Colonels Seeking Fourth Straight Virginia State Championship

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like <strong>North Hagerstown</strong>, <strong>James Wood</strong> won their first state championship except they received contributions from two frosh, Arizona State beach commit [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] as well as James Madison commit [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']. Both dominated the scene early as frosh. While the first two state championships were sweeps the third required five sets to defeat Courtland. Now that the two are seniors the Colonels will be tough to beat however, their obstacle to achieve four in a row may again be Courtland. Another possibility is the resurrected Loudoun County Captains. Finally, don't discount the local Winchester rival Millbrook or Heritage as a strong sleeper possibility. The Class 4 looks much deeper this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">James Wood </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":764515,"width":"264px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/IMG_1908.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-764515" style="width:264px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] and [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning players </strong>- outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'],</strong> middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827679' first='Reese' last='Justice']</strong>, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720415' first='Bella' last='Middleton']</strong>, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='621440' first='Kylee' last='Plumb']</strong>, right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806216' first='Kyla' last='Wilhelm']</strong>, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin']</strong>, right side <strong>Claire Keffer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Critical Departures</strong> - middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828368' first='Tenley' last='Mattison'],</strong> DS <strong>Adeline Pitcock</strong>, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising Frosh</strong> - middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='877850' first='Kennedi' last='Bower']</strong>, libero/ds<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='877848' first='Macie' last='Hewitt']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - Don't know if leaving middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828368' first='Tenley' last='Mattison']</strong> off their roster was an oversight. She led the team in blocking while also finishing third in kills and aces. Tenley also played a quality back row, which allowed the Colonels to play without a libero. This may change this year with rising frosh [player_tooltip player_id='877848' first='Macie' last='Hewitt'] listed as a libero. The two most significant players are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'],</strong> who led the team in kills and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'],</strong> who played libero at the start of the year but then moved to outside at the conclusion of the Endless Summer tournament. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720415' first='Bella' last='Middleton']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='621440' first='Kylee' last='Plumb']</strong> return to feed the hitters. If Tenley has left middle blocking stands out as their weak spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact </strong>- <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] </strong>were nationally ranked for the class of 2026 by Prep Dig. Kennedy sat at 157 while Brenna was at 166. Both were ranked in the top ten in the DMV, Kennedy at number 3 and Brenna at number six. After the Endless Summer tournament, the Colonels played without a libero. Brenna moved from libero to outside while middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828368' first='Tenley' last='Mattison'] </strong>played back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Loudoun County </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":489533,"width":"310px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/luther.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489533" style="width:310px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">kayla luther</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Captains hold the record for most consecutive championships with ten in a row from 2012 to 2021. Prior to that they had won the championship from 2007 to 2010. Cave Spring broke their streak in 2011 while James Woods broke their streak in 2022. Cave Spring upset Loudoun County in the semi-finals in 2011. However, Loudoun County failed to even make an appearance in the state bracket in 2022. In 2023 the Captains made it to the state bracket but were quickly swept by James Wood in the first round. Last year they got to the semi-finals before being beaten in four by Courtland. Will this be the year they regain their mojo?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning Players - outside/libero <strong>Brooke LaRue</strong>, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807970' first='Josephine' last='Seekford']</strong>, DS<strong> Madeline White</strong>, L/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377327' first='Isabella' last='DeWan']</strong>, Outside/Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther']</strong>, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington']</strong>, L/DS <strong>Megan Jolly,</strong> outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749639' first='Elise' last='Silvey']</strong>, setter/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748129' first='Morgan' last='Karle']</strong>, setter/right side <strong>Claire Popish</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Critical Departures</strong> - outside <strong>Ana Smithson</strong>, middle <strong>Brooklyn Benedicto,</strong> middle <strong>Abigail Long</strong>, setter <strong>Clara Jolly,</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising Frosh</strong> - None on their varsity roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - Lots of seniors lost, especially their two main setters <strong>Clara Jolly</strong> and <strong>Grace Gallos</strong>. They lost some leadership in outside <strong>Ana Smithson</strong>. They do bring back some strong pins in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807970' first='Josephine' last='Seekford']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249330' first='Charlotte' last='Arrington']</strong>. This also could include [player_tooltip player_id='279856' first='Kayla' last='Luther'] if she does not focus on a libero/DS position. