Playoff Preview – Taking a Peek at Class 5
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In Virginia the regional brackets are being played next week. Time to catch up and look at some of the high schools in Class 5 that will be in the running for the Virginia state championship. This is a list…
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Continue ReadingIn Virginia the regional brackets are being played next week. Time to catch up and look at some of the high schools in Class 5 that will be in the running for the Virginia state championship. This is a list of the top teams in each Region and the players to watch.
Highlights
Potomac Region
At the start of the season Riverside was my pick to win the State championship. That opinion has not changed as they march through the season undefeated. Wins over Woodson, Battlefield and Briar Woods set themselves up well for the playoffs. Last year they lost in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs, losing to the eventual state champion Midlothian. They hope to change that fate this year.
Moving Simone Schaefer Simone Schaefer 5'11" | OH Riverside | 2025 State VA from middle to outside where she can team with Adriana Perodin Adriana Perodin 5'9" | OH Riverside | 2024 State VA to give the Rams four hitters at all times has been a difference maker. Both Schaefer and Perodin are potent from the three meter line. Frosh Kennedy Peyton Kennedy Peyton 5'7" | OH Riverside | 2027 State VA can also fill the outside role. The middles are covered by Brianna Holladay Brianna Holladay 6'2" | MB Riverside | 2025 State VA and Samantha Ferguson Samantha Ferguson 5'10" | MB Riverside | 2024 State VA . While they lost two setters to graduation, they did get one of the sisters Sydney Ray Sydney Ray 5'7" | S Riverside | 2026 State VA to take one of the spots. Another sophomore Kenzie Davis covers the other setter role.
A third sophomore Gabriella Vizek Gabriella Vizek 6'0" | RS Riverside | 2026 State VA can be a force at the net, whether she plays right side or middle. Finally, the Rams have a solid libero in Natalie Carlin Natalie Carlin 5'4" | DS/L Riverside | 2024 State VA who covers a lot of ground on defense and passing.
Highlights
Briar Woods finished second in the Region, losing only to Riverside in regional play. Their only other loss during the season was to Hidden Valley, one of the top five teams ranked in Virginia. The Falcons swept their opponents in 20 of their last 21 wins.
Their offense is led by 6’1″ right side Skyler Riggio Skyler Riggio 6'1" | RS Briar Woods | 2024 State VA , a six rotation player who brings the offense from the back row as well. Her left handed swing comes down hard and fast. They also have some depth in their offense with strong left sides in Taylor Hansen Taylor Hansen 5'8" | OH Briar Woods | 2025 State VA and Janssens Arabia Janssens Arabia 5'8" | OH Briar Woods | 2024 State VA , while middle Shannon Callaghan Shannon Callaghan 5'11" | MB Briar Woods | 2024 State VA leads the team in blocks and ranks fourth in kills. Reagan Walters Reagan Walters S Briar Woods | 2024 State VA tees the offense up with her setting. She also leads the team in aces. Molly Gardner Molly Gardner 5'8" | DS/L Briar Woods | 2026 State VA takes over the back row responsibilities with her libero play.
Highlights
Independence has lost all five matches they have played against Riverside and Briar Woods. They hope to change things in the playoffs led by senior veteran Faith Easley who leads the team in kills. Also from the left side junior Makenzie Dvorznak Makenzie Dvorznak 5'10" | OH Independence | 2025 State VA sits in second place. On the youthful front frosh Kieran Rhoton Kieran Rhoton 6'0" | RS Independence | 2027 State VA and junior Jenna Hathaway Jenna Hathaway 5'10" | RS Independence | 2025 State VA provide the offense on the right side. Jen also leads the team in assists. Frosh setter Kaelyn Wharton Kaelyn Wharton 5'7" | OH Independence | 2027 State VA shares the setting responsibilities with Jenna and even set a 5/1 when they played Riverside late in the season. Her sister senior Bri Wharton plays middle, leading the team in blocks while sophomore Maddy Klees Maddy Klees 5'11" | S Independence | 2026 VA also plays middle.
Commonwealth
Riverbend could be the second best team in Class 5. Their only loss so far this season has been to Hidden Valley. They have beaten Colonial Forge three times, the last two matches taking five sets.
The Bears 6’3″ middle Peri Linterman Peri Linterman 6'3" | MB Riverbend | 2025 State VA is the player teams need to contain if they hope to win. The junior has committed to James Madison University. Senior Allison Lach Allison Lach 5'10" | OH Riverbend | 2024 State VA gets a lot of single blocks on the outside as teams focus on stopping Linterman. She finds success more so than not in putting the ball down. Sophomore Aubrey Parker Aubrey Parker 5'11" | S Riverbend | 2026 State VA normally sets a 5/1. At 5’11 she brings some height to the position and must be watched when in the front row.
