VHSL/VISAA Virginia Beach/Tidewater Area Girls Watchlist

<p><img class=" wp-image-133404 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/beach-elite-MH-130x300.jpg" alt="" width="122" height="282" />The 2020-21 volleyball season is finally underway for most of the programs in the commonwealth after Covid moved the traditional Fall season to an abbreviated season running from March 1 to April 24, culminating in a state championship. This region of the state is traditionally one of the more highly powered areas in the state in the public and private school leagues with 8 teams making the state tournament, including championships by three schools. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top 10 Teams</strong></span></p> <ol> <li><strong> Princess Anne:</strong> Princess Anne returns a loaded roster for the 2021 campaign with senior stud Outside Hitters [player_tooltip player_id="111361" first="Jiji" last="Lykins"] and Noelle Starr returning with senior Libero CJ Jones back running the back court. Lykins is committed to play for NCAA Division 1 Providence College and Noelle Starr playing for NCAA Division III powerhouse Christopher Newport.</li> <li><strong> Kellam: </strong>Kellam lost two keys from last season, but the defense has its rock solid performer and future VCU Ram <span style="font-weight: 400;">Kaytie Gosiene, the 2019 region and state Libero of the Year. They also return Seniors Jessica George and Abby Spencer. </span></li> <li><strong>Frank Cox: </strong>Cox lost the Brunick twins to graduation but have a solid returning crew including stellar setter Mackenzie Colvin and seniors Middle Blocker Michelle Humphrey and Opposite/Middle Blocker Morgan Sadowski.</li> <li><strong><strong>First Colonial: </strong></strong>First Colonial returns senior setter [player_tooltip player_id="111389" first="Lauren" last="Foley"], a commitment to Mary Washington, and senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="111421" first="Maddy" last="DeCandido"], who will be attending NCAA Division III powerhouse Randolph-Macon. The Patriots graduated four players from the 2019 team who made back-to-back state semifinal appearances. Big contributions are also expected from returning starter OH Jennifer Olansen and junior Utility Hitter Faith DePew. </li> <li><strong>Kempsville </strong>Kempsville is hard to call an underdog with the amount of senior talent and leadership they are returning in 2019 including four seniors: VHSL <span style="font-weight: 400;">First-Team All State Outside Hitter [player_tooltip player_id="111347" first="Michelle" last="Urquhart"], who will join Tulane (NCAA Division 1), Libero Sarah Grace Campbell, Setter Jayda Domenech who will attend Randolph College and Tearyn Roberts who will attend Pfeiffer University.</span></li> <li><strong>Grafton: <span style="font-weight: 400;">Outside Hitter Lily Scheeren and explosive Middle Blocker Shachia Lamb will be keys for Grafton this season with some help from underclassmen in Freshman Outside Hitter Alexis Keeter and Sophomore Setter  Alondra Miranda-Pagan. </span></strong></li> <li><strong>Hickory: </strong>Middle Hitters Ryann Love and [player_tooltip player_id="111373" first="Sydney" last="Love"] will be dominant forces at the net for Hickory in 2021 but will need excellent ball control and setting to utilize the talents of their twin towers. </li> <li><strong>Peninsula Catholic: </strong>Coach Tommy Thomas says this is the best team he’s had in his 31 years of coaching with NCAA Division 1 Opposite/Middle Blocker [player_tooltip player_id="111362" first="Madison" last="Clark"], UVA Wise commit Cana Davidson and AVCA Phenom Prospect Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker [player_tooltip player_id="111464" first="Audrey" last="Muth"] carrying a huge offensive load for the Lady Knights</li> <li><strong>Ocean Lakes: </strong>For the first time in forever, the Dolphins sideline will not have the familiar face of Jack Wheeler. Ocean Lakes is under the guidance of new coaches with co-coaches <span style="font-weight: 400;">Emma Chandler and Christina Barnhart leading the program. Returners sophomore Setter Adrienne Peji, Senior libero Ally Zongolowicz and junior middle blocker Hannah Smith will be some of the key contributors for the Dolphins.</span></li> <li><strong><strong>Grassfield: </strong></strong>Grassfield returns a team loaded with senior leadership and half of their starting line up is back for 2021. Libero Audrey Paynter is an elite defender with Middle Blocker Taleah Gayle-Nemethy dominating at the net. Outside Hitters Olivia Rajhel and Kylie Morin and Utility Hitter Mary Kate Stasevich will be offensive keys for the Lady Grizzlies. </li> </ol> <p><strong>Honorable Mentions: Poquoson, Nansemond-Suffolk, Tabb, Gloucester and Norfolk Academy</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Five Faves:</strong></span></p> <p><strong><img class="alignleft" src="https://cdn4.sportngin.com/attachments/roster_player_info/cf9c-153822225/18B_Love_medium.jpg" alt="18b love medium" width="157" height="104" /></strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="111373" first="Sydney" last="Love"]</strong> is a 6’3 Pin Hitter who can touch 10 feet! She’s a perennial all conference players and a leader on her high school and club programs. She is a lean and powerful attacker from any zone along the net with great call control and blocking as well. She is one of the most complete players in the area. She’s a 4.0 academic high achiever on top of her athletic prowess. Sydney will be attending Elon University upon graduation. </p> <p><strong>Michelle Urquart</strong> is a passionate and exceptional player to watch. She is talented in all aspects of the game and is a fierce competitor. The 5’11 Outside Hitter was a high level recruit for multiple high Mid-Major NCAA Division 1 programs before deciding on continuing her career at Tulane University. She is a joy to watch to play the game. Extremely athletic and powerful. Relentless on defense. Never say die attitude. </p> <p><img class="alignleft" src="https://cdn3.sportngin.com/attachments/roster_player_info/371b-153577548/18B_Phillips_medium.jpg" alt="18b phillips medium" width="147" height="98" /><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="111356" first="Kendall" last="Phillips"]</strong> is one of the best liberos in the state and headed to play for Wake Forest of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Kendall reads the game at an extremely high level and is a very good athlete. She had great platform awareness and control on defense and reception. She is a consistent out of system setter as well. </p> <p><img class="alignright" src="https://cdn4.sportngin.com/attachments/roster_player_info/066d-153858854/18B_Gosiene_medium.jpg" alt="18b gosiene medium" width="144" height="96" /><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>Kaytie Gosiene</strong> is another elite level defender who will assume her defensive responsibilities for the Rams at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has a great platform and is very quick on chasing down tips and errant passes. She can run a two passer serve receive system with extremely strong reading and quick feet.</span></p> <p><strong>Jillian [player_tooltip player_id="111361" first="Jiji" last="Lykins"]</strong> is a 5’9 Outside Hitter who is supremely athletic with an exceptional vertical and powerful arm swing. She hits with great power and range. She’s a great defender with explosive quickness and stellar reflexes. Despite her smallish stature for NCAA Division 1, she could contribute as a 6 rotation Outside Hitter for the Friars at Providence College. </p>