High School Volleyball Preview: Area teams bring back loads of talent

By WALT MOODY | The Winchester Star

Aug 17, 2018

It’s hard to get coaches to totally agree, but Class 4 Northwestern District volleyball coaches all confirm one thing heading into the fall season — winning won’t come easy.

Volleyball just may be the most competitive of all of the sports in the district and some of the area’s best will return in a league that saw numerous five-setters over the course of last season.

Millbrook and Fauquier needed a playoff to decide the regular-season title. The Pioneers, nearly beaten in the tournament semifinals by James Wood, would go on to stun then five-time defending champion Loudoun County in the Region 4C finals, before falling to the Raiders 3-0 in the Class 4 semifinals.

Handley would fall in five sets to Fauquier in the Northwestern semifinals, while Sherando pestered the Top 4.

Those five teams return much of their starting lineups from a year ago, so the coaches expect another pressure-packed season.

“I really think our district will be very competitive again this year,” Millbrook’s Carla Milton said. “I think from top to bottom, that you are going to have to bring your ‘A-game’ every night. You definitely want to protect your home court. Those are the ones you need to get. If you can get some wins on the road, that’s a good thing, too.”

“I don’t think it’s going to drop off very much this year,” agreed James Wood’s P.W. Hillyard. “Millbrook has another strong team. Fauquier, I think they only lost one girl. Sherando and Handley are going to be competitive. We’re fortunate in our area to have very good volleyball and very good volleyball players. The state champion has come from up North here. I don’t see that it’s going to be any weaker this year at all.”

Handley coach Lindsay Cole, who suffered the most with four key graduation losses, expects to see the same teams at the top.

“Again, I think we’ll all four be competitive,” she said. “We’ll see who shows up and who is ready to play to take that season title and district title.”

Sherando coach James Minney is hoping to join that pack.

“It’s always competitive,” Minney said. “You look at James Wood, Millbrook and Fauquier and Handley off and on, it’s a very competitive district and always has been. Usually if you get into the region, you’ve always been competitive in the region as well. … At any given time if you are at the top of your game and they’re not, anybody can be beaten.”

Millbrook accomplished a rare feat by knocking off Loudoun County 3-2 on the road in the regional finals. The eventual champs rebounded and topped the Pioneers 3-0 in the state semifinals.

Still the season, which also included a 3-2 loss to Loudoun County in the regular season, proved something to the Pioneers.

“I think it does give them a little bit of confidence, knowing that they can compete with teams that have a high caliber of play on a nightly basis,” Milton said. “I think that helps us a lot.”

It also doesn’t hurt to have the area’s top two hitters back. Junior Tori Johnson, the district Co-Player of the Year, first-team all-state pick and Winchester Star Player of the Year, and Abigail Koeller, a first-team district and second-team all-state pick, provided a devastating 1-2 punch. Johnson, headed to Stetson on a beach volleyball scholarship, led the area with 445 kills, while Koeller pounded 410. Johnson (290) and Koeller (191) were also among the area’s digs leaders.

“That’s wonderful because they are definitely our go-to girls when we need a kill,” Milton said of the pair returning. “But, they have a sense of calmness out there. They talk and help the others that are out there. They are going to back them up and if they need to they to they are going to step up and do what is needed for the team.”

The Pioneers did lose area blocks leader Alexis Wier (104), but have a solid core.

“I definitely think our strength is going to be our experience from last year with who we have back,” Milton said. “But, it’s still a different group this year and we have some new players on the team. Meshing as a team and our communication is something that I want to see us build on.”

So far, she’s very happy with how her veterans look heading into the season.

“I think all of the returners have stepped it up a notch,” Milton said. “Just seeing their work over the summer and in the about two weeks we’ve had so far, I think all of them have improved all over. We tell them at the end of the season that we just don’t want you to improve in just one area, but to improve in everything. I think they’ve taken that to heart and done that.”

Hillyard certainly likes what he sees, too. He returns all but one of his players from last season and says his roster is packed with strong players.

“I think the strength that we have right now is our depth,” he said. “We have 15 players on our roster and I don’t think that we lose very much Nos. 1-15. “

One welcome return is that of defensive standout Yeakley Pullen, who despite missing a good portion of the end of last season still led the area with 306 digs.

“She’s returning and she is going to be very good on the defensive side of the ball,” Hillyard said. “She and Kate Poppo are battling for the libero position.”

Delivering the offense for the Colonels is Jessica Putnam, who was fourth in the area with 298 kills.

“She was all-district and all-area,” Hillyard said of the senior outside hitter. “She’s going to be counted upon to score a lot of points for us.”

