What to Watch For
1) New Coaches – several new coaches will look to make an immediate impact in Hampton Roads. At Smithfield, Kristina Villanueva adds five freshmen to a young and talented, but unproven team. Sarah Heck will bring a strong returning squad to Grassfield, as they try to gain another Class 6 state playoff berth. Hannah Hislop will begin the rebuilding process at Hampton Roads Academy, as will Sinisa Momic and Emily Hatcher at TCIS rivals Norfolk Collegiate and Norfolk Christian. George Marino is now in charge of the Catholic squad, and Monique Holland will take over the reins at Lakeland. Finally, in a late addition, Gateway Christian Academy athletic director Anna Moreno-Alison double as the new coach.
2) Can Kellam Sustain – the Knights were ranked outside of the top 15 as a “Team to Watch,” in the final 2024 volleyball poll, but rambled all the way to Richmond, winning the Region 5A title and reaching the Class 5 state final before their Cinderella run was ended by Riverside. Will the dynamic duo of Barnes and Erwin come through again?
3) Battle in the Bay Rivers – Grafton looks to be the favorite in the BRD, but there is a glut of honorable foes. Bruton finished third, but lost the Faw twins to graduation, which leaves a gap in the lineup for the Class 2 Panthers. However, Jamestown (15-11-1 in 2024), Tabb and Poquoson were 4-5-6 in the Bay Rivers last season, and one may be primed to move forward. Jamestown, which lost only three seniors from last year, might be that team.
4) Who Will Reign in the Preps? Norfolk Academy is the highest ranked team among the private schools, but there are a number of contenders. StoneBridge is a perennial force in the Virginia Independent Schools Division 3 and usually leads the 757 area teams in wins, as the Cavaliers play about 35 matches per season. Greenbrier Christian could make noise, and Catholic has won its first two games of this season.
5) Grafton Makes Ninth Try in Higher Class – the award for persistency goes to the Clippers. In 2025, they will make a bid to reach a ninth consecutive state final. Unfortunately, they have yet to win, and this season Coacher David Keeter’s team and Grafton are bumped back up to Class 4. The good news – no more running into the Hidden Valley dynasty. But can they overcome a trio of Class 4 state opponents such as Atlee, James Wood and Courtland to walk off with the tallest trophy at Virginia States on November 22nd. “They’re hungry, and have put in the work all summer,” says Keeter.
Eyeing The Magnificent Seven
1) Santina Martcheva – Ocean Lakes senior outside hitter – First team All-State selection, Martcheva is the top returning player in Class 5 and will lead the Dolphins, as they aim to overcome a formidable trio of rivals to claim the Beach District.
2) Sophia Barnes – Kellam senior outside hitter – Barnes was second on the Kellam team with 241 kills last season, while earning first-team 757Teamz honors, to go with second-team Class 5 honors.
3) Riley Erwin – Kellam senior setter/outside hitter – scored 238 kills, 486 assists and a team leading 55 aces in 2024, while earning a Class 5 first team Al-State nod.
3) Kenzie Smith, Grafton senior middle hitter – led Class 3 in blocks last season.
4) Benisa Moore, Grassfield junior outside hitter – the youngest among the seven was a second-team 757Teamz selection in 2024.
5) Ally Burke, Grafton senior libero – Burke led last year’s team with 71 aces, and the All-State player added 504 digs and led the Clippers in returns.
6) Chloe Schall, Smithfield senior outside hitter – Schall led the Packers in kills, aces and digs.
7) Caroline Clements, Menchville – Clements is a multi-positional threat who earned second team Class 5 honors in 2024. She had 135 kills and 73 aces to help the Monarchs to a 24-3 mark.
Top 15 Teams (last year’s final record)
1. Cox (21-4) – The Falcons launched an impressive run last season, winning the Beach District with a 15-1 mark. This year, Cox loses Olivia Fortier, but returns everyone else, including junior 6-foot outside hitter Avery Osler, who led the unit in kills (244), junior June Culicerto, who topped the squad in digs (288) and returns, senior OH/OPP Camdyn Milisitz, senior outside hitter Kathleen Grosz, junior libero Brooke Horn, junior middle backer Kiley Frostad, and senior middle backer Lucille Tignor. This team is loaded and primed to claim the top spot in the region and state.
2. Kellam (19-10) – The Knights were 13-9 at the end of the regular season, barely missing the final 757Teamz.com Top 15 poll, which was followed by a six-game streak through the region and state playoffs, all the way to center court at VCU’s Siegel Center. Along with Barnes and Erwin, look for junior setter Emmie Irving (457 assists) , who is also a key ball handler, while libero Giulia Alison will keep the team together.
