Girls’ volleyball is getting ready to set off their season with high spirits and hard work.

WJ was ranked as the top seed in its region heading into playoffs last year, but came up short in the second round in a competitive game against Churchill.

After last season, varsity girls’ volleyball head coach Jackie Krampf stepped down, leaving her position vacant. The JV girls’ volleyball head coach, Sara Williams, was asked to fill the role and now serves as the head coach on the varsity side.

Though there have been changes in the coaching staff, this year’s team has been adapting to a new style of play.

“I think the girls are getting a fusion of faster tempo, more aggressive volleyball,” Williams said. “It’s been fun to watch them switch over from a little slower-paced play to really going to that next level.”

Over the past few weeks, the coaches have been looking to help the team unlock a new threshold of competition and unity.

“We’re really pushing the mental toughness piece and the high level of competition,” Williams said. “Overall the idea is that they are competitive about every point and that we work together as a team with a high level of communication.”

After losing five seniors last year, three of whom made the 2024 All-County roster, the team is looking to rebuild with new talent. Within the process of rebuilding comes finding a new rhythm and team chemistry, something that has come naturally to this group.

“We’ve grown to become an intertwined group,” junior captain Sophia Beato said. “We’re definitely really close knit now and a bunch of us are not only able to hang out with each other in volleyball but also outside of volleyball and during school. So all together we’re like a family.”

The Cats are ready to blaze into their season, hoping to utilize the various talents that each player brings to the team.

“It’s hard to choose one thing that the team excels at because there are seven people who come and play, and they each have their different responsibilities like any other team sport,” assistant coach Liam Morris said. “Yes, we have certain girls who excel at their positions, but as a team, as a whole, I’d say the camaraderie that they all have together propels us forward.”

The Cats kick off their season at home against Poolesville on Monday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

This season is massive for both the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams to see if they can maintain the high standards they have set for themselves. 

Coming off a fifth-place finish at states last year, the girls’ cross country team will be looking to maintain their standards and competitiveness. The team has been working both physically and mentally to push runners to their limit. 

“We did a group assignment and worksheets to set our goals for the season and then discussed them as a team,” sophomore Natalie McCarty said. “We have to work as a team and reach our goals together, not just individually. We’ve also been doing summer workouts, and I can tell that people have improved greatly from last year.”

The team will have to fill the shoes of departing key runners like Megan Raue and Mirae Denaro; however, McCarty is optimistic that new and returning runners will be able to repeat last year’s success. 

“It’s definitely going to impact us a lot since we qualified for states last year,” McCarty said. “The whole vibe they brought to practice was just great last year, so I’m hoping to replicate that this year with new teammates.”

On the flip side, the boys’ team is coming off the back of a disappointing second-to-last place finish at regionals and is looking for a resurgent year.

“We got a lot of mileage over the summer to make sure that our base is higher than other teams,” senior Grant Levens said. “We have to make sure that everyone is hustling and not slacking off. The team is the most important part, and we are always working to make ourselves more cohesive as a group. We have to go with the mentality that the job’s not finished and we still have work to do.”

Beyond just running, cross country is also a great opportunity for newer and more experienced runners to come together with a common interest.

“The team culture is a lot of fun,” senior John Snow said. “You get to engage with people from every background and age group and make a lot of friends with people you would otherwise not interact with in your everyday life.”

Only time will tell how both cross country teams will perform. However, the team looks to start on a positive note with their first meet on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Georgetown Preparatory School.

After a strong debut last year, the girls’ flag football team is back for its second official season and eager to build on what they started. The team posted a 6–2 record in their dominating run to make a statement: they were ready to compete from the beginning.

The girls are ready to make another big impact this year, going for gold. Last year, they became division champions, but their playoff journey was cut short when they lost against Whitman in the round of 16. This can be a huge motivator for the Cats, as they’ll strive to surpass where they stood before.

This fall, they’re already off to a strong start. On Wednesday, Sept. 3, the team defeated Kennedy in their first game of the season, finishing off with a 1-0 win in overtime that gave them the early confidence they’ll need for a tough season ahead. 

