Volleyball Preview: Area Teams Set The Bar High

Posted: August 17, 2016
By ROBERT STOCKS
The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — Millbrook returns all but two players from last season’s volleyball team that finished with a 20-4 overall record, so it’s not going to be a rebuilding year for the Pioneers.

But losing Conference 21 West Player of the Year and first team All-4A West Region hitter Imani Major, and first team All-Conference 21 West hitter Taylor Linder is significant.

Both Major and Linder played in all of the Pioneers rotations and combined for 490 kills, 505 digs, 77 aces and 61 blocks.

With that kind of production leaving, it’s no surprise that Pioneers coach Carla Milton said "we lose two hitters but we lose a lot" following the season.

The good news for Millbrook is there’s still plenty of talented players returning, including senior outside hitter Savanna Pearson (134 kills, 38 blocks), senior libero Emily Lowman (245 digs), senior setter Elizabeth Carroll (426 assists, 48 aces) and senior middle hitter Emily Cleveland (an area-best 82 blocks, 67 kills). Add in sophomore outside hitter Abigail Koeller (108 kills, 27 blocks) and sophomore setter Jordan Reid (287 assists, 46 aces), and the Pioneers should be able to fill the void.

"It’s definitely a different team from last year," Milton said. "We have a lot of returning players who got a lot of playing time that we can build around. I think they can come together and play great and be one of the top teams. But the rest of teams in the conference are doing the same."

James Wood and Handley also return experienced teams, but Colonels’ first-year coach P.W. Hillyard said the defending conference champion Pioneers are still the team to beat.

"Our conference is going to be difficult," said Hillyard, who replaces Stephen Reaves, who resigned after just one season with the Colonels.
"Millbrook, I’d put them at the top right now."

The Judges, led by senior setter/right-side hitter Mya Mintschenko (an area-best 602 assists last season), return six players, including four seniors.

"I think we’ll be in the top notch in the conference," said Handley coach Lindsay Cole. "It’s always a good battle with the county schools and Woodgrove. It’s anyone’s game, but hopefully my girls will progress and we’ll end up near the top by the end of the season."

Sherando coach James Minney said he expects it will be another competitive conference season.

"James Wood is strong, Millbrook has strong players coming back and Handley has a lot coming back," Minney said. "Woodgrove is always strong being over in Loudoun County. I think it could be anybody’s year."

While many area teams lost dynamic hitters (Millbrook, Major and Linder; Sherando, Kelsey Singhas — an area-best 361 kills; Handley, Liza Homan —172 kills, 541/2 blocks), all of the area teams return experienced setters.

With Mintschenko (an area-best 602 assists) at Handley, Carroll and Reid at Millbrook, Megan Hillyard (496 assists) at James Wood, Mackenzie Cornwell (284 assists) at Sherando and Morgan Withers (296 assists) at Clarke, each area team’s offense should be in good hands.

"It’s like having your starting quarterback back for three years," Cole said of Mintschenko. "It helps with continuity with the hitters knowing the setter. It really helps having an experienced setter."

Hillyard agreed, but noted the setter is somewhat of an unsung position.

"I consider the setter the quarterback of the volleyball team," Hillyard said. "They have to make a lot of decisions and get to a lot of balls. They’re like the quarterback, but they don’t get the glory. The people who get the glory are the hitters."

Coming off a 20-win season, Milton knows her team must be ready each time it steps on the court against area rivals.

"We have to keep pushing and getting better everyday because everyone else is doing that," Milton said. "I think everybody will bring their A-game [against us]. I wouldn’t expect anything different when you play the other area schools. They’ll give us everything they have."

In Conference 35, Clarke County returns an experienced team led by senior Javonna Lansdown, who is the area’s top returning kill (301) and ace (66) leader from last season.

"We have high expectations that we’ve set for ourselves with six seniors," Clarke County coach Seneca Sowers said. "Last year we were kind of a young team and a new group playing together. This year there’s a lot of cohesion. We’re looking to put together a good season and make a run at the district title."

Here’s a glance at the area teams:

James Wood

Coach: P.W. Hillyard, first year

Last year: 14-7, 5-3 Northwestern District

Key losses: Emma Montgomery, Kirsten Mullin, Sidney Furr, and Caleigh Haskiell.

Top returnees: Megan Hillyard, Sr. setter; Taylor Heishman, Sr. middle hitter; Leilani Burch, Sr. outside hitter; Ashanti Day, Sr. middle hitter; Kara Norman, Sr. defensive specialist; Elizabeth Salata Sr. libero/defensive specialist; Morgan Biggs, Jr. middle hitter; Jessica Putnam, Soph. outside hitter; Taylor Robinson, Soph. opposite.

