More Players Leading Long Shots to State Playoff Possibilities

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season only has two weeks left before teams break into District, Regional and finally the State Playoffs. Below are additional players who will prove critical for their team's playoff drive. The high schools listed below fall outside our top twenty rankings. An updated top twenty list will occur next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Phoebus (13-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year they were swept by Jamestown in the semi-finals of the Class 4 Regionals. As far as historical records show they have yet to appear in a final four of a state playoff final. This year they jumped out to a 13-0 start to the season before getting swept by Menchville in their last match. The Phantoms are still first in the Peninsula District so they should qualify for the District playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1003797"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ace794e179e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While I have not seen her play yet in person, her video from her profile includes some pretty impressive offensive production from the left side. In the last rankings she made the highest debut at #75. She brings a fast arm swing and good jump to make up for her 5'9" frame. Last year she hit at a .342 clip while she led the team in kills. This year she has upped that to .404 as she continues to lead the team in kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michelle also digs balls well when playing defense as well as stays involved in serve receive, which indicates a six rotation player. This year she appears to have help on the roster from frosh middle <strong>Paris Hampton</strong>. Paris leads the team in blocks and is second in hitting percentage at .361.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Atlee (12-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They won their lone state championship back in 2013 when they played Class 5. They have now dropped to play in Class 4 where last year they reached the state semi-finals before losing to eventual champion James Woods. Their appearance in the final four of the state championship bracket has been pretty consistent. With a 36-3 record in sets this year they still remain undefeated but fall short of our top 20 rankings. A few more victories could change that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["770059"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6acf0516895c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This is a veteran team with the left handed swing of [player_tooltip player_id='464573' first='Blake' last='Crawford'] leading the charge. Yet two sophomores, setter [player_tooltip player_id='770059' first='Allece' last='Anderson'] and left side [player_tooltip player_id='919428' first='Sophia' last='Childress'] should play critical roles in getting Atlee a state championship. Sophia won a top performer award at a Prep Dig showcase at [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club'] last year surprising me with her skill level as a frosh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A second frosh from Atlee Allece fell short of winning a top performer award at our local Prep Dig showcase event but she later participated in a national Prep Dig showcase and won a top performer award. She impressed with her hands and volleyball IQ, creating a number of opportunities with her deception to create one on one opportunities for her hitters. Currently 5'7" she may need a couple inches of growth to play Division I but she is definitely someone to keep tabs on. Winning a state championship would add to her already impressive resume.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Currently ranked at number 72 in our class of 2029 an impressive run in a state championship would also add some luster to her ranking order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Northern (11-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northen has won a number of Maryland championships, the last being in 2017. They reached the finals in 2022 and the semi-finals in 2023 and 2024 but fell short all three years. Last year they were swept by Reservoir in the Class 3 Maryland state Quarterfinals. Their only loss this year has been against Urbana. Perhaps they deserve a spot in our top 20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908869"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6acf05168962a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">They have two pretty good right sides playing for them which can create matchup problems for blockers. The 6'4" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='515489' first='Chloe' last='Canetto']</strong> swings left handed and has committed to Florida State. She plays for Metro. And the 5'9" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908869' first='Naomi' last='Kolo']</strong> who also swings left handed but with a 10'1' approach jump flies over the taller Chloe. Naomi has yet to commit, but perhaps the scouts are focusing too much on her size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While she ranks at 145 that is only because she is a recent entry into our class of 2027 rankings. In my last post I wrote that she needs a big event to highlight her skills. A run at the state championship could boost up that resume. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potomac School (7-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2024 they reached the semi-finals in the VISAA state championship before losing to Flint Hill in five. They lost the fifth match 15-13. Based on their 13-4 season and an upset win over Flint Hill during the regular season they were given a second seed in the VISAA state playoffs. After that season they graduated a number of seniors. The 2025 roster was filled with frosh making their debut to the high school scene. It was a rebuilding year for them, failing to make the final eight for the VISAA. This year they have again beaten Flint Hill in regular season play. During the first week of voting this year they were included in the top eight, which would again make them eligible for the VISAA state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["763132"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6acf05168967a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Her older sister Skylar hit outside for the 2024 team that made it to the semi-finals two years ago. At 6'1" she hit middle and led her team in kills. She ended up committing to Emory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Raegan is 5'11" a tad shorter than her older sister. However, she has chosen the setter route to her volleyball career. She sets a 5/1 for Potomac. For