Last season, the Colonels also had several young players earn valuable experience.

“We have a lot of younger kids that are very, very good,” Hillyard said. “Grace Frigaard, Kristyna Van Sickler and Lainie Putt are three sophomores that are going to get a lot of playing time.”

James Wood was very close to pulling off some big wins last season and Hillyard believes that once his team finishes a few off that more will come.

“It’s something they can do,” he said. “They have to believe that they can do it and once they get that taste in their mouth they could be very successful.”

Handley suffered a huge loss with the graduation of outside hitter Maggie Wise, who had 393 kills last season and more than 1,000 for her career.

Still, Cole believes she has a team that will contend for the district title.

Seniors Reese Walker (70) and Chloe Putnam (49) were third and sixth, respectively, in blocks last season. “They are going to be a force at the net for us and leading us in blocking and middle hitting,” Cole said.

Senior outside hitter Neysha Washington is the Judges’ top returner in kills with 137.

“She is stellar on defense and is a threat on offense as well,” Cole said. “She comes with the whole package.”

Cole also expects strong play from setters Kate Rudolph and Caitlin Varela.

Junior Tori Stanford (207 digs last season) returns at libero. “That really helps with the solid defense and she kind of takes control of serve receive as well,” Cole said.

Cole expects the Judges to improve throughout the season.

“Our strength is we are really solid on defense and also blocking at the net,” she said. “We are working to gear up a little bit more on our offense. We have been looking at that in the preseason. I think down the road we will be able to mesh all of that.”

Nine of Sherando’s 11 losses last season came against the top four teams in the Northwestern District. Minney says those teams will be tough to beat again, but believes his team has the talent to knock anyone off.

“We certainly won’t be a contender, but we hope to ruin people’s lives as much as possible,” Minney said. “… If we have a chance to get a win, we’ll hopefully push through it and do it this year. Last year, we just couldn’t hold on.”

The Warriors are led offensively by middle hitter Mackenzie English.

“She’s really strong,” Minney said of the senior. “She’s come back really strong, hitting hard, playing a lot smarter and playing better.”

Setting up English and her teammates will be senior Alyssa Meyer.

“She’s done a fantastic job in the offseason,” Minney said. “She is doing really well and has improved tremendously. She probably is our most improved player. She does a great job and is a good leader on the court. She really moves the ball and puts it where it needs to go.”

Minney said his veterans are being challenged by several younger players, such as junior Reagan Newhouse.

“We have a really young group coming up that is pushing the older players,” Minney said. “They are certainly pushing them to get better or obviously the older girls would be out if they didn’t.”

Thanks to the influx of talent, Minney believes his team is stronger. He says improvement in the area of serve-receive could make a difference.

“I think we have a better unity among the group,” Minney said. “I think we’re more well rounded. Last year we were spotty. I feel like we will be a lot more competitive than we were last year.”

Clarke County will have a new leader this fall. Barbara McCauley replaces Seneca Sowers, who led the Eagles for five seasons.

McCauley likes what she sees so far as the Eagles look to battle in a Bull Run District that George Mason has ruled.

“The innate ability for this team to bond together and pick each other back up when they struggle is a huge asset,” McCauley said. “They are excelling at shaking off the last play and prioritizing what matters most — the next point. Our challenge is coming out strong to keep the game’s momentum on our side.”

The Eagles return junior Elizabeth Wallace, who led them in kills (148) and blocks (53) last season. Junior Hannah Trenary added 115 kills.

“We have six returning players to varsity that bring a wealth of court experience to the team,” McCauley said. “They are our motivators and leaders. Liz Wallace and Katie Kelleher (senior) read the play well in the middle and Hannah Trenary has fine-tuned her game offseason to be a force on the outside. Our seasoned setters, Katherine McCauley (senior) and Meridith Long (senior) are the offensive ‘glue’ to set up our strong front line. Alyssa Coffelt (senior) brings versatility and dependability to multiple positions on the court.”

McCauley says those veterans are meshing well heading into the season.

“The innate ability for this team to bond together and pick each other back up when they struggle is also a huge asset,” she said “They are excelling at shaking off the last play and prioritizing what matters most — the next point. Our challenge is coming out strong to keep the game’s momentum on our side.”

Millbrook

Coach: Carla Milton (fourth season)

Last year: 22-5 overall, 11-1 Northwestern District, Region 4C champion, Class 4 semifinalist

Key losses: Kamryn Buza, Alexis Weir

Top returning players: Abigail Koeller (Sr., outside hitter); Jordan Reid (Sr., setter); Erin Parker (Sr., opposite); Jordan Weir (Jr., middle hitter); Tori Johnson (Jr., outside hitter); Skylar Johnson (So., setter); Jessica Cleveland (So., libero)

Top newcomers: Ashleigh Nail (Jr., opposite); Mikayla Ockerman (Jr., middle hitter); Madelyn White (Fr., defensive specialist)

Milton’s outlook: “We have seven back from last year’s team. Hopefully with the experience we have from last year we look to be competitive in the district.”

