Final DMV Top 25 List and the MVPs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It would be nice to have a DMV championship with the top four or eight teams competing against each other to identify one true champion of the DMV area. It could be done over a weekend or perhaps in one day. Unfortunately, for the most part the end of the high school season rides in too closely with the start of club season. For the most part we will have to be content with rankings compiled by various publications. Below are the top 25 high schools in the DC/Maryland/Virginia (DMV) area as compiled by Prep Dig.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 - <strong>Howard</strong> 25-0 (last ranked 6) - We will go with the six degrees of Kevin Bacon theory. Howard defeated North Hagerstown in the Maryland Class 3 state championship. During the season North Hagerstown swept James Wood. James Wood defeated Georgetown Day in the Endless Summer tournament. Since Howard remained undefeated they get crowned number one. They also swept Glenelg and Broadneck as well as defeating North Hagerstown. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='835938' first='Mckenna' last='Brown']</strong> led the team in kills but my MVP vote goes to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier']</strong> for so smoothly running the offense. She never shows any panic on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. <strong>North Hagerstown</strong> 19-1 (LR 5) - Their only loss was to Howard and they swept past James Wood. They also beat some other strong teams in Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Urbana (twice) and Williamsport. All these teams won a championship in the last two years or reached the finals. The MVP is clearly <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> who led the team with 7.4 kills per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. <strong>James Wood</strong> 30-2 (LR 1) - After beating North Hagerstown the previous season they were swept in three when they played them this year. Based on the box score it did not look like any player was absent. The Colonels did beat Georgetown Day in the Endless Summer tournament. Also, defeating Loudoun County to make it four straight Virginia Class 4 state championships was a nice way to end the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']</strong> gets the MVP award for leading the team in kills, although a lot of James Wood success would not have happened without <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":903756,"width":"428px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/GDS-Team-Photo-States.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-903756" style="width:428px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Georgetown Day</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. <strong>Georgetown Day</strong> 22-1 (LR 2) - While they only lost one match their schedule lacked any real fire power after the Endless Summer tournament. They did win the DC state championship but one of the top teams in DC, St. Johns did not qualify. At the Endless Summer they defeated Annapolis Area Christian and Kellam. There one loss came in the championship match against James Wood. The Independent School League (ISL) was down this year with the last two year's champions Bullis and Flint Hill facing down years (although Flint Hill bounced back to win the VISAA state championship). After their loss to James Wood they swept past their next 17 opponents to end the season. My MVP vote goes to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum']</strong> who orchestrated the Mighty Hoppers offense running a 5/1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732523,"width":"426px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Kate-Bickel.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732523" style="width:426px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. <strong>Holy Cross</strong> 27-1-1 (LR 4) - Their only loss of the year came in their last match of the season when they lost to St. Johns in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC). That ended a streak of appearing in the finals for 13 consecutive seasons. With both Bishop O'Connell and Holy Cross losing in the semifinals it also ended a streak of those two teams appearing in the finals for four consecutive seasons. Tough call on the MVP but based on some inside information the vote goes to libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel']</strong>. She was the team leader on the court keeping a young team focused.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. <strong>West Springfield</strong> 30-2 (LR 20) - Last year was the year they should have won it with one of the top hitters in the VHSL in <strong>Evelyn Jurden</strong>. However this year it was more a team effort with every player making a contribution. Their only two losses came against Langly and York town. In the class 6 Virginia state championship they shocked Colgan with a reverse sweep, after getting smoked in the first two sets 25-14, 25-12. The team MVP goes to setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438046' first='Anna' last='Dierks']</strong> for making the right choices while running the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. <strong>Riverside </strong>28 -2 (LR 8) - After taking two early losses in a James Wood tournament to James Wood and Handley, they went on a 23 match winning streak. The final piece came against Kellam in the Class 5 Virginia State championship. It was the second straight season they beat Kellam in the state championship. The MVP vote goes to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong> who seemed to act as the go to person whenever Riverside needed a point. Nadiya finished with a .393 hitting percentage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. <strong>Kellam</strong> 24-4 (LR 10) - We moved them up once we noted they beat Annapolis Area Christian in the Endless Summer tournament. Kellam did experience four losses but three of them came early in the season to Frank Cos, Georgetown Day and James Wood. Their last loss came against Riverside in the Class 5 state finals. They also swept past a strong Midlothian team in the semi-finals of the Class 5 state championship. MVP vote goes to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484970' first='Sofia' last='Barnes']</strong> who led the team in kills, though the 6'1"right side/setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484751' first='Riley' last='Erwin']</strong> deserves consideration for all her triple doubles during the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":882987,"width":"451px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/123-Scarlett-Netherton-crop-2327x1528-1756840312.