Girls volleyball preview: Cox highlights rugged Beach District and begins the season at No. 1
5 things you should know
Back to normal
The spring season was certainly a gift given the pandemic, but it wasn’t without its cons. Only two teams from each district could make the playoffs in their classification, meaning some of the state’s best teams, like Cox and First Colonial, missed the postseason completely. The eight-team region format is back, according to the Virginia High School League.
New coaches
Princess Anne will certainly have a different vibe this year after longtime coach Craig Dooren retired. The Cavaliers, who won state titles in 2016 and 2018 and became one of the state’s top programs, are now led by former Norfolk State and Hampton coach Brandon Duvall. Another intriguing coaching change is Jonathan Amaral, the former Denbigh boys coach, moving to lead the York girls team. Amaral helped set a strong postseason standard for Denbigh and hopes to do the same with York. “The change to the culture, program and mindset has already changed quickly for York,” he said.
Bay Rivers is back together again
COVID-19 restrictions in different school districts meant not all Bay Rivers District teams could play each other in the spring. However, scheduling has returned to normal and there should be plenty of great matches among teams like Warhill, Grafton, Tabb, Jamestown, New Kent, Lafayette and Poquoson.
Beach battle
Every top Beach District team graduated at least one All-Tidewater player, meaning there’s room for new blood to take over this fall. Cox returns enough to be a favorite, but with the way teams like Princess Anne, Kellam and First Colonial develop players, nothing is a foregone conclusion. Exhausting rallies and five-set matches are on the horizon.
Elsewhere in the 757
Hickory graduated its All-Tidewater Player of the Year and a first-team pick, but the Hawks remain the team to beat for Grassfield, Great Bridge and Western Branch. Maury and Granby still are the Eastern District stalwarts, while Menchville, Woodside and Gloucester hope to battle in the Peninsula District. Peninsula Catholic is the Tidewater Conference favorite, and StoneBridge is the Metro Conference’s best under first-year coach Eric Plumlee.
Preseason Top 15
1. Cox
Senior setter Mackenzie Colvin and senior outside Grace Holroyd return to lead the Falcons, who added Currituck High transfer Macy Pace (senior middle). Junior hitters Hannah Prince and Alyssa Humphrey return, as does sophomore middle Haley Torbert. “We have a very strong team who work very well together,” coach Tracey Thompson said. “I believe this season could be a great one.”
2. First Colonial
Senior outsides Jen Olansen and Faith DePew are back along with senior middles Carly Lundgren and Caitlyn Peters. With the graduation of setter Lauren Foley, a first-team All-Tidewater pick, the Patriots will turn to Kayla Foley or Jules Dooren as top contenders. Senior libero Paige Hicks and senior opposite Summer Reich also return.
3. Kellam
The Class 6 state runner-up in the spring, Kellam returns hitters Sarah Thompson (senior) and Mason Peterson (junior) along with junior middle/opposite Kate Ayre, but the Knights graduated two second-team All-Tidewater picks, “So we do have some holes in our lineup that we will need to fill, but we feel we have the talent in the gym to fill them,” coach Keira Peoples said.
4. Princess Anne
Seniors Cadence Nguyen (libero), Casey Horton (outside) and Leyla Conley (middle) will guide the Cavaliers under first-year coach Brandon Duvall. Junior setters Brooke Cunningham and Baylee Cowan return along with sophomore Leah DiNardo.
5. Warhill
Senior opposite/setter Dylan Norris returns as one of the area’s top players for second-year coach Alexis Calloway. Thirteen of 15 players from the spring season are back, including junior middle Destinee Davenport, senior opposite Jill Perticone, sophomore setter Maddie Boyd and senior libero Samantha Parker.
6. Hickory
The Class 5 state champions graduated All-Tidewater Player of the Year Sydney Love, but her younger sister Ryann, a senior middle, is back to lead the Hawks. Junior outside Rayne Manning, sophomore middle Dominique Gray, senior setters Milly Mach and Kayla Rogan and senior libero Sophia Stites return.
7. Grafton
Junior setter Alondra Miranda-Pagan will lead the Class 4 state runner-up. The Clippers will be much younger this season with sophomore outsides Alexis Keeter and Leila Harris alongside seniors Deana Pigue (libero) and Naomi Smalls (opposite/middle).
