Last weekend, the 13U N.C. Elite Volleyball Tournament held in Raleigh featured some familiar faces, local groups from Cary, Fuquay-Varina and even Pitt County. Areas like these have been the home of travel volleyball for years, but this time around, there were some new kids on the block.

For the first time ever, Washington was represented in one of the area’s premier, USA Volleyball-sanctioned events. And for the tournament newcomers competing in their first competitive showcase, the result couldn’t have been better.

“We worked our way through the entire day, played a bunch of teams and didn’t lose a game until the championship match. Then, we went three games and won the championship match,” said Jim Chrisman, the team’s organizer. “For us, for an infant program to come up and win that tournament is impressive.”

The Washington Hurricanes took first place in what was a “chase-and-replace” style tournament, where teams earned rankings by defeating opponents and taking their ranking. The new team is made up of 11, 12 and 13 year olds from Washington, six of whom play for P.S. Jones. Chrisman said the idea to create the area’s first travel team came from the model already in existence in Pitt County.

“I was surprised Washington has never had a local recreational or travel volleyball program,” Chrisman said. “Of course, the middle school and high school both have teams, but there really hasn’t been a core to develop that skill level to carry up to middle school and high school teams. We went ahead and organized the program with the help of the parents. It took off from there.”

Discussion began in October and the team began practicing in December. The Hurricanes are coached by Stacy Fuldner, an experienced player who earned a scholarship to play collegiate volleyball after high school.

After a few weeks of practice, the team began working with programs in Pitt and Marin counties to put together various exhibitions and scrimmages. There, the girls played against squads with varying skill levels and began to build chemistry.

“With the coach we have and the amount of time they’ve practiced, their skill has definitively improved. We’re feeling real confident about our chances at future tournaments,” Chrisman said.

The team, which plays its home games at Athletic Edge and the Roanoke Christian Camp, has also drawn support from the coaching staffs at P.S. Jones Middle School and Washington High School. The hope is that the Hurricanes can become a developmental feeder program for both.

“We’re looking to ultimately increase their skill level in the sport of volleyball,” Chrisman said. “We have some very athletic girls on this team and there may be a collegiate fit for them ahead. For now, they’re all going to try out for the school team next year and hopefully play on through high school and promote the sport in town.”

Chrisman and the team’s manger, Dana Spencer, hope that the early success of the Hurricanes will attract more players, as well as convince other age groups to form teams. They also hope to bring the first travel volleyball invitational tournament to Washington down the road.