A preseason look at the five local high school volleyball teams

August 3, 2024 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

The 2024 high school volleyball schedule opens this week for three of the five local high school programs and will continue into the post-season in October.

The Cartersville Lady Canes and the Woodland Lady Cats will try to make return appearances to the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state playoffs.  Cartersville has won 17 consecutive Bartow County Championships and was Region 7-5A runner-up in 2023. Woodland will be under the direction of a new coaching staff after coach David Condon handed off the reins of the Wildcats program. Excel Christian Academy, a member of the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools (GAPPS), will also seek a return trip to their postseason.

Meanwhile, Adairsville and Cass will look to get back into state playoff contention this season.

Local programs will also compete in new region alignments as the GHSA begins a new 2024-25 and 2025-26 reclassification cycle.

ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS

Head coach: Kailey Martin

2023 record: 10-25 overall, 2-6 in Region 6-3A

New region 7-3A includes Calhoun, Gilmer, Heritage-Catoosa, LaFayette, Northwest Whitfield, and Ridgeland.

State Playoffs: Did not qualify in 2023

The Lady Tigers return six senior starters from last year’s team including Addie Pearson (Setter/Opposite Hitter), Cara Harp (Libero/Setter), Abby Farr (Opposite Hitter), Mallory Kimbrel (Opposite Hitter), Alivia Wynn (Defensive Specialist), and Lexi Adcock (Defensive Specialist). The veterans will be joined by varsity newcomers  Ella Steward (Middle Blocker, Jr.), Ansley Mims (Middle Blocker, Jr.), Myka Colston (Outside Hitter, Jr.), Alexis Scott (Outside Hitter, So.), and Alexa Wynn (Setter, So.).

The Adairsville program continues to grow. The Tigers have 36 players heading into the season with many playing for the JV and "C" teams.

Coach Martin identified Addie Pearson and Cara Harp for their expected leadership roles in 2024, “Pearson’s leadership will shine on the court. She has earned her team captain title and is a three-year varsity member. Addie leads this group both on and off the court. Harp was our second setter last year but will step into the libero role this season and command the backcourt. 

She also noted the development of two newcomers, “I’m also expecting middles Ella Steward and Ansley Mims to make large contributions. They join the varsity for the first time but I can see their hunger to dominate and their speed on the net will benefit our defense.”

“I am excited for this year,” Martin continued. “We have some new region opponents and fresh faces on our side of the court. It makes me eager to get the season going. The girls have worked hard this summer. I can’t wait to see where it goes.”

The Adairsville coach picked LaFayette, Heritage-Catoosa, and Calhoun as three of the expected playoff contenders in the newly configured Region 7-3A.

The Lady Tigers begin the regular season on Thursday at home against North Murray and Rome at 5 p.m.

CARTERSVILLE HURRICANES

Head coach: Kyle Lundberg

2023 record: 28-18 overall, 4-1 in Region 7-5A

New Region 7-4A includes Allatoona, Cass, Cedartown, Dalton, Hiram, Southeast Whitfield, and Woodland.

State Playoffs: Lost to Chattahoochee in the first round

The Lady Canes return six starters from a 2023 squad that was Region 7-5A runner-up to Dalton. The returnees include Riley Jarrett (Defensive Specialist, Sr.), Aubree Barrett (Setter, Right Side Hitter, Sr.), Addison Marisko (Middle Hitter, Jr.), Sydney McNair-Seigler (Defensive Specialist, Jr.), McKenzie Wilkie (Libero, So.), and Holly Dufrene (Outside Hitter, So.). 

Team newcomers Riley Huff (Middle Hitter, Jr.), Addie Rickman (Right Side Hitter, Jr.), Amara Ejieke (Outside Hitter, So.), and Emma Wall (Setter, Right Side Hitter, Fr.) are expected to contribute right away.

First-year head coach Kyle Lundberg’s program includes 14 varsity squad members and 12 on a JV roster that will participate in 13 play dates.

Lundberg likes the composition of this year’s team and highlighted their skills.

“McKenzie Wilkie will bring a national skill level to our back row and should be one of the best Libero’s in Class 4A, if not the state. Aubree Barrett was a GVCA 1st Team All-State player last year and she will bring a consistent balance to our all-around performance. Addison Marisko and Riley Huff will be big in our offensive attacking and blocking in the middle with both around 6’2”. Holly Dufrene and Amara Ejieke will be big for our offensive attacks this year. They both bring power and can use their smarts to hit open spots on the floor. Riley Jarrett brings great leadership skills, athleticism, and a competitive nature. She will be another big piece to our defense and Emma Wall brings great experience and composure for a freshman,” said coach Lundberg.

