Five Things to Watch For
Magula Eyes 500th Win For Defending Champion Patriots
Getting ready to begin her 29th season of coaching, First Colonial’s Edie Magula, coach of the defending Class 5 champions, brings a career record of 478-190 (.716) into the season. If her team can match last year’s 27 wins, the Patriot legend will surpass the 500-win plateau. As her team was 16-0 in the Beach District last season, and 21-1 for the regular season, the odds of a celebratory win at some point in time around Halloween looks possible.
New Kids Will Earn 5A All-Region
The entire group of first team selections in Region 5A last year were seniors, setting up the stage for a brand-new lineup this year. The three most likely candidates were second teamers last year – Lucille Tignor of Cox, Mia Goode from Hickory, and junior outside hitter Santina Martcheva from Ocean Lakes.
Grafton Reloads With Loss of Keeter; York Responds with New Coach
The Clippers graduated Class 3 All-Stater Alexis Keeter to graduation but return eight starters to a squad that has reached a state title game for seven consecutive seasons. Meanwhile, Bay Rivers District rival York, just two years removed from a 26-3 record and Class 3 state title, dropped to 11-11 last season, but hope to fare better under new coach Bill Bowman. Previously, Bowman served for 19 years as the head coach of Warwick.
Three-peat in D3 for StoneBridge?
StoneBridge, who led all Hampton Roads teams with 35 wins last season, aims to earn its third straight VISAA Division 3 state championship this fall. The Cavaliers opened their season in style, defeating Deep Creek 3-0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-21) to kick off the official volleyball season for the region. Nattie Plumlee scooped 15 digs, Camryn Weatherford had 30 assists, Kailey Curry had nine kills and Ava Baker added eight kills.
Will the Student Top the Teacher Again?
When Lorenzo Puentes played his high school volleyball at Woodside, he was coached by Greg Maynard, who would later become his mentor as Puentes entered the coaching ranks. Ironically, Maynard’s standout player would take over the program at Menchville, not just a competitor from the same city and district, but the Monarchs chief rival. Last year, the two squared off as coaches twice in the regular season (a split) before Menchville toppled the Wolverines 3-1 to win the Region 5B final. Maynard and his Woodside team will be seeking revenge this season.
Ranking/Team/2023 Record
1. First Colonial (27-1) – Despite losing the 757Teamz Player of the Year Kayla Foley, the Patriots are well stocked this season and prepared for another state title run. Magula returns 11 players, led by a quartet of seniors who have played all four years. Iona commit Gabby Taylor heads the list. All-Region Honorable Mention Helen Murray moves to the libero position, and Rachael Zimmer transfers to Murray’s middle hitter position. Kaiyah Hines will be the team’s main setter and junior Teagan Emdadi returns to her starting outside hitter spot after missing the last two months of last season with an injury.
2. Grafton (25-5) – The Clippers aim for their eighth consecutive state championship appearance with a host of starters from last year’s Bay Rivers leading squad. First team All-State Ally Burke (444 digs, 40 aces) enters her junior year back at the libero position. Seniors Alana Washington (middle hitter), Kaylie Klemm (setter), Ellie Duer and Tiffany O’Connell (outside hitters) should ably fill the gap caused by Alexis Keeter’s graduation and departure to Florida Gulf Coast University after winning the Virginia Gatorade State Player of the Year honor in January. Sophomore Ana Brackens looks to follow up a successful freshman campaign, and fellow middle hitter, junior McKenzie Smith, will be a force for the Grafton attack.
3. Stone Bridge (35-1) – The premier private school program from last season also reloads for 2024. The Plumlee sisters, Nattie and Libbie, will spark the Cavs. Nattie, a first-team All-State heads a strong back row attack, while Libbie transitions to outside hitter. Ava Baker has “a huge arm and impressive vertical (leap),” according to coach Eric Plumlee. Senior Camryn Weatherford will run the offense. “She’s quick and has great hands,” said Plumlee. Mikayla Telfer has developed into “an incredible six-rotation outside with a powerful swing and unbelievable defensive play.” Kailey Curry, a 5-10 middle hitter, is an effective hitter with strong blocking ability.
