Who Will Prevent Class 5 Rams Repeat

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside should also be looking for a three peat this year. Two years ago they were undefeated going into the championship match before losing to First Colonial. Last year they took care of business by winning the state championship. Who will prevent a repeat from happening in 2025? Four teams from the Virginia Beach area have the talent but only two can make it out of the Region to the state championship bracket. Frank Cox, Ocean Lakes, Kellam and First Colonial are four teams quite capable of coming out of the 5a region. Last year Kellam slipped to third in the Beach Conference but reached the finals of the State championship by winning the Region. Unless they pull another upset in Regional 5a play they will fall short of making the state bracket this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Riverside</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":788243,"width":"641px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/RG1A6109.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-788243" style="width:641px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson'] with the block</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will be tough to take down a Riverside team that has only lost two matches the last two seasons, especially when they return most of their starters from last year. This could be a three peat this year except two years ago their only loss was to First Colonial in the championship match. For Riverside last year was their first state championship for volleyball in school history. The odds are great they will make it a repeat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - Libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438070' first='Camryn' last='Coulther']</strong>, left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834127' first='Kennedy' last='Peyton']</strong>, setter <strong>Chloe Stevens</strong>, <strong>Hanna Hessabi</strong>, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray'],</strong> right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong>, middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='813444' first='Gabbie' last='Vizek']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Critical Departures</strong> - middle<strong> Brianna Holladay</strong>, left side <strong>Simone Schaeffer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising Frosh </strong>- middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763151' first='Sydney' last='Lewis'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763151' first='Sydney' last='Lewis'] </strong>impressed at a Prep Dig frosh showcase. She also contributed to a strong [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] team last year. The odds are strong she will fill the middle position vacated by the graduation of <strong>Brianna Holladay</strong>. Replacing Simone on the outside may have to come from the Junior Varsity. While <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834127' first='Kennedy' last='Peyton'] </strong>is not a flashy left side she plays her position well. She covers all six rotations while making all the plays expected of her. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong> will dominate the right side. She made the 20 woman roster for the United States national team to play in the U21 World Championship. The most valuable player rests on the shoulders of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray']</strong> who sets a 5/1 although if [player_tooltip player_id='377335' first='Mackenzie' last='Davis'] returns this could change. At 6'0" the Christian Newport commit brings height to the setter position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - After finishing first in the Potomac District Riverside found itself with a number of players named to the Potomac all-tournament team. Even with all that talent on the Riverside roster the MVP of the Potomac District was setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lightridge</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":763457,"width":"447px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/amara-2.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-763457" style="width:447px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='734897' first='Amara' last='Pope'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lightridge has never won a state championship nor even appeared in a final four. It did not open until the 2020-2021 school year so it has yet to establish a lot of history. They have grown from less than 1,000 students to over 2,000 now. That makes me think they are due for a State final four appearance. However, they may still fall short of a championship when they play Riverside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - middle<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='734897' first='Amara' last='Pope']</strong>, setter <strong>Nisha Gupta</strong>, left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839956' first='Jaylen' last='Burgess']</strong>, setter <strong>Olivia Nilsen</strong>, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246485' first='Faith' last='Ramirez']</strong>, Libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586826' first='Kaya' last='Obando']</strong>, right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445966' first='Emerson' last='Barbrow']</strong>, libero/ds [player_tooltip player_id='795522' first='Keira' last='Kavulic'], middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828234' first='Giuliana' last='Mastrangelo']</strong>, left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537117' first='Annika' last='Cortez']</strong>, left side<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='730594' first='Gianna' last='Molfino']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Critical Departures</strong> - outside <strong>Marissa Camp,</strong> libero/ds <strong>Natalie Yee</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":781850,"width":"373px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/21-Kayla-R-Tutoni.jpg?w=821" alt="" class="wp-image-781850" style="width:373px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='777558' first='Kayla' last='R Tutoni']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising Frosh</strong> - libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='777558' first='Kayla' last='R Tutoni']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - Call me crazy for selecting a 2-8 team to make it to the final four this year in the Class 5 state Championship, but I like their roster of club filled players. The more logical pick would be Independence. I am impressed with the middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='734897' first='Amara' last='Pope']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828234' first='Giuliana' last='Mastrangelo']</strong>. Both will snuff out rallies with their block while also creating offense with their hitting. Giuliana at 6'3" has the height while Amara at 5'10" brings the vertical. They return setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246485' first='Faith' last='Ramirez'] </strong>as well as a couple strong outsides in [player_tooltip player_id='839956' first='Jaylen' last='Burgess'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537117' first='Annika' last='Cortez']</strong>. Rising frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='777558' first='Kayla' last='R Tutoni']</strong> played on the Paramount 13 team but won a top performer award at the Prep Dig frosh showcase. She will seek a back row opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - When the school opened in 2020 COVID-19 was at its peak so the classes that year were virtual. Needless to say there was no volleyball that first season as well as no senior class. They finished 1-14 their first season in 2021. They have yet to have a winning season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frank Cox</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Falcons were on a 12 match winning streak when they were knocked off in the semi-finals of the Regional 5a playoffs by First Colonial. In 2021 they were able to reach the finals of the state championship until they were swept by Stone Bridge. The Falcons last state championship came in 2019 when they beat North Stafford in five. They have won a total of five state championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - Frank Cox lacks frosh and junior varsity teams so not all the returning players will be listed. Right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828571' first='Summer' last='Hillman']</strong>, right side <strong>Kathleen Grosz</strong>, outside <strong>Megan Brannock</strong>, Libero/DS <strong>Brooke Hom</strong>, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545710' first='Avery' last='Osler'],</strong> right side <strong>Lilian Tignor</strong>, middle <strong>Kiley Frostad,</strong> middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828299' first='Lucille' last='Tignor']</strong>, right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='617089' first='India' last='Starr']</strong>, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807929' first='Emma' last='Piccola']</strong>, Libero/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='786480' first='Ava' last='Davis']</strong>, setter <strong>Caroline Butkovich</strong>, outside<strong> Camdyn Milisitz </strong>, libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833465' first='June' last='Culicerto']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Significant Departures</strong> - setter <strong>Olivia Fortier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising Frosh</strong> - With no frosh or junior varsity teams there are always a number of rising frosh riding the bench.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment </strong>- Only one senor departed from last year's team their 5/1 setter <strong>Olivia Fortier</strong>. They do bring back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545710' first='Avery' last='Osler'] </strong>to hit outside. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='617089' first='India' last='Starr']</strong> has shifted to right side for [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] but the Falcons may need her more in the middle. They have two more rising sophomores in [player_tooltip player_id='828571' first='Summer' last='Hillman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='807929' first='Emma' last='Piccola'] who may contribute from the pins. At 5'11"<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='828299' first='Lucille' last='Tignor']</strong> led the team in blocks and hitting percentage. Her younger sister <strong>Lillian Tignor</strong> lists only at 5'8" so she may not contribute to the middle unless she experienced some growth over the summer. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833465' first='June' last='Culicerto']</strong> returns to fulfill her back row responsibilities as the libero. They will need to debut a setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - Two of the four losses for the Falcons last season came against Flint Hill and Georgetown Day at the Endless Summer tournament. While they finished in first place in the Beach conference at 15-1 they were 0-2 against teams in the Independent School Conference (ISL).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ocean Lakes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589212,"width":"308px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/70-Alexis-Broggin.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589212" style="width:308px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='518167' first='Alexis' last='Broggin']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ocean Lakes has been to the finals twice but lost on both occasions, the latest to Kellam in 2016 and again to Kellam in 2011. Since dropping down to Class 5 they have yet to appear in a final four. Kellam has been to the final four the last two years. For Ocean Lakes last yea was a disappointing season. Early in the season during the Virginia Showcase tournament a coach informed me that Ocean Lakes was loaded. Despite that they still finished second in the Beach Conference, then were upset by Kellam in the Region 5a playoffs. They seek to make amends this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - Ocean Lakes lack a frosh and junior varsity team so not all returning players will be listed here. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='746327' first='August' last='Bridges'], setter [player_tooltip player_id='664960' first='Carmela' last='Mendoza'], outside [player_tooltip player_id='808093' first='Santina' last='Martcheva'], libero/ds [player_tooltip player_id='518167' first='Alexis' last='Broggin'], <strong>Aubrey Spagnoli</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='808245' first='Sienna' last='Carr'], and [player_tooltip player_id='618590' first='Lyla' last='Shannon']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Significant Departures</strong> - outside<strong> Nora Costello</strong>, outside <strong>Tessa Kurz</strong>, libero/ds <strong>Kayla Bennett</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising Frosh</strong> - There will be a number of frosh on the Ocan Lakes team this year because they lack a frosh or junior varsity team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - The Dolphins carry two strong outsides in Virginia Tech commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808093' first='Santina' last='Martcheva'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746327' first='August' last='Bridges']</strong> (Edit: August is another setter) as well as a strong setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='664960' first='Carmela' last='Mendoza'] </strong>. The one player who stands out as the most difficult to replace is<strong> Kayla Benett</strong>. They will need a player to provide the passing and defense to allow this offense to run. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='518167' first='Alexis' last='Broggin']</strong> is prepared to fill that role. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='618590' first='Lyla' last='Shannon']</strong> will take responsibility for plugging up the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact </strong>- Until a couple years ago Ocean Lakes competed in Class 6. They have appeared in the finals of the state championship twice and lost both times to Kellam. Last year they beat Kellam twice during the regular season but ultimately lost to them in the semi-finals of the Regional playoffs in five. That eliminated them from qualifying for States. This year I am predicting a different outcome.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->