Loudoun County, Va. — After two weeks of regular season games, the first edition of the LoCo Top 5 is here. The first couple weeks have featured interesting matchups, unexpected outcomes, and several 5-set thrillers to start the season. Last year’s list stayed pretty consistent throughout the 2025 campaign, with only 7 different teams breaking into the Top 5. This year’s inaugural list includes a few teams that were featured during the 2025 season, as well as a couple new teams off to a strong start in 2026. Time will tell how things shake up this year, and it will be exciting to see the final outcome as each of the four districts is wide open for a new champion.
1. Briar Woods
Last season the Falcons’ roster included several freshmen who received considerable playing time during the 2025 campaign. With that year of experience under their belts, the young squad is now in a position to make big waves in 2026. The team boasts a 5-0 record to start the season, which includes quality wins against No. 5 Independence, Woodgrove, Loudoun County, Heritage, and Broad Run. Sophomore setter Kayla Chang is confident in her role leading the offense, and junior outside hitter Allie Bowen can score from both the front row and the back row as a 6-rotation player. The sophomore trio of outside hitter Marisa Barreto, libero Allison Tan, and right side hitter Summer Syed add to the depth of this team and have contributed to the early success. Briar Woods will begin district play against Riverside on September 8 and will continue with matches against Stone Bridge on September 14, No. 3 Potomac Falls on September 15, and John Champe on September 17.
2. Freedom
Although the Eagles took a couple sets to warm up on opening night, falling behind 0-2 in an eventual reverse sweep of Woodgrove, they have remained hot and have only dropped two other sets (to No. 3 Potomac Falls) en route to an impressive 6-0 start to the season. Sweeps of Fauquier, Loudoun County, Dominion, and Broad Run no doubt provide confidence to this team who has a new head coach (Adam Olguin) this season. Senior setter Kami Hendrix runs an efficient offense, utilizing several weapons including junior outside hitter Irina Padden, junior middle hitter Leila Bataineh, sophomore outside hitter Laylah Hampton, and junior right side hitter Ava Parker. After an early Potomac District matchup with Potomac Falls, Freedom will continue their district schedule with games against Stone Bridge (September 10) and No. 4 Lightridge (September 15) in addition to a couple more non-league games over the next couple weeks.
3. Potomac Falls
The Panthers made a statement in their opening match of the 2026 season against Loudoun County. After a ten-year losing streak, Potomac Falls swept the Captains and kept the momentum rolling the next night with a victory over Broad Run. After dropping a 5-set battle to No. 2 Freedom, the Panthers quickly rebounded with a win over Tuscarora. Senior outside hitter Lacey Bogues and junior outside hitter Ellie Brumback are the primary offensive producers, but senior middle hitter Marley Antognoli and sophomore right side hitter Teagan Barnhart can also find ways to score. And with senior libero Ela Yilmaz controlling the back row, rallies continue to be extended as she gives her team second-chance opportunities by keeping plays alive. Potomac Falls will be put to the test over the next couple weeks with big matchups against Heritage (September 11), No. 4 Lightridge (September 14), and No. 1 Briar Woods (September 15).
4. Lightridge
A dramatic 5-set win against No. 5 Independence—in addition to sweeps of John Champe and Woodgrove—gave the Lightning a 3-0 start after the first week of play. Although they lost in four sets to Loudoun County to start week two, they rebounded with another sweep of Loudoun Valley the next day. With an asset like junior Giuliana Mastrangelo—who is splitting time as an outside hitter and middle hitter—Lightridge will be a contender in every match this season. Junior libero Sofia Gelston displays great ball control, and senior setter Jessica Nolte and junior setter Olivia Nilsen run a balanced offense. The Lightning will have their work cut out for them in their next few games, as they face Heritage on September 8, No. 3 Potomac Falls on September 14, No. 2 Freedom on September 15, and Stone Bridge on September 17.
5. Independence
The Tigers have gone to five sets in four of their six matches so far this season. Their only losses were at the hands of No. 1 Briar Woods and No. 4 Lightridge, as they earned victories over Patriot, Riverside, Stone Bridge, and Battlefield. With a mix of veterans—senior outside hitter Kaelyn Wharton, junior middle hitter Victoria Liakos, and senior liberos Arianna Melendez-Morales and Natalie Phillips—and young talent—sophomore setter Caroline Calaluca, freshman outside hitters Leyla Landry and Ava Bierweiler, and freshman setter Abigail Melendez—Independence will be a force against anyone they face as they vie for a top spot in the Cedar Run District. Upcoming games against district opponents Osbourn (September 8), Osbourn Park (September 10), and Unity Reed (September 15) will help prepare the Tigers for a rematch against Patriot on September 17.
On the bubble: Heritage
With only two games on the board so far, the Pride have fewer data points than the other teams on this list. Both matches went to five sets, as Heritage fought hard but picked up a loss against No. 1 Briar Woods and pulled off the win against Washington (WV). With a stacked lineup of impact seniors (middle hitter Shannon Treloar, setter Annabelle Kim, and outside hitters Jasmine McBorrough and Kaylee Mehta), the Pride are expected to be a top contender in Class 4. Their next test will come on September 8 when they face No. 4 Lightridge. Other games that week against Dulles District foe Dominion (September 9) and No. 3 Potomac Falls (September 11) and the following week against district opponents Loudoun Valley (September 15) and Tuscarora (September 17) will determine if Heritage can break into the Top 5.