Review of the Virginia State Champions

Last year I predicted six high schools to finish the season as state champions. Five of them did, while the sixth Riverside went undefeated until losing in the Class 5 finals. For this post we will take a look at last year's state champions from the Virginia public high schools to determine what their chances are for repeating. Next, we will take a look at the DC championship, as well as the Virginia Independent schools. Lastly, we will take a look at the Maryland state champions.   Nothing is set until rosters are officially out. So no new predictions just yet.   Class 6    Ava will surprise you with her middle play. At 5'10 she lacks the height normally associated with a middle, but she brings good timing to her blocks. She also hits the quicks well. If you focus too much on stopping the left sides Ava will burn you with a quick set.    Langley - Last year Langley won the state championship at the Class 6 level, defeating a surprising Battlefield. Battlefield may have done Langley a favor by defeating Madison in the semi-finals. Langley only lost three matches all year and they were all to Madison. Perhaps many of the players hoped for a fourth opportunity.   Returners - They have perhaps two left side hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181307' first='Leni' last='Stanton-Parker']. They also have one of the top setters as well in [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo']. [player_tooltip player_id='470555' first='Ava' last='Barnett'] did a good job in the middle last year and [player_tooltip player_id='476364' first='Amber' last='Smith'] should return as the libero. That sits well as a solid base to build a championship team.   Losses - The greatest loss clearly is Chloe Hokenson. She set, provided offense on the right side and produced a dominant serve. Another player who produced from the right side Riley Buddie also graduated. That position sits as the biggest hole Langley needs to fill.   Prediction - No repeat. They could use [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] in a 5/1 or bring up setter [player_tooltip player_id='530362' first='Claire' last='Nitowski'] to set a 6/2. [player_tooltip player_id='239322' first='Hailey' last='Park'] is another option to use in a 6/2. Whether they run a 6/2 or 5/1 they still need to find a player to hit right side. That may come from the junior varsity level or from an incoming frosh.   Madison - My gut tells me that Madison appears ripe to win the State Championship. They return most of their players and have some injured players coming back healthier this year. Battlefield eliminated them in the semifinals last year after that went on a 13 match win streak towards the end of the season.   Returners - They bring back two of their middles in [player_tooltip player_id='230817' first='Riley' last='Lynch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181314' first='Aubrey' last='Loughlin']. They also have [player_tooltip player_id='397550' first='Chloe' last='Bonney-James'] returning from injury. That gives them three middles over 6 feet similar to what they had last year. One of them can move to the right side to provide the team with some height against strong left side hitters. They also return [player_tooltip player_id='377336' first='Callie' last='Agniel'] from injury. She will combine with [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] on the left side to provide a very potent attack. [player_tooltip player_id='359401' first='Chloe' last='Barth'] also can provide pop on the right side. [player_tooltip player_id='520362' first='Abby' last='Nguyen'] could step in to fill the libero role. [player_tooltip player_id='455177' first='Briana' last='Vo'] returns as one of the setters. It does appear they have all the positions covered to form a solid team.   Losses - They lost libero Sydney Pham and left side Michelle Jargalan but they appear to have replacements ready to step in. Pins and twins Jackie Van Vollenhoven and Samantha Van Vollenhoven eats into their depth. They will miss middle Camille Pomeroy. Replacing her offense and blocking will be difficult but the pieces are in place.   Class 5   First Colonial - This was a team that peaked during the playoffs. They swept through their first two opponents Woodside and Kellam before taking on the undefeated Riverside. They took Riverside in four for what many considered an upset. However, coming into the match the Patriots had only lost one match all season. That was their second match of the year against Colonial Forge. After that it was 26 wins in a row. They proved themselves a worth adversary.   Returners - They return a talented trio of pins in [player_tooltip player_id='481962' first='Gabby' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='249294' first='Teagan' last='Emdadi'] and [player_tooltip player_id='485079' first='Grace' last='Davies-Hackenberg']. They have a number of frosh on the roster that could make an impact.   Losses - The biggest loss has to be their MVP libero Kayla Foley. Without her passing and defense the team may struggle to stay in system. Setter Jules Dooren and left side Keely Heffelfinger have also departed.   