“The entire program — varsity and JV — have been working their tails off all summer. They have been coming in four days a week for weights and skills work to prepare for this season. Class 4A is a tough classification for volleyball but we are ready to compete and work towards a state title,” Lundberg continued.“I think we have the most complete program in the new region but I know Dalton is coming off a Final Four appearance and Allatoona has a rich volleyball culture and will challenge as well.”

Cartersville begins regular season play on Saturday in Jonesboro where the Lady Canes will participate in the “You Got Served” Kickoff Tournament.

CASS COLONELS

Head coach: Amanda Manson

2023 record: 4-29-1 overall, 1-4 in Region 7-5A

New Region 7-4A includes Allatoona, Cartersville, Cedartown, Dalton, Hiram, Southeast Whitfield, and Woodland.

State Playoffs: Did not qualify in 2023

Four players return to first-year head coach Amanda Manson’s roster including Carson Brannon (Setter/Libero), Harlee Davis (Outside Hitter), Andrea Vergara (Defensive Specialist), and Leah Boarman (Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist).

That core will be joined by a group of freshman players who have played both middle school and club volleyball. Coach Manson expressed excitement and confidence in the abilities of these newcomers to help rebuild the program for years to come. “We have 19 total players in the program,” noted Manson. “The JV will play a schedule similar to that of the varsity.”

The 2024 Cass team will seek to build on its youth.

“We have a lot of new faces on the court this season,” added Manson. “and we’re asking returning players to play positions new to them as well. I have high hopes and expectations for everyone on the team and expect everyone to step up and work together. I’m excited to see this team grow.”

The Lady Colonels begin the regular season on Thursday, August 15 where they will face Temple and Adairsville at Adairsville High School.

WOODLAND WILDCATS

Head coach: Caroline Gore

2023 record: 13-27 overall, 2-3 in Region 7-5A

New Region 7-4A includes Allatoona, Cartersville, Cass, Cedartown, Dalton, Hiram, and Southeast Whitfield.

State Playoffs: Lost to Greater Atlanta Christian in the first round

Former assistant coach Caroline Gore takes the helm of the Lady Cats’ program after long-time head coach David Condon stepped down. Gore inherits a team that graduated its entire starting lineup from 2023 and multiple seniors from the roster.

“We have some sophomores that we are excited to see play in their first varsity game,” said coach Gore. “Emily Guin (Outside Hitter) and freshman Dayanna Jaimes (Libero) will be immediate contributors.

The Wildcats have 14 girls on the 2024 varsity roster and have additional JV players. The JV will participate in an almost identical playdate schedule as the varsity.

“Seniors Brooke Kozlowski (Middle) and Rylei Morris (Defensive Specialist) will provide us with leadership,” noted Gore. “They bring great leadership skills and help motivate the other players each day. Both are returning varsity players so we expect to see some growth from last season to now. Brooke dominates on the net with her kills and constant blocks. Rylei has also shown great potential throughout the summer with improved skills.”

“Bella King is another sophomore that will contribute,” added the Woodland coach. “She has club team experience as a setter so we are excited to see her in the lineup.”

“During tryouts, the coaching staff was looking for girls that bring charisma and leadership skills to the team,” Gore continued. “we lost so many girls from a year ago that we are rebuilding. We know teams like Cartersville and Allatoona will be challenging at the top of our new region. We are trying to develop a group with a passion for the sport.”

The Lady Cats will begin the 2024 regular season at Pickens High School on Tuesday night at 5 p.m. Woodland will square off with Gilmer County and Fannin County.

EXCEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY EAGLES

Head coach: Katie Jones

2023 record: 8-8 overall, 3-2 in GAPPS DI-A Region 2

This season: Region 1, GAPPS DI-A includes Covenant Christian School, Hearts Academy, Oakwood Christian, Praise Academy, and Unity Christian School.

GAPPS State Playoffs: defeated Forest but lost to The Stonehaven School and Holy Ground Baptist Academy.

The Lady Eagles return three starters from last season’s team including libero Clara Holley (Sr.), outside hitter Chae Vieria (Jr.), and right-side hitter Aliyah Dunning (So.). 

Carolina Otalora (Jr.) is expected to contribute immediately from her outside hitter position. She was a team member last season but did not participate in varsity matches due to eligibility. Another newcomer for the Eagles will be Giovanna Vieria. Only a seventh grader, Vieria is eligible to play varsity in GAPPS. Coach Jones expects her to see substantial playing time early in the season and has been impressed with her skill level and knowledge of the game.

“Clara Holley is our team captain,” noted coach Jones. “She has contributed to our program since the inaugural 2022 season. Clara brings one hundred percent effort every day. I think we will see evidence of that in her senior season.”

Coach Jones expects the Eagles to contend again for a GAPPS state tournament berth. “Praise Academy is always a tough region match for us and I also expect a well-coached and strong Unity Christian team this year,” she concluded.

Excel will begin regular season play at home on Monday, August 12 in a home match against Hearts Academy at 5:30 p.m.