2025 was a productive year for all five area volleyball teams, as each posted a winning record. However, considerable offseason changes have reshaped several local rosters.
Four-time defending Class 4 state champion James Wood will be moving forward without former head coach Adrienne Patrick and outside hitters Kennedy Spaid and Brenna Corbin, a trio that contributed to all four state title victories.
Spaid and Corbin graduated after being selected to the Class 4 All-State First Team for the fourth time last year, while Patrick took a job as an assistant principal at Millbrook following six seasons with the Colonels. James Wood also lost middle hitter Claire Keefer, another key piece in last year’s success.
Joey Young will take over as head coach after previous stints as head coach of Millbrook’s JV team, Daniel Morgan Middle School and Blue Ridge Volleyball Association’s age-14 team. The Colonels return eight members of last season’s roster, including seniors Kyla Wilhelm (Second Team All-Region 4D), Kylee Plumb and Reese Justice.
With the Colonels adapting to change, Millbrook and Sherando could take a leap after both were defeated by James Wood in the playoffs last season.
The Pioneers and Warriors dealt with very different offseasons. After reaching the Region 4D semifinals, Millbrook lost Class 4 All-State First Team selection and reigning Winchester Star Volleyball Player of the Year Aaliyah Green to a season-ending torn labrum. Green will play college volleyball at the University of Connecticut.
Millbrook also lost senior setter Paisley Cook to her own season-ending injury, but returns All-Region 4D First Team selections in senior libero Kate Madden and sophomore setter and hitter McKenna Homans to help lead the team.
Conversely, Sherando enters 2026 without any unforeseen losses. The Warriors retained 10 players from last year’s varsity squad, including eight seniors.
Sherando’s experience, coupled with the skills of sophomore middle hitter Avery Curtis (First Team All-Region 4D), senior libero Cami Golliday (Second Team All-Region 4D) and junior setter Sophia Zimmerman, could position it to compete once again after a Region 4D quarterfinals loss.
Handley will also aim to improve following a loss to Millbrook in the region quarterfinals. The Judges return a combined eight juniors and seniors, most notably junior outside hitter Breeze Johnson, who has verbally committed to play beach volleyball for Louisiana State University and was a Class 4 All-State Second Team selection last year. Teagan Braun-Duin returns after earning Second Team All-Region 4D honors.
In the Bull Run District, reigning district champion Clarke County is led by new head coach Sydney Clarke, who replaces Skyler Layton following Layton’s sixth season. Clarke played volleyball at Mary Baldwin University before beginning coaching in 2024. She coached with Go Volley in Winchester last year.
The Eagles retained senior Isabel Aliveto, who won Bull Run Player of the Year and was named to the Class 2 All-State First Team in 2025. Clarke County did, however, lose six seniors to graduation, including key performers Gracie Brown, Jillian Emmart and Bryn Franzen. That trio, along with Aliveto, helped Clarke County reach the Class 2 state semifinals a year ago.
Ahead of each team’s first match, here’s a closer look at their rosters:
James Wood
Coach: Joey Young, first season.
Last season: 30-2, Class 4 state champion, Region 4D champion, Northwestern District champion.
Key losses: Kennedy Spaid, Brenna Corbin, Claire Keefer
Key returnees: Kyla Wilhelm (Sr., OH), Kennedi Bower (So., OH), Reese Justice (Sr., MH), Kylee Plumb (Sr., S), Bella Middleton (Jr., S), Macie Hewitt (So., L/DS), Kylie Putt (Jr., MH), Kyleigh Bly (Sr., L/DS)
Key newcomers: Taylor Fishel (So., OH/OP), Kaylee White (Jr., OP), Sophia Rodeffer (So., S), Callie Keefer (Fr., OP), Cate Lessar (Jr., L/DS)
Young’s outlook: “We have very positive expectations for the season and expect to be very competitive with everyone in the area. We have eight returners from a state championship-winning team. That leadership and experience will help us down the stretch in tough matches. I think our main focus is to preserve the wonderful culture that has been built here over the years. For times of change, it’s important to provide clarity for roles, expectations and objectives.”
First match: Aug. 31 vs. Handley
Millbrook
Coach: Dave White, second season.
Last season: 19-4, lost to James Wood in Region 4D semifinals.
