The Final Top Ten Rankings for the 2022 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My first top ten ranking of the 2022 high school season had the top four teams as Flint Hill, Langley, Bishop O'Connell and Colgan. James Wood, the 4A champions was number 10. Alexandria City could only get a mention on the others to be considered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This gang of four remained atop the top ten throughout the season, with Flint Hill always on top and the others jostling for the two to four spots. Alexandria City now has nestled a spot into the gang of four, with James Wood rising to number six to make it a super six. Below is my final top ten rankings for the Northern Virginia high schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Flint Hill </strong>(36-0) - They only lost one set this year, their final match in the State championship to Norfolk Academy. They swept Colgan during the regular season and finished as the 20th ranked team in the country according to USA today. It could be more of the same next year. The two key starters graduating are middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209181' first='Sonja' last='Meyer']</strong> and outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238859' first='Sydney' last='Bryant']</strong>. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='180299' first='Sarah' last='Manson'] could replace Sonja in the middle and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='465301' first='Audrey' last='Sealock'] could replace Sydney on the outside. Key returners are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180295' first='Ryla' last='Jones']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181232' first='Renee' last='Jones']</strong>, who fill the right side and middle roles, setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180283' first='Natalie' last='Nguyen']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong>, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233010' first='Mickhaila' last='Murray']</strong> and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'].</strong> After 2023 they will lose the Jones twins, Murray and Nguyen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alexandria City </strong>(36-2) - Their only two losses were to Robinson when the team was still green and trying to find themselves. They won 14 straight matches after their second loss to Robinson, including two wins over Robinson. Next year will be key as they lose <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181179' first='Chloe' last='Wilmot']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181178' first='Milan' last='Rex']</strong>, the only two players left from their first championship season of 2020. They will also be without a key middle in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231672' first='Annalie' last='McCarthy']</strong>. Key returners for them next year will be outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233012' first='Bridie' last='Wendling']</strong>, middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250614' first='Harper' last='Travis']</strong> and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235292' first='Zana' last='Royster']</strong>. They did add frosh <strong>Alicia Randall</strong> to the varsity squad during their playoff drive and she is listed as a setter, a position they currently do not have on their varsity roster after the departures of Wilmot and Rex. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop O'Connell </strong>(29-2) - Last year they were the only team to beat Flint Hill, losing to them three times as well. They were not on their schedule this year, the hope being they would face them in the finals for the State championship. Norfolk Academy put a kibosh to that plan. They should be strong next year. Their only departing senior is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181098' first='Grace' last='Maria'].</strong> They have three key players returning in middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180296' first='Madison' last='Bowser'], [player_tooltip player_id='238341' first='Teodora' last='Stamenkovic'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180281' first='Erin' last='Debiec']</strong> as well as a trio of back row players in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212889' first='Hannah' last='Kotb']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='183410' first='Cara' last='Nearpass'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212888' first='Maia' last='Cerezo'].</strong> Outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235778' first='Payton' last='Vieselmeyer']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235779' first='Grace' last='Faughnan']</strong> as well as setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226029' first='Emily' last='Reyburn'] </strong>also hope to enhance their game to make a greater contribution in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colgan </strong>(31-3) - The defending champs fell just two points short of making it back to back. Three key players they will need to replace are middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181185' first='Brielle' last='Kemavor']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231670' first='Grace' last='Smith']</strong> and setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231633' first='Alexis' last='Scipione']</strong>. Also departing will be defensive specialist <strong>Mil'lani Marte</strong> and outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224016' first='Kezia' last='Francis']</strong>. They do have some first teamers returning in outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209790' first='Aubrey' last='Hatch']</strong> and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207594' first='Paula' last='Sigurani']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223582' first='Skylar' last='Johnson']</strong> and frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238593' first='Tehillah' last='Garrison'] </strong>hope to play more important roles. The setting role could be turned over to juniors<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='469179' first='Maddison' last='Bowman']</strong> or <strong>Skylar Medina.</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Langley </strong>(23-3) - They were a young team that looked like they were peaking at the right time. Losses to Chantilly and eventual champion Alexandria City crashed their championship hopes. They lose their libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231676' first='Erica' last='Maebius']</strong> and outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181110' first='Sophia' last='Galova']</strong>, their two captains. The players they bring back should give them another championship run. Setters [player_tooltip player_id='180284' first='Chloe' last='Hokenson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] return as well as middle/outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181307' first='Leni' last='Stanton-Parker'],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180292' first='Riley' last='Buddie'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='476364' first='Amber' last='Smith']</strong> could be the favorite to take over the libero role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Wood </strong>(26-1) - The Colonels won their first State Championship after appearing in seven final fours, the last being in 2016. With their returning players they could win the next three State Championships. Their two big losses will be libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239320' first='Carsyn' last='Vincent']</strong> and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233483' first='Ella' last='Kelchner']</strong>. Their two superstar frosh [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] will be returning. Brenna did well hitting outside, but her natural position is libero, a position she may return to after the Vincent graduation. Their two setter combos <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180282' first='Paige' last='Ahakuelo'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180286' first='Hannah' last='McCullough']</strong> will be back for one more season. So will key contributors middle<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='239321' first='Lexi' last='Taylor']</strong> and outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242037' first='Ashlynn' last='Spence']</strong>, who could move over to play the other middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Battlefield</strong> (17-4) - I thought they had the potential to get to the State finals, but