More Key Players Driving the Virginia District Playoff Run

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For many of the Virginia Districts the VHSL playoffs begin next week. Each District varies on the qualification for the playoff to advance to Regionals. Below are ten additional players who will impact the playoff chase. There are over 300 teams competing for the last eight state slots in classes 1-6. Only six will be crowned champions. If each team is composed of 12 players that calculates to approximately 3600 players, of which only 72 will get medals around their neck.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bay Rivers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grafton (19-0) has 11 teams in their District. Their entire schedule is composed of teams in their District. New Kent (16-2) and Jamestown (15-2) are the most competitive. It appears for the most part all the schools do not go outside their District to play other opponents. Grafton has beaten New Kent and Jamestown twice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1053087"],"_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-6adb8cf439494"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The two sisters, senior middle [player_tooltip player_id='465315' first='Ana' last='Breckons'] and sophomore left side [player_tooltip player_id='883712' first='Alivia' last='Breckons'] will steer this team to their playoff spot. They are first and second on their team in kills, while at least one of them appears in the leaderboards for digs, blocks and service aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another player key to Grafton reaching the state playoffs would be their libero [player_tooltip player_id='1053087' first='Emma' last='DeLaHunt']. She keeps those rallies alive to allow the Breckons sisters to get those extra kills that eventually lead to victories. Emma takes responsibility for most of the court when lined up in serve receive. She leads the team in digs and is involved in twice as many serve receptions as her nearest teammate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When not playing volleyball she also plays soccer for Grafton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dominion</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Midlothian (14-1) has the first seed of this District wrapped up with Cosby (9-3) and Powhatan (9-3) two games behind. The Trojans only loss was their first match of the season to James River Midlothian. They were able to avenge that loss later in the season with a sweep. They have also beaten Cosby and Powhatan twice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["936616"],"_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-6adc3d79a9d30"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Midlothian lacks rosters but at least two girls, one from the class of 2028 and the other from the class of 2029 have impressed in club play. Mycah is a 5'11" middle for [program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']. While she plays middle she shows the defensive chops to move to an outside to create more offense on the team. Lots of versatility in her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='920064' first='Sonoma' last='Crandall']</strong> is a 5'10 outside who fell just short of earning a Prep Dig Top Performer award at the Richmond event. She showed the potential to handle six rotations with her passing and defense. Midlothian graduated two of their left sides last year so it would not surprise me to see her as the starting left side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Finally, [player_tooltip player_id='990809' first='Lauren' last='Myers'] is a 6'0" left side who hits the ball hard. She played up on the River City 15 team but still has some rawness in her game that might discourage a spot on the varsity roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Beach</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of my favorite Districts to follow from afar. Ocean Lakes (14-2) appears to have the top spot sewn up but they were just swept by Kellam (9-6) for their second District loss. Cox (12-4), First Colonial (11-4) and Landstown (11-4) are also all in the hunt. These teams seem to feed on each other to upgrade their competitive talent. Unfortunately, they carry no junior varsity or frosh teams to help develop younger players leading to a large contingent on the bench.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["618590"],"_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-6add51135aeaf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At the Virginia Volleyball Showcase Ocean Lakes took second. [player_tooltip player_id='618590' first='Lyla' last='Shannon'] was the team representative to the all tournament team. She also won a top performer award at our Prep Dig Showcase in Richmond last December.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'1" middle with a 9'11" approach jump who covers the pins well with her blocking. She also is very adept at running the slide to work various areas of the court. When you watch her on the court, she brings out the vibes of being an excellent team player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Currently ranked at #31 she is the fourth ranked middle blocker in the class of 2027. The three middles above her have already committed to Division I colleges. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cedar Run</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite a recent sweep by Gainesville (8-5), Independence (11-1) is in control of this District race. Battlefield (10-3) is the closest team to Independence and they have lost to them twice.</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-6add51135af2f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'8" some might consider her undersized for a left side. However, she can consistently put that ball to the floor on the other side of the net. Her banging from the left side helped [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] earn a bid to the Junior Nationals for their first appearance in their club history. Now she hopes to lead Independence to their first state championship in their short history. They reached the Class 5 semi-finals in 2024. This year they will play in Class 6.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaelyn has some help on the left side with the arrival of frosh [player_tooltip player_id='849196' first='Leyla' last='Landry']. Last year they finished six games below .500. This year they are 13 games above .500.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Patriot</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Springfield (14-0) has the fifth longest winning streak in the country at 41 matches (Max Preps). Scrambling far behind them in the standings are South County (9-5) and Fairfax (9-5).