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377327' first='Isabella' last='DeWan'] </strong>is the returning libero after leading the team in digs last year. They need to find a couple middles and two setters. That is asking a lot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> - The 14 state championships are the most in Virginia, although Auburn is catching up with nine championships and six in a row since 2019.. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Courtland</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":516124,"width":"247px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/89-Aubrey-Parker-rotated.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-516124" style="width:247px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They made it to the finals last year and battled James Wood to five. They also appeared in the finals at the Virginia Volleyball Showcase before losing to eventual Class 6 state champion Langley. Their highest appearance in the state championship before last year was in 2016 when they reached the semi-finals and lost to Loudoun County. With a number of returning seniors this could be their year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - setter<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</strong>, <strong>Alexia Bamford</strong>,<strong> Jordyn Smith</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='838641' first='Sophie' last='Manriquez']</strong>, right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='524421' first='Chelsea' last='Quaye'],</strong> outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397539' first='Carolina' last='Eastlake'],</strong>middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828143' first='Allison' last='Meyer'], Kayla Morin</strong>, libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760174' first='Sophia' last='Morin']</strong>, <strong>Isabella Hopkins </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Critical Departures</strong> - middle <strong>Makailah Ford</strong>,<strong> Juliana Velez</strong>, <strong>Madeline Smith</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising Frosh</strong> - libero/ds <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='541319' first='Gabrielle' last='Rodrigo'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - The Cougars bring back a majority of their roster which got them to the finals for the first time in school history. The big key is they bring back Sherherd commit setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker']</strong>. Strong weapons return in outside<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='397539' first='Carolina' last='Eastlake']</strong>, middle<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='828143' first='Allison' last='Meyer']</strong> and right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='524421' first='Chelsea' last='Quaye'].</strong> Like Aubrey they bring that senior experience that creates wins through clutch plays. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760174' first='Sophia' last='Morin'] </strong>will take on the back row responsibilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact </strong>- In 2023 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker'] </strong>set Riverbend to the semi-finals of the Virginia State championships where they lost to Riverside. Courtland made it to the first round of Class 4 but were swept by Jamestown. Aubrey transferred to Courtland the next year and they qualified for the finals, their highest appearance in school history. The following year Riverbend finished with a losing record, falling short of the playoffs. That shows you what a premier setter can do for a team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Millbrook</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589264,"width":"495px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/123-Lora-Totcheva.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589264" style="width:495px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='530280' first='Lora' last='Totcheva']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millbrook used to be the top team in the Norwest Conference until 2022 when James Wood took over. While they have yet to win a state championship they have gotten to the final four in 2027 and 2021. Those were the years when Loudoun County dominated the class. The Pioneers lost to Loudoun County in the semi-finals twice. The last two years James Wood has eliminated Millwood in the semi-finals of the Regional in three set sweeps. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - outside [player_tooltip player_id='828206' first='Dreu' last='Patterson'], setter [player_tooltip player_id='451960' first='Paisley' last='Cook'], libero/ds [player_tooltip player_id='521531' first='Natalie' last='Huck'], left side [player_tooltip player_id='435748' first='Aaliyah' last='Green'], DS/Libero [player_tooltip player_id='437980' first='Katherine' last='Madden'], right side [player_tooltip player_id='530280' first='Lora' last='Totcheva'], setter <strong>Lanie Yeggy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Critical Departures</strong> - left side <strong>Berkeley Konrady,</strong> middle <strong>Mae Henning,</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising Frosh</strong> - utility <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='878688' first='Mckenna' last='Homans']</strong>, DS/Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='878689' first='Madisyn' last='Carter'],</strong> right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='878697' first='Reese' last='Cooke'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment -</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='435748' first='Aaliyah' last='Green'] will take over the offense after the graduation of<strong> Berkeley Konrady</strong> to graduation. Aaliyah lacks the brute strength of Berkeley but she more than makes up for it with her athleticism. [player_tooltip player_id='828206' first='Dreu' last='Patterson'], [player_tooltip player_id='807866' first='Avery' last='Fauver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='530280' first='Lora' last='Totcheva'] will compete for the other pin spots. At 6'0" Lora brings some height to the right side. [player_tooltip player_id='451960' first='Paisley' last='Cook'] will handle most of the setting while the back row has two quality candidates in [player_tooltip player_id='521531' first='Natalie' last='Huck'] and [player_tooltip player_id='437980' first='Katherine' last='Madden']. The big need for this team is finding a couple middles. Frosh [player_tooltip player_id='878688' first='Mckenna' last='Homans'] is one possibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact </strong>- Millbrook was not established until 2003. Their women's basketball team won a Virginia State record 84 consecutive games and three state championships between 2010-2013.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->