Playoff Review – More Class 6 Reviews

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week I wrote about the top teams in the Concorde, Cardinal and Patriot Regions for Class 6. This post will review the top teams in the Liberty, Cedar Run and National Regions for Class 6. Almost all the Class 6 high schools are in Northern Virginia. Next post we will discuss the Class 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["238357"],"_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-65373da98cf0e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty Division</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the beginning of the season Langley was my pick to win the State championship at the Class 6 Level. As long as they do not have to face Madison that prediction may come true. Their only two losses this year have been to Madison.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lots of firepower on this team in outsides<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='181307' first='Leni' last='Stanton-Parker']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180292' first='Riley' last='Buddie']</strong>. The first two play left side while Riley normally hits from the right side. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180284' first='Chloe' last='Hokenson']</strong> sets for the team but also has the power to stay in the lineup to hit the other right side. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo']</strong> shares the setting duties but yields to Riley on the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If this group is on, they are difficult to beat. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470565' first='Gabriela' last='Cid']</strong> has taken over the libero position. Height wise the middles are smaller than the outsides but do not overlook the 5'8" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470555' first='Ava' last='Barnett']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George Marshall battled Langley to five sets the second time they played. With<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='181234' first='Samia' last='Sayd']</strong> hitting on the left side and her younger sister frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438068' first='Ayla' last='Sayd']</strong> taking swings on the other left side they can create some offense. They do give up some height on Langley at the other positions and there is some inexperience on the roster. Perhaps that inexperience is beginning to put it together as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington Liberty finished in third just a half game behind Marshall. All four of their regional losses came against both Marshall and Langley. In those four losses they were only able to win one set. They have a young team with frosh setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='466569' first='Kathryn' last='Wagener']</strong> running the offense. In the couple games I have watched she plays an incredible defense at the setter's position. They also rely on another frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470447' first='Evelyn' last='Donovan']</strong> to hit left side and cover all six rotations. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470558' first='Rachel' last='Lenz']</strong> seems to be the pin hitter they rely on to put the ball to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A darkhorse to watch is Wakefield. In their last match they beat Marshall in four. Frosh middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington']</strong> is difficult to stop. If they can get the ball to her the Warriors always have a chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181311"],"_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-65373da98cf6c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cedar Run</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This division always seems to be a three team scuffle between Battlefield, Freedom and Patriot. Battlefield got ready for the season scheduling three tough opponents in Riverside, Colgan and Colonial Forge. They lost all three, but it prepared them well for the season. The Bobcats come at you with player of the year 6'2" middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='182776' first='Brianna' last='Clay']</strong>. She is a difference maker on the court. Their left sides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235275' first='Grace' last='Bianchi']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235276' first='Taelin' last='Connolley']</strong> tend to be on the smaller side, both listed at 5'7". What they bring is experience and a wariness of the court. Both know where the holes are. At 5'11" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181311' first='Skyler' last='Tennant'] </strong>brings a little height to the pins. She normally handles right side duties. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235279' first='Melorra' last='Arthur'] </strong>takes on the setting responsibilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only team Battlefield lost to in Regional play was Patriot. That game went five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freedom also got off to a rugged start to their season, losing five of their first six, including a match to their regional rival Patriot. They recovered after that winning 13 of their next 15, the only two losses coming against Battlefield. The second time they played Patriot they beat them in four. They begin the playoffs with a third match against Battlefield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470561' first='Grace' last='Francis'] </strong>led her team in kills from the outside. The 6'5" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235284' first='Caitlin' last='Johnson']</strong> provides a towering presence in the middle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241010' first='Gwyneth' last='Vu']</strong> takes on the setter responsibilities, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='428533' first='Isabel' last='Morales'] </strong>fills in at libero. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freedom beat Patriot last week. During regional play Patriot split with both Freedom and Battlefield. The 6'2" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238850' first='Sydney' last='Bennett']</strong> is one of the more dominating middles in the game. She can shut down an offense with her blocking, leading the team in that category. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220923' first='Soleil' last='Rancourt'] </strong>was the top hitter. She led the team in kills. The Pioneers are fortunate to have one of the top liberos in the game in<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='181239' first='Lanie' last='Goff']</strong> passing for them to keep them in system. Frosh<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='448705' first='Danika' last='Swanson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181245' first='Anisa' last='Flowers'] </strong>shared setting duties, but Danika led the team in assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181310"],"_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-65373da98cfb6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> National </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not one of the strongest Regions but Thomas Jefferson won it despite being swept by Falls Church during the last match of the season. That was their only loss in Regional play while second place Falls Church had lost to both Hayfield and Thomas Jefferson earlier in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colonials top hitter is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181310' first='Ava' last='Stewart']</strong>, who leads the team in kills. She rotates between middle and right side. <strong> Danielle Riekse</strong> is the most prolific outside hitter, but <strong>Diana McCaskill</strong> can also do some damage. <strong>Jessica Chen</strong> takes on most of the setting responsibilities, running a 5/1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248685' first='Anjali' last='Sattiraju']</strong> has played middle and even hit outside last year. For her junior year she has moved to the libero role because the team needed a consistent passer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Falls Church relies primarily on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233451' first='Charlotte' last='Nguyen']</strong> for their offense. She leads the team in kills but her hitting percentage sits at .168. In the Jaguars first game against TJ Charlotte finished with 23 kills but 18 hitting errors. In their sweep over TJ she finished with 11 kills and 10 hitting errors. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248668' first='Eliana' last='Tamayo']</strong> runs the offense setting a 5/1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->