For Warhawks Too Much Toumazatos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year Langley lost only three matches. All of them to Madison. The two teams had a chance to face each other in the finals but Madison lost to Battlefield in the semi-finals while Langley beat Colonial Forge in five. Langley beat Battlefield in the finals to win the state championship, but they may have preferred to play Madison to avenge those three previous losses.</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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6734b6c8dadd2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In my opinion, one of the best setters in the DMV area is [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo']. She reminds me a lot of <strong>Chloe Wilmot</strong>, who set for Alexandria City while they won their two state championships. One of the most important traits of a setter is their unselfishness. Milan Rex ended up winning the Gatorade Player of the Year award but she may not have been able to accomplish that feat without Chloe Wilmot as her setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] runs a 5/1 for Langley. She is consistently accurate with the location of her sets while she also shows great leadership on the court. When frosh<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh'] </strong>struggled on the court Claire was the first person to rush over and hug her after she buried a kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The last couple years she played a year up with [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']. She ran a 5/1. This year she will be setting for Metro. They normally do not run 5/1s with their setters since they normally carry more pin hitters on their roster than positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Claire stands 5'10". I have yet to really see her hit. She spends all her time setting. Even in games her dumps fall to the floor more from her placement than any hard swings. But when the ball is near the net she usually wins the joust. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year Langley faced Madison for the first time in the semi-finals of the Class .6D Regionals. The winner would advance to the finals and qualify for the State bracket. For the loser, the season would be done. After Madison won the opener Langley wondered what kind of spell Madison placed over them. Whatever the spell the solution for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo']</strong> was to feed <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> the ball every opportunity she got. She did and Langley rolled in the next three sets to win the match and break whatever perceived spell existed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first set the two teams battled for supremacy. Madison held a 12-11 lead. The two teams then engaged in the longest rally of the match. The two liberos <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong> for Madison and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='476364' first='Amber' last='Smith']</strong> for Langley made some tremendous saves to keep the rallies alive. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377336' first='Callie' last='Agniel'] </strong>finally ended it with one of her team leading eight kills. The momentum shifted after that with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545721' first='Emelyn' last='Shen']</strong> serving two aces and six points to give the Warhawks a 19-13 lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the Saxons creeped closer courtesy of a number of [player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos'] kills<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='377336' first='Callie' last='Agniel'] </strong>ended the run with another kill and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='359401' first='Chloe' last='Barth']</strong> followed with two aces to extend the lead to 23-16. Ana continued to bang away with a kill giving the Saxons serve and withering the lead to a four point deficit at 20-24. She served up one ace but the next travelled long for a 21-25 loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set did not begin so well for Langley. They lagged behind 13-9 after two kills by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753053' first='Gretchen' last='Gottschalk']</strong> broke a 9-9 tie, forcing a timeout. The Saxons seemed to get their mojo back after the timeout with two back row kills from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> and a tip kill by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='663202' first='Vivian' last='Nitowski']</strong>. A block by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470555' first='Ava' last='Barnett']</strong> tied the score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saxons stayed close at 20-20 but a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377330' first='Chloe' last='Lin']</strong> kill followed by a Madison hitting error extended the Langley lead to 22-20. Chloe produced another kill and [player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos'] put some magical spin on a back row roll shot to have it just slide over the net and hit the floor. Finally, the 25-20 win was secured after Ana served an ace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the match tied at 1-1 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos'] </strong>took over for Langley. In the third set she powered the ball over the net for at least 12 kills. She was crushing balls over blocks while also finding holes between blockers. Her only errors occurred when she tried to go line and hit the ball out. Madison got down early 4-0 and 10-2. It ended 25-9.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["377330"],"_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-67344ac277d08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Early in the season Chloe fought for a role as a pin hitter. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh']</strong> beat her out for a left side position and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='663202' first='Vivian' last='Nitowski'] </strong>won the one right side slot. Her role became depth for the two positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the game against Madison Rujuta struggled. [player_tooltip player_id='377330' first='Chloe' last='Lin'] came in to become a game saver. Her two kills in set two turned a 20-20 tie into a 23-20 lead. Without those kills Langley could have been down 2-0 in the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chloe also put together two kills in the fourth set to help the Saxons pull away early. Even though she did not start the first two sets she came close to achieving double digit kills for the match. Depth becomes important for a team to win championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the start of the season, with [player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos'] injured [player_tooltip player_id='377330' first='Chloe' last='Lin'] also helped at the pins. Langley continued to win even playing without their big hitter. At 5'10" Chloe brings good height to the floor to make an impact at the net. Next year, after Ana graduates she should win a starting slot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Ana got her share of kills in set four, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377330' first='Chloe' last='Lin'] </strong>also joined the action. With the game tied at 7-7 Ana buried a ball to give Langley an 8-7 lead. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377330' first='Chloe' last='Lin']</strong> produced two kills for a 9-7 and 11-8 lead. