Playoff Season Begins – Class 6 Preview
In this article:
For the Virginia public schools, the regular season has come to a close. Time to take a look at some of the regional winners that have a chance to advance to the state playoffs. I will have to admit, the…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingFor the Virginia public schools, the regular season has come to a close. Time to take a look at some of the regional winners that have a chance to advance to the state playoffs. I will have to admit, the whole playoff process is a bit confusing and the VHSL site does not seem to break it out well. But I will grind through the process.
Concorde Region
Madison swept past Oakton to create a three way tie for first in the Concorde Region. Madison jumped out to an early 13-3 lead in set one on the serving of Riley Lynch Riley Lynch 6'0" | MB James Madison | 2025 State VA (3 aces and one kill prior to her serves). Oakton battled back getting four aces from Julie Xu Julie Xu 5'11" | RS Oakton | 2026 State VA to get to within five (11-16). A Jocelyn Shortle Jocelyn Shortle 5'9" | OH Oakton | 2024 State VA tip pulled Oakton to within one (23-24). Aubrey Loughlin Aubrey Loughlin 6'0" | MB James Madison | 2025 State VA ended any hope of a comeback win with a block to finish the first set 25-23.
Game two saw Oakton pull up front 11-6 after a Shortle tool off the block followed by three ace serves. Another Shortle kill and a Seliz Aktuglu Seliz Aktuglu 5'9" | OH Oakton | 2024 State VA ace pushed the lead to 17-11. A Laila Chadwick Laila Chadwick 5'8" | DS/L James Madison | 2027 State VA kill gave Madison the ball back and the combo of right side Riley Lynch Riley Lynch 6'0" | MB James Madison | 2025 State VA and middle Camille Pomeroy Camille Pomeroy 6'2" | MB Madison | 2024 State VA proved too much. A Pomeroy kill put the Warhawks up 19-18 and they never looked back after that. Sydney Pham Sydney Pham 5'3" | DS/L Madison | 2024 State VA served an ace to end the game 25-22.
Set three proved to be too much Camille Pomeroy Camille Pomeroy 6'2" | MB Madison | 2024 State VA . She finished with eight kills in the last set, including the final kill on an overpass to give Madison a 25-18 set three win.
Madison, Chantilly and Oakton each have one more match to play to finish the season. If they each win their match they will be deadlocked at 8-2. Those three will fight it out. South Lakes sits in fourth, but they are 0-5 against the three first place teams.
Chantilly has perhaps the best hitter in the Region in Lameen Mambu Lameen Mambu 6'0" | OH Chantilly | 2025 State #64 Nation VA . The question remains – will that prove enough? Setters Caycee Chhum Caycee Chhum 5'7" | S Georgetown Day | 2027 State VA and Sarah Kim Sarah Kim 5'6" | S Chantilly | 2026 VA can get her the ball and libero Nola Murphy Nola Murphy 5'6" | DS/L Chantilly | 2025 State VA keeps the passing on point. If that goes well the team marches on. While they rely on Mambu for their offense, Frida Sagastume Frida Sagastume 5'8" | RS Chantilly | 2024 VA can also get the job done from the right side. She ranks second on the team in kills.
Highlights
Madison brings more depth to their offense. With Riley Lynch Riley Lynch 6'0" | MB James Madison | 2025 State VA moving to one of the right sides and pairing up with either middle Aubrey Loughlin Aubrey Loughlin 6'0" | MB James Madison | 2025 State VA or Camille Pomeroy Camille Pomeroy 6'2" | MB Madison | 2024 State VA , it creates a number of setting options. It also improves the blocking and creates openings for frosh Laila Chadwick Laila Chadwick 5'8" | DS/L James Madison | 2027 State VA from the left side. Libero Sydney Pham Sydney Pham 5'3" | DS/L Madison | 2024 State VA passes nails and plays a hustling defense. Another right side that can put the ball down is frosh Chloe Barth Chloe Barth 5'9" | RS James Madison | 2027 State VA . Putting Lynch right side in the match against Oakton gave Madison some length with the block.