Prediction - No repeat. Riverside will be much improved from last season and the Patriots have taken a hit with the loss of Kayla Foley and Jules Dooren, two critical positions that will have to be filled by inexperienced newcomers.    With their move to Virginia Nadiya will play for Lightridge. Talk about a good addition. This past month she made the roster as an alternate for the United States U19 National team that recently returned home after winning a gold medal. While she plays right side for Metro with her athletic ability she could easily switch to the left side if the need arises. She brings one of the strongest approach jumps in the country reaching 10'7". Nadiya has already committed to Baylor University.    Lightridge - It could be a repeat of the finals. But when you get a U.S. National team player transferring to your school that creates some opportunities in the lineup. When I asked coach Reggie Cruz about his new transfer he commented that he will believe it when he sees her walk in the gym.   Returners - Not really a returner but with [player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson'] moving to Virginia and transferring to Riverside that translates as a game changer. She was recently named as an alternate to the U.S. U19 national team that recently won a gold medal at the NORCECA championships. With pins [player_tooltip player_id='225187' first='Simone' last='Schaefer'], [player_tooltip player_id='464556' first='Kennedy' last='Peyton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='333652' first='Gabriella' last='Vizek'] returning that becomes a luxury most teams can only dream about. [player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='377335' first='Mackenzie' last='Davis'] return as setters while [player_tooltip player_id='181309' first='Brianna' last='Holladay'] fills a middle spot. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='438070' first='Camryn' last='Coulther'] covers the back court. They do have the flexibility of moving Gabby to the middle if they find another pin.   Losses - Last year Adriana Perodin stood out as their top offensive player. Middle Samantha Ferguson also graduated. Natalie Carlin stood out as one of the top liberos in the class. Camryn appears talented enough to cancel out the libero loss, while Nadiya will address the pin loss. Once you add it all up this is a better team than last year, despite the quality losses.   Class 4    For her frosh season Brenna played outside and ranked second on the team in kills. Last year she started the season as a libero but moved to outside when the team felt more production was needed. This coming year the team lacks a setter. Could another position switch be in the plans. While Brenna likes to hit she also likes to win, so she will do whatever the team needs. James Wood has won back to back championships so the effort must be working.    James Wood - Last year the Colonels swept past Hanover in the finals to repeat as state champions. They have accomplished these back to back state championships with a strong duo of frosh. The hope remains to continue this trend as juniors. IBetween 2013 to 2021 Loudoun County won nine straight Class 4 state championships. This time the championship run belongs to James Wood.   Returners - The two most important players returning to the team. [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] try for their third consecutive championship. Kennedy clearly is the straw that stirs this drink. Her hits are clutch. Brenna normally fills a libero role but even at 5'5" she ranks as the second most effective hitter on the team. Last year she started the season as the libero but they missed her outside production and moved her back to outside, playing the remainder of the season without a libero. This year they could have [player_tooltip player_id='218149' first='Giselle' last='Norris'] as the libero. She transfers from their main rival Millbrook. They also bring back a strong middle in [player_tooltip player_id='320815' first='Tenley' last='Mattison'].   Losses - Two big losses in setters Hannah McCullough and Paige Ahakuelo. Paige could also hit right side. Lexi Taylor and Ashlynn Spence shared middle and right side. Finding a setter stands out as critical.   Prediction - Repeat. Provided they can find the setters. If they have another left side option there has been some talk of [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] filling the setter role. That would add to her resume.   Three teams have the potential to compete in the Class 4 championship. Loudoun Country could return after a two year absence. They have a surplus of talented pins in [player_tooltip player_id='523337' first='Ana' last='Smithson'], [player_tooltip player_id='377334' first='Josephine' last='Seekford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther']. Last year [player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington'] took the season off but she plans to return this year to give them four options on the outside. [player_tooltip player_id='591686' first='Clara' last='Jolly'] looks to return as the setter, with [player_tooltip player_id='485504' first='Sydney' last='Miller'] filling a middle role and [player_tooltip player_id='377327' first='Isabella' last='DeWan'] vying for the libero spot. That appears to be enough talent to contend.   