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-882987" style="width:451px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. <strong>Annapolis Area Christian</strong> 23-2 (LR 11) - Their only two losses all season came against Kellam and Georgetown Day in the Endless summer tournament. In hindsight that tournament attracted some strong teams with four of the seven making the top ten. Flint Hill, Maryvale Prep and Bishop McNamara also competed. The Eagles lineup started mostly frosh with at least five frosh on the court for most sets. They won their last 18 matches after the two losses at the Endless Summer, their final win against Maryvale Prep in the finals of the IAAM championships. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton']</strong> moved from right side to left side and did not miss a beat, leading the team in kills. She gets the MVP award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. <strong>Broadneck</strong> 19-3 (LR 21) - They moved up quite a bit after winning the Maryland Class 4 state championship. One of their losses came against Annapolis Area Christian so that dropped them down a notch. They also lost to Howard, who won the Class 3 state championship and Musselman, who lost in the semifinals of the West Virginia state championship. The MVP goes to their outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='721753' first='Kennedy' last='Smith']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":336147,"width":"303px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Tehillah-Garrison.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-336147" style="width:303px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='238593' first='Tehillah' last='Garrison']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. <strong>Colgan</strong> 29-5 (LR 9) - A reverse sweep loss in the finals of the Class 6 Virginia State championship hurt. After taking the first two sets 25-14 and 25-12 they could not close it out against West Springfield. After losing to Patriot, they entered the finals on an eight match winning streak, including a revenge sweep against Patriot. MVP for their team goes to left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238593' first='Tehillah' last='Garrison']</strong>, who led the team in kills. as well as serving aces with her top spin serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":900772,"width":"433px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/PVI-WCAC-Championship-Team-Photo.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-900772" style="width:433px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Jack Ladowicz Paul VI</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12.<strong> Paul VI</strong> 27-5 (LR 15) - It took them a little time to gel with three new transfers entering the starting lineup. Two losses to Holy Cross and losses to Bishop O'Connell as well as Flint Hill early in their season helped shape them. They got on a roll after the second loss to Holy Cross winning the WCAC and getting into the state finals of the VISAA. A second loss to Flint Hill ended their season on a sour note but as they look back on it winning the WCAC was a great accomplishment. The MVP was clearly <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Coco' last='Lewis']</strong> who provided offense from the front row and back row. She also won player of the year in the VISAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. <strong>Bishop O'Connell</strong> 22-3 (LR 4) - Their first loss came against Holy Cross towards the end of the regular season. Injuries to two of their starters made it difficult to compete during the critical playoff period. They lost in the semi-finals of the WCAC to Paul VI and to Flint Hill in the semi-finals in the VISAA. When they were healthy and played those teams during the regular season they beat them, though in both cases the matches went five. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray']</strong> gets the MVP. She also won the MVP of the WCAC, which is voted on before the conference playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. <strong>Colonial Forge</strong> 18-1 (LR7) - I watched them play in the Colgan Jamboree early in the season, but these matches only counted as scrimmages. At that time Colonial Forge did not have rosters. They also do not provide stats into MaxPreps so determining an MVP is difficult. Their only loss during the season came in a five set match against Colgan in the semi-finals of the Class 6 state championship. Colgan was also the only team they played in the top 25. My vote for MVP goes to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397397' first='Jasmine' last='Williams']</strong> for her play in the middle. She also won a Prep Dig top performer award at our first ever Prep Dig showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. <strong>Stonebridge</strong> 38-0 (LR 23) - The upside - that is a lot of wins. The down side - they played no teams in the top 25. They did sweep Grassfield, who made it to the semi-finals in Class 6 Virginia state championships before being swept by West Springfield. They also won the VISAA Division 2 state championship. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='887042' first='Madalyn' last='Wartick']</strong> won player of the year for the VISAA. Makes sense that she would be the team MVP after leading the team in kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16. <strong>Richard Montgomery</strong> 19-4 (LR 13) - They lost some critical seniors from last year that made it tough to three peat. A loss to Churchill in the quarterfinals of the Class 4 Maryland state championships eliminated them. The downside to that is they had beaten Churchill twice during the regular season. They also lost to Urbana, who reached the finals in Class 4 as well as to Holy Cross. No real big wins against top 25 opponents. Sophomore left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell'] </strong>wins the team MVP for leading the team in kills and service aces (with a vicious top spin serve that may be the best in the DMV area).