Highlights
Oakton relies on their two 5’9″ outside hitters Jocelyn Shortle Jocelyn Shortle 5'9" | OH Oakton | 2024 State VA and Seliz Aktuglu Seliz Aktuglu 5'9" | OH Oakton | 2024 State VA . Last night the two had some trouble hitting it past the length of the blocks put up by Lynch, Loughlin and Pomeroy. Sadee Gedse Sadee Gedse 5'6" | DS/L Oakton | 2025 State VA may be one of the top liberos in the area. Love her enthusiasm when she plays. They have two younger players in frosh Marissa Turek Marissa Turek 5'10" | RS Oakton | 2027 State VA and sophomore Julie Xu Julie Xu 5'11" | RS Oakton | 2026 State VA who can fill right side roles for this year but could be the Cougars left sides in the future.
My pick to survive this Region – Madison, but just like the regular season anything can happen.
Cardinal Region
The State champions for 2021 and the runners up for 2022 finished atop the Cardinal Division despite losing some significant players to graduation. They went undefeated in regional play with the 6’0″ Aubrey Hatch Aubrey Hatch 6'1" | OH Colgan | 2024 State VA hitting left side and leading her team in kills and second in aces and digs. A solid all around player who seems to contribute to wins no matter who surrounds her on the court. Sophomore Tehillah Garrison Tehillah Garrison 5'9" | OH Colgan | 2026 State VA saw her role increase taking over as the second left side. She stands second on the team in kills and her jump spin serve leads the team in aces.
Highlights
Paula Sigurani Paula Sigurani 5'4" | DS/L Colgan | 2024 State VA fills the libero role, keeping the back row defense on track. Instead of the 5/1 the team ran the last two years the Sharks have switched gears, giving senior Maddison Bowman Maddison Bowman 5'6" | S Colgan | 2024 State VA and sophomore Elizabeth Robinson Elizabeth Robinson 5'7" | S Colgan | 2026 State VA the setting duties running a 6/2. Maddison also chalks up some aces with her serves, third on the team in that category. Elizabeth York Elizabeth York 6'3" | MB Colgan | 2026 State VA and Jordan Miller Jordan Miller 5'10" | MB Colgan | 2024 State VA are filling the middle position after the Sharks saw the departure of their two starters. Skylar Johnson continues to shine on the right side.
Despite having to fill five new starter roles with both middles and setters and a new left side, the Sharks success continues.
Highlights
Forest Park finished the bridesmaid again. Not too shabby considering they also saw a significant group of starters leave via graduation. The two returnees who did most of the damage this year were junior Destini Pickett Destini Pickett 5'10" | OH Forest Park | 2025 State VA from the left side and senior Zoe Strachan Zoe Strachan 6'0" | RS Forest Park | 2024 State VA from the right side. Destini led the team in kills and aces while Zoe finished second in kills and blocks.
A trio of seniors contributed to the Bruins continued success. Setter Rachel Graham ran the offense, while middles Skylar Canupp and Janelle Makuwa plugged up the middles. Skylar led the team in blocks while Janelle topped the team in hitting percentage. Junior Alysia Diaz Alysia Diaz 5'2" | DS/L Forest Park | 2025 VA Diaz filled the libero role.
Woodbridge finished third but all four of their losses in the Region went to Colgan and Forest Park. Frosh Jayne Clark Jayne Clark 5'7" | OH Woodbridge | 2027 VA contributed to the team in kills and filled six rotations. Time to put her on the player to watch spotlight. Senior Kylie Barbier Kylie Barbier 5'9" | OH Woodbridge | 2024 State VA led the team in kills and shared the senior leadership role with libero Clara Freeman.
My pick to survive this region – Colgan.
Patriot Region
Highlights
Woodson replaced defending state champion Alexandria City atop the Patriot Region. They accomplished that with two outsides who dominated play at the net. The 6’1″ senior Maura Fay Maura Fay 6'1" | OH Woodson | 2024 State VA led the team in kills while the 6’3″ sophomore Emma Gardner Emma Gardner 6'3" | OH WT Woodson | 2026 State VA was right behind her. That duo was difficult to stop with combined hitting percentages above .300. Another sophomore Sofie Ferrell Sofie Ferrell 5'9" | S Woodson | 2026 State VA set from the back row while the 6’0″ Nora Gilmer Nora Gilmer 6'0" | S Woodson | 2024 State VA set while playing the front row. The fact that Nora raniked third on the team in blocks and kills means the setting rotation is always fluid.
