Class 5 and 6 States Preview

Many big schools have big dreams heading into the State Tournament. An abbreviated season, a global pandemic, playing a season 6 months later than usual, and having the season overlap with travel ball season made this run for the ring especially important. States signals the closure for the most unique season in the history of the Virginia State High School League. It’s not just about the sport, it’s about resuming normalcy. Class 5 will have a new champion<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/albemarle-crop-613x402-1618945821.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-139535 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/albemarle-crop-613x402-1618945821-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> as Frank Cox did not make the tournament this season. Atlee is right at home in the state tournament, being a regular attendee at the tournament with their last championship in 2013. Reigning Class 6 champion Kellam is back and looking for their 6th state championship. In the first Class 5 semifinal, Freedom High is playing host to perennial powerhouse Albemarle. The winner will host the winner of the Atlee/Hickory semifinal on April 23 or 24. For Freedom, they will need big evenings from their three reigning All Region honorees: Outside Hitters [player_tooltip player_id="111403" first="Haley" last="Adams"], Middle Hitter [player_tooltip player_id="111483" first="Halie" last="Murphy"] and Setter [player_tooltip player_id="111423" first="MiLinh" last="Nguyen"] lead the team into the state tournament after a 9-4 regular season, they have gotten hot at the right time. Albemarle is a balanced and formidable program behind a balanced and deep core of players. They have been dominant throughout the Jefferson District and Regionals. The offense is loaded including 6’1 Outside Hitter Maya Winterhoff who had a whopping 38 kills and 11 digs in the Regional Finals. As one of the top players in the state, she will be tough to handle. Setter Keira Roach is a top setter and is a standout player who runs a fast and dynamic offense. Francezca Camaya had 19 digs and Sophia Dawson had a double-double with 10 kills and 20 digs. <img class="size-medium wp-image-133392 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/IMG_2022-140x300.jpg" alt="" width="140" height="300" />Atlee is hosting Hickory in the second semifinal. Atlee is a perennial powerhouse behind a veteran crew of 8 seniors led by dominant Middle Hitter [player_tooltip player_id="111364" first="Kara" last="Hammock"], Setter Brianna Brown and Libero Rylie Harris. Sophomore Outside Hitters Morgan Crawford and Addison Chapman and Junior Audrey Ellenberger will also play key roles for the Raiders of Atlee. Hickory will feature another group of talented and deep seniors with Senior Pin Hitter [player_tooltip player_id="111373" first="Sydney" last="Love"] leading the way for the Lady Hawks. Middle Hitter Ryann Love, Sophomore Outside Rayne Manning, and Senior Libero Grace Williams will also be key players in what should be an exciting match. In Class 6, reigning champion Kellam will host Colonial Forge. Kellam is in search of back to back championships and their 6th overall. Kate Ayre, Jessica George Abby Spencer, and Sarah Thompson are the offensive keys for the reigning champs. VCU committed Libero Kaytie Gosiene will be manning the backcourt and serve reception that is so vital in staying in system. Setter Rhea Cammel will run the offense for the Knights. Colonial Forge punched their ticket to the state tournament with a win over Battlefield behind balanced and consistent play from Setter and Beach Division 1 commit [player_tooltip player_id="111381" first="Paityn" last="Walker"]. Walker eclipsed 3,000 career assists in her career. <img class="alignleft" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzDaoSfXMAEeypn?format=jpg&name=large" alt="Image" width="414" height="311" />Other players to watch include Senior Bayle Ostvig and Alexis Cummins. The team has 7 seniors who provide great leadership for the Regional Champions. TC Williams is led by Outside Hitter Milan Rex and Middle Hitter Jill Jones along with Outside Hitter Maura Munson and Kaitlin Peters. Sophomore Setter Chloe Wilmot runs a great offense and an offensive threat and Libero Lila Randall mans the backcourt. Langley is a perennial powerhouse under Coach Shifflet who has over 400 wins and two state championships since starting the program in 1999. Langley has won five region titles and two state crowns in program history (the last in 2017), has two state runner-up finishes and eight state-tourney appearances. [player_tooltip player_id="111447" first="Ijenna" last="Mere"] is a top college prospect who could be a huge impact player for the Saxsons. Other top players include Setter Katie Westerheim, Libero Ceren Mert and Attackers Amelia Kim, [player_tooltip player_id="111375" first="Nina" last="Kernan"], and [player_tooltip player_id="111455" first="Lauren" last="Sung"]. The winner will host the winner of Colonial Forge and Kellam on April 23 or 24.