Southern Wayne senior Taylor Lee sets to a teammate during a recent practice. The four-year varsity starter is closing in on 1,000 assists for her career. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
One of three returning starters, James Kenan junior Y’Anna Rivers passes the ball to a teammate during practice. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Sometimes you to have to think outside the box.
Coaches from Southern Wayne, Spring Creek, North Dupin and James Kenan all face that dilemma on the volleyball court this season. Each team lost key players to graduation and has used offseason workouts to fill the voids left in their respective starting lineups.
Mother Nature hasn’t helped, either.
Administrators from Wayne County and Duplin County schools cancelled all extra-curricular activities for the remainder of the week due to tropical storm Debby. The decision eliminates practice and scrimmage opportunities before regular-season play opens Aug. 12.
“The school district is closely monitoring the weather forecasts for our area and will remain in close communications with local emergency management officials throughout the weather event,” according to a statement released Wednesday from Wayne County Public Schools.
Duplin officials made their announcement Tuesday.
Southern Wayne and North Duplin each advanced to the NC High School Athletic Association playoffs last season.
The Saints, directed by third-year head coach Hannah Sladick Taylor, made their second consecutive appearance in more than two decades according to association record books.
Heather Best and the Rebels made their third straight trip.
“We have been hard at working on connecting and meshing together,” Taylor said. “This team is really resilient, always pursuing the ball and fighting for the next point. With a returning setter and two returning dominate hitters, you can expect to see great setter/hitter connection [on the court this season].”
Setter Taylor Lee has two reliable and consistent weapons at the net — senior middle hitter Jy’Asha Cousins and junior Mylee Wiggs. Cousins emerged as the team leader in kills (217) and blocks (148). Wiggs posted a stat line of 138 kills, 195 digs and team-high 43 service aces.
Meanwhile, Lee dished out 318 assists, served 34 aces and collected 112 digs. She has 726 assists for her career.
Graduation took away two of the Saints’ top defensive specialists. Taylor said that junior Morgan Brimberry will return after a one-year absence. The multi-sport athlete could emerge as a defensive leader.
“With a lot of newcomers coming up from JV, you can expect to see a lot of growth throughout this season,” Taylor said. “These girls are willing to learn and put in hard work, which will pay off.”
Southern Wayne launches its 2024 campaign Aug. 12 at county rival Goldsboro High.
North Duplin
CALYPSO — Best rotated lineups during last season, so — in theory — the Rebels lost six starters.
During summer workouts, Best urged her returners and newcomers to live one mantra — have fun playing.
“My goal was to get the girls together, get to know each other, work on fundamentals and play more,” Best said. “We’ve got a real kaleidoscope of players this year from skill to age. Injuries have already snuck in and hit us, so several players will get valuable playing time and experience due to previous starters’ injuries, which will benefit the entire team not only this year, but in the future.
“I’m looking forward to seeing their progression.”
Senior middle hitter Eva Quintanilla is sidelined with a foot injury until September. Fellow returnees Lilly Fulghum (setter) and Addy Higginbotham (outside hitter) are also dealing with nagging ailments.
Fulghum doled out 336 assists a year ago. Quintanilla supplied 102 kills and 25 blocks. Higginbotham contributed 86 kills, 40 aces and 120 digs.
Playing alongside Quintanilla in the middle is senior Tateyawna Faison, a basketball standout who is a returning state qualifier in both indoor and outdoor track. Tracking the ball defensively are junior Ady Spence, libero Marissa Bernal and defensive specialist M’Chelle Jaco.
Fulghum will have sophomore Abigeal Norris Brown and junior Melany Sanchez as options on the pins.
“Definitely with Lilly setting and having two previous years on varsity with that experience is a big strength,” Best said. “She’s a leader on the court and plays all positions well. When Eva gets healthy, she will be a clutch player for us at the net.
“As well as Tateyawna’s blocking, I’m excited to see this season get started.”
North Duplin starts the year Aug. 13 at Spring Creek.
Spring Creek
SEVEN SPRINGS — Last year’s final worksheet could be misleading, especially if you listen to second-year head coach Chad Kirby.
The Gators were 3-3 in five-set matches.
They compiled a 4-4 record in their final eight outings of the season.
Five key players return in “The Swamp,” including two seniors who Kirby expects to emerge as leaders on the court — defensive specialist Sarah Kirby and middle hitter Heather Alexander.
“They have experience,” coach Kirby said.
Also back are junior Addison Cobb, junior Grady Miteu and junior Angela Billareal. All improved tremendously defensively, which is pivotal in the highly-competitive Neuse Six 2A Conference.
“My expectation is to finish top three in the conference and to compete for the conference title,” Kirby said. “This offseason, everyone showed up and put in some good work. The vibe is good. The effort is there. We’re all excited to get the season going.”
Spring Creek emerged as the co-Carolina 1A champion in 2007 and advanced to the eastern semifinals. That team won a program-best 16 contests.
Kirby’s team takes the court Aug. 13 at home against North Duplin, entertains Hobbton on Aug. 14 and is the guest of perennial independent powerhouse Wayne Country Day the following afternoon.
James Kenan
WARSAW — More options and rising talent.
Second-year Tigers head coach Katina Farrior has that mindset with the 2024 season opener at Union looming on the horizon.
Three starters graduated.
However, some considerable firepower and hustle return — senior Kierra Williams (outside hitter/setter), junior OH Ava Jones and junior OH/setter Y’Anna Rivers.
Farrior hasn’t identified the starting setter. Natalie Benitez could possibly step into that role for James Kenan, which battles in the always-tough East Central 2A.
Working at the net either as a middle or outside hitter are junior Jourdan Joe, sophomore Sienna Pender and junior Shylah Sloan.
“We’re mostly focused on getting better hits and maintaining our coverage on the floor,” Farrior said. “I feel we have more hitters this year and have multiple players that can play various positions. I expect that we will take more wins this season and play a lot stronger together as a team.”
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call 919-709-9257.