3. First Colonial (20-8) – The Patriots eliminated Cox in the playoffs last season and are always a threat. The loss of Class 5 first-team All-Stater Helen Murray, leading scorer Gabby Taylor, and three other key seniors will keep FC out of the top spot, but the cupboard is hardly bare for coach Edie Magula. Senior Teagan Emdadi (OH) a six-rotation player; will lead the attack this season. Sophomore middle hitter Reese Parker has made big gains as a hitter and blocker. Senior Alayna Cole finished last season as the starting setter and will return, along with seniors Grace Davies-Hackenberg and Maddie Stroud, who will share OH duties opposite Emdadi. And junior Sophie Buddenhagen returns as a starting middle hitter. A strong group of freshmen waits in the wings.
4. Grafton (26-3) – Quite a few familiar names on the roster, led by two-time All-State first teamer Burke, the Clipper senior libero. She is joined by Smith, who at 6-1 will dominate the middle. Second-team All-State junior middle/outside hitter Ana Breckens will be joined by her younger sister, freshman OH Alivia, who coach David Keeter calls “an impact player.” Senior Olivia de la Cruz will be the first setter, and senior Arianna Christian and sophomore Emma DeLaHunt will keep the ball controlled for Grafton.
5. Norfolk Academy (22-5) - Coach Trish Hopkins lost 757Teamz Player of the Year Peyton McGee but returns a quintet of seniors who should help the team to another Virginia Independent School Division I playoff berth. The Fab Five include Vivi Deams (middle backer), outside hitters Sydney Petersen and Charleston Hart, along with right side hitters Audrey Lipps and Kirtley Taylor. Setter Allie Wight and third-year starter Michaela Betancourt will run the offense, with Alex Marino taking over libero duties. “Defense will be key,” according to Hopkins.
6. Ocean Lakes (20-5) – Complimenting Martcheva will be returnees Carmela Mendoza (senior setter), juniors Lyla Shannon (middle backer) and Sienna Carr (outside hitter). Coach Chrsitina Barnhart, in her sixth year at the Dolphin helm, with rely on these four to bring experience and leadership back to the OL lineup.
7. Menchville (24-3) – Clements, Kamryn Eccleston, Jordein Holder, and Emma Wade form the core of the returning Monarch team, which steamrolled through the Peninsula District last year with an undefeated (18-0) record.
8. Hickory (18-4) – The Hawks return several players from last season’s Southeastern District championship squad.
9. Woodside (17-3) – Menchville’s strongest competition for the Peninsula crown.
10. Grassfield (16-8) – With Moore leading the way, the Grizzlies look to improve on las season’s state quarterfinal appearance. Says Heck after inspecting her new troops, “We have a strong team this year with a lot of returners, as well as some impressive new sophomore faces. We have a lot of height and should have an impressive offense this season. We also have very talented defenders on the roster as well. I am excited to see how far this team goes.” Players to keep an eyeball on include senior middle blockers Emery Stahl and Mckenzie Johnson, and their two liberos, senior Ellieynn Rock and junior Ryann Bothof, who is already committed to Ole Miss.
11. Greenbrier Christian Academy (28-6) – the Gators will contend for the TCIS crown behind junior Katelyn Balka (135 kills, 45 aces in 2024) and senior libero Vivianne Tucker (409 digs).
12. StoneBridge (31-4) – The Cavaliers are solid again behind three clutch returners. Junior libero Libbie Plumlee was responsible for 214 kills, 60 aces, and 230 digs last season, and leads the senior-less team. Maddy Wartick is a junior outside hitter who is new to StoneBridge, but her tall ad athletic presence “has already been felt,” according to coach Eric Plumlee (124-12 in four years at SB). Sophomore Payton Weatherford suffered an ACL tear at the end of last year, but the six rotation outside hitter will return.
13. Maury (19-6) – The Commodores should battle with Granby for Eastern District supremacy.
14. Bethel (15-5) – The Bruins, fresh off a Region 5B semifinal appearance, hope to topple Menchville and Woodside to rule the Peninsula District.
15. Indian River (16-7) – The Braves, another third-place district finisher, hope to vault past Grassfield and Hickory, while avoiding aa first-round playoff loss in Region 5A.
Others to Watch - Nansemond-Suffolk Academy (17-7), Cape Henry (17-8), Bruton (21-6), Western Branch (16-6), Jamestown (15-11-1), Granby (16-8)
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