Volleyball preview: James Wood vies for third straight state title

The word dynasty isn’t thrown around lightly in sports, but the James Wood High School volleyball team is on the cusp of cementing itself in that category, if it hasn’t already.

When Loudoun County’s run of winning 10 straight volleyball state titles ended, suddenly, there was an opportunity for another program to take over the reins as the perennial powerhouse.

James Wood has taken advantage of that opportunity and will attempt to three-peat this fall after winning back-to-back Class 4 state titles the past two seasons.

Following a 26-1 season in 2022 that included winning their first-ever regional title, the Colonels finished 27-2 last year, setting the program record for most wins. In their journey to the mountain top, they won 3-0 in each of their six postseason matches, none more important than the Colonels’ sweep over Hanover in last November’s state title match. That victory capped off a 17-match win streak to end the season, which head coach Adrienne Patrick will look to extend this year.

James Wood returns several starters, including junior outside hitter Kennedy Spaid, who was last year’s Class 4 Player of the Year and is a two-time First Team All-State selection. Spaid led the area in kills last season with 346 and was seventh in digs with 193.

Spaid is joined by junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Brenna Corbin, another two-time First Team All-State selection. Verbally committed to play volleyball at Division I James Madison, Corbin had an area-high 345 digs last season and the second most aces with 68. James Wood also returns junior middle hitter Tenley Mattison, senior defensive specialist/right-side hitter Addie Pitcock and sophomore right-side/outside hitter Kyla Wilhelm.

Standing in the Colonels’ path is a Millbrook team that has challenged James Wood in recent years. Though Millbrook fell victim to the Colonels in each of their three meetings last fall, including a 3-0 defeat in the region semifinal, the Pioneers were one of only six teams to win a set against James Wood. The Pioneers lost 3-2 and 3-1 in their other two matchups with James Wood last year. They also swept the Colonels in a match and handed them their only loss of the season in 2022.

Millbrook brings back senior outside hitter and William & Mary verbal commit Berkeley Konrady, who had 262 kills last fall — the third most in the area. The Pioneers will also have senior middle hitter Nicole Burau and sophomore setter/right-side hitter Paisley Cook at their disposal.

One of Millbrook’s former players will suit up for James Wood this fall.

After focusing on club volleyball in 2023, former Millbrook libero Gigi Norris transferred to James Wood this summer to play for the Colonels this season. Norris, now a junior, was First Team All-District as a freshman for Millbrook in 2022 and now looks to make an immediate impact for James Wood.

Both James Wood and Millbrook will have to contend with Sherando, which earned a 15-6 overall record in 2023. Head coach James Minney and the Warriors bring back a solid core of players who competed for them last fall, including senior outside hitter Helena Ritter, senior setter Amanda Ingrassia and senior libero/defensive specialist Caylee Walsh.

Meanwhile, Handley went 7-13 overall in 2023 and has lost three key players from last year’s roster. The Judges return senior defensive specialist and outside hitter Marisa Onzura, junior libero Kinley Duvall, junior setter Elly Licklider and several other players from last year’s team.

Clarke County was one win shy of reaching the state tournament last year, finishing 16-9 (11-3 district) and falling to Fort Defiance in the Region 2B semifinals. This season, head coach Skyler Layton is intent on reaching states and will look toward senior setter Allie Lynch, senior libero Marlee Backover and junior middle hitter Gracie Brown, among others, to reach that pedestal.

In Region 4D North, the seven teams will be ranked at the end of the regular season by winning percentage in all matches (invitationals will be excluded). The top five teams in both the North sub-region and the South sub-region will make the Region 4D playoffs. Last year, only the top four in the two sub-regions made the playoffs. The Region 4D tournament is set for Nov. 4-13, followed by the Class 4 state tournament Nov. 16-22.

The following is a look at each local team:

James Wood

Coach: Adrienne Patrick, fifth season.

Last season: 27-2 overall, 8-0 district. Class 4 state champion, Region 4D champion, Class 4 Northwestern District regular-season champion.

Key losses: Paige Ahakuelo (now at Delaware State), Hannah McCullough, Ashlynn Spence (now at Shenandoah), Lexi Taylor.

Key returnees: Adeline Pitcock (Sr., DS/RS), Kennedy Spaid (Jr., OH), Brenna Corbin (Jr., OH), Kyla Wilhelm (So., RS/OH), Claire Keefer (Jr. M/RS), Tenley Mattison (Jr., M).

Key newcomers: Bella Middleton (Fr., S), Kylee Plumb (So., S), Katilyn Brannon (So., M), Abie Tenney (Jr., DS), Gigi Norris (Jr., DS/L), Reese Justice (So., RS/M).

