Maryland/DC Alternate State Champion Prediction

Jeremy Strain did a good job of picking his winners for the Maryland State championships in classes 1-4. I may have picked the same high schools, Broadneck, Howard, Glenelg and Boonesboro. Since a couple of those schools I was on the fence for Class 4 and 3 I can now get off the fence. These picks are the alternate picks for Maryland state champions in classes 1-4, as well as the DC state champion and two of the three IAAM state champs. I just did not have enough info to make a guess at Class C in the IAAM. Most teams were lacking rosters.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 4 - Richard Montgomery</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/65-Ana-Djordjevic.jpg?w=824" alt="" class="wp-image-781890" style="width:251px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='491007' first='Ana' last='Djordjevic']</figcaption></figure>   The Rockets have won the Class 4 division for the past two years. They lost three pretty big pieces in Ema Djordjevic, Amy Ye and Corrinne Howard. Trying to replace that production will not be easy. The trio combined for more than 50 percent of their kills and over 75 percent of their assists. Where are they going to get that lost production?   Some of the new faces include setter [player_tooltip player_id='749346' first='Ellyn' last='Kim']. While she stands only 5'4" the Rockets appear to have her as the primary setter running a 5/1. From a technical standpoint she is probably a purer setter than Ema and Amy. Ema and Amy were offensive players first who happened to set. Ellyn is a setter first. That could improve the setting to increase the hitter's ability to produce.   Another new face on the scene is middle [player_tooltip player_id='557876' first='Kinsley' last='Flores']. She moved to Maryland from Southern Virginia playing for Norfolk Academy. For the Bulldogs she finished first on the team in blocks while also finishing fourth in hitting with a team high .342 hitting percentage. In the first couple games this season the Mitchell sisters have done most of the hitting while Flores ranks second on the team in blocks.   They also have a couple incoming frosh that are making an impact in the 5'10" right side [player_tooltip player_id='880139' first='Mileni' last='Gjoni'] and the 5'11" middle/right side [player_tooltip player_id='763153' first='Jola' last='Abayomi']. Currently, there contribution is minimal but as they gain more experience more production should follow.   The biggest impact may be the permanent move of [player_tooltip player_id='536719' first='Katherine' last='Mitchell'] to left side. Last year she spent much of her time at middle to allow Corinne to hit outside where she is expected to play at Howard University. Once the playoffs began they both focused on their position of strength. Now that Katie is playing left side permanently her production should increase. After two matches her and older sister [player_tooltip player_id='412056' first='Elizabeth' last='Mitchell'] have combined for 80 percent of the Rockets kills.   Another veteran retuning that will settle the offense is libero [player_tooltip player_id='491007' first='Ana' last='Djordjevic']. With her sister's departure she will take on a greater leadership role, ensuring that the back row is covered. It should result in another final with Broadneck as their opponent. It may not result in another sweep but the Rockets will still prevail.   Other Contenders - Broadneck, Urbana, Churchill, Quince Orchard   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 3 - North Hagerstown</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Zalikah-Pabalan.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732567" style="width:572px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Zalikan Pabalan</figcaption></figure>   As long as they have a healthy [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'] on the court this team should stay a contender. She is the number two ranked player in the class of 2026 and perhaps one of the top players in the DMV area. She can provide offense in the back row and front row. Caydence proved herself on the national stage by earning a spot on the all tournament team at junior nationals in Dallas. Her efforts led Metro to a third place finish in the open division.   [player_tooltip player_id='731631' first='Zalikah' last='Pabalan'] is a quality back row player that could win the libero position. Their libero has graduated so Zalikah may take more responsibity in the back row. Her hands could be used for setting but her platform is ideal for serve receive. Lena Cassesa may take on a more expanded role in the team's offense. Last year she made the team as a frosh. [player_tooltip player_id='787919' first='Charlotte' last='Booth'] is a 6'0" frosh pin hitter who should contribute to the team immediately. Other frosh who have made the roster include Aleah Merrbaugh, Margaret Danielle and Payton Sandridge. If they can get any serious contribution from them the Hubs will contend.   