Published: 10:53 PM, Mon Sep 06, 2010
Volleyball team preview capsules
Mid-South 4-A
Jack Britt
Coach: Krista Marrara
2009 record: 19-5
Top players returning: Heather Erickson, right hitter, Sr.; Sloane Shank, setter, Sr.; Kiyah McDermid, defensive specialist, Sr.; Mary-Belle Mikesell, outside hitter, Sr.; Ashley Thomas, middle hitter, Sr.; Chelan Wongus, middle hitter, Sr.; Michiko McIntyre, middle hitter, Sr.
Top newcomers: Assia Ferguson, setter, Jr.; Haley Cone, right hitter, Jr.; Kirsten Fischer, outside hitter, Jr.; Kiersten Gillette-Pierce, middle hitter, Jr.; Brittany Bryant, defensive specialist, Jr.
Coach's outlook: We are very excited about this coming season as we will have seven veteran seniors attacking the court. We have worked hard to establish all of our players through our local Junior Olympics program and hope that we will see a successful season. It will be difficult to see this group leave, but we are so proud of all of our players.
Cape Fear
Coach: Alan McNaughton
2009 record: 9-10
Top players returning: Aubrei Heil, outside hitter, Sr.; Evie Johnson, setter, Sr.; Jillian Hendryx, right hitter, Sr.
Top newcomers: Taylar Stafford, outside hitter, Fr.; Bekah Boomer-Boller, setter, So.
Coach's outlook: We have all six of our starters returning to build on what we started last year. I am excited to see how the girls are going to improve over last year's disappointing finish.
Pine Forest
Coach: Jeff Bruner
2009 record: 6-12
Top players returning: Nicole Ladouceur, setter/right hitter, Jr.; Shirlee Evans, middle hitter, So.; Ashley May, outside hitter, So.; Nicole Billman, defensive specialist/setter, Jr.; Stevie Billman, defensive specialist, Jr.; Susan Herrington, libero, Jr.
Top newcomers: Jayde Jacobs, middle hitter, Fr.; Madi Lee, outside hitter, Fr.; Lauren Evans, right hitter/outside hitter, Fr.
Coach's outlook: This is a very talented group of athletes. They have worked extra hard in the preseason and have grown every practice and game they have played in. Both the young and the veteran girls have come together as a cohesive unit. Many of the girls have participated in travel ball in the offseason, and have since raised their play to a very competitive level. We are strong at the net and have seasoned defensive players protecting our side of the court.
Terry Sanford
Coach: Kathy Armstrong
2009 record: 11-10
Top players returning: Caroline Wheeler, setter, Sr.; Claire Puryear, libero, Sr.; Annie Copenhaver, left hitter, Sr.; Morgan McMillan, left hitter, Sr.; Caroline Williams, right hitter, Sr.; Callie Brown, middle, Jr.
Top newcomers: Brittany Bowers, middle, Jr.; Ellie Brown, left hitter, Sr.; Mary Megan Farley, defensive specialist, Jr.; Tayler Collins, right hitter, Jr.; Kenise Williams, hitter, Jr.
Coach's outlook: I am really looking forward to this year. These girls have played together for four years and are really beginning to gel. We hope to be competitive in the conference.
Seventy-First
Coach: Emily Rose
2009 record: 11-11
Top players returning: Diona Curtis, middle hitter, Sr.; Kyiesha Daniels, setter, Sr.
Top newcomers: Alasha Foster, middle hitter, So.; Marcianna Munn, outside hitter, So.; Jordan Stephens, outside hitter, So.; Shatigra Barbary, middle hitter, Jr.
Coach's outlook: This season will be our rebuilding year. With the loss of five starters from last year's team, I have high hopes for my young newcomers to start building a stronger volleyball program at Seventy-First.
E.E. Smith
Coach: Dee Hardy
2009 record: 7-12
Top players returning: Avae' Hardy, setter/outside hitter, Sr.; Jovanah Graham, middle blocker, Sr.; Kia Payne, middle blocker, Sr.; Amber Whitaker, defensive specialist, Jr.; Sonja Spruill, outside hitter/middle blocker, Jr.; Morrissa Cosper, libero, So.
Top newcomers: Jokeya Abrom, outside hitter, Sr.; Alecia Hardy, setter/outside hitter, Fr.
Coach's outlook: We lost some key players due to graduation. We have several returners. We will need to be consistent on defense and control our serving errors.
South View
Coach: Faye Corbin
2009 record: 17-9
Top players returning: Kristin Madison, middle hitter, Sr.; Haley Covey, setter, Sr.; Ciara Morris, middle hitter, Jr.; Kagan Palma, libero, Jr.
Top newcomers: Takiah Butler, outside hitter, Jr.; Olivia Turner, outside hitter, Jr.
Coach's outlook: We anticipate a season that was just as strong or stronger than last year. To accomplish that, some positions and role changes have been made, along with raising the bar on goals and expectations for the team. We have some solid players returning, great team spirit and look forward to the 2010 season.