Virginia Elite she set a 6/2 but stayed in the front row to hit right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It would not surprise me to see her grow another inch or two to reach 6 feet. She already puts up a good block to challenge the left side hitters. Any additional growth could make her an impact player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Independence (14-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year at 6-12 was a rebuilding year for Independence. At 14-2 this year it appears they have successfully rebuilt. While Prep Dig predicted they would win the state championship for Class 5, they have been bumped up to Class 6. The last time they made the playoffs was in 2024 when they reached the semi-finals while still in Class 5, losing to the eventual champion Riverside. They have yet to win a state championship in their still new high school history which first began in 2019. Currently, they have won their last 13 matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["471485"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6acf0516896c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">They have two potent outsides in frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849196' first='Leyla' last='Landry'] </strong>and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471485' first='Kaelyn' last='Wharton']</strong>. Kaelyn is a bit undersized at 5'8" but she puts the ball away. She played with another undersized left side [player_tooltip player_id='536741' first='Lacey' last='Bogues'] two years ago at [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] to make them one of the more competitive clubs in the Chesapeake Region. Last year she played for Virginia Juniors playing a year down on the 16 team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Now Kaelyn teams with another undersized left side with the 5'9" [player_tooltip player_id='849196' first='Leyla' last='Landry']. She provides the veteran experience to a relatively young team that includes three frosh. A state championship run should put her on the prospect radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When I went to watch Independence play this year they started the match early. I could only see a quarter of a set with [player_tooltip player_id='849196' first='Leyla' last='Landry'] finishing the set with her front row kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Arundel (8-3)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year they made the semi-finals before losing to the eventual champion Howard. They made the finals in 2022 and 2023. Their two state championships were in 2019 and 2021. Like many Maryland schools they play a light schedule which creates difficulties when ranking. However, they seem to have a consistency in getting far in the state playoffs over the last seven years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1046826"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6acf051689704"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She leads Arundel in kills and appears to play six rotations. Finding exposure has been her biggest issue. This year she gets an opportunity to shine. She has the ability to play either left or right side depending on need.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kalani records a block jump of 9'6" with an approach jump reaching 10'6". Those are some pretty elite numbers that should attract some attention. This season could be her opportunity to make a statement. This is a veteran team with more than half their players seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wootten (5-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iti s difficult to rank a team with so few matches played. It has been since 1985 when they last won their most recent state championship, their third in school history. In 2024 they made it to the finals but were swept by North Hagerstown. This year they hope to break the drought.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438097"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6acf051689749"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='438097' first='Haile' last='Ma'] brings the height at 5'11". She also brings a mixture of power and intelligence to her game. She may not carry the hardest hit among outside hitters, but she knows where to find the open spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of all the outside hitters in the class of 2027 she is the second highest yet to commit. A solid six rotation player who last year played club for MVSA Sparks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Haile is the pin that Wooten will rely on to get them a long awaited fourth state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Virginia (VHSL) State Championship Update</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 6 - Picked Oakton. The two teams on a roll right now are West Springfield and Madison. My Class 5 pick Independence is also on a roll. Still wide open with West Springfield the lone undefeated team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 5 - Picked Independence but they were moved up to Class 6. Ocean Lakes looks to be the team to beat now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4 - Picked Millbrook but Grafton and Atlee look pretty strong. John Handley is also making their presence felt. The Judges have yet to lose with a five set win against Millbrook to their credit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 3 - Picked Kettle Run but they show some serious passing problems. Meridian could be a surprise participant but defending champion Abingdon looks to repeat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 2 - Picked Fort Defiance. They still look strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 1 - Picked Lancaster but [player_tooltip player_id='768375' first='Alexis' last='VerMeer'] needs to return to the lineup. Defending champion Middlesex has only lost two matches, one of those versus Lancaster. Northumberland has only lost three matches, two of those against Middlesex and the other against Lancaster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maryland (MPSSAA) State Championship Update</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4 - Picked Richard Montgomery. So far only Holy Cross has put them in the loss column.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 3 - Picked Howard to repeat. Still like their chances but Wootten and Northern are playing well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 2 - Picked Glenelg to repeat. River Hill could change that. Glenelg gave Howard one of their two losses this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 1 - Picked Chesapeake Math North. Still like their chances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->