Saxons and Chargers Advance in Virginia Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Maryland and DC state playoffs have finished, as well as the Virginia Independent School Playoffs. The last to go are the Virginia High School League (VHSL) playoffs. Prep Dig so far sits 5 for 5 in our preseason picks for state playoff champions for Maryland, DC and the Virginia Independent schools. In the VHSL we have already missed out on the Class 6 (Madison) and the Class 2 (Bruton) state champion predictions after their elimination. The other four classes are still in play as we journey into the final four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 6 </strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":186085,"width":"242px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Evey.jpg?w=747" alt="" class="wp-image-186085" style="width:242px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Springfield swept past Glen Allen. The Jaguars failed to reach 20 points in the sweep. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden']</strong> continued her bombardment of the opposition with 22 kills that included just one hitting error for an incredible .750 hitting percentage. She also contributed 12 aces as well as seven digs. <strong>Audry Busch</strong> also strung together 7 aces. Springfield as a team picked up 22 digs which equaled the number of Jurden kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Langley swept past Colgan in four. This sets up a battle between two Virginia Elite teammates in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> versus <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chantilly swept past Patriot. The Chargers held them to less than twenty points in the three sets played. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu']</strong> (10 kills) and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='455102' first='Erin' last='Green']</strong> combined for 19 kills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377344' first='Julia' last='Horan']</strong> generated six blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexandria City took five to defeat Grassfield. Grassfield won sets three and four 25-23 and 25-20 but the Titans prevented the reverse sweep by taking the fifth set 15-8. <strong> Benisa Moore </strong>contributed 20 kills in the loss but 44 hitting errors and a .080 hitting percentage proved the Grizzlies downfall. <strong>Landyn Smith</strong> still dished out 44 assists in 144 sets. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='464589' first='Julia' last='Kelly']</strong> ranks as the top offensive threat for Alexandria City. The Titans present more losses than the three remaining teams in their bracket combined. However, they still made the dance to the final four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 5 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":411805,"width":"248px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/382-Kieran-Rhoton.jpg?w=544" alt="" class="wp-image-411805" style="width:248px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Independence put the sweep on Midlothian to end their hopes for a second state title within three years. They now will face Riverside for the sixth time this season. Independence is the only team to have beaten Riverside, but their overall record against them is 1-5. They took them to five sets in one loss. Independence relies on the offensive contributions of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290176' first='Kieran' last='Rhoton']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235296' first='Makenzie' last='Dvorznak']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside swept Albermarle with scores of 25-10, 25-15 and 25-10. They now face Independence for the sixth time this year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray']</strong> are keys for the Rams advancement to the finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First Colonial gets closer to defending their championship beating Menchville in four. Menchville won the second set 27-25. While their record is not as strong as last year they still have talent on the roster to advance to the championship. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485079' first='Grace' last='Davies-Hackenberg']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481962' first='Gabby' last='Taylor']</strong> are keys to that advancement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kellam swept past Murray. The first set was a nail biter at 28-26 but after that Kellam dominated the last two sets 25-11 and 25-9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484970' first='Sofia' last='Barnes']</strong> (18) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484751' first='Riley' last='Erwin'] </strong>(10) combined for 28 kills. Riley also led the team in blocks with seven. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='544609' first='Giulia' last='Allison']</strong> contributed five aces to go with 13 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4 </strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":516124,"width":"237px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/89-Aubrey-Parker-rotated.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-516124" style="width:237px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defending champion James Wood escaped with a five set win over Dominion. They overcame a 2-1 deficit by beating Dominion in the last two sets 25-17 and 15-5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] </strong>contributed 18 kills along with 6 aces and 27 points serving. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong> collected three aces with 27 points serving, while also tallying 22 digs. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='621440' first='Kylee' last='Plumb']</strong> distributed 40 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atlee swept past Jamestown despite the 11 kills and 13 digs from <strong>Cayleigh White.