A Look at 2021 State Champions
The Northern Virginia area had four high school State Champions in 2021. It takes a pretty good returning class to go back to back. Time to take a look at the State champs to determine what their chances are for…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Northern Virginia area had four high school State Champions in 2021. It takes a pretty good returning class to go back to back. Time to take a look at the State champs to determine what their chances are for repeating. One qualifying statement – tryouts have not even happened and rosters have not been updated to take into account transfers or promotions from junior varsity so a lot can change in September.
Flint Hill (VISAA Division I champs)
The Huskies won their fourth straight state championship in 2021. It would have been their eighth in a row if not for Bishop O’Connell defeating them in 2016. In 2021 the two played in the finals of the State Championship for the first time since that 2016 loss.
Flint Hill got their revenge with a 3-0 sweep. They ended the season as the Washington Post number one rated high school volleyball team in the DC metropolitan area, their second year in a row with that ranking since there was no real 2020 season for them.
Losses – Their biggest loss is frosh Macaria Spears Macaria Spears 6'3" | OH Prestonwood Christian | 2025 State #5 Nation TX , who was voted Virginia player of the year and first team All Met by the Washington Post. Their family has moved back to the Texas area. It will be tough to replace her dominate presence on the outside. They also lost another key outside hitter in Jacquelin Bardin and libero Rachel Larson, both to graduation.
Setting is complete with returning junior Natalie Nguyen Natalie Nguyen 5'5" | S Flint Hill | 2024 State VA and sophomore Isabelle Bardin Isabelle Bardin 6'3" | S Flint Hill | 2025 State #121 Nation VA , who is the younger sister of Jacquelin. Last year Natalie set a 5/1 but this year they may go with a 6/2. The 6’0″ Isabelle has shown she can set and also play the right side.
They also return their two towering twins, with 6’2″ Ryla Jones Ryla Jones 6'4" | MB Flint Hill | 2024 State #80 Nation VA filling one of the middles and 6’4″ Renee Jones Renee Jones 6'5" | RS Flint Hill | 2025 State #132 Nation FL filling a right side spot. Senior Sonja Meyer Sonja Meyer 5'10" | MB Flint Hill | 2023 State VA will fill one of the other middles.
They do have incoming freshman Evie Huang who will compete for the vacated libero role with junior Dilara Vural. Emily Kearney Emily Kearney 5'5" | DS/L Flint Hill | 2024 State VA could add some depth at setter, while Sarah Manson Sarah Manson 5'10" | MB Flint Hill | 2024 VA will be competing for one of the outside spots.
Odds of Repeating – Without Spears it will be less certain, but the talent is there to make it five in a row.
Loudoun County High School (VHSL Class 4 State Champs)
Loudoun County has won 14 state championships with a streak of 10 in a row. The Captains swept through the Class 4 bracket with 3-0 sweeps, struggling just a bit in the championship match, where they won 3-1, losing the second game to Grafton 27-25. The Washington Post had them rated ninth in their season ending poll.
Losses – They lost eight seniors from their 2021 rosters, including Dulles District player of the year setter Sarah Jordan. Also graduating are Dulles District first teamers outside Delaney Brosan and middle Bella Sierra.
Key Returners – They do have Dulles District second team libero Alayna Johnson returning plus a number of other defensive specialists coming back. LaRue Madison and Corinne Bonamassa Corinne Bonamassa 5'10" | OH Loudoun County | 2023 State VA will be key to add some firepower on the outside. Junior Katie Schrinel appears to be next in line to take over the setting role. Sydney Howard is their lone middle returning. They will need to get some production from their junior varsity or hope for some talented incoming frosh arriving from the club scene.
Odds of Repeating – A lot of veteran depth has been lost so an eleventh consecutive championship will be tough.
Charles J Colgan (VHSL Class 6 State Champs)
Colgan does not have a long history. The school opened in 2016. It did not take them long to win their first volleyball championship. After just five years they now have a pennant to hang above the gym. The Washington post ranked them fourth in their end of season poll.
The sharks swept Franklin Count and Freedom (South Riding) in the Class 6 championship bracket, spiking their way to the championship match against Herndon. Herndon had just beaten the previous state champions Alexandria City in five. After winning the first two sets Colgan lost the third game 25-21 but won the fourth 25-21 to capture their first state championship.
Losses – Other than first team All-Cardinal District outside Alana Connor and right side Megan Haldeman this team remains intact.
Key Returners – The key returnee is Cardinal District player of the year 6’5″ middle Brielle Kemavor Brielle Kemavor 6'5" | MB Charles J. Colgan | 2023 State #148 Nation VA . She is ranked number three in our class of 2023 Virginia rankings and the top middle blocker in the area. Their setter Alexis Scipione is also returning to run the offense. Those are two big weapons. Getting some growth from sophomore Skylar Johnson from the outside would also help.
Odds of Repeating – Brielle is a difference maker with her big blocks. If she stays healthy Colgan has a good chance of repeating.
Stonebridge High School (Class 5 State Champs)
Stonebridge swept to the States with three straight sweeps. It is their second State championship. They even beat Class 4 State champs Loudoun County in five early in the 2021 season. The Washington Post ranked the Bulldogs sixth in their end of season poll.
Key Losses – This is a young team. They lost only two seniors in outside Sophia Denayer and Annabelle Xie.
Key Returners – Junior Lilah Stevens Lilah Stevens 5'9" | OH Stone Bridge | 2024 State VA plays right side for the powerful Metro 16 team but hits left side for Stonebridge. She won the Potomac District Player of the year. Joining her on the Potomac first team is senior setter Trisha Guevara Trisha Guevara 5'3" | S Stone Bridge | 2023 State VA . Trisha may be one of the best defensive players in the area at the setter position. Senior Libero Caitlin O’Brien Caitlin O’Brien 5'6" | DS/L Stone Bridge | 2023 State VA brings the team consistent passing and great defense.
Odds of Repeating – Very strong. The combination of outside Stevens and setter Guevara should win them the close games.