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438046"],"_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-6add51135af7f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She set them to a championship last year running a 5/1. They remain undefeated this year on the road to a possible second straight championship. Anna is ranked as the third highest setter in the class of 2027 and the 14th ranked player overall. Currently, she is the highest ranked player in the class of 2027 yet to commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest changes for West Springfield is moving the 6'3" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720348' first='Milena' last='Kibret'] </strong>from middle to outside. After their two left sides graduated last year they needed help at that position. Milena has committed to New York University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They are also getting excellent production from the 5'7" junior outside<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='693144' first='Layla' last='Babiker']. </strong>In addition, the 5'9" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1055992' first='Andi' last='Tobin']</strong> has been able to handle the middle, leading the team in blocks with an impressive .488 hitting percentage. She is one of those bench players from last year who has stepped it up this year to produce at what would have been a vacant spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Capital</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atlee (10-0) is quietly marching on to an undefeated season. They did not play their first match until August 25. Most high schools started their season in mid-August. Those extra practice days seem to have paid off. Mechanicsville (7-2) is their closest pursuer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["464573"],"_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-6add51135afcd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blake has been on the Prep Dig radar since she was a frosh playing right side for Atlee. Her hitting and six rotation play are so impressive that both her high school team and club team have moved her to the left side to take advantage of her six rotation skills. Teams running a 6/2 normally substitute for the right side when they bring in their setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She lists only 5'9" but her jump and arm extension allows her to rifle balls to all areas of the court. Atlee reached the Class 4 state bracket last year but lost in the first round to Grafton. Blake earned a Class 4 first team All State honors. She has committed to Loyola Maryland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They also have some talent at the lower level with sophomore setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='770059' first='Allece' last='Anderson']</strong> and sophomore outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='919428' first='Sophia' last='Childress']</strong> players worthy to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">River Ridge</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Christiansburg Blue Demons (12-0) have reached at least the semi-finals in the Class 3 state championship since 2023. Blacksburg (10-2) sits two games behind them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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-6add51135b018"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Blue Demons lost a pretty good player who could both set and hit right side when <strong>Ela Shepherd</strong> graduated. They made the playoffs the last three years of her tenure. Blair now has taken on the setting responsibilities, running a 5/1. The team has not missed a beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What stands out despite her 5'8" height is that Blair sits second on the team in blocks. Five of her 21 blocks have been solo blocks. The previous two years she did not show any blocks since she did not play front row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This year Blair set the career assist record for the Blue Demons with 1809. By this time she probably has reached 2,000 assists (MaxPrep does not capture her frosh season statistics). Her favorite target this year appears to be sophomore outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1055998' first='Morgan' last='Newhouse'].</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Ela won player of the year last year in Class 3 Blair earned a spot on the first team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shenandoah</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In their most recent match Fort Defiance (12-1) was swept by Wilson Memorial (13-1). Earlier in the season Fort Defiance won a five set match. Alleghany (7-1) lost to Fort Defiance and sits in third. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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-6add51135b06b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'7" Caroline is a bit undersized for a left side attacker. However, she leads the team in kills with a .220 hitting percentage. As a frosh she set for the team leading them to the state finals in Class 1. The next year she moved to right side, however <strong>Maecy Frizzle</strong> was the offensive centerpeice on the left side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year she continues to play right side but with the team running a 5/1 she continues to play defense in the back row. She sits second on the team in digs. Last year Caroline earned a spot on the second team All State for Class 2. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1022095' first='Alexis' last='Miller']</strong> sets a 5/1, hitting the 1,000 assist mark this year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809104' first='Norah' last='Anderson']</strong> plays the libero position. For her career she has scooped up more than 1,000 digs. Last year, she earned the Libero second team all state tournament honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Commonwealth</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colonial Forge (14-0) has the edge over Mountain View (13-2). Both of Mountain View's losses have come against the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["581553"],"_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-6add51135b0b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'0" Karinne has good size for a middle. What separates her from other middles is her athleticism. She has a fast whip like arm swing that can put the ball to the floor before the opposing libero can blink. Karinne has done a good job of replacing <strong>Jasmine Williams</strong> in the middle. Karinne has committed to Delaware State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With her graduation after this year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778444' first='Zari' last='Northam']</strong> will take over the flame. She hit middle as well as left side for [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy']. At 5'8" she is best suited to hit left side. Her approach jump reaches 10 feet so she has no problem getting high over the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Battlefield</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the loss of <strong>Aubrey Parker</strong> I expected Courtland (13-0) to play a little down this year. That has not happened. King George (8-3) is their closest pursuer and the Cougars have swept them twice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["541319"],"_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-6add51135b11f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gabrielle is listed as a middle but last club season for [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] she was hitting left side. Her timing seemed to be good for that position allowing her to hit the ball with good velocity. Middles who convert to outside have trouble with their timing. They usually arrive to the ball too early and are coming down when they strike the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Courtland lacks rosters and Gabrielle is the only player from her high school who is currently ranked. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->