Grafton seeks breakthrough in new classification, First Colonial leads Beach contenders – Daily Press

Storylines

Can Grafton break through?

Grafton played in the past six Class 4 state championship matches, losing the first five to 14-time state champion Loudoun County, who titles from 2007-2010 and 2012-2021. Last season, Grafton fell to James Wood of Winchester in three straight sets. But VHSL realignment this year moves Grafton down to Class 3, where the Clippers will be a state favorite. They must get past Bay Rivers rival York, which is coming off a 26-4 record and the state Class 3 championship. Route 17 will be rocking at least twice this regular season, when the teams meet.

Private representation

Norfolk Academy (28-4 in 2022) leads the Hampton Roads private-school pack, but other teams might find the radar by the end of September. Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, led by senior outside hitter/middle hitter Kyla Bradford, could emerge from a mid-level TCIS squad to the higher echelon, but will have to top the VISAA Division I (Norfolk Academy) and Division II (Peninsula Catholic) champions, as well as a tough Catholic team.

Lots of returning champions

Along with the two VISAA champion teams and Grafton and York in the Bay Rivers, Class 2 Region A champion Poquoson will remain a force. Bruton, last year’s Class 2 Region A runner-up, would like to claim that region champion plaque, and StoneBridge (VISAA Division III) and Denbigh Baptist (VISAA Division IV) cannot be forgotten.

New coaches

Stella Johnson, a former Warwick High and University of Maryland Eastern Shore standout, begins her coaching career with Greenbrier Christian Academy; Andi Byers takes over a “young and dynamic” Churchland team that finished 5-13 last season; Ryan Ludvik grabs the reins at Norfolk Christian; and Adam Dierstein returns after a five-year coaching hiatus to take over at Cape Henry Collegiate. Dierstein left the Cape Henry boys sideline after 11 seasons (2008-2018), amassing nine TCIS Tournament and eight regular-season championships. Now he replaces Marck Weiss, who won four state titles in 23 seasons.

Best of the Beach?

There could be an intriguing race for the Beach District regular-season title. First Colonial, last year’s Class 5 runner-up, was only two points away from winning the state title but fell to Midlothian 15-13 in a tie-breaking fifth set. The Patriots will be favored at the Beach, but Kellam, Princess Anne and Cox were all in the top seven among the final 757Teamz rankings.

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757Teamz preseason Top 15

1. Grafton

The Clippers graduated six seniors, but according to coach David Keeter (94-10 in four seasons), they have a solid group of juniors who gained valuable experience training against last year’s seniors. Along with reigning All-Tidewater and Bay Rivers District Player of the Year Alexis Keeter, Grafton will count on solid contributions from setter Kaylie Klemm, Alana Washington, Tiffany O’Connell and Ellie Duer.

2. First Colonial

The Patriots, 24-3 last season, will be led by libero Kayla Foley, along with fellow seniors Keely Heffelfinger, Jules Dooren and Shelby Stanton. First Colonial defeated Grafton 2-1 in a truncated scrimmage Aug. 12, only highlighting the advanced ability of both teams.

3. Norfolk Academy

The Bulldogs were 27-4-1 last season, and coach Trish Hopkins said she “has some puzzle pieces to put together after losing five of seven starters.” Peyton McGee will take over setting duties, while Sasha Gillard (145 kills and 41 aces in 2022) will move to the outside after spending two seasons as a middle hitter.

4. Kellam

The Knights should provide the greatest challenge to First Colonial among the Beach teams but will avoid seeing the Class 5 Patriots in playoff action. Kellam seems to be probably the best Hampton Roads team in Class 6 Region A. Key players include seniors Blakely Barnes and Avery Hanly.

5. Catholic

After finishing last season as the TCIS runner-up, the Crusaders look to make a run past higher-ranked VISAA Division I schools such as Bishop O’Connell (who beat the seventh-seeded Crusaders 3-1 in the VISAA quarterfinals), St. Catherine’s and Collegiate of Richmond.

6. Princess Anne

Middle blocker Leah DiNardo looks to be the best returning player for the Cavaliers, who were knocked out of last year’s postseason by First Colonial.

7. York

Ramsie Pittman is the key for the defending Class 3 champion Falcons, but York has another all-state player with Lauren Atwell. Middle blocker Nadia Warrior might be the best name in local prep sports, but her 6-foot frame gives York more height at the net. Kenzie Wallace, a second-team all-region selection, adds experience, and junior setter Kiran McVey hopes to ably replace last year’s all-state setter, Morgan Hunter.

8. Cox

Three Falcons to watch are senior Leah Whitney and junior Olivia Fortier, both setters, and Caitlyn Graves, a senior libero.

9. StoneBridge

After a 34-4 record and 14-0 run in the Metro Conference, the top team in VISAA Division III looks to re-create its success from 2022. Senior Emily Hinton will move from libero to setter, and she will be joined by D-III Player of the Year Amelia Matson, an outside hitter, and middle hitter Elise Thomason.

10. Hickory

The Hawks are still only three years removed from winning a state title, and coach Gus Quinones aims to build last year’s 15-6 team around three players: senior middle blocker Dominique Gray and juniors Mia Goode and Milan Curl.

11. Grassfield

The Grizzliers, the other top contenders in the Southeastern District, may be young but are certainly capable of reloading despite the loss of outside hitter Evie Pisano.

12. Bethel

Coach Jeremy Carson had a strong inaugural season with the Bruins last year (13-3). Carson is happy with this year’s unit, saying it is “stacked with seniors.” He will rely on seniors Samya Pace and Amira Pierre to help the players communicate, and freshman libero Jill Weiss-Wallace could make an immediate impact.

13. Poquoson

Last year’s Class 2 Region A champion will have to hold off Bruton, and then a host of western Virginia schools, to harbor state playoff hopes.

14. Peninsula Catholic

Losing VISAA Division II Player of the Year Berkeley Stenger will hurt, but the Knights should retain enough key players from last season’s 16-7 campaign to make a healthy run at another state crown.

15. Bruton

The Panthers were 12-13 last season, but playing among teams from higher classes in the Bay Rivers District helped give both Bruton and Poquoson enough staying power to reach the Class 2 Eastern Section final. Coach Charlene Daugherty tabs senior Sienna Owens, the Faw sisters (juniors Mina and Jolie), Cassie Hall, Allie Millner and senior Gretchen Davila as the players to build around.

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Five players you should know

Alexis Keeter, Grafton

The 6-footer was a first-team all-state athlete and Player of the Year in the district, region and state after almost making the VHSL’s single-season top 10 with 523 kills, to go with 56 aces and 46 blocks.

Peyton McGee, Norfolk Academy

The 5-9 junior led the Bulldogs with 238 kills and 77 aces last season.

Ramsie Pittman, York

A first-team all-state selection, Pittman finished among the top three VHSL players in kills, helping the Falcons to the first state volleyball championship in York County history.

Samya Pace, Bethel

Last year’s Peninsula District Player of the Year runner-up hopes to take the Bruins to the next level after last season’s rebound to the top of the PD.

Kayla Foley, First Colonial

The Michigan State commit finished last season with 375 digs and a 98.1 postseason serving percentage.

Jim McGrath, [email protected]