Key newcomers: Kaitlyn Poppo, Soph. defensive specialist/libero; Katie Lever, Soph. setter; Gillian Kleiderlein, Soph. outside hitter; Yeakley Pullen, Soph. defensive specialist/libero.

Hillyard’s outlook: "All of our players are just solid. They’re not superstars, but a lot of people can play in a lot of positions if need be. We have a lot of depth. We have four girls [Heishman, Hillyard, Burch and Day] who went to the state finals a couple years ago, so it’s nice to have them on the floor. I’ll lean on them a lot. I think we can be very competitive if we can score a little bit."

First match: Tuesday, Aug. 23 vs. Central, 7

Sherando

Coach: James Minney, third year

Last year: 14-10, 3-5 Northwestern

Key losses: Kelsey Singhas, Kelsie Utz, Brooke Aston, Kelsea Wilkins, Dreaya Somerville; Audra Smelser and Sarah Schellhammer

Top returnees: Mackenzie Cornwell, Sr. setter, Melissa Gaudette, Sr. middle hitter; Alaina Paige, Sr. outside hitter; Anneleise Jenkins, Sr. outside hitter.

Minney’s outlook: "We have to replace a middle, two setters an outside hitter, a defensive specialist and a libero. Our defense is predominantly sophomores. We have some young hitters and a junior middle. They haven’t been tested so we’ll see how it goes.

We have four seniors coming back, but we’re looking to rebuild with this sophomore group. But they’re all young and new to [varsity]."

First match: Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Fauquier, 7

Handley

Coach: Lindsay Cole, ninth year

Last year: 12-9, 5-3 Northwestern

Key losses: Carly Feagans, Jada Wilson, Lauren Morris, Liza Homan and Gabby Mammano, Jessica Morris.

Top returnees: Mya Mintschenko, Sr. setter, outside hitter; Sarah Snow, Sr. right side hitter; Maggie Wise, Jr. outside hitter; Morgan Estes, Sr. defensive specialist; Meredith Watts, Jr. defensive specialist; Madi Nail, Sr. right-side hitter.

Key newcomers: Ellen Coyne, Jr. setter; Casey Nelson, Jr. middle hitter, Neysha Washington, Soph. outside hitter; Chloe Putnam, Soph. middle hitter.

Cole’s outlook: "We’re coming together as a strong team. Being aggressive on the attack is going to be key and utilizing all the talent we have on the team. Their effort in the first week — they’re giving me everything they have. They’re gelling really well and their showing a lot of work ethic on the court."

First match: Thursday, Aug. 25, vs. Loudoun Valley, 7:15

Millbrook

Coach: Carla Milton, second year

Last year: 20-4, 7-1 Northwestern

Key losses: Imani Major and Taylor Linder.

Top returnees: Emily Cleveland, Sr. middle hitter; Elizabeth Carroll, Sr. setter; Savanna Pearson, Sr. outside hitter; Alexis Weir, Jr. middle hitter; Emily Lowman, Sr. libero; Abigail Koeller, Soph. outside hitter; and Jordan Reid, Soph. setter.

Key newcomers: Tori Johnson, Fr. opposite; Ashley Pullman, Jr. defensive specialist; Kami Buza, Jr. opposite.

Milton’s’ outlook: "One big thing is we have a lot of returning players who got a lot of court time. That’s going to help a lot. They’ve played together a lot so communication is going to be big for us. Savanna and Abigail are moving to outside [hitter] this year. They got playing time at opposite last year, but they had to hit outside at least one time the way we do our rotations. They do have some experience there. They can jump and get up and put the ball down. As long as they keep working hard, I see them doing a lot of great things."

First match: Tuesday, Aug. 23 at Riverside, 6:45

Clarke County

Coach: Seneca Sowers, fourth year

Last year: 12-11, 9-5 Bull Run District

Key losses: Allegra Eyles and Rebecca Acland

Top returnees: Javonna Lansdown, Sr. outside hitter; Morgan Withers, Sr. setter; Whitney Mitchell, Jr. defensive specialist; Leah Long, Sr. libero; Ashley Marean, Sr. middle hitter; Jade Feltner, Jr. setter; Meredith Place, Sr. middle hitter; Haley Haun, Sr. outside hitter.

Key newcomers: Megan Hicks, Jr. setter; Kendra Edgecomb, Jr. setter; Claudia Putnam, Jr. defensive specialist; Elizabeth Wallace, Fr. outside hitter/middle hitter.

Sowers’ outlook: "We have a good mix of positions this year. In years past we’ve almost had to make a player. We have strong hitters in the middle and outside, and we have strong setters and back row players with a lot of experience. I think we have every position covered so that should be a real strength."

First match: Monday, Aug. 22 vs. Luray, 7

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