WINCHESTER — James Wood first-year volleyball head coach Joey Young drew laughter from about 100 people on Wednesday when he told a story about how remorseful Kyla Wilhelm was after hitting an impressive spike that hit an opponent earlier this season.
Young shared the moment as an example of Wilhelm’s character. It’s that character that helped make her an excellent leader for the Colonels. And the drive the outside hitter developed to become someone who routinely hits thunderous spikes off bodies and ground surfaces — and excels in all phases of the game — has put her in an impressive position for the future.
In a ceremony with four other girls, Wilhelm committed to play beach volleyball on National Signing Day on Wednesday with NCAA Division I Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. She will receive a partial scholarship.
All five girls who were featured in the 30-minute ceremony know a few things about success.
Wilhelm was part of three state champions and setter Kylee Plumb (NCAA Division III Stevenson University) was part of two in James Wood’s run of four state titles from 2022-25, and they helped lead the team to a 14-7-2 record and the Region 4D semifinals this year.
The other three signees on Wednesday helped the James Wood softball team to a 21-4 record, the Region 4D title and the Class 4 state semifinals last year, the deepest the Colonels have ever gone into the postseason. Kati Brannon (D3 Shenandoah), Sophia Gerald (D3 Lynchburg) and Molly Maynard (NJCAA Potomac State) are four-year varsity members who will look to lead the Colonels to their fourth state berth in five seasons next spring.
Wilhelm led the Colonels this year in kills (4.02 per set, fourth in the area), aces (0.62 per set, fourth in the area in the regular season) and was third on the team in digs (2.26). As a junior, Wilhelm was a Second Team All-Region 4D and First Team Northwestern District selection.
Young said Wilhelm didn’t miss any offseason practices this year, and if there was a function she had to miss, it was because the Blue Ridge Volleyball player was at a tournament for her club.
“If she wasn’t on the beach, she was in the gym developing our program,” Young said. “If we were doing drills or having a long practice and needed people to step up their energy, she was that person who was right there encouraging everyone.”
In short, she has the teamwork skills needed for the two-person game of beach volleyball. Wilhelm started playing beach five years ago.
“I like being outside,” said Wilhelm when asked what she likes about beach volleyball. “I love that you’re involved in every single play, and you’re moving around. You and your partner are fighting for the whole court, and I just think that part is really fun.”
Wilhelm said she learned about Mercer’s program through friends. She first made contact with the Bears in the fall of 2025, and she made a verbal commitment in January. The Bears are led by ninth-year coach Josh Marsh. Last year’s team went 5-30 overall and 0-6 in the Sun Belt Conference, but Mercer did go 24-13 in 2025.
Wilhelm’s thinking about studying kinesiology at Mercer, but she’s not sure yet.
“I love the team, and the culture, and the coaches, of course,” Wilhelm said. “The school itself I think is really pretty. I’ve heard a lot of great things about [the school and the program].”
Wilhelm is looking forward to her future with Mercer.
“I’m very excited,” Wilhelm said. “It’s definitely been a dream and goal of mine [to play in college]. I’m very happy I’m going to get to do that, and I’m very thankful for it.”
Plumb averaged 5.69 assists per set this year and ranked fourth in the area during the regular season. She also averaged 0.56 aces per set (second on the team) and 2.3 digs (third).
“At setter, they’re kind of like the quarterback of the team out there,” Young said. “You want them leading. You want them talking to hitters, calling things that are open, shooting the ball to all the right places. She was just a model setter.”
The Mustangs compete in the Middle Atlantic Commonwealth Division. They are 14-13 this season and 6-2 in conference play this season. The conference tournament is this week. Plumb will major in health care management.
James Wood softball coach Patrick Gibson credited Wednesday’s three honorees for keeping the program at a high level after the team lost six senior starters from the program’s first-ever state tournament team in 2023. The Colonels went 19-5 in 2024 and returned to the state tournament, and those players have kept James Wood a force.
In the circle last year, Gerald led the area in strikeouts (111) and wins (17-3 record). She was second in the area in ERA (2.16 in 97.2 innings) and WHIP (1.06) and was a Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team selection. Gerald also plays second base.
“The biggest thing that stands out for her is her positive vibe and personality,” Gibson said. “She just has a knack for keeping a team loose and having fun, but also holding them accountable as a captain.”
Gerald will join a Lynchburg team that went 25-18 overall and 13-7 in the ODAC last year. Gerald will study nursing.
Brannon also pitches and plays second base. Last year, she was a Second Team All-Region and First Team All-District pick. She was eighth in the area in batting (.457, 32 of 70), third in RBIs (34), ninth in on-base percentage (.481), sixth in home runs (six), and scored 17 runs.
“Kati is a phenomenal talent,” said Gibson, who praised Brannon’s ability to persevere through injuries. “She has a power bat. She’s an elite defender who can play all infield positions. She has great baserunning instincts. We have put a lot of time and work in over the years. I just want to know I cherish the time I spent, and it’s rewarding watching you go to the next level.”
Shenandoah went 30-11 overall and 14-6 in the ODAC last year. Brannon will study exercise science.
Maynard earned Second Team All-District honors at first base last year, and she also plays third base. She drove in 19 runs, scored 18 runs and batted .293.
“Molly understands the why,” Gibson said. “She understands why we push her so hard, why we protect the culture at James Wood at all costs, and why all that helps her become the player/person she wants to be. Players like you make coaching worth it.”
A junior college, Potomac State went 33-7 last year. Maynard will study nursing.
— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com
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