Area Volleyball Teams Expect Tight Conference Race

Posted: August 21, 2015
By ROBERT STOCKS
The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — With Loudoun County out of the picture in the new Conference 21 alignment, there’s going to be a little bit more to play for at the conference volleyball tournament.

Now that the Raiders, who have won three straight state titles and eight overall since 2007, are now members of Conference 21B, the area teams — James Wood, Sherando, Handley and Millbrook — envision a wide-open race with Woodgrove and Harrisonburg in the new Conference 21A.

“It’s nice to get [Loudoun] County out of there,” Sherando coach James Minney said. “I think it’s going to be competitive and I think with all the teams it could go any way at anytime. It was competitive outside of the top two [Loudoun County and James Wood] last year.

“James Wood lost a good group of girls but still have some coming back, so it’s not like they’re starting all over. I think all the teams are experienced — Millbrook, Handley — we’re all in the same boat. James Wood has the least experience — not that it will hurt them. It could go any way any night and you’ll definitely have to play hard to win, but at least this year you’ve got a chance.”

The Colonels, who finished as the Group 4A state runner-up to Loudoun County a season ago, lost seven seniors who played a big part in the team’s 26 victories that included an unbeaten record in the Northwestern District. James Wood also had to replace longtime coach Jill Couturiaux, who stepped down to spend more time with her family after guiding the Colonels to three straight state tournament appearances.

Although the Colonels lost seven key players, including Group 4A State Player of the Year Katie Houser (who is now playing in her freshman year at Notre Dame), they still return seven players for first-year coach Stephen Reaves.

James Wood does have some experience returning, but it’s going to be a challenge to fill the void left by the area’s kill leader (Houser, 571), the area’s assist leader (Ashley Hillyard, 419) and the area’s dig leader (Ally Iden, 488).

“We have a whole new team,” said Reaves. “I’m trying to let kids explore some new positions. When you’re playing behind those seven [returning players] you’re kind of trying to find where the pieces should go.”

One piece of the Colonels’ puzzle that Reaves has already put in a new place is Taylor Heishman, moving the 6-foot-1 junior from middle to outside hitter after she led the Colonels in blocks (56) and ranked fourth in kills (98) last season.

“That was a tough decision,” Reaves said. “I needed a third outside [hitter]. I know she fits the part. She’s been a trooper for me and for our team. There’s not a whole lot of people who can reach where she is. I think we’ll be in good shape and she’s adjusting well to it. I think she’ll be an outstanding player on the left side for us.”

Megan Hillyard, who ranked second in the area with 392 assists last season, gives the Colonels experience at setter, and Reaves likes what he’s seen from junior outside hitter Leilani Burch and senior outside hitter Kirsten Mullin.

Reaves hopes the team’s hitting ability and size up front will be its strength.

“I think we have good attacking and we have some great arms,” Reaves said. “We’re decent with size. Ashanti Day, Morgan Biggs, Jessica Putnam and Emma Montgomery are all 5-10 or bigger and Taylor is pushing 6-2.”

Competing with the Colonels has been a tall order in recent years, but area teams hope to change that this season.

The Warriors return senior outside hitter and second team all-district selection Kelsey Singhas, who had a team-high 171 kills and 29 blocks last season. Handley brings back first team All-Conference 23 selection and senior middle hitter Liza Homan (81 kills, 44 blocks and 33 aces) and second team all-conference selection and senior libero Karly Feagans (223 digs).

The Pioneers, under first-year coach Carla Milton, return a pair of senior All-Northwestern District second-team selections in outside hitters Taylor Linder (a team-best 172 kills and 180 digs) and Imani Major (127 kills, 29 blocks and 186 digs).

“I think everybody has a chance to win every night,” said Milton of the Northwestern District and conference race. “You’re going to have to bring your A-game every night. At the same time, you have to play your game and be on your toes every single night. If you let down any then someone can sneak up and get a win. I think everybody has a good core. It’s going to be who keeps building on that night in and night out and who really wants it.”

Handley coach Lindsey Cole said her players are excited to join Conference 21A after spending the past two seasons in Conference 23, and she expects the area rivalries will be fun to watch because the teams are so closely matched.

“I think it’s going to be any given night and it will be a battle,” Cole said. “I wouldn’t put any [team] above the other.”

Clarke County returns five players, including a trio of experienced front-line players in junior Javonna Lansdown (a team-best 233 kills (second best in the area) and 166 digs), senior Allegra Eyles (33 blocks), who moves from middle to outside hitter, and senior middle hitter Rebecca Acland (88 kills).

Clarke County coach Seneca Sowers hopes another year of experience helps her team improve on its 13-11 record from a season ago.

“We were really young last year so we had a lot of girls that didn’t have a lot of experience that gained experience,” Sowers said. “We have a lot of returning varsity players. We have three really good hitters coming back in Javonna, Allegra and Rebecca and our setter, Morgan Withers, is back and the setter is like the quarterback of the team.”

Here’s a glance at the area teams:

James Wood

Coach: Stephen Reaves, first year

Last year: 26-5, 8-0 Northwestern

Key losses: Katie Houser, Ashley Hillyard, Ally Iden, Savannah Yost, Lindsey Painter, Lexi Copley, and Abbye Prelip.

Top returnees: Megan Hillyard, Jr. setter; Taylor Heishman, Jr. outside hitter; Leilani Burch, Jr. outside hitter; Emma Montgomery, Sr. middle- right-side hitter; Kirsten Mullin, Sr. outside, Sidney Furr, Sr. libero; and Ashanti Day, Jr. middle.

