Clas 1-3 Players Driving the VHSL Playoff Chase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The classes 1-3 Virginia Regionals started earlier than 4-6. That left some state brackets finalized. Below are the players driving the Class 1-3 VHSL Playoff Chase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 3</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["919417"],"_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-6aee0bb675ad1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Christiansburg has reached the Class 3D finals which qualifies them for a State bracket. They will play Abingdon in the finals for the top seed. Last year Christiansburg lost to Abingdon in the state playoffs after defeating them in the Class 3D Regional finals. It would not surprise me to see these two face each other in the state finals again this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blair made first team All State last year. At that time she ran a 6/2 with Ela Shepherd acting as the other setter. This year she is running a 5/1. She has dished off more than 600 assists this year putting her over 2,000 for her career, establishing a record for the Blue Demons. Her top two targets are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1055998' first='Morgan' last='Newhouse']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='819657' first='Tatum' last='Trotter']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blair has committed to Concord in West Virginia. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755134"],"_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-6aee0bb675b0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kettle Run was my preseason pick to win the Class 3 state championship with the outside hitting of Ava leading the charge. After watching them get swept by Meridian during the season because of a lack of ball control I questioned my pick. This time in the Regional playoffs Kettle Run swept Meridian. Just like last year they qualified for the state bracket, except last year Abingdon swept them in the semi-finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'1" Ava can dominate a game, which is important at the lower classes where the blockers tend to be smaller. Last year Ava made the first team as a sophomore. If the Cougars can establish ball control they can feed Ava for the kills. She is difficult to stop when she gets her set. If their ball control wavers then the struggles will erode their championship hopes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ava has committed to Arkansas State. She ranks at number 13 in our class of 2027. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1061196"],"_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-6aee0bb675b33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alleghany is in the semi-finals. Last year they qualified for the State bracket but lost in the first round to Christiansburg. They return their 5/1 setter <strong>Kendra Dressler</strong>, who has collected over 700 assists this year. She is another player with 2,500 assists in her three year high school career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She has a new target on the team in frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1061196' first='Elizabeth' last='Bazzrea']</strong>. Liz is third on the team in kills with a team leading .267 hitting percentage while she also leads the team in blocks. A 5'10" middle already dominates the game as a frosh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year <strong>Kendra Dressler </strong>made the first team in Class 3. She has a good shot to repeat that standing if the team does well. If Elizabeth gets hot, she could find herself on at least on the second team. Unless a frosh dominates it is rare to be placed on the first team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["764689"],"_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-6aee0bb675b54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year [player_tooltip player_id='764689' first='Carly' last='Sachs'] earned a spot on the Class 3 all state second team as a sophomore. At 5'8" she is a bit undersized for an outside position but she plays it well, showing good quickness as a smaller player.. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carly has upped her game this year, surpassing her kill total from last year while improving her hitting percentage to .326. She leads the team in kills as well as service aces. Her solid six rotation play gives her the versatility to play as a defensive specialist when in the back row or provide offense on the left side when in the front row . </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year New Kent lost in the semi-finals to Christiansburg. <strong>Hannah Brown</strong> is a frosh middle to watch as well. The 6'0" middle/right side leads the team in blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["937161"],"_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-6aee0bb675b77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Sawyer made the second team for All State Class 2. I also got to watch her play at the Volley by the James where she rifled balls to the floor, providing offense from both the back row and front row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She appears to be one of the primary offensive weapons for Appomattox County again this season. She appears more involved in the serve receive than she was when she played club ball with Heart of Virginia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year the Raiders lost the state tournament in the first round to John Battle. Sawyer gives them a player who can put the ball away when the team needs to break a rally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["845331"],"_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-6aee0bb675b9a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year <strong>Macy Ann Frizzle</strong> led the Indians to the finals of the Class 2 state playoffs, earning a spot on the first team. [player_tooltip player_id='845331' first='Caroline' last='Hanger'] also banged away on offense as a sophomore to earn a spot on the second team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year Caroline leads the team in kills despite her 5'7" height. She