8. Peninsula Catholic
The senior trio of Audrey Muth (outside/middle), Claire Lindsey (outside/opposite) and Alaina Stallings (setter) are back for the Knights, who finished 14-0 in the spring. Now with a normal schedule, coach Tommy Thomas hopes the team can test its mettle in a proper postseason.
9. Grassfield
Senior Audrey Paynter is moving from libero to outside to give the Grizzlies more firepower. Senior middle Allivia Dewey and senior Taleah Gayle-Nemethy return along with Indian River transfer Madeleine Hanes (junior outside).
10. Tabb
Seniors Sarah Callender (outside) and Abby Gregory (libero) begin their fourth year with the Tigers, eyeing another trip to the state tournament in Class 3. Junior middle Alli Pratt also returns.
11. Nansemond-Suffolk
Freshman middle/opposite Marin McGowan will provide significant offense for the Saints, who have the , “most height I have had in my 12 seasons at NSA and the most athletic team I have ever had,” coach Robyn Ross said. Seniors Gracie Provost (libero), Alyssa Waddy (middle) and Marlin Price (outside) return.
12. Jamestown
Senior middle Kya Otis is back as an offensive juggernaut along with senior setter Neve McDonough, senior outside Hadley Koenig and junior hitter Lindsey Mefford. Senior opposite/middle Avery Mills didn’t play in the spring but is a player to watch.
13. Norfolk Academy
Six juniors lead the Bulldogs, including Alden Roberts (setter), Reagan McGee (setter), Gabby Harvey (outside) and Anna Russell (middle). Senior middle Virginia Gill also is back.
14. Ocean Lakes
Junior setter Adrienne Peji, sophomore libero Aubrie Fowler and junior middle Carlie Mariano return to lead a young Dolphins team looking to return to the postseason in Class 6.
15. Great Bridge
Senior hitter Ryan Nored will lead the Wildcats, who reached the region semifinals in the spring. Seniors Kaydence Fitz-Gerald (libero/outside), Madison Watson (middle) and Kolleen Priest (outside) also return.
High 5
Sarah Callender, Tabb
The 5-foot-9 outside has been named second-team all-state two straight seasons.
Mackenzie Colvin, Cox
The Falcons’ longtime dependable setter returns for her final season looking to win another state championship.
Ryann Love, Hickory
The senior middle is “smart, quick and accurate,” coach Gus Quinones said.
Audrey Muth, Peninsula Catholic
A senior outside and middle, Muth hopes to lead the Knights to a private-school state title.
Dylan Norris, Warhill
The 6-foot-3 opposite/setter had 267 kills, 203 assists, 112 digs, 45 aces and 25 blocks in 52 sets played this spring.
Players to watch
While the top teams get the headlines, there are dozens of athletes who will play key roles on their teams this season. Here’s a list of players to watch, sorted by district, throughout the area based solely on information provided by coaches. For spelling updates, position changes, anything else, please email ray.nimmo@pilotonline.com.
BEACH DISTRICT
Bayside
Elle Firestone, S, soph.
Presley Maynard, L, soph.
Rachel Wang, OH, jr.
Assata Thompson, OH, jr.
Arielle Lubeck, S, jr.
Grace McPherson, DS, sr.
Riley Burchuk, DS, soph.
Cox
Mackenzie Colvin, S, sr.
Grace Holroyd, OH, sr.
Macy Pace, MB, sr.
Hannah Prince, OH, jr.
Alyssa Humphrey, OH/Opp, jr.
Haley Torbert, MB, soph.
First Colonial
Jen Olansen, OH, sr.
Faith DePew, OH, sr.
Carly Lundgren, MB, sr.
Caitlyn Peters, MB, sr.
Paige Hicks, DS/L, sr.
Summer Reich, Opp, sr.
Kayla Foley, S/L, soph.
Jules Dooren, S, soph.
Kellam
Sarah Thompson, OH/Opp, sr.
Mason Peterson, OH/Opp, jr.
Kate Ayre, MB/Opp, jr.
Ocean Lakes
Adrienne Peji, S, jr.
Aubrie Fowler, L/DS, soph.
Carlie Mariano, MB/DS, jr.
Princess Anne
Cadence Nguyen, L, sr.
Casey Horton, OH, sr.
Brooke Cunningham, S, jr.
Leah DiNardo, soph.
