Turnover is inevitable in high school athletics. The departure of last year’s senior class gives softball coaches across the area the tough task of rebuilding their teams in preparation for this spring. But it also gives the next batch of upperclassmen the opportunity to shine come playoff season.
“Each player, each team has their own identity,” Kutz’s coach at O’Connell, Suzy Willemssen, said. “That’s part of the fun for us as coaches, [to] see what our identity will be this year.”
Even still, the area is still loaded with talent ready to shine as the weather warms and the spring season arrives. Defending Virginia Class 5 champion Woodgrove returns senior George Mason commit Abbey Lane, who pitched three-straight shutouts in last year’s state tournament, while Potomac’s Abby Rebhan will look to lead the Panthers on their quest for a third straight Independent School League title.
Here are the Post’s first rankings of the season.
(Records from last season)
1. Damascus (27-1)
The defending Maryland 3A state champion Hornets are under new leadership. Former coach Lindsay Burns handed the keys off to Liz Gall, who will take over a senior-laden roster loaded with talent.
2. Bishop O’Connell (21-0)
Despite losing Kutz, the Knights’ resume over the past three decades speaks for itself. They’ve won 22 of the past 28 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships.
3. Woodgrove (27-1)
Lane, a first team All-Met player last season, will attempt to pitch her team to another state crown. The Wolverines moved from Class 5 to Class 4 in the offseason.
4. Madison (25-3)
The Warhawks return seniors Sofia Marshall and Ava Livingston in their quest for another Virginia Class 6 state title.
5. McLean (16-6)
The Highlanders, who downed Madison in last year’s Class 6 title game, will look to return to the top of Virginia with junior Hailey Simpson, junior Madeline Staats and sophomore Riley Staats.
6. Potomac (17-2)
The Panthers bring back ace pitcher Abby Rebhan and have their sights set on defending their Independent School League title once again.
7. Sherwood (15-2)
The Warriors will begin their journey toward an eighth Maryland 4A state championship when their season kicks off in late March.
8. Reservoir (23-1)
Junior Abbie Frisvold is one of the buzziest players in the area for last year’s Maryland 3A runners-up.
9. Riverside (21-6)
The Rams bring back many of the pieces from last year’s Class 5 state semifinal team, including senior All Met first-teamer and Northwestern commit Kaylie Avvisato.
10. Osbourn Park (21-5)
The Yellow Jackets took a young team all the way to the Virginia Class 6 state semifinals a year ago.
On the bubble: Battlefield, Clarksburg, Lake Braddock, St. John’s, Woodbridge
