McLean High School Pickleball Champions: McLean High School’s pickleball team won its second consecutive Virginia State Championship by defeating Herndon High School on Monday evening. The event was held at a facility in Vienna, Virginia. The team secured the best-of-five series to remain the top high school pickleball team in the state.
Pickleball’s Rising Popularity in Virginia
Pickleball continues to grow quickly in Northern Virginia. The sport is now widely available at public parks, gyms, and pickleball centers. This year’s state championship featured more teams and higher competition than last year. McLean High School won the 2024 title with less challenge, but 2025 brought tougher opponents.
Sixteen teams from across the region joined the Virginia High School Pickleball League this season, showing how fast the sport is growing among young players. Still, McLean High School proved its skill and focus in key moments to hold on to the top spot.
McLean Girls Set the Tone Early
The first match featured McLean’s girls’ team. Junior Katelyn Gray and sophomore Anna Polykof returned as defending champions. The duo quickly built a strong lead and held off Herndon’s comeback. They won the match 15-6, starting McLean’s title defense with a dominant performance.
“We definitely started off really strong. There were times when it got a little close, but I feel like (we) kept it at arm’s length.” – (Katelyn Gray)
Boys Follow Up with Strong Win
Next up, seniors Noah Jander and Jonathan Truong represented McLean in the boys’ match. Jander opened the game with powerful serves that gave McLean a big lead. Herndon responded with a brief rally, but Truong helped finish the match with a 15-9 victory.
“(Jander) got us out to a big lead on his serve. That was huge for us to push through. We got down a little bit, but we flipped that switch, got the momentum going and the stop to finish them off.” – (Jonathan Truong)
Team Captain Closes It Out
The final match saw team president Vernon Ngo seal the championship. His “B-team” lineup won its match, making it three straight wins in the best-of-five series. Ngo reflected on the team’s effort and growth from last season.
“It feels great. We worked really hard to get here. We had to beat a bunch of good teams and athletes. Last year’s (title) was great, and we wanted to win it again. It motivated us.” – (Vernon Ngo)
McLean’s Future Looks Bright
McLean High School didn’t just win—they dominated. Each match showed strong teamwork, quick starts, and mental toughness. As more schools join the league and talent increases, McLean remains the team to beat. Their depth and focus make them a strong favorite to compete for another title.
News in Brief: McLean High School Pickleball Champions
McLean High School defended its title at the 2025 Virginia State High School Pickleball Championship by defeating Herndon High School. Led by returning champions and strong teamwork, McLean won three straight matches in a best-of-five series. The team remains undefeated in the growing Virginia High School Pickleball League.