Leyla Conley, MB, sr.
Baylee Cowan, S, jr.
EASTERN DISTRICT
Churchland
Lakiana Alexander, S, sr.
Jayla Hardy, OH, sr.
Braelyn Johnson, Opp, sr.
Makayla Mitchell, MB, sr.
Kathy Hyunh, DS, sr.
Megan Carpenter, OH, sr.
SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT
Grassfield
Audrey Paynter, OH, sr.
Allivia Dewey, MB, sr.
Madeleine Hanes, OH, jr.
Taleah Gayle-Nemethy, MB, sr.
Great Bridge
Ryan Nored, OH/Opp, sr.
Kaydence Fitz-Gerald, L/OH, sr.
Madison Watson, MB, sr.
Kolleen Priest, OH, sr.
Gracie Slovensky, Opp/S, soph.
Hickory
Ryann Love, MB, sr.
Rayne Manning, OH, jr.
Milly Mach, S, sr.
Kayla Rogan, S, sr.
Sophia Stites, L, sr.
Sydney Harrison, OH, sr.
Indian River
Sierra Davis, MB, sr.
Linnea Ankney, Opp, sr.
Kendahl Williams, OH, sr.
Elizabeth Freeley, S, jr.
Sydney Mize, L, soph.
Mikalah Avery, DS, soph.
Western Branch
Alexis Rogers, OH/MB, sr.
McKenzie Taylor, S, sr.
Gracie Hunsberger, MB/OH, jr.
Sydney Mehaliscu, DS/L, sr.
Cathryn Kelly, OH/MB, jr.
PENINSULA DISTRICT
No information provided by coaches.
BAY RIVERS DISTRICT
Grafton
Alondra Miranda-Pagan, S, jr.
Alexis Keeter, OH, soph.
Deana Pigue, L, sr.
Leila Harris, OH, soph.
Maesyn Blaylock, DS, jr.
Naomi Smalls, Opp/MB, sr.
Erin Brewer, DS/L, jr.
Jamestown
Kya Otis, MB, sr.
Neve McDonough, S, sr.
Hadley Koenig, OH, sr.
Lindsey Mefford, OH/MB/Opp, jr.
Avery Mills, Opp/MB, sr.
New Kent
Clara Foster, S, sr.
Julia Hathaway, MB, sr.
Aubrey Hyndshaw, OH, jr.
Jaiden McCoy, MB, sr.
Andrea Sorensen, L, sr.
Fallon Greenawalt, OH, fr.
Poquoson
Madison Dykstra, OH, jr.
Sophie Young, L, jr.
Stephanie Freeman, jr.
Samantha Chapman, jr.
Lexi Sava, jr.
Tabb
Sarah Callender, OH, sr.
Abby Gregory, L, sr.
Alli Pratt, MB, jr.
Warhill
Dylan Norris, Opp/S, sr.
Destinee Davenport, MB, jr.
Jill Perticone, Opp, sr.
Maddie Boyd, S, soph.
Samantha Parker, L, sr.
York
Alexis Schwarting, S/Opp, sr.
Morgan Hunter, S/Opp, jr.
Kendall Abercrombie, MB/OH, jr.
Lucy Browning, MB, sr.
Ramsie Pittman, Opp/OH, soph.
Ashley Hunt, OH/MB, jr.
Jocelyn Garibay, L/DS, jr.
TIDEWATER CONFERENCE
Nansmeond-Suffolk
Marin McGowan, MB/Opp, fr.
Gracie Provost, L, sr.
Alyssa Waddy, MB, sr.
Marlin Price, OH, sr.
Kyra Bradford, Opp, soph.
Milan Curl, MB, fr.
Tracy Wang, S, jr.
Norfolk Academy
Alden Roberts, S, jr.
Reagan McGee, S, jr.
Virginia Gill, MB, sr.
Gabby Harvey, OH, jr.
Anna Russell, MB, jr.
Peyton McGee, fr.
Peninsula Catholic
Audrey Muth, OH/MB, sr.
Claire Lindsey, OH/Opp, sr.
Alaina Stallings, S, sr.
METRO CONFERENCE
StoneBridge
Drew Williams, OH, sr.
Tori Gomoke, OH/MB, jr.
Ray Nimmo, 757-446-2364, ray.nimmo@pilotonline.com
