Boys State Volleyball Tournament
The most unusual season is coming to a close in one of the most unusual years in our lifetimes. Boys volleyball in the commonwealth has been dominated in recent years by the Central region but several beach teams are hoping…
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Continue ReadingThe most unusual season is coming to a close in one of the most unusual years in our lifetimes. Boys volleyball in the commonwealth has been dominated in recent years by the Central region but several beach teams are hoping to change that recent trend. Class 4 has many familiar names, but also an up and coming team from Denbigh High who had a historic season. Perennial state champion Patrick Henry-Ashland hosts beach powerhouse Great Bridge and Denbigh will host Maggie Walker Governor school. The state semifinals for Class 5 is all the same teams as 2019 but flipped the match-ups. Glen Allen is taking on an upstart Gloucester team in their second consecutive state semifinal, while Frank Cox will play host to perennial contender and reigning state champion Deep Run. Class 6 also has reigning state champion James River playing host to Oscar Smith while Thomas Dale travels to Grassfield in the other semifinal.
In class 4, Patrick Henry and Maggie Walker, last year’s champion and runner-up are under new leadership. PH-Ashland is vying for its fifth straight title championship. The veteran group has no familiarity with losing states, as they have championships in all three of their seasons and don’t want the streak to end. Powerful Pins Cameron Miller and Davis Luck, Setter Hill Sewell, and Libero Stephen Matthews are al key players for the Patriots. Maggie Walker’s former coach left for the position vacated by the departure of Michael Townsend. Connor Dixon took over the vacant role at Maggie Walker with former Freeman Coach David Calvert helping out with the Dragons. Maggie Walker is a balanced team without a lone star. Setter Charlie Unice, Libero Eli Benesh and middle blockers Reed Bonkovsky and Stamate Theofanos return for the runner-up, with junior outside hitter Matteo DeLuca leading the offensive attack. Denbigh Senior Outside Hitter Jamary Starks is the primary offensive option and leader, senior MB Deshawn Bridgett and junior S/OH Ray Del Cruz lead the Patriots following a 2019 trip to the Class 4-1 Eastern semifinals. Starks is a college level prospect for Denbigh. In 2019, he was a first-team state pick at libero. Great Bridge has several key players including Blake DeBrucker, Ryan Poff and Solomon Cordew who will be keys for the beach to end their championship draught at Class 4 volleyball.
Class 5 is the same quartet of teams from the 2019 state semifinals but flipped the match-ups. The 2020-21 semis feature Glen Allen hosting Gloucester and reigning champion Deep Run traveling to Frank Cox for the other semifinal. Deep Run returns Setter Wade Every and Outside Hitters Ian Wagenhauser and Tyler Grey. Sophomore Makary Czekajlo is expected to be a factor in the middle. For Glen Allen, Sophomore Setter Andrew Onusconich and Sophomore libero Riley Irmen will be keys for controlling the offense for the Jaguars. Outside Hitters Sam Kinter and Brooks Cowart will carry a heavy offensive load but if they can stay in system, Middle Hitter Trevor Foy is great in transition. Gloucester is led by 2019 All State Outside Hitter Jack Sandahl. Setter Quinn Estlack is strong from the service line and runs a good offense. Jack Rogan and Connor Brooks could also be key players for the Dukes. Frank Cox is loaded with high level college talent with perennial stars Middle Hitter Daniel Hurley and Setter Kyle Schlaepfer. Seniors Jason Wang, Logan Keenan and newcomer John Broccoletti could all be huge factors in Cox bringing back the state championship to the beach.
Class 6 has reigning state champion James River (Midlothian) leading the way and teh favorite to repeat as state champions. Connor Pinney, a 2019 second-team all-state honorees at setter, and Middle Hotter Cole Grubbs provide a great veteran presence for the Rapids. Junior Opposite Drew Barfield is a monster at the net and can dominate blocking and offensively. The lefty is a major impact player on the rightside and a potential high caliber college recruit. Other potential impact players are Michael Cummins and Ryan Collier are part of a group of very talented underclassmen for the Rapids who are looking to continue their winning tradition. Grassfield fell in the quarterfinals in 2019 but lost few major players and return impact players in Pin Hitters Diego Eljaiek and Logan McConnell along with Senior Libero Connor Spencer handling the libero position. Thomas Dale returns three key seniors and All State performers. Outside Hitters Deklan Wingo and Isaiah Oriente are powerful and dynamic pins who alos are very solid in ball control. Fellow Senior Libero Gabe Palmer give the Knights exceptional ball control for Setters Styles Newcomb, who himself is a powerul lefty and Senior Gavin Carraway. If someone is going to beat the Rapids, Thomas Dale may have the best shot if they can handle their semifinal at Grassfield. Oscar Smith finished strong in 2019 and return key Outside Hitter Zak Tucker, who pairs with a talented trio in Setter Mark Bartelome, Middle Hitter Jayden Durrah and Sophomore Christian Harris who will man the Outside Hitter position opposite Tucker.