also leads the team in services aces and is second in digs. Caroline lists as a right side which puts her up against the left side for blocking. Her 29 shared blocks puts her third in that category so she does a pretty good job of setting up the block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caroline has a lot of help with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809104' first='Norah' last='Anderson']</strong> at libero. Last year Norah made the second team Class 2 all state as the top libero. They also have a frosh in<strong> Maddie Sale</strong>, who can also hit the pins when not setting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1054763"],"_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-6aee0bb675bba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Our pick for Class 1 champion was Lancaster but their star hitter [player_tooltip player_id='768375' first='Alexis' last='VerMeer'] was injured mid-season. Last year she was a first team selection on the Class 1 All State team. Northumberland eliminated Lancaster in five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1054763' first='Eva' last='Williams'] is another 6'1" basher who can make a difference offensively. She finished with 14 kills with 12 digs in the Indians reverse sweep win over Lancaster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northumberland will play in the finals against Middlesex so they both will earn a spot in the state bracket. Eva is supported at setter by <strong>Lillian Hayden</strong> who has collected over 1,000 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Madison Eliminates Yorktown in Class 6 Action</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madison continued their roll with a sweep of Yorktown 25-15, 25-14, 25-17. They were outgunned by the pins of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545723' first='Ella' last='Jarvis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='359401' first='Chloe' last='Barth']</strong> with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='539414' first='Giulia' last='Pescosolido']</strong> powering balls from the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yorktown failed to match their firepower. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587036' first='Olivia' last='Black'] </strong>put a number of balls away and lefty right side <strong>Katherine Thompson </strong>was effective. They do show potential with sophomore left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='937474' first='Sydney' last='Lee']</strong> and sophomore setter/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='951302' first='Olivia' last='Tasikas']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["359401"],"_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-6aee42fd61665"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chloe celebrated last night with her 500th kill. She played her first two years as a defensive specialist who could provide offense in the back row. That limited her opportunity to accumulate kills. At 5'9" many considered her undersized for a front row player. That does not seem to be an issue anymore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She improved her jump and gained some strength in her right are and became a powerful front row player for Virginia Elite and Madison. She plays a solid six rotations but when she plays right side she rotates out for the setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chloe has committed to to Colby in Maine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["539414"],"_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-6aee42fd616aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Madison does a good job of finding seniors to contribute in the middle. Giulia is one of those seniors who has stood out this year for her offense. With many teams focusing their blocks on the pins Giulia buries balls past single blocks. She is third on the team in kills and first in blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year <strong>Olivia Schultz</strong> was their top hitter in the middle while Giulia played in half the games. Next year expect some big things from junior <strong>Sophia Manning</strong>,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587036"],"_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-6aee42fd616ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587036' first='Olivia' last='Black']</strong> did a good job of putting the ball away for Yorktown against Madison. She was one of the more consistent attackers for Yorktown. At 5'10" she brings some good height to the left side. In the match I watched she only played three rotations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Olivia will return to play for Virginia Elite this club season. Ideally, she needs to enhance her 9'3" approach jump to play at a more elite level. However, she seems to have a good grasp of where to hit the ball to acquire the kills. Not too many of her shots were dug up by Madison.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Four of Six Defending Champs Already Eliminated in the VHSL Regionals</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four defending state champions have been eliminated. In class 1 <strong>Eastern Montgomery</strong> eliminated <strong>Giles </strong>in a semi-final match. In class 2 <strong>Radford</strong> had a down year and failed to qualify for Regionals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4 showed four time defending champion<strong> James Wood</strong> with a big upset of favored <strong>Handley</strong> in the quarter finals. In the semi-finals Millbrook knocked them out of the playoffs. Two time defending champ Riverside got off to a slow start but seemed to be playing well as the season progressed. Against <strong>Briar Woods</strong> they came up short, falling in five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only <strong>Abingdon</strong> in Class 3 has qualified for the state bracket. In Class 6 <strong>West Springfield</strong> needs to win one more match against <strong>South County</strong> to qualify for the state bracket. So that leaves only two high schools still alive to defend six VHSL championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->