Photo courtesy of Tracy Marsh Knotts Philip Barbour players and coaches are shown after finishing as state runner-ups in the high school state volleyball tournament Thursday evening.

CHARLESTON — Philip Barbour’s bid to repeat as Class AA state champions fell just short Thursday night at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.

The second-seeded Lady Colts dropped a 3-1 verdict (25-19, 18-25, 22-25, 23-25) to top-seed Oak Glen in the final title game contested on the day.

In the other championship matches, No. 2 Morgantown defeated top-seed Hedgesville, 3-1, to win the Class AAAA crown, top-seed Herbert Hoover claimed the triple-A title with a 3-2 win over No. 2 Shady Spring and top-seed Wirt County downed No. 2 Gilmer County, 3-1, to win the Class A crown.

Philip Barbour had just one senior — Kayla Baker — on this year’s squad, as plenty of talent returns to the fold in 2026 for head coach Heather Halfin, who was seeking her eighth state title at the helm.

It was the sixth straight season the Lady Colts played in the championship contest.

Philip Barbour juniors Izzy Knotts and Finley Carpenter were named to the all-tournament team.