Second Ten High Schools to Watch in the DMV
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Below are teams ranked 11-20 in the DMV area. Currently, these teams lack the perceived depth of those in the top ten. What they need is for a frosh to step up or for a player from the junior varsity…
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Continue ReadingBelow are teams ranked 11-20 in the DMV area. Currently, these teams lack the perceived depth of those in the top ten. What they need is for a frosh to step up or for a player from the junior varsity to make a contribution. That may take some time as the younger players acclimate their way through the faster paced varsity game.
Highlights
Arundel – The Wildcats made it to the finals in the Class 4 State championships last year but lost to Urbana. My understanding is they will drop from class 4 to 3. With many returning players they should be a powerhouse and a favorite to win the States at the lower class. The big loss appears to be their captain and setter Emily Liu. However, they return a number of offensive weapons with Payton Swinton Payton Swinton 5'10" | RS Arundel | 2024 State VA hitting right side and possibly setting. Deviana Walker Deviana Walker 5'11" | OH Arundel | 2024 State VA takes strong swings from the left side while the 6’1″ Kiara Harmon Kiara Harmon 6'1" | OH Arundel | 2024 State VA attacks the middle. Daisy Pentorn Daisy Pentorn 5'9" | S Arundel | 2025 State VA set for Virginia Jrs. this past club season and stands ready to take over the setting duties for at least three rotations. The Wildcats have a strong libero in Bailey Swinton Bailey Swinton DS/L Arundel | 2026 State VA . Lots of Maryland Jrs. influence on this team.
Millbrook – Their biggest loss is their setter and District MVP Madison Koeller. Despite her presence on the court last year they still fell short of James Wood, who won the District and Class 4 state championship. The listed setters are frosh Paisley Cook Paisley Cook 5'5" | S Millbrook | 2027 State VA and sophomore Alivia Knotts. Libero Giselle Norris Giselle Norris 5'6" | DS/L Millbrook | 2026 State VA will take the year off and another frosh Katherine Madden Katherine Madden 5'4" | DS/L Millbrook | 2027 State VA will be tasked to replace her. Returning are some potent offensive weapons in pins Grace Behneke and Berkeley Konrady Berkeley Konrady 6'1" | OH Millbrook | 2025 State VA . Another frosh Aaliyah Green Aaliyah Green 5'9" | OH Millbrook | 2027 State VA will also provide offensive output from the pins. The key to the Pioneer’s success lies with how the frosh adapt to the faster pace of varsity ball. It appears to be a rebuilding year for the Pioneers, with enough returning players to make the second ten.
Battlefield – Last year Battlefield won the Cedar Run District with an impressive 13-1 record. They bring back a full contingent of players from that season so expect a rise in this ranking. Their 6’2″ middle senior Brianna Clay Brianna Clay 6'2" | MB Battlefield | 2024 State VA stands out as the offensive force for this team. Don’t discount 5’7″ outside Grace Bianchi Grace Bianchi 5'7" | OH Battlefield | 2024 State VA . She dd not get mentioned much over the club season because she focused on beach. Another smaller outside who hopes to contribute to the offense is Taelin Connolley Taelin Connolley 5'7" | OH Battlefield | 2024 State VA . Melorra Arthur Melorra Arthur 5'7" | S Battlefield | 2024 State VA and Aava Shingler Aava Shingler 5'5" | DS/L Battlefield | 2024 State VA will take care of the setting duties while Jaelle Hinkle returns as the libero. Those are six seniors who will provide veteran leadership. The lone non senior, junior Skyler Tennant Skyler Tennant 5'11" | RS Battlefield | 2025 State VA should contribute to the pin and back row play. Never underestimate a starting rotation filled with senior players.