Key newcomers: Caleigh Haskiell, Sr. setter; Abigail Fergus, Jr. setter; Kara Norman, Jr. defensive specialist; Elizabeth Salata Jr. libero; Morgan Biggs, Soph. right-side hitter; Jessica Putnam, Fr. middle hitter; Taylor Robinson, Fr. right-side hitter.

Reaves’ outlook: “I think we’ve got a strong group. It’s a new group but a strong group. We’ve got a lot of potential. We just need to polish it. It’s a little rough in the beginning but it is for a lot of teams. We can play volleyball, there’s no doubt about it. It’s just putting all the pieces in the right spot.”

First match: Tuesday, at Central, 7

Sherando

Coach: James Minney, second year

Last year: 10-11, 5-3 Northwestern

Key losses: Michelle Baker, Erica Scully, Anna Haycocks.

Top returnees: Kelsey Singhas, Sr. outside hitter; Mackenzie Cornwell, Jr. setter, Kelsie Utz, Sr. setter, Brooke Aston, Sr. libero, Melissa Gaudette, Jr. middle hitter; Alaina Paige, Jr. outside hitter; Kelsea Wilkins, Sr. opposite; Dreaya Somerville, Sr. middle hitter.

Minney’s outlook: “They play well together. It’s a fairly fast defense. We’re a little short, but I think we can make up for it with our speed. I think it’s going to be a competitive year.”

First match: Monday, at Harrisonburg, 7

Handley

Coach: Lindsey Cole, eighth year

Last year: 11-9, 3-5 Northwestern

Key losses: Alexis Zygmunt, Emily Snow, Miriah Smith and Molly-Kate Gavello

Top returnees: Mya Mintschenko, Jr. setter, right-side hitter; Sarah Snow, Jr. middle hitter; Carly Feagans, Sr. libero; Jada Wilson, Sr. right-side hitter; Lauren Morris, Sr. outside hitter; Maggie Wise, Soph. outside hitter and Liza Homan Sr. middle hitter.

Key newcomers: Morgan Estes, Jr. defensive specialist; Jessica Morris, Fr. libero; Catherine Love, Soph. middle hitter, right-side hitter; Gabby Mammano, Sr. defensive specialist; Meredith Watts, Soph. setter, right-side hitter; Madi Nail, Jr. outside hitter, right-side hitter.

Cole’s outlook: “I think their attention and focus is our biggest strength. I think we’ll be balanced defensively and offensively this year.”

First match: Tuesday, vs. Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.

Millbrook

Coach: Carla Milton, first year

Last year: 12-9, 4-4 Northwestern

Key losses: Ashley Humphrey, Lexi Keeler and Cheyenne Jankiewicz.

Top returnees: Imani Major, Sr. outside hitter; Taylor Linder, Sr. outside hitter, Brooke Goodwin, Sr. defensive specialist; Emily Cleveland, Jr. middle hitter; Elizabeth Carroll, Jr. setter; Savanna Pearson, Jr. opposite.

Key newcomers: Alexis Weir, Soph. middle hitter; Emma Stone, Jr. middle hitters; Emily Lowman, Jr. libero; Abigail Koeller, Fr. opposite; and Jordan Reed, Fr. setter.

Milton’s outlook: “Senior leadership has been really great. The past two weeks we’ve been together we’re improving every day. If we can continue to do that, we’ll have a great season.

“We just need to make sure we look to play defense first every night and then offense. No matter who we play — we have to look to defend the ball. We’ve got to look to play def first and then play offense. If we can do that, then it will all come together.”

First match: Thursday, at Heritage, 7

Clarke County

Coach: Seneca Sowers, third year

Last year: 13-11, 9-7 Bull Run

Key losses: Madison Mackintosh, Jaime Hoggatt and Kaitlyn Turner,

Top returnees: Javonna Lansdown, Jr. outside hitter; Allegra Eyles, Sr. outside hitter; Morgan Withers, Jr. setter; Rebecca Acland Sr. middle hitter; Whitney Mitchell, Soph. defensive specialist.

Key newcomers: Leah Long, Jr. defensive specialist; Ashley Marean, Jr. middle hitter; Jade Feltner, Soph. setter; Meredith Place, Jr. middle hitter; Haley Haun, Jr. outside hitter; Emma Jenkins, Jr. defensive specialist.

Sowers’ outlook: “We finished in the top half of the district last year and we’d like to do that again this year. We hope to improve and play consistent throughout the season. We lost some games last year with inconsistent play and we want to try to play at a high level consistently and hopefully that leads to a better season.”

First match: Tuesday, vs. Riverside, 7

SVCA

Coach: Ellie Wheelock, 11th year

Last year: 16-4, lost in VACA State quarterfinals, VACA North Region champs

Key losses: Carol Bartholomew, Krista Freemire and Amber Miller.

Top returnees: Hannah Berger, Jr. middle hitter; Nikki Taylor, Jr. setter; Megan Bowers, Jr. libero; Abigail Lynch, Soph. outside hitter. Mary Culler, Sr. outside hitter.

Key newcomers: Claire Shanabrook, Soph. outside hitter, def; Victoria Lochner, Sr. setter.

Wheelock’s outlook: “I think we’re going to be doing really well on defense. We’ll be able to pick up balls we haven’t in the past so I think defense will be our strength.”

First match: Saturday, at SVCA Tournament, 9

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