Playoff Review – More Class 6 Reviews
In this article:
Last week I wrote about the top teams in the Concorde, Cardinal and Patriot Regions for Class 6. This post will review the top teams in the Liberty, Cedar Run and National Regions for Class 6. Almost all the Class…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingLast week I wrote about the top teams in the Concorde, Cardinal and Patriot Regions for Class 6. This post will review the top teams in the Liberty, Cedar Run and National Regions for Class 6. Almost all the Class 6 high schools are in Northern Virginia. Next post we will discuss the Class 5.
Liberty Division
At the beginning of the season Langley was my pick to win the State championship at the Class 6 Level. As long as they do not have to face Madison that prediction may come true. Their only two losses this year have been to Madison.
Lots of firepower on this team in outsides Leni Stanton-Parker Leni Stanton-Parker 6'0" | OH Langley | 2025 State #116 Nation VA , Ana Toumazatos Ana Toumazatos 6'1" | OH Langley | 2025 State VA and Riley Buddie Riley Buddie 6'1" | OH Langley | 2024 State VA . The first two play left side while Riley normally hits from the right side. Chloe Hokenson Chloe Hokenson 6'1" | S Langley | 2024 State VA sets for the team but also has the power to stay in the lineup to hit the other right side. Claire Mo Claire Mo 5'10" | S Langley | 2026 State VA shares the setting duties but yields to Riley on the right side.
If this group is on, they are difficult to beat. Sophomore Gabriela Cid Gabriela Cid DS/L Langley | 2026 VA has taken over the libero position. Height wise the middles are smaller than the outsides but do not overlook the 5’8″ Ava Barnett Ava Barnett 5'10" | MB Langley | 2025 State VA .
George Marshall battled Langley to five sets the second time they played. With Samia Sayd Samia Sayd 5'11" | OH Marshall | 2024 State VA hitting on the left side and her younger sister frosh Ayla Sayd Ayla Sayd 6'0" | OH Marshall | 2027 State VA taking swings on the other left side they can create some offense. They do give up some height on Langley at the other positions and there is some inexperience on the roster. Perhaps that inexperience is beginning to put it together as the season progresses.
Washington Liberty finished in third just a half game behind Marshall. All four of their regional losses came against both Marshall and Langley. In those four losses they were only able to win one set. They have a young team with frosh setter Kathryn Wagener Kathryn Wagener 5'8" | S Washington-Liberty | 2027 State VA running the offense. In the couple games I have watched she plays an incredible defense at the setter’s position. They also rely on another frosh Evelyn Donovan Evelyn Donovan OH Washington Liberty | 2027 State VA to hit left side and cover all six rotations. Senior Rachel Lenz Rachel Lenz 6'0" | OH Washington Liberty | 2024 State VA seems to be the pin hitter they rely on to put the ball to the floor.
A darkhorse to watch is Wakefield. In their last match they beat Marshall in four. Frosh middle Taylor Harrington Taylor Harrington 6'2" | MB Wakefield | 2027 State VA is difficult to stop. If they can get the ball to her the Warriors always have a chance.
Cedar Run
This division always seems to be a three team scuffle between Battlefield, Freedom and Patriot. Battlefield got ready for the season scheduling three tough opponents in Riverside, Colgan and Colonial Forge. They lost all three, but it prepared them well for the season. The Bobcats come at you with player of the year 6’2″ middle Brianna Clay Brianna Clay 6'2" | MB Battlefield | 2024 State VA . She is a difference maker on the court. Their left sides Grace Bianchi Grace Bianchi 5'7" | OH Battlefield | 2024 State VA and Taelin Connolley Taelin Connolley 5'7" | OH Battlefield | 2024 State VA tend to be on the smaller side, both listed at 5’7″. What they bring is experience and a wariness of the court. Both know where the holes are. At 5’11” Skyler Tennant Skyler Tennant 5'11" | RS Battlefield | 2025 State VA brings a little height to the pins. She normally handles right side duties. Melorra Arthur Melorra Arthur 5'7" | S Battlefield | 2024 State VA takes on the setting responsibilities.
The only team Battlefield lost to in Regional play was Patriot. That game went five.
Freedom also got off to a rugged start to their season, losing five of their first six, including a match to their regional rival Patriot. They recovered after that winning 13 of their next 15, the only two losses coming against Battlefield. The second time they played Patriot they beat them in four. They begin the playoffs with a third match against Battlefield.
Junior Grace Francis Grace Francis 5'8" | OH Freedom | 2025 VA led her team in kills from the outside. The 6’5″ Caitlin Johnson Caitlin Johnson 6'5" | MB Freedom | 2025 State VA provides a towering presence in the middle. Gwyneth Vu Gwyneth Vu 5'5" | S Freedom | 2024 State VA takes on the setter responsibilities, while Isabel Morales Isabel Morales 5'3" | DS/L Freedom | 2025 State VA fills in at libero.
Freedom beat Patriot last week. During regional play Patriot split with both Freedom and Battlefield. The 6’2″ Sydney Bennett Sydney Bennett 6'2" | MB Patriot | 2026 State VA is one of the more dominating middles in the game. She can shut down an offense with her blocking, leading the team in that category. Sophomore Soleil Rancourt Soleil Rancourt 6'2" | OH Patriot | 2026 State VA was the top hitter. She led the team in kills. The Pioneers are fortunate to have one of the top liberos in the game in Lanie Goff Lanie Goff 5'7" | DS/L Patriot | 2024 State VA passing for them to keep them in system. Frosh Danika Swanson Danika Swanson 5'9" | S Patriot | 2027 State VA and Anisa Flowers Anisa Flowers 5'3" | S Patriot | 2025 State VA shared setting duties, but Danika led the team in assists.
National
Not one of the strongest Regions but Thomas Jefferson won it despite being swept by Falls Church during the last match of the season. That was their only loss in Regional play while second place Falls Church had lost to both Hayfield and Thomas Jefferson earlier in the season.
The Colonials top hitter is Ava Stewart Ava Stewart 5'8" | RS Thomas Jefferson | 2025 State VA , who leads the team in kills. She rotates between middle and right side. Danielle Riekse is the most prolific outside hitter, but Diana McCaskill can also do some damage. Jessica Chen takes on most of the setting responsibilities, running a 5/1. Anjali Sattiraju Anjali Sattiraju 5'8" | OH Thomas Jefferson | 2025 VA has played middle and even hit outside last year. For her junior year she has moved to the libero role because the team needed a consistent passer.
Falls Church relies primarily on Charlotte Nguyen Charlotte Nguyen 5'9" | OH Falls Church | 2024 VA for their offense. She leads the team in kills but her hitting percentage sits at .168. In the Jaguars first game against TJ Charlotte finished with 23 kills but 18 hitting errors. In their sweep over TJ she finished with 11 kills and 10 hitting errors. Junior Eliana Tamayo Eliana Tamayo 5'6" | S Falls Church | 2025 VA runs the offense setting a 5/1.