First match: Aug. 21 vs. Warren County

James Wood

Coach: P.W. Hillyard (third season)

Last year: 15-10 overall, 7-5 Northwestern District, district tournament semifinalist

Key losses: Morgan Biggs

Top returning players: Jessica Putnam (Sr., outside hitter); Yeakley Pullen (Sr., defensive specialist/libero); Kate Poppo (Sr., defensive specialist/outside hitter); Taylor Robinson (Sr., opposite); Gillian Kleiderlein (Sr., middle); Ryenne Terenzi (Sr., middle); Katie Lever (Sr., setter); Hanna Plasters (Jr., setter); Maggie Heishman (Jr., setter/opposite); Addison Rathel (Jr., outside hitter); Kristyna Van Sickler (So., outside hitter/opposite); Grace Frigaard (So., outside hitter/opposite)

Top newcomers: Lainie Putt (So., opposite); Katie Costin (Jr., middle); Olivia Biggs (Jr., middle).

Hillyard’s outlook: “I’m very excited. I think that we are going to be very competitive. We have a lot of returning players, obviously. They are a lot more experienced. There’s just a very good vibe going on right now in the preseason.”

First match: Aug. 23 at Warren County

Handley

Coach: Lindsay Cole (11th season)

Last year: 16-6, 7-5 Northwestern District, runner-up in Northwestern District tournament

Key losses: Maggie Wise, Meredith Watts, Ellen Coyne, Casey Nelson

Top returning players: Tori Stanford (Jr., libero); Abby Bales (So., outside hitter); Neysha Washington (Sr., outside hitter); Caitlin Varela (Sr., setter); Kate Rudolph (So., setter); Chloe Putnam (Sr., middle hitter); Aleycia Onzura (Sr., defensive specialist); Reese Walker (Sr., middle hitter).

Top newcomers: Maddie McKannan (Jr., right side); Kelli Lahman (So., defensive specialist); Emilie Pifer (So., right side); Anna Prosser (Fr., right side); Alaina Madigan (Jr., defensive specialist).

Cole’s outlook: “We graduated four seniors and we’re just trying to reload this season with outside hitting. We also graduated a setter. I think from the JV team and the players that we do have we will be very successful this season. We have a lot of leadership on the court from our seniors this year, which we are five deep with seniors. We’ll take that into the season be one of the most competitive teams on the court in our district.”

First match: Aug. 21 at Manassas Park

Sherando

Coach: James Minney (fifth season)

Last year: 9-11 overall, 4-8 Northwestern District

Key losses: Liz Dolsen, Rachel Burton, Morgan Sampson

Top returning players: Mackenzie English (Sr., middle hitter); Kaylee Bryant (Sr., libero); Alyssa Meyer (Sr., setter)

Top newcomers: Grace Grzelakowski (So., right side); Reagan Newhouse (Jr. right side); Madeline See (So., middle hitter).

Minney’s outlook: “We’ve got a mixture of five seniors and then some underclassmen, some new players coming up. Right now, it’s hard to tell. We’re taller and that will help a little bit. We move a little bit better and have hitting going on in different areas. It should help us out.”

First match: Aug. 22 vs. Turner Ashby

Clarke County

Coach: Barbara McCauley (first season)

Last year: 8-15 overall, 6-4 Bull Run District

Key losses: Kendra Edgecomb, Claudia Putman, Megan Hicks, Whitney Mitchell

Top returning players: Meridith Long (Sr., setter); Katherine McCauley (Sr., setter); Katlyn Kelleher (Sr., middle hitter); Alyssa Coffelt (Jr., outside hitter); Elizabeth Wallace (Jr., middle hitter); Hannah Trenary (Jr., outside hitter).

Top newcomers: Bella Stem (Fr., outside/middle hitter); Jessica Fikac (Jr., libero/defensive specialist); Riley Marasco (Jr., libero/defensive specialist).

McCauley’s outlook: “The team is very excited to get the season started. Our players have worked hard offseason to prepare, both physically and mentally, to be a formidable opponent on the court. Even in preseason, they started to bond and that’s carried through in our practices and scrimmages. As a team, we are determined to make sure every practice and every game counts to improve our play and recognize and minimize any weaknesses.”

First match: August 21 vs. Luray

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