4. Kellam (21-6) – First Colonial knocked the Knights out of contention last season, but a youth movement could be beneficial for Kellam as soon as this season. They will still rely on four seniors – Sadie Mixer (5-11, outside hitter), Sydney Stone (5-6, defensive specialist, libero), Leilah Beasley (5-7, opposite hitter), and Audriana Neil (5-11, middle hitter).
5. Jamestown (23-4) – Tom Stephenson is back as the Eagles coach after a two-year hiatus. Although the team graduated nine players, Stephenson feels that some talented young players are ready to step in. They will join a nucleus of three seniors. Madison Rogers (139 kills, 42 blocks in 2023), who has committed to CNU, had a major knee injury in February but has successfully rehabilitated. Allison Trogdon (5-10, MH/OPP) and Cayleigh White (5-8, OH) will aid in Jamestown’s attempt to dethrone Grafton at the top of the Bay Rivers standings.
6. Woodside (21-3) – The Wolverines will be one of two main contenders for the Peninsula District crown. Junior Anna Moody (279 assists, 187 digs, 140 kills, 90 aces) is a strong all-around player, and sophomore Maddie Jango (255 digs, 86 aces, 42 assists) returns to her libero position.
7. Maury (15-3) – Lily Bockheim, a first team All-Region 5B selection and Eastern District Player of the Year, will key the Commodores from the right side and setter positions. Senior teammates Madison Watts (OH) and Kathleen Searing (Libero) are the other All-District veterans. Freshman Sadie Stafford could be the top newcomer in Hampton Roads and is coming off a second-place national finish in the 14U Open Division of USAV Beach Nationals. According to Coach Andrea Everett, “Watts, Bockheim, and Stafford have created the opportunity for the Commodores to run a faster offense.”
8. Menchville (21-5) – 2023 Peninsula District Player of the Year Lillian Abbitt will lead the Monarchs from her outside hitter spot. Other key cogs in the lineup include Kamryn Keasey (6-0, M/RS) and junior Caroline Clements (5-8, OH).
9. Cox (17-7) – The Falcons sported a 14-2 record in the Beach District last season, but still finished third. Can they move up?
10. Hickory (17-7) – Senior Mia Goode is a six-rotation player, and she will be assisted by fellow Hawks Milan Curl and Mackenzie Hunter. Coach Gus Quinones expects his team to combine good defense with his offensive weapons to fuel a deep postseason run.
11. Greenbrier Christian Academy (27-6) – the chief rival of StoneBridge for the Metro Conference title.
12. Great Bridge (19-5) – The entire starting lineup from last year graduated, so Coach Julie Bruno will build anew. Hailey Hossfield (5-7, Jr.) is “an incredible libero” according to Bruno. Junior Katarina Vardeman is “a fantastic hitter,” and sophomore Marcy Stambaugh is a great all-around player, who “will only get better.”
13. Nansemond-Suffolk Academy (21-5) – Potentially the top team in the TCIS.
14. Ocean Lakes (12-7) – Junior outside hitter Santina Martcheva may commit to a Division I school this year., and coach Christina Barnhart sees this as her “breakout” season Seniors Bella Grundy and Kayla Bennett top a strong group of veterans
15. Granby (13-6) – The Comets, led by coach Olivia Casey, will be fueled by a “big junior class with a lot of solid skills.” Cheyenne Avery (OH) and Amaiya Slaats (RS/L) will lead this group, while senior middle blocker Vienne August serves as the team captain. Sophomores Corine August (MB) and Alyssa Thornton (S) could see big production numbers.
Ones to Watch – Bruton (19-7), Bethel (14-6), Norfolk Christian (20-7), Peninsula Catholic (16-6), Grassfield (13-9).