Patrick’s outlook: “With so many new girls on the team this year, our first goal is to focus on our relationships and meshing together as a team. This team is a healthy mix of experienced players and newer players eager to play their part. I expect with the seasoned veterans we have on the team and the leadership they possess, we will be competitive in our district and region matches, and we will see tremendous growth from the younger players. I look forward to seeing how our new setters progress through the season and what new heights we reach together as a team.”

First match: Tuesday vs. Dominion

Millbrook

Coach: Carla Milton, 10th season.

Last season: 18-4 overall, 5-3 district; lost to James Wood in Region 4D semis.

Key losses: Valentina Burrill, Gracie Behneke (now at Louisiana Monroe for beach volleyball), Camdyn Lockley.

Key returnees: Berkeley Konrady (Sr., OH), Nicole Burau (Sr., MH), Paisley Cook (So., S/RS), Aaliyah Green (So., OH), Alivia Knotts (Jr., RS/S), Katherine Madden (So., L), Natalie Huck (Jr., DS), Lanie Yeggy (So., S).

Key newcomers: Drue Patterson (Jr., MH), Sophia Messina (Jr., MH/RS), Lora Totcheva (So., RS/MH).

Milton’s outlook: “As long as we continue to improve each day, I think we will be competitive and match up well with the other teams in our district/region. Our district/region will be competitive, but as long as we use every day as a learning experience, it will only help with our growth throughout the season.

“I feel experience will make our team better this year. We return eight players with a lot of playing experience from last season that will help the new players. We just need to improve on the basic fundamentals of the game every day, and communication.

“All the girls are showing significant improvement. Everyone has showed up ready for a new season.”

First match: Tuesday at Tuscarora

Sherando

Coach: James Minney, 11th season, 16th season overall at Sherando.

Last season: 15-6 overall, 5-3 district; lost to Millbrook in Region 4D quarters.

Key losses: Sarah Starling (now at Mary Washington), Abby Branner

Key returnees: Helena Ritter (Sr., OH), Amanda Ingrassia (Sr., S), Caylee Walsh (Sr., L/DS), Carleigh Ritter (Jr., DS), Riley Alger (So., OH, RS), Ashley Smith (So., OH), Hannah Beck (So., MH), Tylea Lane (Sr., OH).

Key newcomers: None listed.

Minney’s outlook: “We can be competitive with the ‘tougher’ teams; win or lose, that is one of our goals.”

First match: Tuesday vs. Clarke County

Handley

Coach: Kristen Larson, third season.

Last season: 7-13 overall, 2-6 district.

Key losses: Alaina Braun-Duin, Alexa Gluszak, Tess McAllister.

Key returnees: Marisa Onzura (Sr., DS/OH), Kinley Duvall (Jr., L), Elly Licklider (Jr., S), Abby Melester (Jr., M), Audrey DeArment (Jr., RS), Sadie Bailey (So., OH), Eleanor Hessburg (So., RS/M).

Key newcomers: Raya Milochova (So., OH/DS), Ashley Grimaldo (So. DS/SS), Breeze Johnson (Fr., S/RS/OH), Teagan Braun-Duin (Fr., S/RS/OH), Paige Boone (Fr., M).

Larson’s outlook: “Our district/region is one of the strongest in the state, so the competition is fierce. Every local team has a deep roster of very talented players due to so many kids playing both indoor and beach volleyball almost year-round. This year, I expect Handley to be right in the mix, given our incoming talent, coupled with our experienced players. We have rostered a strong varsity team with the strongest JV team we have ever had. Games will be competitive, and it will be a fight to the top for our local teams, which is very exciting for volleyball in this area.”

First match: Tuesday vs. Hampshire (W.Va.)

Clarke County

Coach: Skyler Layton, fifth season.

Last season: 16-9 overall, 11-3 Bull Run District; lost to Fort Defiance in Region 2B semis.

Key losses: Anna Spencer (now at Lynchburg), Kendyl Lambert, Audrey Gaerig.

Key returnees: Allie Lynch (Sr., S), Marlee Backover (Sr., L), Gracie Brown (Jr., M), Bryn Franzen (Jr., M), Isabel Aliveto (So., OH), Grace Gerenski (So., OH).

Key newcomers: None listed.

Layton’s outlook: “Our goal each season is to make it to states. It has eluded us the past few years (Clarke was one win shy of last year’s state tournament), but with so many returning players this season, I believe our team has a chance to finally make it there. Our district/region is always tough, but our team is full of talented athletes that are at the top of the pool. I believe we will be at the top of our district and region brackets battling it out for those championship titles.”

First match: Tuesday at Sherando

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