Rising James Wood High School senior Anna Hester (left) recently helped her Virginia Development Academy girls’ 2008 soccer team based in Woodbridge advance to the Elite Clubs National League semifinals. Approximately 130 clubs across the country compete in the league, and only eight advanced to the national tournament that was held Friday through Monday at the West Creek Complex in Henrico. In the quarterfinals on Friday, VDA defeated the Michigan Hawks 5-4 in penalty kicks after tying 3-3 in regulation. In the semifinals on Saturday, VDA lost to Real Colorado National 2-0. Colorado won Monday’s championship 2-1 over Sting Black of Texas. Hester — who has played for VDA for two and a half years — is a starting defensive midfielder on the team who verbally committed to play for NCAA Division I George Mason University on a scholarship last December.
National Success for Hester
July 25, 2025