Much has been made of Albemarle’s offense and its big play ability, but four games into the season, the Patriot defense has done its share of the heavy lifting as well.

The Virginia women’s soccer team is officially clicking on all cylinders.

Louisa, who is 4-1 and has already surpassed its win total from a year ago, hopes the trend continues against district foe Monticello tonight.

“I got burnt a lot last year,” Khiry Washington said. “But you learn from that because that causes losses — you’ve just got to stay deep.”

As it turns out Ragland surpassed the old record over the summer, when most volleyball teams were going through preseason workouts before practice started in August. That’s when the Virginia High School League made a simple correction to former record-holder Lillie Moore’s win total from 415 to 372 victories, immediately vaulting Ragland, the state’s active leader, into the top spot all-time.

Last week at the Birdwood Golf course, Albemarle’s squad wrapped up its sixth consecutive district crown with a four-stroke victory over Colonial Forge.

For the seventh year in a row, Western Albemarle walked away with the Jefferson District tournament title on Tuesday afternoon at Meadowcreek Golf Course. The Warriors’ top player, Patrick Leisure, fought off Monticello’s Kevin Archer in a playoff to win the individual crown.

In a wide-open Jefferson District, the William Monroe volleyball team is establishing themselves as one of the top programs this year.

Bryan Stinnie’s hopes of playing college ball are a reality as he has accepted an offer from William and Mary.

Graham racked up a team-high 82 rushing yards on 14 carries and ran for two scores in the 44-13 win over Orange County. So far this year, he has rushed for 155 yards and five TDs.

St. Anne’s finished the job it started three days ago by defeating its longtime rival 27-16.

Turnovers, penalties, rain and mud. This year’s installment of Woodberry Forest against Fork Union was a shining example of old-time football.

A roundup of Friday’s rain-soaked action.

At Charlottesville’s homecoming against William Monroe, halftime was supposed to be longer than usual — but not 90 minutes.

Defense and special teams made all the difference in Monticello’s win over Orange County on a rainy Friday night.

Having a clinical finisher often separates good soccer teams from great teams. Logan Pehanick fit that role perfectly, registering a hat trick Friday afternoon as St. Anne’s-Belfield trounced visiting Covenant 5-0.

No matter the outcome, one thing is for sure—tonight’s game between Monticello and Orange County has major implications.

Eagles defensive coordinator Logan Boggs calmed his players down and sent his unit out to make one more stop. They did, and this time the game really was over with Covenant on top 22-19.

Last year, Orange County’s defense gave up 61 points and 626 yards of total offense as Monticello handed the Hornets their only Jefferson District loss of the season.

Monticello coach Brud Bicknell just assumed he was getting his leg pulled.

Hosting Collegiate, the Eagles bounced back by defeating the Cougars 3-1 on Tuesday evening.

After putting up a good fight against defending state champion Liberty Christian, the Eagles make the trip to St. George looking to bounce back behind senior tailback Luke Heinsohn.

Albemarle High’s volleyball team isn’t just winning matches right now — they’re dominating them. The Patriots (12-0) have lost just three games in matches this year behind the heavy-hitting attack duo of Kara Elder and Laura Gomez.

Albemarle excelled in all areas in its blowout win over Charlottesville this past Friday, but the Patriots know they have to kick it up a notch as they enter Commonwealth District play at North Stafford this week.

Loyola (Towson, Md.) racked up 256 rushing yards and capitalized on five FUMA turnovers, cruising to a 49-0 win on Saturday to stay unbeaten.

In just his first start under center, Speedy McCauley led the offense in a 47-20 routing of Randolph Macon.

Bella Licciardello exploded on offense, scoring all three first half goals and four in the game for Fredericskburg Academy (5-0, 3-0) as they demolished the Eagles 5-0.

Albemarle used a well-rounded team performance and excelled in all three phases of the game in a win over a battered and outmanned Charlottesville team Friday night.

“[Liberty]’s definitely the best team in the state, they’re a quality football team,” Covenant coach Mark Sanford said.

“That felt good,” said Western coach Ed Pierce. “It’s a new scheme and you have to get the timing right and the quarterback has to put it where it needs to go.“