-14, 25-7, 25-11.

Ellicott's defeat dropped their record down to 1-17. As for The Vanguard School, their win bumped their record up to 17-5.

The Vanguard School took their victory against Ellicott in their previous meeting back in November of 2024 by a conclusive 3-0 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Coursers since the team won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.