they were upset by Forest Park in the Regionals, losing the fifth game 16-14. This will be a very strong roster for next year. The two seniors they lost were <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209169' first='Emily' last='Dunn']</strong> and <strong>Sofia Miller</strong> but they return most of their key contributors from this year. That includes setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235279' first='Melorra' last='Arthur']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235278' first='Aava' last='Shingler']</strong>, outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181311' first='Skyler' last='Tennant']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235275' first='Grace' last='Bianchi']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235276' first='Taelin' last='Connolley']</strong>, middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='182776' first='Brianna' last='Clay']</strong> and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233450' first='Jaelle' last='Savannah Hinkle']</strong>. The only sophomore among this group is Skyler, the rest are juniors. The 2023 high school season could be a big one for the Bobcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riverside </strong>(16-6) - They lost to eventual Class 5 State champs Midlothian in the first round of the State brackets. They were the only Northern Virginia team to make it to the States in Class 5. Their big losses are their two setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='200199' first='Ava' last='Ray']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238096' first='Sage' last='Duggal']</strong>. If they can find one or two new setters there is plenty of offense on this team, including player of the year middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='225187' first='Simone' last='Schaefer']</strong> and outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181309' first='Brianna' last='Holladay']</strong>, both sophomores. Libero<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='181240' first='Natalie' last='Carlin']</strong>, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235282' first='Adriana' last='Perodin']</strong> and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238099' first='Samantha' last='Ferguson']</strong> are the three juniors that will be returning. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dominion </strong>(19-8) - This is a team that seemed to find a groove near the end of the season. They finally lost to James Wood in the semifinals of class four. The big loss for this team would be their libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111508' first='Haley' last='Gill']</strong>, who was number two in Virginia in digs. Also graduating will be outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181209' first='Kennedy' last='Seekford']</strong> and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240022' first='Maya' last='Van Wyngaardt']</strong>. They could have a loaded lineup with sophomore setters<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='240029' first='Juliet' last='Correll'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240028' first='Emma' last='Adiaconitei']</strong> returning, as well as middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240025' first='Abigail' last='Vasak']</strong> and outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240027' first='Kaitlyn' last='Demitz']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chantilly </strong>(14-7) - Any team that has <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu'] </strong>on their roster can beat anyone. The Chargers got to the semi-finals, only to lose to Alexandria City in four. They upset Langley to earn a spot in the State championship game. Before losing to the Titans they had accomplished a six game winning streak. They will lose setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240906' first='Jaylin' last='Price']</strong> plus outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240905' first='Samantha' last='Hollobow']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240907' first='Aspen' last='Nardelli'].</strong> Critical back row players <strong>Emily Cortez</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238097' first='Angelina' last='Barrera']</strong> will also depart. Returning are Mambu, libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181284' first='Nola' last='Murphy']</strong>, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='469183' first='Frida' last='Sagastume']</strong> and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240904' first='Avery' last='Mercadante']</strong>. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240899' first='Sarah' last='Kim']</strong> and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='664141' first='Hala' last='Younes']</strong> could share the setting duties next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Washington Catholic Athletic Conference First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180288' first='Emerson' last='Sellman']</strong> OH (Holy Cross/JR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181098' first='Grace' last='Maria']</strong> OH (O'Connell/SR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244167' first='Alina' last='D'Andrade']</strong> S (Elizabeth Seton/SR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235747' first='Natalia' last='PeBenito'] </strong>DS/L (Good Counsel/JR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180281' first='Erin' last='Debiec'] </strong>S (O'Connell), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244158' first='Emily' last='Farrell']</strong> OH (Ryken/SR),<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='181183' first='Pam' last='McCune']</strong> MB (St. Johns/SR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180294' first='Kiylah' last='Presley'] </strong>MB (McNamera/JR)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180288' first='Emerson' last='Sellman'] </strong>won player of the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I<strong>ndependent School League First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AA Division</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181763' first='Jada' last='Aksu'] </strong>RS (Georgetown Day/SO), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238859' first='Sydney' last='Bryant']</strong> OH (Flint Hill/SR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181186' first='Nala' last='Cornegy']</strong> MB (Episcopal/SR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181207' first='Laiya' last='Ebo']</strong> OH (Holton Arms/SR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181300' first='Alexis' last='Ewing'] </strong>OH (Bullis/SO), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239270' first='EllaMae' last='Fitzgerald'] </strong>OH (Episcopal/SR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180295' first='Ryla' last='Jones'] </strong>MB (Flint Hill/JR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181232' first='Renee' last='Jones'] </strong>RS (Flint Hill/JR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181235' first='Sydney' last='Mayfield']</strong> OH (Bullis/FR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233010' first='Mickhaila' last='Murray'] </strong>OH (Flint Hill/JR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235289' first='Adalene' last='Rodgers']</strong> S (Potomac/SO),<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='180285' first='Clara' last='Yu'] </strong>S (Georgetown Day/JR)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Division</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carey Brown</strong> L (Holy Child/SR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209172' first='Isabela' last='Fowlkes']</strong> OH (Maret/SR), <strong>Isabel Gurney</strong> L/OH (Sidwell Friends/SR), <strong>Julia Monlux </strong>MB (Georgetown Visitation/JR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181306' first='Norah' last='Oppenheim']</strong> OH (St. Andrews/SO), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250613' first='Olivia' last='Shank']</strong> L (Georgetown Visitation/SO) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northern Virginia High Schools with State Championships</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14 - Loudoun County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4 - Loudoun Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2 - Hylton, Langley, Stone Bridge, Alexandria City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 - Briar Woods, Chantilly, Colgan, Forest Park, Tuscarora, James Wood </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->