Region 3B and 3C Playoffs and Players to Watch

The VHSL Playoffs kicked off Monday for Regionals for teams in the commonwealth. Dozens of team continue on <img class="size-medium wp-image-135247 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/R7C5462.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />their quest to capture the ever elusive state title. Some are consistent contenders and champions, many are upstarts trying to break through into the realm of the perennial elite programs. This year’s regional and state tournaments are different with only the regional champion advancing to the state championship round. This time of the year is one and done and with teams having the additional hurdle of Covid and quarantines, it’s a crazy year to battle through to make it to the state championship. Class 3 has some great teams and players to watch for the 2020-21 season. The quarterfinals were played April 12 with top seeded George Mason and 2nd seeded Goochland sweeping their matchups. George Mason is stacked with upper classmen and had many contributors in their quarterfinal win over James Monroe. Seniors Olivia Pilson (Setter) had 6 aces for the Mustangs. Seniors Catherine Carroll (Pin Hitter), Middle Hitter Vanessa George, and Juniors Sydney Longer (Middle Hitter) and Katie Teague (Pin) all had great nights for the Mustangs as well. They move onto the semifinals against #5 William Monroe. Monroe swept 4th seeded Maggie Walker in the first round. Monroe was 8-4 in the regular season. Players to watch for Monroe include Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="111408" first="Lexi" last="Clark"] (Libero) and Caitlin Shortridge (Setter) who provide a great veteran presence. They are loaded with young talent in Freshman Outside Hitter Morgan Pursel, Sophomore Middle Hitter Ella Weaver, and Mae Hawkins are all under the radar prospects. In the other quarterfinals, #2 seed Goochland swept #7 seed Warren County (25-17, 25-17, 25-18). The<img class="size-medium wp-image-132735 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/Kate-hitting.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> bulldogs were led by Senior tallied Taylor Michaels 5 kills, 8 digs, 3 aces. Libero Blair Bussells had 20 digs. Sophomore Setter Nicole Brown added 3 kills, 5 assists, and 15 digs, while Setter Marina Stratiou added 10 assists. Goochland is loaded with talent behind players like Nova Wonderling, Layla Ford, Nina Smith and Audrey Dolan, the Bulldogs have great depth and firepower in their run for the state title. In the other quarterfinal, #6 seeded Independence upset #3 seeded Central High (Woodstock) 3 sets to 1 in the only upset of the bracket. Junior Outside Hitter [player_tooltip player_id="111478" first="Jazmin" last="Clark"] is an impact player for the Tigers. She is dynamic and hits with good range and power. She’s a two surface player as she is very adept on the beach as well. junior middle blocker Amanda Tokam is also a dynamic and potentially impact player in their attempt to upset the Bulldogs of Goochland. In Region 3C, the 8 team tournament commences April 13 with #1 seeded Rustburg continuing their strong play with a first round match-up against Liberty Christian. Junior Outside Hitter Kate Hardie will be a dominant player for <img class="size-medium wp-image-138865 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/IMG_1314-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" />the Devils of Rustburg. She is a high caliber player and All State AVCA Phenom nominee. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="111438" first="Anna" last="Maddox"] is also an impact player and the dynamic duo will carry the offensive load and need to have big tournaments for Rustburg to come home with the ring. Maddox just passed the 800 career kill plateau in districts. Both players were All State players last year. Junior Setter Meah Coles runs the offense for the Devils and will lean heavily on the two premiere Outside Hitters. Monticello hosts Fluvanna as the 4 seed taking on the 5th seeded Fluvanna. This should be a matchup of volleyball rivals. Fluvanna has some very talented and under the radar talent starting with Sophomore Setter [player_tooltip player_id="111514" first="Faith" last="Shields"] and Outside Hitter Sophia Denby. Shields is a top notch setter who has a high volleyball IQ, excellent fundamentals and a fighting spirit. Denby is an athletic and powerful attacker who can dominate a match with her power. Senior Amy Glowatch provides veteran leadership to a younger squad. Monticello has a deep and talented squad led by Senior outside hitter Adaire Burnsed, Junior Middle Olivia Davis, and Sophomore Sophia Koch. Junior Setter Carrie Devine runs the offense for the Mustangs. Rockbridge County hosts Wilson Memorial in the bottom half of the bracket at the 2 versus 7 matchup. Rockbridge is led offensively by [player_tooltip player_id="111358" first="Jaydyn" last="Clemmer"] who will continue her playing career at Virginia Tech in the Fall. Clemmer has<img class="size-medium wp-image-138867 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/IMG_1311-1-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> surpassed 950 kills in her career. They also have three AVCA Phenom Nominees contributing in Junior Attacker [player_tooltip player_id="111475" first="Grace" last="Cauley"] and Setter [player_tooltip player_id="111458" first="Krissy" last="Whitesell"] and Star Freshman Middle Maddie Dahl. Rockbridge has great size and talent with solid depth as well. They should be formidable in the playoffs. The 3rd seeded Fort Defiance hosts 6 seeded Spotswood in the final quarterfinal matchup. Fort Definace has the most balanced attack of the teams in the region with 5 players having 199 or more attack attempts this abbreviated season. Senior Outside Hitter Kiersten Garber leads the team with 120 kills on the season, followed closely by Sophomore Ellie Cook (119 kills) and Junior Lani Goggins (106). Spotswood is a young team with just one senior: Outside Hitter Kayci Carrier, and three juniors. It’s a tough matchup for a scrappy Spotswood team that is looking to make a name for itself. Key players for the Blazers include a trio of underclassmen in Sophomore Lauren Grindle, Sophomore Setter Madelyn Williams, and Sophomore Libero Avery Chandler. The regional semifinals will be played at the higher remaining seed on Thursday, followed by the finals on a day to be announced.