Young Lions Take Aim at Unbeaten Spartans

This Patriot District volleyball rivalry headlines the MSP Game of the Week slate. Fairfax hits the road with a young and talented roster looking to pull off an upset against West Springfield, the defending Virginia Class 6 state champion. The 21-0 Spartans have been dominant, winning 81 of their last 85 matches and 57 consecutive sets.

Fairfax enters the matchup at 11-6, but head coach Sam Lee has this group playing at a much higher level than it was when the Lions lost their first meeting with West Springfield in mid-September. Junior OH Ellen Verwys is coming off a 20-kill performance against Robinson, while fellow 5-foot-10 standouts OH Erin Moir and S Nina Leander provide valuable experience and leadership. Freshmen Pia Pardikar and Maya Zadafshar, along with sophomore L Blake Ahn, also play major roles for a Lions program with a bright future.

West Springfield has been sensational this season, dropping just one set since its opening match. Head coach Stephanie Noriega, a multiple-time Virginia state coach of the year, has a roster loaded with senior talent. MB Milena Kibret leads the attack with 207 kills, while MB Audi Tobin owns the team’s best hitting percentage and leads the Spartans with 54 blocks. L Audrey Busch has recorded 205 digs, and S Anna Dierks leads West Springfield with 519 assists and 83 aces.

The Spartans are charging toward back-to-back state championships and will look to extend their winning streak to 39 matches Monday at 6:30 p.m.