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":544333,"width":"416px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/IMG_4042.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-544333" style="width:416px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17. <strong>Glenelg</strong> 15-4 (LR NR) - The only new team in our top 25 ranking. They won the Maryland Class 2 state championship. Their roster has some talented club players, but their schedule included just one top 25 team. That was number one Howard who swept them. In the five set championship match <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li'] </strong>strung together 60 assists. That earns her the MVP honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18. <strong>Courtland</strong> 27-2 (LR 16) - Last year they reached the finals before their loss to James Wood in five sets. This year they played James Wood in the semi-final and lost to them in four sets. Overall, another successful season from them. Their only other loss came against Colgan in the Virginia Volleyball Showcase. They also have wins over James Madison and Langley. Before the loss to Colgan they were on a 24 match winning streak. Never could find rosters for them but the player who stands out is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</strong>. Once she transferred from Riverbend to Courtland the team went 55-5 with her setting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>19. <strong>Midlothian</strong> 24-2 (LR 12) - Another school short on roster information. I also did not have a chance to see them play. Their schedule lacked an opponent listed in the top 25, other than Kellam who they lost to in the semi-final of the Class V state championship. Their other loss came against St. Catherines, who was ranked as the seventh seed in the VISAA tournament. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='519343' first='Dylan' last='Cline']</strong> is the highest ranked player in the Prep Dig rankings so she will earn the MVP award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>20.<strong> Langley</strong> 22-5 (LR 14) - A disappointing finish for the two time defending state champions. Langley could not get past the Regionals after getting upset by George Marshall in the semi-finals. It was their second loss to George Marshall during the season. Only the top two teams from the Regionals advance to the State. Their other losses came against Courtland, Colgan and Riverside. As a setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo']</strong> is one of the best in the area. She gets my nod for the MVP. Langley was running a 6/2 during the regular season but went to a 5/1 in the Regional playoff match I watched against Riverside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>21. <strong>Christiansburg</strong> 28-1 (LR 18) - It is disappointing to go the whole season undefeated then lose in the finals of the state championship. Especially to a team you beat three times during the regular season. Their schedule also lacked any top 25 opponents. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='495264' first='Ela' last='Shepherd']</strong> earns the MVP award for both her hitting and setting. She led the team in hitting with her left handed swing from the right side and was second in assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":911463,"width":"314px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/IMG_5201_572d4c.jpg?w=506" alt="" class="wp-image-911463" style="width:314px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>22. <strong>James Madison</strong> 28-4-1 (LR 19) - Madison reached the semi-finals in states before losing to Colgan in five. Early in the season they lost to Langley and Courtland in the Virginia Volleyball Showcase. After a loss to South Lakes they seemed to find their stride, going on a 21 match winning streak. Left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong> led the team in kills to earn the MVP award, though for the most part they carried a number of players who contributed to the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>23. <strong>Patriot</strong> 24-5 (LR 24) - Patriot started the season with three early losses in four matches to quality opponents, Riverside, Liberty Christian and Langley. After that they went on a 23 match winning streak before losing to Colgan in the finals of the Regional and West Springfield in the first round of the state bracket. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='220923' first='Soleil' last='Rancourt']</strong> won the MVP of the District as well as Region. She led the team in kills which gives her the MVP award for Patriot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>24. <strong>Grafton</strong> 24-1 (LR 17) - The Clippers returned to Class 4. They spent a couple years in Class 3 where they continued with their curse to lose in the finals. The Clipper streak of losing during the finals ended at nine consecutive seasons. I'm sure the coach would have preferred to win the streak with a championship rather than take a loss in the semi-finals to Loudoun County in five. It was their only loss of the season. MVP award goes to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='810003' first='Kenzie' last='Smith']</strong> for leading the team in kills and blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>25. <strong>Kettle Run</strong> 25-2 (LR 22) - Kettle Run lost to the eventual champion Abingdon in the semi-finals of the Class 3 state championship. Their only other loss during the season came against Sherando. Their big upset this season was when they downed James Wood in five. To accomplish that they had to win the last two sets 25-22 and 15-13. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755134' first='Ava' last='Ewald'] </strong>won the Player of the year for class 3. No reason not to name her MVP for the Kettle Run team this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->