Players are especially excited about the chance to grow together as a team, using this fall to sharpen their skills on the field while also building stronger teamwork off it. That chemistry will not only give them the motivation to strive to do their best on the field and set the foundation for long-term success, but also build positive support systems cheering for their teammates off the field. 

“I’m excited for the upcoming season because I feel like we can definitely have time to improve and work on things we didn’t get to last season, since it was our first run,” junior Victoria Webb said.

For Webb and her teammates, it’s not just about wins and losses; it’s also about the connections they make along the way. 

“This season, I hope I can make tighter and new bonds with my teammates so we can work to have our best season yet,” Webb said.

With a winning start and a group of players committed to improving both on and off the field, the girls’ flag football team looks ready to take their game to the next level. Fans should expect plenty of energy, growth and teamwork as the season unfolds.

The girls’ soccer team fell short of their expectations last year after battling a tough Quince Orchard team in the regional semifinals. Entering the 2025 season, the Cats are committed to taking the next step.

“Last season didn’t end the way we wanted, but we’re using that as motivation to push ourselves to go further this year,” junior captain Chloe Russ said. 

The Cats are coming back motivated, led by senior captains Evie Avillo and Erin Carr along with Russ. Together this trio will bring a mix of experience and energy to the squad. Avillo, who already committed to Emory University in Atlanta, is determined to make her senior season unforgettable.

“I’m sad this is my last year but I’m really excited to make it my best, and we really think winning a state championship is in reach for us this year,” Avillo said. 

This offseason, the Cats also welcomed three talented freshmen who are ready and eager to prove themselves. 

“We have plenty of young talent this year who add lots of depth to our roster, especially on the attacking side,” Avillo said. 

With an already strong core group of girls, the younger players will have a chance to grow under the guidance of the captains and upperclassmen. 

The Cats open their season with a matchup at home against Rockville on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 7:15 p.m. The game gives the Cats an opportunity to set the tone for what could be a special year. With the hunger from last year’s semifinal loss, the Cats are chasing one goal: to play in November.

Field hockey has started its 2025 season strong with a 3-0 win over Poolesville High School on Sept. 5. They hope to keep their momentum going as they push towards this year’s postseason.

“I’m excited. We have a lot of new players that put in a lot of work to help the team and I think we’re gonna be great this season,” junior Olivia Dziasek said.

Last year the team made it through the first round of the playoffs, beating the Richard Montgomery Rockets after losing to them earlier in the season. However, they were taken down by their ongoing rival, the Whitman Vikings, in round two.

“Unfortunately, Whitman has beaten us every year for the past 10 years,” Dziasek said. “Last year we got really close and tied them, but they won in overtime. This year, I hope we take that win.”

The team aims to continue their goal from last year of establishing a more competent offensive attack, since the team boasted an excellent defense but lacked in offensive power. The main keys to success will likely be team coordination, consistently switching the field and developing their stick-to-stick skills.

The team is led by junior captains Nina Lichter and Mira Mann, senior captains Abby Bruskin and Alex Krouse, along with head coach Lauren Zucconi in her second year coaching the team.

The team’s next challenge will be to defeat the Montgomery Blair Blazers in an away game on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.

Coming off a strong finish last year placing fourth at regionals, the Wildcat cheerleaders are looking to aim even higher this season. Their performance showcased determination and athletic skill, fueling their drive to continue working. 

“Our team’s success last year at regionals really has helped motivate us to kick off the season,” senior captain Shoshana Berger said. “Placing 4th showed us what we’re capable of and has been pushing us to work even harder this year. We’ve implemented team goals to reach, as well as individual goals, and this season we are making every practice count to reach the top.”

The Wildcats cheer team continues to set the tone at football games, pep rallies and regional events. Led by their captains and dedicated coaching staff, the cheer team has been hard at work perfecting their routines. The team continues to prepare for four competitions with every individual on the team working to improve themselves to succeed as a team.

“People have been facing minor injuries that would usually get in the way, but are persevering because of how much they want to excel at competitions,” senior Sofia Jalil said. “I personally pulled my hip, but even though it has been bothering me, I’m pushing myself and bringing my best abilities to every practice.” 

The Walter Johnson cheer team will continue to prepare for their first invitational competition on Oct. 4. The Wildcats are eager to showcase their growth and set the tone for an even stronger season ahead.