2024 Virginia State Final Preview Class 4-6

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final two teams in each class of the state finals have been decided. Below are the results of the semi-finals and a preview of the state finals for Classes 4-6. Classes 1-3 will come out Friday. The finals for Classes 4-6 are being played Saturday at the Siegel Center in Richmond beginning at 10:00. Classes 1-3 are being played Saturday at the Salem Civic Center beginning at 12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["663202"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673f5ac770a55"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Langley filled the pins with talented players. There were not a lot of playing opportunities for Vivian. With two graduations and one transfer three slots opened up. Vivian took a right side slot, frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh'] </strong>grabbed a left side and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo'] </strong>took over the other right side setting a 5/1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ironic that all three won first team at the Virginia Volleyball Showcase in the first tournament of the season. Little did the volleyball community know that this would foreshadow the season for Langley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Many, including myself thought they had lost too much to repeat as state champions. Vivian, Rujuta and Claire saw things a little differently. Saturday they will be playing Chantilly for a chance to repeat as state champions bringing in a new cast of characters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Langley sweeps West Springfield 25-21, 28-26 and 25-22 to get into the state championship. The match featured a battle between two teammates for Virginia Elite going against each other, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181243' first='Evelyn' last='Jurden']</strong> for West Springfield and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos']</strong> for Langley. While Jurden won the statistical battle with 25 kills to Toumazatos nine kills, Ana gets the trip to VCU. Her teammates <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='663202' first='Vivian' last='Nitowski']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh']</strong> helped in that goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chantilly barely squeezed by Alexandria City in five, winning the last two to advance to the finals 25-11 and 15-13. For Chantilly, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu']</strong> (19), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455102' first='Erin' last='Green']</strong> (18) and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='377344' first='Julia' last='Horan']</strong> (10) combined for 47 kills. Horan also contributed 11 blocks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240899' first='Sarah' last='Kim']</strong> fed them all with her 32 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>General Info:</strong> - Both teams lost key players who they expected to contribute this season. Langley lost <strong>Leni-Stanton-Parker</strong> to IMG Academy while Chantilly lost setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum']</strong> when she transferred to Georgetown Day. The combo of [player_tooltip player_id='377330' first='Chloe' last='Lin'] and frosh [player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh'] has replaced the production of Stanton-Parker, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240899' first='Sarah' last='Kim']</strong> has blossomed in a setting role for the Chargers. These two teams faced each other in the finals of their Regionals at Chantilly last week and Chargers won in four. They will do battle again for a State championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Langley</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='181298' first='Ana' last='Toumazatos'] ranks number four in the class of 2025. The James Madison commit can be difficult to stop from the left side. In their match against Chantilly the Charger blockers keyed on her with some success to neutralize her offense. Frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='554770' first='Rujuta' last='Singh']</strong> performs well on the other left side. She is a solid six rotation player. If she struggles in the front row [player_tooltip player_id='377330' first='Chloe' last='Lin'] will come in and Singh will continue to play the back row. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238357' first='Claire' last='Mo']</strong> is one of the top setters in the area. She earned player of the year honors for her District and the Region. She ranks number 6 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='476364' first='Amber' last='Smith']</strong> plays a strong back row. She is quick on defense and provides a quality pass on serve receive. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470555' first='Ava' last='Barnett']</strong> at 5'10" may seem undersized for a middle, but when blockers key the pins she can hurt you with the quick tempo sets. She also puts up a solid block. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='663202' first='Vivian' last='Nitowski']</strong> provides offense on the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Chantilly</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu'] ranks as the top prospect in the class of 2025. The Georgia Tech commit can dominate the game whether it is from the back row or front row. She hits at an impressive .365 percent. [player_tooltip player_id='455102' first='Erin' last='Green'] is her counterpart on the left side, but she has also played right side. If you focus too much on the pins middle [player_tooltip player_id='377344' first='Julia' last='Horan'] can beat you up the middle. She leads the team in blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240899' first='Sarah' last='Kim']</strong> has minimized the departure of [player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum'] with her consistent setting. She also brings a quality serve to the court, second to Mimi Mambu in aces. [player_tooltip player_id='181284' first='Nola' last='Murphy'] takes her beach game to the libero role. She takes responsibility for the back row. Middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245601' first='Gabrielle' last='Nelson']</strong> and left side [player_tooltip player_id='716365' first='Skyler' last='Riley'] also contribute. Skyler is only a sophomore, so her game keeps improving as her opportunities increase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Langley championships </strong>- 2023, 2017, 2013</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chantilly championships</strong> - 2018, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181309"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673f5ac770ac5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the keys to success for Riverside is how well <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray']</strong> and Brianna are in synch with the quick tempo sets. Last year they struggled early to find their timing and found themselves down early. This year they hope for a better connection. This makes it easier for the pins to succeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brianna won the player of the year for Region 5D. The Virginia Tech commit excels at blocking but also plays a key offensive role for the Rams. While they also have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong> to hit right side, the success of the middle attack takes a lot of pressure off the pins. The Rams are fortunate to have two quality middles in Brianna and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333652' first='Gabriella' last='Vizek'].</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside swept Independence with only the second set close at 25-23. Kellam knocked off the defending champs First Colonial with a sweep. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484970' first='Sofia' last='Barnes']</strong> (15) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='643843' first='Audrianna' last='Neil']</strong> (14) combined for 29 kills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='434856' first='Sydney' last='Stone']</strong> led the defense with 19 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>General Info</strong> - The Kellam win prevented another First Colonial/Riverside final. It was the fourth time they had beaten First Colonial this year. Kellam has won seven straight matches after back to back losses to Ocean Lakes and Cox. Riverside has only lost one match all year to Independence. They have now won 12 matches in a row since then, with all of them sweeps, except for one match against Independence which went five sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Riverside</strong> - Recent transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301696' first='Nadiya' last='Johnson']</strong> was rostered on the USA junior national team this summer. For the Class 5D Regional team she could only find a second team slot. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray']</strong> won player of the year for her District. She makes the offense churn. Middle<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='181309' first='Brianna' last='Holladay']</strong> earned the player of the year honors for Region 5D. The other middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333652' first='Gabriella' last='Vizek']</strong> also earned a spot on the All Region team. Joining Johnson on the second team is left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='225187' first='Simone' last='Schaefer']</strong>. As a sophomore libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438070' first='Camryn' last='Coulther']</strong> is underrated as a libero. She plays the position better than most. Another sophomore left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464556' first='Kennedy' last='Peyton']</strong> leads the team with solid six rotation play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Kellam</strong> - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484970' first='Sofia' last='Barnes'] </strong>ranks second on the team in kills but in the playoffs she has turned it up a notch. At 6'0" she hits the ball high off the block. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='484751' first='Riley' last='Erwin'] </strong>can do it all. She ranks second on the team in blocks, first in assists and service aces and third in kills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246936' first='Audriana' last='Neal']</strong> actually leads the team in kills. Sharing the setting role with Erwin is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='643814' first='Emma' last='Irving']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The back row carries some strong players in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='434856' first='Sydney' last='Stone']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='544609' first='Giulia' last='Allison']</strong> and <strong>Leilah Beasley</strong>. If they can pass well to keep the offense in system they have the pins to generate offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riverside Championships -</strong> None, though they lost in the finals last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kellam Championships</strong> - - 2019, 2016, 2010 -2012.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["397536"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673f66f7385b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here we go again lauding <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</strong>. As we stated before, my first exposure to her was at the Prep Dig Expo in December last year. She impressed me with her hands and I think I actually went over and talked to her about setting. She earned a top performer award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Now, not even a year later she is in a state championship. She transferred to Courtland this year. The coach made her the floor captain. She also put her in charge of setting a 5/1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Courtland fell short in the state championship, getting swept by Jamestown in the opening round. This year Courtland swept Smithfield in the opening round and then beat powerhouse Loudoun County in four to grab a spot in the finals. While this is a team game, something tells me that a finals appearance may not have happened without Aubrey leading the team at the setter's position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two time defending champion James Wood swept past Atlee. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='621440' first='Kylee' last='Plumb'] </strong>distributed 36 assists with only [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] reaching double digits in kills with 11. [player_tooltip player_id='320815' first='Tenley' last='Mattison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] fell one short with 9 each. Courtland won the first set 28-26 over Loudoun County, which made winning the next two out of three easier. For Loudoun County, they were hoping to return to the finals of the State championship after winning ten in a row between 2012 - 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>General Info</strong> - The Colonels have won their last 11 matches as they seek their third straight championship. Prior to that they had been to the finals once, back in 2014 when they lost to Loudoun County. They defeated Class 3 Maryland state champion North Hagerstown earlier this season. Two of their three losses have come against West Virginia Class 4A state champion Hedgesville in four and class 5 finalist Riverside in five sets. Courtland has only lost two matches, one of those to Class 6 finalist Langley. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for James Wood </strong>- Both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong> have hit left side for the Colonels in their first two championships, when they began their careers as frosh. Brenna played a little libero in the second season but moved back to the left side despite her 5'5 height because they needed her offense at the pins. Kennedy reached the 1,000 kill mark for her high school career during the playoffs. Brenna needs another 43 digs to reach 1,000.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320815' first='Tenley' last='Mattison']</strong> is a solid middle and takes the pressure off the pins with her offense. She also leads the team in blocks. This is the first year setting for sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='621440' first='Kylee' last='Plumb']</strong> and the Colonels have not missed a beat with their offense. She has made losing two senior setters seamless. The Colonels are one of the few teams that do not use a libero, but <strong>Adeline Pitcock </strong>makes her presence felt in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Courtland </strong>- This is the first year<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker'] </strong>has set for Courtland. Last year she set for Riverbend. She is a leader on the court. No matter who she sets for the team wins. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='524421' first='Chelsea' last='Quaye']</strong> brings a nice lefthanded swing to the right side. The two middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397539' first='Carolina' last='Eastlake'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725446' first='Allison' last='Meyer']</strong> run the tempo sets in the middle well. Another transfer, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523341' first='Makailah' last='Ford']</strong> adds some offense to the pins. Libero <strong>Isabella Hopkins</strong> shows quickness in the middle. This is a young team with all but Ford coming back next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>J<strong>ames Wood Championships</strong> - 2022 and 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Courtland Championships</strong> - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->