Douglas Byrd
Coach: Reenesha Wright
2009 record: 0-15
Top players returning: Jade Shaw, setter, Sr.; Brittany McNeil, setter, Sr.; Carvion Mitchell, middle hitter, Sr.; Brittany Shumaker, outside hitter, So.
Top newcomers: Kim Whitehead, left hitter; Erica Norman, middle back.
Coach's outlook: The girls worked very hard this summer, and we even have a JV team this year. Because of all their hard work I am looking forward to improving our record this season.
Gray's Creek
Coach: Kate Gore
2009 record: 20-5
Top players returning: Brittyana Will, outside hitter, Sr.; Kady Smith, right hitter, Sr.; Vanessa Dee, middle hitter, Sr.; Chelsea Bullard, middle hitter, Jr.; Daphny Wade, outside hitter, So.; Ashley Piers, outside hitter, So.
Top newcomers: Madison Boley, setter, Fr.
Coach's outlook: We are a team and a family. We are going to have to take care of each other on the court in order to be successful. The girls are working extremely hard to achieve the goals they have set for themselves and each other.
Westover
Coach: Sheila Campbell
2009 record: 5-14
Top players returning: Jasmyn Trawick, setter, Sr.; Jassmin Smith, utility, Sr.; Shanice Pringle, middle hitter, Sr.
Top newcomers: Tamiko Miller, server, Jr.; Sharron Lassiter, outside hitter, So.; Katie Jernigan, setter, Jr.
Coach's outlook: We have a young team, but they have some good skills and talent. If we play with heart, we can compete with most teams. We lost seven seniors, so this is a rebuilding year for us. We have to play with confidence in ourselves and have confidence in our teammates. Our goal is to reach the playoffs this year.
Fayetteville Academy
Coach: Kevin Dennison
2009 record: 2-14
Top players returning: Megan McGugan, outside hitter, senior; Abby DeGaetano, outside hitter, Jr.; Aminah Ghaffar, middle hitter, So.; Ilyse Hines, middle hitter, Sr.; Eva Desai, outside hitter, Sr.; Emily Newton, outside hitter, Sr.; Sammy Horowitz, libero; Katie Schafer, setter; Sarah Brooks, setter.
Top newcomers: Sindey Rostetter, outside hitter, Fr.; Molly McGowan, outside hitter, Fr.; Sophie Brooks, middle hitter, Fr.
Coach's outlook: None provided.
Fayetteville Christian
Coach: Chuck Donnell
2009 record: 14-8
Top players returning: Larra Creech, outside hitter, Sr.; Emily Hester, setter, So.; Ally Kleffman, outside hitter, Sr.; Jesse Thompson, middle blocker, Jr.; Dottie Davis, middle blocker, Sr.
Top newcomers: Andrea Hayden, setter, Sr.; Ashley Mennes, setter, Fr.
Coach's outlook: Fayetteville Christian will be able to compete in one of the toughest volleyball conferences in the state. We are a good passing-defensive team and are continually improving on offense.
Northwood Temple Academy
2009 record: not available
Coach: Mike Oxendine
Top players returning: Alex Harshberger, outside hitter, Sr.; Elizabeth Collins, setter/outside hitter, Jr.
Top newcomers: Sadie Adams, setter, Jr.; Jaymie Howell, middle hitter, Jr.; Andrea Mercer, middle hitter, Fr.; Ariana Lamothe, setter, 8th
Coach's outlook: We only have one senior this year after losing six seniors from last year's team but this group has played together for awhile and have a great work ethic. I am excited to have this team and we should compete well in a tough conference that send five teams to the state tournament last year.
Trinity Christian
Coach: Julie Thomas
2009 record: 0-9
Top players returning: Taylor Nious, middle hitter, Jr.; Corinthea Linsay, outside hitter, 8th
Top newcomers: Diara Smith, outside hitter, Jr.; Janae Dupree, setter, Fr.; Essence Douglas, outside hitter, So.; Moragan May, outside hitter, Jr.; Daesha Witlock, setter, Fr.
Coach's outlook: From what I hear, the last two seasons have been a little rough, but this season is very promising. We have a great group of girls that have been working hard from the first day of practice. This team is young but confident.
Village Christian
Coach: Travis Greiner
2009 record: 14-10
Top players returning: Aimee Spena, middle hitter, Sr.; Alice Cox, setter, Sr.; Nichole Lee, outside hitter, Sr.; Jamie Jordan, setter, Jr.; Katie Cockman, outside/right hitter, Sr.; Taylor Rogers, middle hitter, Jr.; Krista Puczylowski, libero, Sr.
Top newcomers: Brittany Tschida, outside hitter, Fr.; Kiersten Davis, outside hitter, Jr.; Sarah White, outside/right hitter, Sr.
Coach's outlook: As long as we stay mentally tough, we will be very difficult to beat. They are a good group of girls, driven by seniors, ready to take everything.