On the defensive end, Stella Gilligan Stella Gilligan 5'6" | DS/L Woodson | 2024 VA took over the libero role after the injury to Eve McLaury Eve McLaury 5'11" | DS/L Woodson | 2024 State VA . This allowed Livia Lee Livia Lee 5'3" | DS/L Woodson | 2026 State VA an opportunity for increased back row play as a defensive specialist. Livia led the team in aces and was third in digs. The defense and passing still remain strong as they enter the playoff chase with Gilligan and Lee.
Alexandria City lost two superstars in Gatorade Player of the Year Milan Rex and 5/1 setter Chloe Wilmot. They also lost eight of their first 10 matches to start the season. Once Regional play began the Titans started to jell as the youngsters gained more experience. They finished 11-3 in Regional play with their only losses coming against Woodson (twice) and West Potomac. Their matches against Woodson came earlier in the season when the team was still struggling.
The 6’1″ newcomer Julia Kelly Julia Kelly 6'1" | OH Alexandria City | 2025 State VA provided a spark, sharing the left side duties with returnee Bridie Wendling Bridie Wendling 5'10" | OH Alexandria City | 2024 State VA . It took some time, but setter Alicia Randall Alicia Randall 5'8" | S Alexandria | 2026 State VA began getting comfortable running the offense and the wins began coming in bunches. The Titans also lost their libero but Casey Donahue Casey Donahue 5'5" | DS/L Alexandria City | 2025 State VA has filled the spot admirably. They could be trouble once the playoffs start.
I saw a little bit of third place West Potomac at the Titan clash. Caroline Christensen leads the team setting a 5/1. Her primary target appears to be 6’1″ middle Olivia Hatcher Olivia Hatcher 6'0" | OH Bishop Ireton | 2025 State VA . A frosh that gives the team length from the right side and hits the ball hard is Olivia Garey Olivia Garey 6'2" | RS West Potomac | 2027 State VA . She can also play middle. Ava Dushaw Ava Dushaw 5'8" | OH West Potomac | 2024 VA provides them some offense on the left side.
My pick to survive this region – Woodson. Alexandria City has improved their play from when they were swept twice by Woodson earlier this season. Winning three sets would be quite an accomplishment no matter how great the improvement over the season.
Not a lot of competitive Class 6 teams left in the Southern Region of Virginia. Max Preps list Colonial Forge as a Class 6 but I was told they are now Class 5. They finished second in the Commonwealth Region to Riverbend. We will talk about Colonial Forge when we discuss Class 5.
Ocean Lakes may be the one Class 6 remaining that is competitive in volleyball. They finished fourth in the Beach Region. While I have not seen them play I have watched some of their club players. They have lots of pin hitters with Gabrielle Carr Gabrielle Carr 5'10" | OH Ocean Lakes | 2024 VA , Tessa Kurz Tessa Kurz 5'8" | OH Ocean Lakes | 2025 State VA , Nora Costello Nora Costello 5'9" | OH Ocean Lakes | 2025 VA and Santina Martcheva Santina Martcheva 6'1" | OH Ocean Lakes | 2026 State VA .
Chesapeake Chirps: Caleigh Ponn Caleigh Ponn 5'6" | DS/L Hidden Valley | 2025 State #83 Nation VA reached 1,500 kills for Hidden Valley almost at the same time as Calli Anderson Calli Anderson 5'8" | S Hidden Valley | 2025 State VA reached 1,500 assists. Calli did not set for Hidden Valley as a frosh when Caleigh accumulated 370 kills…Wootton picked up a big upset over Urbana, winning in five. The scores of 14-25, 25-12, 24-26, 25-23, 24-22 will tell you how evenly matched the two teams were…,Riverbend won a five set match against Colonial Forge in their last match of the season,