Key losses: Aaliyah Green, Paisley Cook, Natalie Huck
Key returnees: Kate Madden (Sr., L), Avery Fauver (Jr., OH/MB), Lora Totcheva (Sr., OP), McKenna Homans (So., S/RS/OH)
Key newcomers: Hannah Mood (Jr., RS, transferred from Sherando), Randi Hancock (Fr., MB), Summer Kraut (Fr., OH/RS/DS), Isley Hott (Fr., RS/DS)
White’s outlook: “[Our expectations are to] work hard in practice, be a cool teammate and compete every time we step on the floor. Building a great culture takes time and we are definitely headed in the right direction. Every team in this area poses a different challenge. They are all loaded with amazing BRVA travel players. We look forward to competing against some great teams and coaches. We will be a young team this season and everything we do will flow through our serve and serve receive game.”
First match: Tuesday vs. Loudoun Valley
Sherando
Coach: Chuck Ashby, second season since 2013, eighth overall.
Last season: 15-7, lost to James Wood in Region 4D quarterfinals.
Key losses: Carleigh Ritter, Kayleigh Welsh, Hannah Mood
Key returnees: Sophia Zimmerman (Jr., S), Cami Golliday (Sr., DS), Ashley Smith (Sr., OH), Hannah Beck (Sr., MH), Avery Curtis (So., MH), Addy Collins (Sr., S), Addie Arnold (Sr., DS), Michelle Foster (Sr., OH), Emma Scruggs (Sr., OH), Riley Alger (Sr., OH)
Key newcomers: Rachel Frazier (So., S), Estella Ilnicki (So., H)
Ashby’s outlook: “We have a strong core of seniors who have been together for at least three years. I am anxious to see how they compete with our district. I personally feel like our district is again going to be strong and teams will have to be ready to play. I think that with our core of seniors, along with our younger players, we will be better. We have a little bit more experience and the girls are excited to get started. We have a team camp planned after tryouts, and one of our goals is to learn to finish matches.”
First match: Monday vs. Strasburg
Handley
Coach: Kristen Larson, fifth season.
Last season: 15-9, lost to Millbrook in Region 4D quarterfinals.
Key losses: Kinley Duvall, Elly Licklider, Tenley Mattison
Key returnees: Breeze Johnson (Jr., OH), Teagan Braun-Duin (Jr., S/RH), Paige Boone (Jr., RH), Sadie Bailey (Jr., OH), Molly Peterson (So., S), Bella Hines (Jr., MH), Sadie Bishop (Sr., MH), Raya Milochova (Sr., DS), Ashly Grimaldo (Sr., DS)
Key newcomers: Sadie Ambrose (So., L), Ava Borkon (Fr., OH/RH/DS), Coco King (Jr., DS), Joy Walrath (Jr., MH)
Larson’s outlook: “We are hoping for another successful season and improving our record week after week. It will be a dogfight with all of the other local teams, as we are all stacked with very strong athletes. These players are in the gym or [on the] sand year-round, and it shows. I believe we have four of the best teams in the state in our immediate area.
“Every kid on the varsity team has earned their spot on the roster. They have all become better athletes, and hopefully we have become better coaches. We expect a lot from these kids, and they work hard every day in practice fighting for their time on the court. We have worked hard to put kids in places of success and strengthen our weaknesses. Iron sharpens iron and it shows in how they play. We are meshing as a team, we are making each other better, and we are ready to show that on the court.”
First match: Aug. 27 vs. Clarke County
Clarke County
Coach: Sydney Clarke, first season.
Last season: 19-7 overall, 13-1 Bull Run District; Bull Run District champions, lost to Fort Defiance in Class 2 state semifinals.
Key losses: Gracie Brown, Bryn Franzen, Jillian Emmart, Madison Quinn, Bria Mayo, Hannah McGeough
Key returnees: Isabel Aliveto (Sr., OH), Grace Gerenski (Sr., OH), LouLou Franzen (Jr., M), Reagan Cox (Sr., M/OP), Olivia Hill (Sr., S), Janelle Odom (Sr., DS)
Key newcomers: Kaelyn Igoe (Jr., S/OP), Kennedy Money (Jr., L/DS), Kaylee Whetzel (Jr., DS), Macy Backover (Jr., L), Healani Mitchell (Sr., OP/MH), Gretchen Hall (So., OH/OP), Kendall Myers (So., OH/OP)
Clarke’s outlook: “[Our goal is] to come out strong and fight for everything. We have developed and aligned our expectations and goals as a team and are working hard to make those a reality. I think we will be very competitive with teams in our district and region.
“The team as a whole took a hit with losing players from the previous season, but it is coming out strong and with a purpose. Returning and incoming players are just as experienced and have come ready to play.”
First match: Monday at Skyline
— Contact Joe Tuman at
jtuman@winchesterstar.com. Follow him on X @jtuman21