Millbrook also brings some talent with [player_tooltip player_id='243771' first='Berkeley' last='Konrady'] and [player_tooltip player_id='435748' first='Aaliyah' last='Green'] two powerful left sides. [player_tooltip player_id='451960' first='Paisley' last='Cook'] has another year of experience as the setter, as does [player_tooltip player_id='437980' first='Katherine' last='Madden'] at libero. With three frosh in Aaliyah, Paisley and Katherine gaining one more year of experience should translate into more wins. [player_tooltip player_id='322249' first='Mae' last='Henning'], [player_tooltip player_id='527011' first='Dreu' last='Patterson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='437982' first='Audra' last='Baker'] will vie for the middle/right side roles. [player_tooltip player_id='521531' first='Natalie' last='Huck'] is another quality back row player that could see libero time.   Finally, Dominion also brings back a bevy of talent. [player_tooltip player_id='346738' first='Alena' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='352831' first='Megan' last='Hiltner'] return to the left side position while [player_tooltip player_id='240027' first='Kaitlyn' last='Demitz'] plays the right side. [player_tooltip player_id='475397' first='Amaya' last='Bowles'] can also play the pins. [player_tooltip player_id='298857' first='Ingrid' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='520365' first='Elyssamae' last='Shifflet'] could share the setter position or either could set a 5/1. [player_tooltip player_id='240025' first='Abigail' last='Vasak'] covers one of the middles. Not a team with tremendous power but they get the job done. With the increased experience achieved by many of their quality starters this team could challenge.   Class 3    Last year Callie almost achieved 1,000 assists according to Maxpreps. Over 600 of them went to [player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn']. Looking to set the team to back to back championships. A quality setter that deserves some attention.    Hidden Valley has too much talent not to repeat. Despite her 5'7" height [player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn'] ranked number two in kills with 649 from the left side. For her three years she has had [player_tooltip player_id='235285' first='Calli' last='Anderson'] set for her, which put her second for Virginia in assists at 968 last year. [player_tooltip player_id='464576' first='Sophie' last='Arnold'] has transformed into one of the better left sides in the game, making it not all about Caleigh. Those three should be enough to go back to back.   Grafton dropped down to Class 3, however they still finished as the runner up. The ground hog day continuum as put them in a loop no matter who they play. That is now seven consecutive seasons they have finished as runner up in a state championship. The six previous ones came as they were a Class 4 school. With the loss of their MVP Alexis Keeter Grafton should not extend their runner up streak. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='238858' first='Allyson' last='Burke'], setter [player_tooltip player_id='545714' first='Kaylie' last='Klemm'] and middle [player_tooltip player_id='465315' first='Ana' last='Breckons'] hope to change the ground hog day continuum with a state championship. Losing Alexis may be too big a blow.   That should put Christiansburg led by setter/right side [player_tooltip player_id='495264' first='Ela' last='Shepherd'] competing with Hidden Valley for that championship spot.   Class 2   Raincheck on this class.   Class 1    At 6'1" she could dominate at class 6. She hits against smaller blockers at the Class 1 division. Last year they lost in the semifinals to the eventual class 1 state champions Auburn in five. Sophie has committed to Ole Miss. Last year she earned MVP honors in Class 1.    Last year Giles lost in the semifinals. This year count on recent Ole Miss commit [player_tooltip player_id='452562' first='Sophie' last='Taylor'] to lead them to the championship. She is the only player from this class ranked in the top 150 for any year. That could change when rosters come out.   Chesapeake Chirps: At the USAV Beach Championships [player_tooltip player_id='471627' first='Allison' last='Spittal'] finished in fourth in the 18 open. [player_tooltip player_id='536715' first='Breeze' last='Johnson'] finished fifth in the 16 Open. As far as I know, no Chesapeake indoor team has finished higher than fifth in any Open age group, While beach only plays with two on a team, Allison and her partner Juliana Johnson finished higher in a national championship than any indoor team playing open.

Last year I predicted six high schools to finish the season as state champions. Five of them did, while the sixth Riverside went undefeated until losing in the Class 5 finals. For this post we will take a look at last year's state champions from the Virginia public high schools to determine what their chances are for repeating. Next, we will take a look at the DC championship, as well as the Virginia Independent schools. Lastly, we will take a look at the Maryland state champions.