Top Eight Class 6 Teams for Virginia States

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are my projected final eight for the Class 6 Virginia State championships. The top two teams in the regional playoffs qualify for the state bracket. The problem with my projection is the set up for the Regionals. If three of these team are put in the same regional bracket then only two can advance. Later posts will take a look at the other five classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ocean Lakes </strong>(16-3) Beach - The Dolphins setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='664960' first='Carmela' last='Mendoza']</strong> runs the offense well. If Ocean Lakes had made it to the gold bracket in the Virginia Volleyball Showcase she might have earned votes for the all tournament team. They carry one of the top left side hitters in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333654' first='Santina' last='Martcheva']</strong>. The 6'1" Virginia Tech commit has a tough serve. Both players are juniors. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='664963' first='Kayla' last='Bennett'] </strong>plays a strong back row and sopomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='618590' first='Lyla' last='Shannon']</strong> covers the middle well. At 6'1" she brings length to the position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They are the only volleyball team south of Manassas that can put together a quality volleyball team at the Class 6 level. Their only losses this year have come against North Stafford, Saint Catherines and First Colonial. Since the loss to First Colonial they have marched to a 12 match winning, sweeping every set but one. They are the only team to beat Langley, the defending state champions from last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["333653"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6717c336cafc8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elizabeth plays right side for [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy']. For Colgan she plays middle. Playing right side provides more opportunity for her to show her offensive capability. Playing middle brings her defensive strengths into play with her blocking. That flexibility to play both gives a team strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">From the middle her hitting percentage sits at .384, which ranks number one on the team. She ranks second in blocking and third in kills. At 6'3" she provides a presence at the net. The scary thought for opponents is that she could see even more growth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colgan</strong> (20-2-3) Cardinal - Strengths: They have two undersized left sides in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223581' first='Skylar' last='Johnson']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='238593' first='Tehillah' last='Garrison'] that provide most of their offense. Those two rank first and second on the team in kills. Tehillah has a jump spin serve that is difficult to pass, accumulating 75 aces. [player_tooltip player_id='333653' first='Elizabeth' last='York'] is a force in the middle, second on the team in blocks but leading in hitting percentage at .384. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='609602' first='Allison' last='Cibrian-Martinez']</strong> controls the back row while [player_tooltip player_id='464563' first='Elizabeth' last='Robinson'] and <strong>Jasmine belle Carrasco </strong>share the setting duties. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='550688' first='Sienna' last='Mitchell'] </strong>can rotate right side or middle while their other right side [player_tooltip player_id='609533' first='Madeline' last='Dumais'] is third on the team in kills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='696425' first='Kennedy' last='Buchanan']</strong> is an undersized middle, but she leads the team in blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sharks won the Flint Hill Invitational, defeating Bishop O'Connell in the finals. Their only two losses have come against Courtland and Norfolk Academy during the Virginia Volleyball Showcase back in August. They have won 15 matches in a row since then with two ties against Madison and Bishop O'Connell in the Flint Hill Invitational.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181245"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6717c336cb02c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Her volleyball career started as a setter. At 5'3" her height restricts her to back row play. Patriot struggled with passing and with [player_tooltip player_id='448705' first='Danika' last='Swanson'] setting a 5/1 they moved her to the libero position. She seems a nice fit for that role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She ran track in high school so she has the quickness to cover a lot of court. Getting the repetitions to familiarize playing defense at a different spot on the court poses the biggest challenge. She also has to get used to passing, a skill she did not have to acquire when setting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough serve puts her second on the team in aces. Now, with both setting and libero skills in place she shows the flexibility to play more than one position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Patriot </strong>(14-9) Cedar Run - Strengths: They have a nice setter in [player_tooltip player_id='448705' first='Danika' last='Swanson'] that runs a 5/1. She has lots of weapons to choose from in middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238850' first='Sydney' last='Bennett']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='464562' first='Elizabeth' last='Gordon'] as well as left sides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220923' first='Soleil' last='Rancourt']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='500510' first='Violet' last='Masiello']. Passing has been an issue but they have moved [player_tooltip player_id='181245' first='Anisa' last='Flowers'] to play libero to try to strengthen that issue. Both Sydney and Soleil stand 6'2" so they have height in the front row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers played one of the toughest schedules with losses against Dominion (twice), Riverside, North Stafford, St. Johns, Colgan and Gainesville, all teams that may also be competing in states at different class levels. A recent loss against Gainesville dropped them to third in the Cedar Run. If they can get on a consistent run they will be dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Stafford</strong> (19-4) Commonwealth - Strengths: Their libero [player_tooltip player_id='471627' first='Allison' last='Spittal'] is one of the top beach players in the country. She finished fourth in the Junior Nationals beach tournament 18 Open. She has committed to Florida Atlantic to play beach. [player_tooltip player_id='221415' first='Lindsey' last='Canty'] can put the ball away from the left side. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='294589' first='Maya' last='Tillman']</strong> can play either right side or left, but the team seems to get more side outs when she is hitting left side. [player_tooltip player_id='620687' first='Jordan' last='Ellis'] plays a strong middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines finished undefeated in the Commonwealth. They took Langley to three in the Virginia Volleyball Showcase before losing. Another loss came against Courtland in the semifinals when they lost the third set 15-13. The other two losses have come against Riverbend and Battlefield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["359401"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6717c336cb073"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Since I've watched her play she has always played right side. At 5'9" coaches are looking at players with more length to play that position to put up a stronger block against the left side hitter. Smaller hitters now gravitate to the left side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One skill Chloe brings to the right side is the ability to hit the ball. It would not seem to take much to transfer that skill to the left side. She also can hit the ball well from the back row. For Virginia Juniors she played mostly back row but was used as the primary target for the back row attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For Madison she brings a good serve, third on the team in aces but second on the team in providing points for her team on serve. A valuable player to have, whether you want to use her in the front row, back row or both. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Madison</strong> (12-3-3) Concorde - Strengths: My pick to win the state championship. [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] is an undersized left side who leads the team in kills. She also plays a solid six rotations. Her primary position in travel ball is libero so playing defense and passing comes naturally. They have three towers who stand over 6 foot to create problems for an offense. [player_tooltip player_id='230817' first='Riley' last='Lynch'], [player_tooltip player_id='397550' first='Chloe' last='Bonney-James'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181314' first='Aubrey' last='Loughlin'] cover the two middle spots and the right side. [player_tooltip player_id='455177' first='Briana' last='Vo'] sets a 5/1 but at 5'5" can be an issue in the front row. [player_tooltip player_id='377336' first='Callie' last='Agniel'] plays the other left side and [player_tooltip player_id='696415' first='Jenna' last='Swale'] covers the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='359401' first='Chloe' last='Barth'] is also another quality back row player who can hit right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the few teams that did not lose a match in a tournament but failed to qualify for the playoffs. In pool play they finished 1-0-2 with splits against Colgan and Bishop O'Connell in the Flint Hill Invitational. The tie breaker rule put them in third place sending them home. They play in the same division as Chantilly, with their only losses occurring against Yorktown to begin the season and Bullis and Chantilly back to back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chantilly</strong> (15-2-1) Concorde - Strengths: The duo of [player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu'] and [player_tooltip player_id='455102' first='Erin' last='Green'] take care of most of the offense for the Chargers. Lameen is the number one ranked player in the class of 2025. [player_tooltip player_id='377344' first='Julia' last='Horan'] has the length to create problems in the middle. The top setter is [player_tooltip player_id='240899' first='Sarah' last='Kim'] but [player_tooltip player_id='664141' first='Hala' last='Younes'] helps in a 6/2. [player_tooltip player_id='181284' first='Nola' last='Murphy'] takes over the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their only two losses have been against West Springfield and James Madison. They have swept their opponents in 13 of their 15 wins with one tie against Woodbridge. A recent win against James Madison makes them the top seed in the Concorde Region, if they can get past Westfield in their last match of the season..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Langley</strong> (16-1) Liberty - Strengths: [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] may be the top setter in the area. She distributes her sets to any player on the court. With a healthy [player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos'] this offense becomes more lethal. Frosh [player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh'] is a bit undesized at 5'7" on the left side but she plays a strong six rotations. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='470555' first='Ava' last='Barnett'] runs the quick tempo sets well and if a team focuses too much on the left sides she is wide open for an attack. [player_tooltip player_id='476364' first='Amber' last='Smith'] plays a solid back row and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='663202' first='Vivian' last='Nitowski'] </strong>plays right side. Vivian, Claire and Rujuta all made all tournament team at the Virginia Volleyball Showcase early in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their only loss during the season has come against Ocean Lakes in the Virginia Volleyball Showcase. They ended up winning the tournament, downing Courtland in the finals. The defending champions have swept their last 13 matches. That coincides with the return of [player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos'] from an injury earlier in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Springfield</strong> (22-1) Patriot - Strength: Not a lot of mystery to this team. It basically comes down to [player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks'] setting [player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden'] and the other players keep the ball alive. Evelyn ranks seventh in the state of Virginia in kills. They do get some offense from their left sides frosh [player_tooltip player_id='694923' first='Layla' last='Babiker'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='354086' first='Nina' last='Schweigert']. Sabrina Kleiman plays a solid back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their only loss during the season came against Chantilly. After that loss they have won their last 14 matches with 12 of them sweeps. One of those wins came against Chantilly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Dig Showcases</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New rankings will be coming out after December. While I try to see as many players as possible there are a lot of teams to see. On December 7 there will be a showcase in Rockville Maryland <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1307/register/dmv-top-250-expo">2024 DMV Top 250 Expo | Prep Dig</a> and on December 14 there will be a showcase in Baltimore Maryland <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1302/register/maryland-top-250-expo">2024 Maryland Top 250 Expo | Prep Dig</a>. This is your opportunity to come to me to watch you play. It also gives me an opportunity to write about players who I may miss during either the club or high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As an added benefit you can use the code AbelsExpo2024 to receive a $10 discount. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->