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo']</strong> showed off her jump with a block to extend the lead to 12-8. When the score ballooned to 15-8 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397550' first='Chloe' last='Bonney-James']</strong> gave Madison the serve back with a kill off the block. It would be the last point scored by the Warhawks. After a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377330' first='Chloe' last='Lin']</strong> kill gave the Saxons the ball back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo']</strong> finished the game with 9 consecutive points, including two aces to finish the match with a second 25-9 score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Virginia Playoff Action</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chantilly advanced to the States with a sweep over Marshall. They will face Langley in the finals on Wednesday. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu']</strong> (13) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455102' first='Erin' last='Green']</strong> (12) led the way for the Chargers with 25 kills. <strong>Lameen "Mimi" Manbu</strong> also delivered with three aces and 17 points serving, while also playing defense to scoop up 16 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Class 6B action played last week Patriot burst the bubble of the Cinderella team Mountain View, beating them in four. Patriot will advance to the final to play Colgan, who eliminated Battlefield with a sweep. Both Patriot and Colgan qualify for State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Springfield won class 6C with a convincing sweep over Alexandria City. [player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden'] led the Spartans with 29 kills while filing in the stat column an incredible .692 hitting percentage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In class 6A action Grassfield pulled off a bit of an upset by beating Deep Run in five. Grassfield went into overtime to win the fifth set 22-20. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='734796' first='Benisa' last='Moore']</strong> (19) and <strong>Sierra Hunt</strong> (15) led the way with a combined 34 kills. Moore also contributed four blocks with 22 digs on defense. <strong>Landyn Smith </strong>orchestrated the offense with 42 assists while libero <strong>Melanie Vasconcellos </strong>scraped the ball off the floor for 28 digs. Grassfield will face Glen Allen, who swept Thomas Dale in a semi-final match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 5</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Class 5D Riverside got a bit of revenge by sweeping Independence to win the Region. It was the second time the Rams have swept Independence since they gave Riverside their first loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Class 5A Kellam picked the right time to get hot with a four set win over First Colonial. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='484751' first='Riley' last='Erwin']</strong> came two digs away from achieving a triple double with 18 kills, 8 digs and 23 assists. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484970' first='Sofia' last='Barnes']</strong> (15) and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='246936' first='Audriana' last='Neal']</strong> (14) combined for 29 kills while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='434856' first='Sydney' last='Stone']</strong> contributed 24 digs with four aces in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Menchville vs Maury and Midlothian against Albemarle are the other class 5 finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James Wood swept Millbrook led by the 21 kills from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'].</strong> They will face Glass who eliminated Jefferson Forest with a four match win. Jefferson won the opener 25-23 but lost the next three. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loudoun County beat Dominion in four to win the Class 4C finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Courtland swept past Powhatan to qualify for States and play in the Class 4B finals against Atlee. Atlee squeezed past Hanover in five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jamestown won Class 4A with a four match win over Smithfield. <strong>Sophia Mayes </strong>(12), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752054' first='Madison' last='Rogers']</strong> (10) and <strong>Allison Trogdon</strong> (10) led a balanced attack with 32 kills. Trogdon also led the team with five blocks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='705565' first='Senah' last='Drazdowski'] </strong>piled up 8 aces while scoring 15 points and dishing out 27 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christiansburg won the finals over Hidden Valley in four in Class 3D action. These two teams have clashed four times and each has won two. It would not surprise me to see them play a fifth time in the finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":397423,"width":"661px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/Evie-Warm-Up-VolleyBy-James-2023-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-397423" style="width:661px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='229773' first='Evie' last='Ballengee'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty Christinan vs Alleghany in the Class 3C finals. Liberty Christian got to the finals by sweeping Turner Ashby. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='229773' first='Evie' last='Ballengee']</strong> (11), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845472' first='Emily' last='Cook'] </strong>(11) and <strong>Kenstin Phelp</strong>s (12) combined for 34 kills. Kenstin also shared in the setting duties with 18 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kettle Run swept past Warren County in the finals to become Class 3B champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 3A - Grafton will face New Kent in the finals. For Grafton<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='248639' first='Alana' last='Washington']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='707593' first='Kenzie' last='Smith']</strong> contributed 11 kills each to achieve their semifinal win over Tabb.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridgeview won in four over Marion to become the Class 2D champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James River also won in four to beat Radford in the Class 2C finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarke County swept Fort Defiance to earn the Class 2B championship. <strong>Maecy Frizelle </strong>led Fort Defiance with 22 kills and 12 digs to advance them to the finals with their sweep over Madison County. Unfortunately, they fell short in the finals despite the 19 kills by Maecy in the loss against Clark County. Fort Defiance still advances to the state bracket so they may get another opportunity. Maecy earned Shenandoah player of the year honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Bruton plays Poquoson in the finals of Class 2A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 1D - North Wood will face Rural Retreat for their championship match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Auburn beat Giles in five to win the Class 1C Region. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='452562' first='Sophie' last='Taylor']</strong> kept on swinging with her 26 kills for Giles in their sweep over Narrows. It would not surprise me to see these two teams meet in the Class 1 finals in the state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Altavista swept past Rappahannock County to win Class 1B.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other Rappahannock won in five over Middlesex. Rappahannock frosh <strong>Alexis Vermeer</strong> had a match with 20 kills, 2 aces, four blocks and 18 digs in their semi-final win over Lancaster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->