Highlights
Colonial Forge has just five losses but three of them have been to Riverbend. The other two are to Flint Hill and North Stafford. They rely on the sister combination of Isabel Ostvig Isabel Ostvig 5'10" | S Colonial Forge | 2024 State VA and Grace Ostvig Grace Ostvig 5'8" | OH Colonial Forge | 2025 State VA for a big part of their offense. The older sister dishes out the sets, many of which go to younger sister Grace. Claire Wortman Claire Wortman 5'10" | OH Colonial Forge | 2024 State VA also brings some offense from the outside while Jasmine Williams Jasmine Williams 5'11" | MB Colonial Forge | 2026 State VA smokes the quick sets from the middle.
Highlights
North Stafford has taken Colonial Forge to five sets in two of the three matches they have played against them. They have managed to earn one win. Maya Tillman Maya Tillman 5'11" | MB North Stafford | 2025 State VA leads the offense from the middle. Lindsey Canty Lindsey Canty 5'10" | OH North Stafford | 2026 State VA brings it from the outside while frosh Arianna Mancari Arianna Mancari 5'7" | OH North Stafford | 2027 State VA is a player to watch. I like the play of libero Allison Spittal Allison Spittal 5'7" | DS/L North Stafford | 2025 State VA . She passes well, attacks with a jump spin serve and has the hands of a setter.
Dominion
Highlights
Midlothian is the defending Class 5 state champion. Their only loss this year has come against St. Catherines, losing in five, the last set a 15-13 thriller. Last year when they won the championship they finished undefeated at 26-0. Not a lot of big wins on their schedule but most of their wins have been sweeps. Hannah Ball Hannah Ball 5'11" | OH Midlothian | 2024 State VA carries the team with her outside hitting. Alex Mazulewicz Alex Mazulewicz 5'11" | S Midlothian | 2024 VA returns as the setter. Madelyn Eslinger fills the libero role, which last year in the championship run was filled by her sister Brooke. A number of key graduations from last year’s team will make it difficult for them to repeat.
Beach
The only loss for First Colonial came against Colonial Forge. Since then they have raced out to a 19 game winning streak. Last year they lost in the championship match to Midlothian., losing the fifth set 15-13. Kayla Foley Kayla Foley 5'5" | DS/L First Colonial | 2024 State VA ranks as one of the top liberos in the area. She has a commitment to Michigan State. Keely Heffelfinger Keely Heffelfinger 5'8" | OH First Colonial | 2024 State VA provides the offense from the outside. Jules Dooren Jules Dooren 5'8" | S First Colonial | 2024 State VA makes sure the offense stays on point with her setting. Teagan Emdadi Teagan Emdadi 5'8" | RS First Colonial | 2026 State VA was a key for them last year as a frosh. This year she ranks sixth in kills. Madison Horn Madison Horn 5'10" | MB First Colonial | 2024 VA and Gabby Taylor rank second and third in kills this year.
Highlights
Kellam only has four losses on the year. Half of them were to First Colonial. The others were to the Florida team Oviedo and the top team in the state Flint Hill. Avery Hanly Avery Hanly 5'11" | OH Kellam | 2024 State VA is the top hitter from the outside while Blakely Barnes Blakely Barnes 5'11" | MB Kellam | 2024 State VA brings it from the middle. Blakely tops the team in blocks and aces and ranks second in kills. Avery covers six rotations, banging out the offense from the back row and front row. Megan Stone Megan Stone 5'8" | DS/L Kellam | 2024 State VA brings the hustle to the libero position. The setting position is shared by senior Marti Boser and sophomore Riley Erwin Riley Erwin 5'11" | S Kellam | 2026 State VA . Riley is second on the team in hitting percentage and fifth in kills.
Jefferson
Albemarle comes into the playoffs with a 15 match winning streak. The Patriots rely on middles Presley Stroud and Morgan Ascoli for their offense. Amelia Lynch is responsible for setting the offense, running a 5/1. Laci Mann is a smaller outside but brings good velocity on her hits. All four players are juniors with Stroud and Lynch the team captains.
Chesapeake Chirps: Some of the District finals have been completed.. Langley won the Liberty District with a 3-1 win over George Marshall. Colgan won the Cardinal District with its four set win over Forest Park. In the Concorde District Madison won in four over Chantilly. Falls Church swept Thomas Jefferson to win the National District. Charlotte Nguyen Charlotte Nguyen 5'9" | OH Falls Church | 2024 VA with 13 kills and three aces. James Wood won the Northwestern District defeating Sherando in four. Kennedy Spaid Kennedy Spaid 5'11" | OH James Wood | 2026 State VA finished with 18 kills. Rock Ridge over Dominion in four to take the Dulles District. Woodson will face Alexandria City on Monday for the Patriot District crown.