Other Contenders - Howard, Wootten, Atholton   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 2 - Williamsport</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/skylar-norris.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-352202" style="width:272px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='309027' first='Skylar' last='Norris']</figcaption></figure>   Jeremy has forced me to select another defending champion to come out on top in class 2. Last year they knocked off previous defending champion Centennial to win the Class 2 championship. The previous season they lost in the semi-finals. Centennial has bumped up to Class 3 so that takes them out of the competition,   Williamsport will need to find a new setter or run a 5/1 around McKenna Murphy. A new libero also needs to be found. Those are significant losses, but what they did not lose were their offensive pieces. The top two hitters [player_tooltip player_id='309027' first='Skylar' last='Norris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='830996' first='Catherine' last='Warren'] return. Skylar is a six rotation player who can provide solid production in a number of areas. Catherine is no longer the promising frosh, but she now has a year of experience under her belt. Those two will become potent adversaries to any team that faces them.   The team has a number of key returning player talent that will make them tough to beat,   Other contenders - Glenelg, Herford and Poolesville   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 1 - Smithsburg</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/38-Lauren-Wagner.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589192" style="width:356px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='800469' first='Lauren' last='Wagner']</figcaption></figure>   They did not make the state playoffs last year but they have a number of young players returning based on last year's roster. There are no rosters up for them yet this year. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='438085' first='Jenna' last='Yoder'] will stand out as one of the veterans of this team. She is listed as an outside/setter. A slew of returning frosh in libero/ds [player_tooltip player_id='800469' first='Lauren' last='Wagner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='764676' first='Isabella' last='Spinelli'] who appear in our rankings as well as additional retuning frosh Emory Smith and middle Danica Curtis will transform this team into a contender.   The Leopards did appear in the semi-finals in 2023 so they do have some recent history of success.   Other contenders - Boonsboro, Clear Spring, South Carroll   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DC State Champion - Georgetown Day</h2>   Even though the Mighty Hoppers graduated some pretty talented players in DC Gatorade Player of the Year Jada Aksu and outside Zoe Ryu they have more talent on the roster to fill in for them. Last year they only lost one match, to Bullis in the Independent School League (ISL)finals. This year it would not surprise me to see an undefeated season.   The team is loaded in the middle with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='472234' first='Tessa' last='Fergusson'], [player_tooltip player_id='355124' first='Fiona' last='McDermott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='321676' first='Gabrielle' last='Wigglesworth']. All three of these players are seniors. On the outside they have [player_tooltip player_id='377396' first='Alexa' last='Telly'] and [player_tooltip player_id='437985' first='Zora' last='Dimbo'], two athletic players who can put the ball away. Frosh [player_tooltip player_id='750050' first='Raquel' last='Telly'] is a promising back up. [player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum'] runs the offense setting a 5/1. It would be hard to find a setter better than her with her consistency in location as well as her ability to find the open spot.   [player_tooltip player_id='744458' first='Arielle' last='Stopak'] and [player_tooltip player_id='828257' first='Julia' last='Heinzelmann'] can occupy the right side or provide depth for the left side. Julia can also play middle. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='885687' first='Farrah' last='Maragh'] appears ready to handle libero duties but [player_tooltip player_id='800354' first='Ella' last='Higday'] can also fill that role. The only area that could create problems is if an injury should happen to [player_tooltip player_id='292644' first='Caycee' last='Chhum']. Charlie Haft is the backup setter, but she lacks the experience of Caycee.   Georgetown Day swept their opener pretty easily, not allowing more than 11 points. Their big test is the Endless Summer tournament coming up this weekend with James Wood, Flint Hill, Kellam and Annapolis Area Christian competing. Last year they won the event.   