Region 4 Volleyball Reviews and Previews

<img class="size-medium wp-image-127796 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/IMG_0911-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" />The VHSL Regional Playoffs kicked off Monday for teams in the commonwealth. Dozens of team continue on their quest to capture the ever elusive state title. Some are consistent contenders and champions, many are upstarts trying to break through into the realm of the perennial elite programs. This year’s regional and state tournaments are different with only the regional champion advancing to the state championship round. This time of the year is one and done and with teams having the additional hurdle of Covid and quarantines, it’s a crazy year to battle through to make it to the state championship, but it’s been quite a ride for many teams. <img class="alignright" src="https://cdn2.sportngin.com/attachments/roster_player_info/753d-151929598/CHRVC_medium.JPG" alt="Chrvc medium" width="157" height="210" />Class 4A: The Class 4A region is comprised of teams in the eastern part of the state. Grafton has been a powerhouse this season and takes the top seed. They have fought their way to the way to the final by sweeping Churchland in the quarterfinals and Great Bridge in the semifinals to set up a matchup for a bid to states against 3rd seeded Warhill. Warhill swept Wilson in the quarterfinals and Heritage in the semifinals and will travel to Grafton for the finals Thursday at 6:30pm. Warhill is a supremely talented team with a great mix of ball control, size and skills. Senior Libero [player_tooltip player_id="111417" first="Sydney" last="Rich"] handles the backcourt and defense and is extending her career at the Maine Maritime Academy upon graduation. The offense is led by a dominant trio led by Junior [player_tooltip player_id="111445" first="Dylan" last="Norris"] who is a setter and attacker for the team. Norris leads the team with 238 kills, which leads the VHSL for the Spri<img class="size-medium wp-image-137055 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/IMG_0866-108x300.jpg" alt="" width="108" height="300" />ng season. The powerful lefty is a high caliber college talent and is already committed to Delaware for her college playing career. Junior Outside Hitter Jillian Perticone is another cog in the impressive attack of the squad and second on the team in kills with 111 kills. Sophomore Middle Hitter Destinee Davenport is an impressive athlete with a dominance at the net at 6’1 with a great vertical and quick armswing. They will be challenged by a dominant Grafton squad who has already beaten Warhill twice this season and is undefeated at 13-0 entering the contest. The offense is led by Seniors Outside Hitter Lily Scheeren and Middle Hitter Shachia Lamb and Freshman Outside Hitter Alexis Keeter. Scheeren is a powerful outside and solid 6 rotation player with great ball control and defense. Lamb is an underrated middle hitter at 5’10 but is extremely dynamic and explosive and attacks well in transition and serve receive. Currently unsigned, she could be a project for a Division 1 team and solid contributor for most any other level. Keeter is one of the top freshmen in the state with exceptional savvy, ball control, a high volleyball IQ, and infectious passion for the game. The offense is run by Sophomore Alondra Miranda Pagan and defense is solidified by Junior Libero Deana Pigue. Grafton will host Warhill April 15 at 6:30pm. <img class="size-medium wp-image-112418 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/10/becka-nguyen-serving-201x300.jpg" alt="" width="201" height="300" />4B: The region includes the central region teams including semifinalists Powhatan who hosted Courtland. Monacan travels to Chancellor for the other semifinal matchup. Powhatan bested Courtland in straight sets (25-23, 25-20, 25-23), a great rebound from last season’s regionals loss at the hands of Courtland and into Thursday’s Class 4, Region B final. Led by a solid and balanced performance by the Indians including Setter Sydney Wade’s 22 assists, and Junior Faith Henderson led the team with 7 kills and adding 2 blocks and 1 ace. Junior Libero Allie Dulio led the team with 9 digs. Senior Natalie Mueller and Junior Kendal McMullin chipped in 8 digs a piece. Monacan upset Chancellor