</strong> Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='326536' first='Reagan' last='MacDougall']</strong> and pin <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464573' first='Blake' last='Crawford']</strong> are the offensive pieces to watch for Atlee. Blake brings a lefthanded swing ideal for the right side, but she can also bring it from the left side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loudoun County stumbled in the third set 25-12 but bounced back to take the fourth 25-19. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523337' first='Ana' last='Smithson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington']</strong> are players to watch for Loudoun County. Shout out to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther']</strong>, <strong>Hadley Riviello</strong>, <strong>Madeline White</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='591686' first='Clara' last='Jolly'] </strong>who all played for me before they turned teenagers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Courtland swept past Smithfield. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</strong> is the key to this Cougar team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":722233,"width":"335px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Evie-Caleigh-Ponn-2024-State-Quaterfinals-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-722233" style="width:335px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='229773' first='Evie' last='Ballengee'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hidden Valley just squeaked past Liberty Christian in five. It was a battle between two Academy North Carolina club players dueling against each other. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn']</strong> created 28 kills for Hidden Valley while middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='229773' first='Evie' last='Ballengee']</strong> put together seven kills along with seven blocks in the loss. Hidden Valley won the first set 26-24 but Liberty Christian bounced back to win the next two 25-19, 26-24. Facing elimination, the Titans won the last two 25-20, 15-9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464576' first='Sophie' last='Arnold']</strong> also contributed 19 kills for the Titans. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722276' first='Kenstin' last='Phelps']</strong> completed a triple double for the Bulldogs with 16 kills, 15 digs and 13 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christiansburg swept past Alleghany and now will face Hidden Valley for the fifth time this season. The two are split at 2 wins apiece. This last match will decide superiority. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='495264' first='Ela' last='Shepherd']</strong> completed a triple double with 16 kills, 12 digs and 16 assists. <strong>Addison Reasor</strong> also strung together 14 kills. <strong>Kendra Dressler</strong> dished out 23 assists in a losing effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Kent won in five over Kettle Run. The Trojans won the last set 15-11. Kettle Run won the fourth set 25-23 to take it to a fifth. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='752065' first='Leah' last='Rounds']</strong> (21) and <strong>Fallon Greenawalt </strong>(15) combined for 36 kills. <strong>MacKenzie Loveland </strong>collected 46 assists and 17 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grafton swept past Warren County. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248639' first='Alana' last='Washington']</strong> led the charge with her 13 kills. The ace train was led by<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='248636' first='Ellie' last='Duer']</strong> (6) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238858' first='Allyson' last='Burke']</strong> (5). Allyson led the team in digs with 15.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridgeview swept Radford. While the first match was 25-5, Radford proved more competitive in the next two losing 25-22 and 25-20. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James River downed Marion in four. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark County swept Poquoson in three sets that were decided by just two points, 28-26, 26-24 and 25-23. They will now face Fort Defiance for a second time. In their first meeting Clark County swept them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Defiance eliminated Bruton in five. Bruton was my pick to win this class. The Panthers won the third and fourth sets 25-20 and 25-22 to take it to a fifth, which Fort Defiance won 15-9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720606' first='Maecy' last='Frizzelle']</strong> put together 36 kills with a .492 hitting percentage. <strong>Ella Shreckhise </strong>served up 8 aces while collecting 21 points serving. She also picked up 16 digs. Bruton got 14 kills from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='601140' first='Jolie' last='Faw']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1 </strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Auburn swept past Northwoods. The second set was tight at 27-25. The others not so tight at 25-10 and 25-7. Auburn has faced Giles four times and beaten them in three, including the last time these two teams played in the Regional. That match went five. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Giles won in four over Rural Retreat. The Indians won the second set 25-18, but lost the third and fourth by the same 25-20 score. Giles benefited from the 34 kills by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='452562' first='Sophie' last='Taylor']</strong> in 96 swings. <strong>Peyton Evans</strong> came up with 24 digs. <strong>Kylee Snide</strong>r put together 30 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middlesex took Altavista in four. Altavista won the third set 25-16 but failed to reach 20 in the other three sets. This will be the fourth time Middlesex will face Rappahannock. Middlesex won the first two matches but lost the most recent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rappahannock beat the County version in four. RC won the second set 25-17 but failed to see 20 points in the other three sets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->