Timberlake Christian Advances to VISAA Semifinals
Grace Minor reaches 1,000 career kills as Timberlake Christian sweeps Grove Christian in the Division III state tournament.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Volleyball
Timberlake Christian defeated Grove Christian 25-10, 25-11, 25-19 in the VISAA Division III state tournament, with middle blocker Grace Minor recording her 1,000th career kill. The Timberlake Christian team advanced to face Chelsea Academy in the state semifinals on Thursday.
Why it matters
The win moves Timberlake Christian to 28-4 on the season and sets up a semifinal matchup with second-seeded Chelsea Academy. Minor's milestone adds to a season in which she has been among the team's leading contributors on offense and at the net.
Minor's 18 kills came on a .531 hitting percentage in the state-tournament win, and her season totals stand at 504 kills and a .512 hitting percentage with a team-best 127 blocks. Results of the Thursday semifinal against Chelsea Academy remain to be determined.
The players
Timberlake Christian
Timberlake Christian is a private Christian school whose volleyball team is competing in the VISAA Division III state tournament.
Grace Minor
Grace Minor is a middle blocker for Timberlake Christian who has recorded 1,000 career kills and leads the team with 127 blocks this season.
Chelsea Academy
Chelsea Academy is a school in Front Royal and the second-seeded team Timberlake Christian will face in the VISAA Division III state semifinals.
The details
Timberlake Christian won the match in three sets, 25-10, 25-11 and 25-19. Lydia Kelley added nine kills, Siam Kowatch recorded five aces and 31 assists, and Riley Moses contributed 11 digs.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 10, 2026: Timberlake Christian defeated Grove Christian in the VISAA Division III state tournament.
Thursday, November 12, 2026: VISAA Division III state semifinals are scheduled, with Timberlake Christian facing Chelsea Academy.
Saturday, November 14, 2026: The Division III state championship is scheduled at The Steward School in Richmond.
Season Trajectory
Timberlake Christian's win moves it into the VISAA Division III state semifinals, one of two remaining berths in the bracket's upper half. The result extends its season at 28-4 while New Covenant, at 22-2, advances in the other half toward a Saturday championship at The Steward School.
Fans following the bracket can track the Thursday semifinal pairings, with New Covenant hosting Greenbrier Christian at 5 p.m. The Saturday championship at The Steward School will feature the winners of both semifinals.
The takeaway
Timberlake Christian's depth, with Minor's offense, Kowatch's setting and Moses' defense all contributing, has carried it to the semifinals. Following the Thursday matchup will show whether that balance holds against a higher-seeded opponent.
What happens next
Timberlake Christian faces Chelsea Academy in the VISAA Division III state semifinals on Thursday, November 12, 2026, and the winner advances to the Saturday, November 14, 2026 championship at The Steward School in Richmond.
Further reading
For more state tournament coverage, see Volleyball on our Virginia sports pages.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NewsAdvance.