Other contenders - St. Johns, Jackson Reed   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">IAAM A Conference- Annapolis Area Christian</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/54-Charlotte-Dittmar.jpg?w=928" alt="" class="wp-image-729662" style="width:287px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='809584' first='Charlotte' last='Dittmar']</figcaption></figure>   Last year Annapolis Area Christian picked up a couple strong frosh middles in [player_tooltip player_id='809584' first='Charlotte' last='Dittmar'] and [player_tooltip player_id='545725' first='Abisola' last='Adeyemo']. The two led the team or were in the top three in kills, digs, serve reception and aces. The team finished 2-6 in regional play and failed to make the playoffs. This had to be a little disappointing since the previous year they had reached the finals before losing to Maryvale Prep.   Charlotte got injured and could not play the club season so her status is unknown. She has yet to see the court early this season. Abisola will return. However, the team has reloaded with a number of frosh and a junior setter.   The junior setter is transfer [player_tooltip player_id='749757' first='Dakota' last='Pentorn']. After the first five matches she appears to be the primary setter. Three of the new incoming frosh appear in our rankings among the top ten prospects in the class of 2029. Right side/setter [player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton'] debuted at number three. She was the first Maryland player this year to earn a Maxpreps player of the week award while also leading the Eagles with 5.5 kills per set. Setter outside [player_tooltip player_id='749642' first='Sophia' last='Groshek'] ranks fifth in our class of 2029 and is third on the team in kills. She won our Prep Dig Avoli Committed Athlete award for the Prep Dig showcase this year. Finally, squeezing in at number seven is setter [player_tooltip player_id='762823' first='Brie' last='Mouton']. She sits number two in assists behind [player_tooltip player_id='749757' first='Dakota' last='Pentorn'].   Other frosh who are contributing include libero/ds [player_tooltip player_id='748518' first='Harper' last='Walker'] and libero/ds [player_tooltip player_id='753070' first='Avery' last='Lettinga'], who have been standing out on the defensive side. [player_tooltip player_id='748492' first='Paetyn' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='781700' first='Gianna' last='Bonnett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='783298' first='Olivia' last='Wheeler'] have all seen action on the court.   The team has started the season 5-0 without losing a set. This weekend will prove a big test when they play in the Endless Summer tournament. They will play state champions Georgetown Day and James Woods as well as their own IAAM rival Maryvale Prep.   Other contenders - Maryvale Prep, Archbishop Spalding   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">IAAM B Conference - Garrison Forest</h2>   Last year Garrison Forest won this division. With [player_tooltip player_id='555602' first='Bryah' last='Breaux'] hitting outside for them I don't see any team challenging. She starred for Metro this past club season and helped them snag a third place finish in the junior national open division. The improvement she brought to her game bumped her up to number 16 in our class of 2026.   This year Dawn Pena is leading the team in kills. Last year she finished second to Bryah. She lists at 6'2, which is two inches shorter than Bryah. With the two of them hitting outside the team will be difficult to beat. Dawn has committed to Hofstra while Bryah has committed to top ranked Kentucky.   The player with the top hitting percentage on the team is 6'2" frosh middle Jessica Murphy. She sits third on the team in kills. The two players responsible for setting the trio of giants are Julianna LaRocco and Reagan Nickerson. Both are seniors. Reagan at 5'10" has good height for a setter.   Garrison actually lost their opener to Notre Dame Prep in a reverse sweep. They were trounced in the third set 15-4. The Grizzlies have since recovered and won their next three matches without losing a set.   Other contenders - Glenelg Country   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">IAAM C Conference - ?????</h2>   I would just be guessing on this one. Too many teams lacking rosters.

Jeremy Strain did a good job of picking his winners for the Maryland State championships in classes 1-4. I may have picked the same high schools, Broadneck, Howard, Glenelg and Boonesboro. Since a couple of those schools I was on the fence for Class 4 and 3 I can now get off the fence. These picks are the alternate picks for Maryland state champions in classes 1-4, as well as the DC state champion and two of the three IAAM state champs. I just did not have enough info to make a guess at Class C in the IAAM. Most teams were lacking rosters.