By Phil Murphy
Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, DigitalSports.com
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On the very short list of best non-Concorde teams is defending Patriot District champion South County.
The Stallions were 17-4 last season with all four defeats coming at the hands of Concorde competition. And they only graduated two players from that team.
They feature arguably the best underclassmen in the Northern Region, junior middle hitter Simone Antwi. Antwi can touch 10-3 and holds scholarship offers from Stanford, USC and Duke.
Along with senior outside hitter Lindsay Stephens — the Patriot District Player of the Year — and honorable-mention all-district libero Erica Fairbanks, South County is favored to run its district table again.
“To me, the expectations of the other teams in the region — what they expect of us — are to finish well and not just **** out,” fifth-year coach Dave Prahl said. “That’s the expectation other teams have of us, which I think we’ll do. We’d like to get some people on the all-region team; Lindsay was second-team last year and Simone made honorable-mention.
“I wouldn’t see why both of those girls wouldn’t be first-team all region this year, along with like four Chantilly girls.”
One area coach said the Stallions are “on the brink of breaking out.”
Another added: “South County is there. I think everyone the Patriot is going to start hating them, across the board. I think they’re going to be winning a lot.”
With out-of-conference games against Westfield, Centreville, Chantilly, Herndon and Langley, in that order all before October, the conventional wisdom of a breakout year for South County will be put to a crucible quickly.
Standing in the way of a district repeat is West Springfield, led by second-year coach Stephanie Noriega. But the Spartans (16-6) graduated seven seniors, many of whom key contributors from last season — four second-team all-district players — including setter Lauren Sipple and both outside hitters.
Replacing Sipple is senior setter Sammy Hague and the only all-district player to return, senior libero Alyssa Hager, who Noriega will rely on as an on-the-court leader.
“She really ran our defense last year,” said Noriega, whose team has appeared in five-straight district finals, winning two. “She just took control of it and took charge out there on the court. And with last year’s experience, now being a senior, she’s a definite leader for our time and does a lot.
“As far as controlling our team and our defense on the floor, I just put her in charge and don’t have to worry a lot. I know she’ll get the job done.”
The Spartans also expect two newcomers to make headlines this year. Senior outside hitter Brittany McCollum transferred from Blacksburg and junior outside hitter Lauren Scolese starred on junior varsity last season before moving up for the playoffs.
Woodson joined the Patriot District over the summer and brings one of the top returning liberos in the region, senior Tiffany Vu.
Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com
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