in a dominant sweep with dominating performances by Abbey Clayton who led the team with 12 kills, 4 aces, 2 blocks, 10 digs; Annabelle Frazier added 11 kills, 5 blocks, 7 digs; Setter Isabella Kvetensky 4 digs, 2 aces, 23 assists; Libero Jordan Gorman added 17 digs and an ace. Chancellor was led by Rachel Marcelo’s 11 digs, 8 assists and Hunter Wright who added 3 aces and 14 digs. Powhatan will play Monacan for the Class 4, Region B championship and a state tournament berth on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Monacan High School. <img class="size-medium wp-image-126923 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/IMG_1511-300x195.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="195" />4C: The 4C regional final is a rematch of the Dulles District finals featuring rivals Loudoun Valley taking on Loudoun County. County has had the upper hand this season in sweeping both match-ups. Valley is not the only team that has struggled with the Captains. Loudoun County has won 8 consecutive state titles and 12 of the last 13 championships. They have won states in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007. Loudoun Valley has also won state championships 2009, 2004, 2002, and 2001. Loudoun County key contributors include: Libero Alayna Johnson, Setter [player_tooltip player_id="111462" first="Sarah" last="Jordan"] and Middle Hitter Ella Solomon. Loudoun County took care of Northwestern District runner up Handley in a region semifinal on April 13. Loudoun Valley traveled to Northwestern District champion Fauquier for a region semifinal on the same night and ended the season for the Falcons with a 3-1 win. Valley is a team with outstanding defense and heart. They are a balanced team with many key players including sisters Senior Outside Hitter [player_tooltip player_id="111377" first="Faith" last="Nguyen"] (Kills- 132, Blocks-8, Digs-132, Aces-11) and Junior Setter Becka Nguyen (234 assists, 96 digs), Libero [player_tooltip player_id="111378" first="Kate" last="Hutton"]((Digs- 231, Assists-29, Aces-16), Junior Setter Riley Heffron (Assists- 152, Digs- 43), Middle Hitter [player_tooltip player_id="111382" first="Kayla" last="Bolen"] (Kills-103, Blocks-33, Digs-26, Aces-16), Middle Hitter Lara Moore (62 kills, 33 blocks), Outside Hitter Violet Wood (63 kills, 35 digs), and Opposite Maile Cassidy (66 kills and 9 blocks). The rematch for the key to states will take place April 15 at 630pm at a site yet announced. [caption id="attachment_137941" align="alignright" width="161"]<img class=" wp-image-137941" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/loudoun-middle-attack-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="161" height="243" /> Photo: Svemir Brkic <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Frimevs%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR13YIBcWSzkcFNGTebUVAGZqq60SUC6UKMnVR_ZuaiPuJUbeqIAlaBIv_E&h=AT2CpZxWVDZ3g2OcnDrGZHtanZh0MOk3FLptgwAbDqdJRuVlZ34nB2g47SJko4cZjVTF8dkb9_sGtI6k06cDqGFI6Fq4UMq0Aj6XDldFCDflF1horvM-52tSmVKj4CMoGc4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Svemir Bkric photography instagram</a>[/caption] 4D Region is headed by an undefeated team from Blacksburg High. They have dominated southwestern Virginia and won their semifinal matchup over Pulaski in a sweep. They will host E. C. Glass who got past 3rd seeded Jefferson Forest 3 sets to 1 in the other semifinal for the bid to states. Blacksburg is a team loaded with seniors and is very talented. Seniors Emma Baldwin, Elaina Ealy, Claire Jenkins, [player_tooltip player_id="111353" first="Amanda" last="Lowe"], Micah Mitchell, [player_tooltip player_id="111418" first="Ashley" last="Rutherford"], Julianne Snyder, and Claire Stanaland are all hoping to close their careers with a championship ring to close out a great prep career. They Hilltoppers of E. C. Glass (Lynchburg) have a balanced offensive attack with 5 players with over 228 attack attempts on the season led by Virginia Blair Trost who leads the team with 120 kills in 345 swings. Senior Hannah Raso is second with 98 kills in 319 attempts on the season. Five players also have over 108 or more digs defensively and Setters Erin Johnson and Devan Funke are exceptional two way players with all around games. Blacksburg will host the Regional Final will be April 15 at 6pm