Virginia Private School State Champions 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are the high schools that will be battling for the private high school state championships named the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA). As stated in earlier posts D.C. allows both private and public high schools to compete in the same state championship. Maryland private high schools do not have a state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To qualify for the State championship in the VISAA you have to finish in the top eight at the end of the year state rankings poll. There are four separate divisions, based on the size of the school. Here, we will focus on Division I.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["180295"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dcd0bd3509d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Flint Hill </strong>(Defending state champions and we will pick them to repeat)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flint Hill has been State champions every year since 2012, except 2016, when they lost to Bishop O'Connell and 2020, when everyone lost to CO-Vid. Last year they defeated Norfolk Academy in the finals. Norfolk Academy was the only team in 2022 to take a set off Flint Hill when they beat them in the opening set. USA ranked the Huskies as one of the top 25 high school teams in the country when the 2022 season ended.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have only lost one match in the last two years, to Bishop O'Connell in 2022. During that time Flint Hill has beaten Virginia state champions Colgan in three sweeps and D.C. State champions Jackson Reed and Georgetown Day, as well as Bishop O'Connell three times in 2022. The Knights and Huskies did not get to play each other last year, but both teams are competing in the Endless Summer tournament in Virginia Beach and the Nike Tournament of Champions in Tampa, Florida this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Departures</strong>: <strong>Sonja Meyer</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238859' first='Sydney' last='Bryant']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181232' first='Renee' last='Jones']</strong> reclassified to 2025 and does not appear on the Flint Hill roster this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238859' first='Sydney' last='Bryant']</strong> is the most critical piece since she was the main offensive weapon from the outside. At 6'5" right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181232' first='Renee' last='Jones']</strong> could put up a fearsome block. Tryouts for private schools only occurred this past weekend but frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437446' first='Alli' last='Z Robinson']</strong> could be called on to fill the vacant middle and right side positions. The loss of Bryant will be difficult to replace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returnees</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180283' first='Natalie' last='Nguyen'], [player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180295' first='Ryla' last='Jones']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180299' first='Sarah' last='Manson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233010' first='Mickhaila' last='Murray'],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two main setters return in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180283' first='Natalie' last='Nguyen'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin']</strong>. At 6'2" Isabelle has the ability to defend one of the right sides. The 6'5" Pittsburgh commit<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='180295' first='Ryla' last='Jones'] </strong>has been plugging up one of the middles the last two years. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180299' first='Sarah' last='Manson'] </strong>would provide some experience at middle, but frosh<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross']</strong> is an athletic talent. The fiery senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233010' first='Mickhaila' last='Murray'] </strong>returns to whip up her enthusiasm. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] </strong>brings back her steady libero play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["180296"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dcd0bd350fa"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop O'Connell</strong> - If nothing else this team will bring length. They have seven players listed greater than 6'0" with two at 6'3 and three at 6'2. Every game they will bring a wall for opponents to try to hit through. Their big loss was <strong>Grace Maria</strong>, who was a left side who played like a second libero when she rotated into the back row. She was among the team's top hitters, blockers, passers, defender and as a server led the team in aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The hope is to have a village replace the production lost with the departure of Grace Maria. They carry five middles who can rotate and play the pins. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180296' first='Madison' last='Bowser']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238341' first='Teodora' last='Stamenkovic']</strong> could see the most time in the middle, but they could also move their offense to the pins. Both are 6'2" and filled with athleticism. Transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180298' first='Alice' last='Holoubek']</strong> also plays middle but could bring her block to the right side. She may bring the most velocity on the ball when she connects. <strong>Eva Robertson</strong> is a converted basketball player who is still raw. At 6'3" she can put her hands high above the net. Another 6 footer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235779' first='Grace' last='Faughnan']</strong> has the ability to move to a pin or block the middle. Another year of experience adds some confidence to her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475116' first='Jocelyn' last='Pye']</strong> will fill the vacant left side. While it will be difficult to replace Grace, Jocelyn appears to have the tools to play all six rotations. She has a potent back row attack and oozes talent in all aspects of the game. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235778' first='Payton' last='Vieselmeyer'] </strong>has added velocity to her hits. She stands 5'8" but with that added velocity and a little more hop in her jump she has become more of a force on the outside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'2" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180281' first='Erin' last='Debiec']</strong> could set a 5/1 or the Knights could take advantage of her offense in the front row and run a 6/2 with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226029' first='Emily' last='Reyburn']</strong> as the other setter. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249342' first='Lily' last='Spann']</strong> is also an option. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235295' first='Hannah' last='Kotb']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212888' first='Maia' last='Cerezo']</strong> will patrol the back court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has some weapons. If you watch them hit when they are warming up you would think they were a visiting college team. Three of the players have committed to college. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Norfolk Academy</strong> - They upset Bishop O'Connell in the semi-finals of the State championship last year to prevent a repeat of another Flint Hill and O'Connell final. They actually beat Flint Hill in the first set to be the only team to take a set from the Huskies in 2023. Flint Hill beat them the next three to take the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three big losses are setter <strong>Alden Roberts</strong>, libero <strong>Olivia Mize</strong> and left side <strong>Reagan McGee</strong>. Reagan led the team in kills last year. The Bulldogs may rely on her sister <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245600' first='Peyton' last='McGee']</strong> to replace the lost offense. Peyton ranked number two on the team in kills. Peyton set for Beach Elite this past club season and appears to be the replacement for <strong>Alden Roberts</strong>. They could also go with frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780665' first='Michaela' last='Betancourt']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sasha Gilliard </strong>returns to play middle. Another frosh <strong>Kinsley Flores</strong> may fill the other slot. The tough positions to fill will be the two left sides and libero position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others who could put their hat in the ring are <strong>Paul VI,</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> and <strong>Saint Catherines</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->