Highlights
Woodson – The Cavaliers also bring back a veteran roster and are my favorites to win the Patriot Division. The 6 foot pin hitter Maura Fay Maura Fay 6'1" | OH Woodson | 2024 State VA can play both right and left side depending on the need. They picked up senior libero transfer Eve McLaury Eve McLaury 5'11" | DS/L Woodson | 2024 State VA from Colorado. She played defensive specialist/libero for Metro 17 and stands close to 6 feet, probably the tallest libero in the DMV. The Cavaliers will rely on senior Nora Gilmer Nora Gilmer 6'0" | S Woodson | 2024 State VA to set in the front row to take advantage of her 6 foot height and bring in sophomore Sofie Ferrell Sofie Ferrell 5'9" | S Woodson | 2026 State VA to set in the back row.
The biggest offensive piece may fall on the shoulders of sophomore Emma Gardner Emma Gardner 6'3" | OH WT Woodson | 2026 State VA who last year as a frosh ranked number two on the team in kills. Her game has gotten much better since. The defense looks especially strong with the return of Stella Gilligan Stella Gilligan 5'6" | DS/L Woodson | 2024 VA , the libero last year and defensive specialist Livia Lee Livia Lee 5'3" | DS/L Woodson | 2026 State VA . Stella focused on the beach last year and will bring her senior leadership to the back row. Livia brings hustle and a good serve to the floor. Senior Sabina Niedrick will fill many roles on the floor, but one of her most important may be as team captain. In their opener yesterday they destroyed South Lakes, so this rank may be too low. The big challenge will be finding playing time for the 20 or so players who fill their roster.
Highlights
Bullis – The Bulldogs play in the Independent Schools League (ISL) with Flint Hill and Georgetown Day. They may have the most talked about player in the 6’4″ Alexis Ewing Alexis Ewing 6'3" | OH Bullis | 2025 State VA , daughter of Patrick Ewing. She showed a lot of improvement in her game playing club, including seeing a lot of back row play and building confidence in her game. It remains a young team that should improve as the season progresses, led by sophomore setter Megan Phan Megan Phan 5'7" | S Bullis | 2026 State VA . Their most consistent hitter last year may have been right side Sydney Mayfield Sydney Mayfield 5'10" | RS Bullis | 2025 State VA . Libero Nia Thomas Nia Thomas 5'7" | DS/L Bullis | 2025 State VA will make sure the offense gets off on the right track with her passing and defense. The 6’1″ middle Kyla Harris Kyla Harris 6'1" | MB Bullis | 2024 State VA will also contribute to the offense. A number of Virginia club players commuting to Maryland to play for the Bulldogs.
Urbana – Last year they defeated Arundel for the Class 4A state championships. They did lose a number of key offensive pieces in middle Logan Burge and outside Claire Thompson. They also lost libero Julia Gustafson and setter Sofia Rodriguez. Time to reload. Sophomore Charis Burge Charis Burge 5'10" | S Bullis | 2026 State VA (not on roster/possible transfer to Bullis) should combine with her sister Kaelynn Burge Kaelynn Burge 5'8" | S Urbana | 2024 State VA to take over the setter responsibilities. The 5’10” Charis was also one of their top hitters last year so she should fill a right side role as well. Expect Simone Assasie Simone Assasie 5'9" | MB Urbana | 2026 State VA and Ava Hinnant Ava Hinnant 6'0" | MB Urbana | 2025 State VA to provide a presence in the middle.
St. Johns – This will be a young team that can cause some damage. The two outsides, Racquel Frazier Racquel Frazier 6'1" | OH St. Johns | 2025 State VA and Morgan Reeves Morgan Reeves 5'10" | OH St. Johns | 2026 State VA hit the ball hard. Last year the two played just three rotations, replaced by the libero in the back row. Morgan played six rotations in club ball, showing potent offensive potential hitting from the back row. The two young setters Wynn Mendez Eaton Wynn Mendez Eaton 5'10" | S St. John's College | 2026 State VA and Avery Prendergast Avery Prendergast 5'9" | S St. Johns | 2025 State VA return. Last year the two rotated setting a 5/1. This year they may share a 6/2. The two most difficult players they need to replace on the roster are middle Pam McCune, who played six rotations and libero Maya Reeves. The 5’10 Emilie Jabbour will fill one of the middle slots. The libero position will be determined from practices and scrimmages.
