Metro RVA Volleyball Season Update for 5A teams

<p>It’s been a crazy year for central Virginia as many students have remained as virtual students even as the sports seasons have continued. This unusual aspect of the year has not slowed down many of the area’s top teams and players. Several teams are continuing to build on great 2019 seasons. Here are some of the teams and players making 2021 their year. The Class 5A is loaded with talented players and teams and should be an exciting playoffs to watch. Central Virginia also had a very unique reward for a local senior on senior night. This season is especially unique in that only the regional champion makes the state tournament when in past seasons, both finalists made states. </p> <p><img class="size-medium wp-image-126914 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/IMG_1193-300x225.png" alt="" width="300" height="225" />Mills Godwin continues their dominance from undefeated 2019 regular season and extending the streak to 9-0 so far this season. Coach Wakefield lost some key players from last year’s squad but newcomers and some studs who returned are continuing the winning ways of the Eagles program. Outside Hitter and AVCA Phenom nominee [player_tooltip player_id="111443" first="Kaitlyn" last="McNeel"] is one of the key offensive players for the Eagles in her junior season. She is carrying the load for the team offensively and looking to help Godwin to the state tournament this season after falling to Atlee in last year’s Regional Finals. Senior Meredith Grott has played almost everywhere for the Eagles in her career and is contributing as an Outside this season. Newcomer Freshman Second Setter Sydney Newcomb has made a splash with big contributions on serving and defensively. </p> <p>The Atlee Raiders are currently (11-0) and are the reigning 5A Regional Champions. They are loaded with senior talents with 8 seniors this season. Three key seniors are going to have a huge impact for the Raiders going into the playoffs. Middle Hitter [player_tooltip player_id="111364" first="Kara" last="Hammock"] is one of the top Middles in the state, is a softball commit to UNC Wilmington. Senior Setter Brianna Brown and Libero Rylie Harris are keys to defense and quarterbacking the offense. Rylie is a former AVCA Phenom Prospect. </p> <p>Prince George (9-1), has had one of their best seasons in 2021 with Setter Erin Beaver and Attacker Jaylin Slaughter key elements of the team’s strong start. Sydney Turcotte is a player to watch for Prince George. The sophomore has a dominant arm swing and power and is greatly improving in fundamentals. Senior Andi Davis provides great leadership and steady play offensively and on defense. Kassidy Reed is making a comeback from a knee injury and is a college level talent. </p> <p>Midlothian (9-0) is the lone blemish on Prince George’s season and is a team that has dominated the teams in Chesterfield County this season. Midlothian is loaded with senior talent and leadership and skilled players. Diana Wesolosky, Gabrielle Leeper, Hannah Ball are key components for the team. Pin Hitter Diana Wesolosky is the main force on offense and is committed to Kentucky Wesleyan University next season. Diana is a solid 6 rotation player who can terminate from anywhere on the court.  </p> [caption id="attachment_138425" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-138425" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/mitchell-schuler-300x275.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="275" /> Photo: Kim Aldous, Kim Aldous[/caption] <p>On the boy’s side, Manchester Volleyball honored one of their seniors in a way that is extremely unique. Senior Outside Hitter Mitchell Schuler  has his number 25 retired during his senior night festivities. Mitchell is the first volleyball number retired for the Lancers. He holds 8 school records for the school: aces (17) and kills (30) in a match; aces (73) and kills (220) in a season; and service points earned (488), aces (202), kills (611) and digs (304) in his career. He is the offensive leader for the Lancers who are 6-6 headed into the play-offs. Schuler is a highly thought of prospect and wants to study engineering. He has yet to commit to a college but may be exploring other options. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>