Highlights
Freedom – They lost their big hitter from last year in Emma Kerwin. She ended up with twice as many kills as her closest teammate. They do return middle Caitlin Johnson Caitlin Johnson 6'5" | MB Freedom | 2025 State VA , who stands 6’4″ and finished second on the team in kills last year. To set the middle you need good passing and they also lost their libero Payton Dejean. They will rely on libero Isabel Morales Isabel Morales 5'3" | DS/L Freedom | 2025 State VA to fill that role. Grace Francis Grace Francis 5'8" | OH Freedom | 2025 VA hopes to fill the outside responsibilities, with help from right side Kiley Robinette Kiley Robinette 5'9" | OH Freedom | 2026 State VA . Gwyneth Vu Gwyneth Vu 5'5" | S Freedom | 2024 State VA will provide a veteran presence at the setting position.
Highlights
Independence – They return a number of key pieces from last year, including setter Jenna Hathaway Jenna Hathaway 5'10" | RS Independence | 2025 State VA and outside Makenzie Dvorznak Makenzie Dvorznak 5'10" | OH Independence | 2025 State VA . Last year the 5’10” Jenna hit right side but she may return to her setting role while still bringing some offense to the right side. The biggest new roster piece may be frosh Kieran Rhoton Kieran Rhoton 6'0" | RS Independence | 2027 State VA (pictured above), who adds some big time offense to the pins. Another frosh Kaelyn Wharton Kaelyn Wharton 5'7" | OH Independence | 2027 State VA may help with the setting. Sophomore Maddy Klees Maddy Klees 5'11" | S Independence | 2026 VA remains another option at setter. At 5’11” she can also fill a role as a middle.
Highlights
Colgan – They have a number of unknowns after the loss of setter Alexis Scipione and their 6’4″ middle Brielle Kemavor. They will miss the leadership of Alexis and the dominating presence at the net with Brielle. A key returnee is 6’0″ outside Aubrey Hatch Aubrey Hatch 6'1" | OH Colgan | 2024 State VA , who will be relied on to be more of an offensive presence for the team this year. Sophomore Tehillah Garrison Tehillah Garrison 5'9" | OH Colgan | 2026 State VA will be expected to contribute more at the pins. At 5’9″ she did not get an opportunity to play a lot of outside for a tall and talented Metro 15 team. Paula Sigurani Paula Sigurani 5'4" | DS/L Colgan | 2024 State VA brings a strong libero presence that can keep the team in system. Elizabeth York Elizabeth York 6'3" | MB Colgan | 2026 State VA and Jordan Miller Jordan Miller 5'10" | MB Colgan | 2024 State VA are expected to take over the middle positions. Finding a setter to take over the offense will be a key piece.
On the bubble are James Madison, North Hagerstown, Glenelg, Briar Woods, Loudoun County and Alexandria City.
Chesapeake Chirps: Some big games played Monday. Langley swept past Lake Braddock, Madison did the same to Yorktown and ditto for Chantilly over Washington Liberty. James Woods won in four over Dominion with Kennedy Spaid Kennedy Spaid 5'11" | OH James Wood | 2026 State VA leading the team in kills with 14. Brenna Corbin Brenna Corbin 5'5" | DS/L James Wood | 2026 State VA with her 18 digs appears to be filling the libero role and Paige Ahakuelo Paige Ahakuelo 5'8" | S James Wood | 2024 State VA went to town with eight aces….Some big five set wins on Tuesday with Covenant over Albemarle, Hanover over Powhatan, George Marshal over Oakton and Briar Woods over Loudoun County. Riverside swept Battlefield.