Coming of age: Experienced Pioneers have high hopes for 2009

By Tommy Keeler Jr. - tkeeler@nvdaily.com

Millbrook seniors, from left, Gennie McGuirk, Devon Courneya and Jordan Orndoff do a drill at the net during a practice recently. With six experienced seniors, the Pioneers should be one of the teams to beat in the Northwestern District this season. Dennis Grundman/Daily Millbrook head volleyball coach Kim Riordan talks to one of her players during a recent practice. This is Riordan's first year coaching the Pioneers. Dennis Grundman/Daily

WINCHESTER -- The last two seasons Millbrook has had young volleyball squads that have reached the postseason, but came up short in regional play. This year, with six seniors on the squad who have been together for at least the last two years, the Pioneers may be ready to hit their stride.

"I don't feel like we've ever really reached our peak," Millbrook senior Gennie McGuirk said. "I think we just keep getting better. Everybody's skill has improved. I expect us to have a really good year."

The Pioneers are once again led by McGuirk and fellow senior Devon Courneya. McGuirk was fourth in the area with 226 kills last season, while Courneya was fifth with 219. Senior Anna Comer was second in the area in blocks (82) last year, while senior setter Jordan Orndoff led the area in assists (556).

One big change for the Pioneers this season is a new coach. Kim Riordan has replaced Jen McCullough, who stepped down after last season. The players said it's been an easy adjustment with Riordan, and the team does pretty much the same drills as they did before.

Millbrook won the Northwestern District title two years ago, but finished second last season. The Pioneers lost to Western Albemarle in the Region II semifinals in 2007 and last lost to Fluvanna in the regional quarterfinals. They have gone 41-5 over the last two years.

The six seniors -- Comer, Courneya, Ashley DeRemer, McGuirk, Orndoff and Ellie Shryver -- are looking to provide even more leadership this season for the younger players as they try to close out their careers with another successful season.

"It's exciting being a senior," McGuirk said. "It's our last year. I can remember being a freshman and how scary it was and now we're the seniors. We're going to try and help out the younger girls. I think this senior group has a lot of good leadership skills."

Central

The Falcons are in a new district and are hopeful the change will bring better results this season.

The Shenandoah District will still be tough, including county rival Stonewall Jackson. Central coach Allison Huckstep said the goals for the Falcons this season aren't about wins and losses.

"We just want to give our best effort every game," Huckstep said. "I expect the girls to go out every game and put out their best effort win or lose. It's a good district and hopefully we'll be competitive."

Huckstep is relying on seniors Brea Hinegardner, Ashley Dodge, Leanna Baker and junior Lindsey Toothman to lead the way. The Falcons have eight juniors on the squad, and Huckstep said a big key will be for her team to gel together throughout the season.

Clarke County

The Eagles have plenty of obstacles this season.

Calrke County lost several key players from last year's team, including Megan Nelson, Misty Munson and Monica Mongold. The Eagles do have some vital pieces returning, led by senior hitters Amy Hagerdon (153 kills in 2008) and Molly Keesling (100 kills) and senior setter Leslie Conner (232 assists).

"I think we should probably be similar to the record we had last year," Clarke County coach Mary Brune said. "We're dealing with a whole different set of horses this year. We are going to be running a different offense this year. We have a nice base with our seniors and our returning juniors."

Brune said she's installing a quicker offense for her team to run. Senior Holly Smucker and juniors Meredith Rogers, Amelia Eyles and Casey Canterbury are also expected to be key contributors.

The Eagles will also have tough competition in the Bull Run District. Strasburg has advanced to the Group A state final the last two years, and Rappahannock County is a perennial contender for a state berth.

Handley

The Judges are no longer going to rely on their defense to win games. This season, Handley will be more offensive-minded.

Led by hitters Alex Bazdar, Emma Sweeney, Diana Kellum and Colleen Kopenhaver the Judges have looked sharp offensively in the preseason according to coach Lindsay Hazelette.

"So far our hitters have been doing really well," Hazelette said. "They're smart and level-headed. We just have more hitters this year and we're lacking defensive players like we used to have."

Seniors Kara Dixon and Maggie Martin are also expected to contribute for the Judges, as is sophomore setter Megan Kish.

James Wood

The Colonels are in a rebuilding year this season, but that doesn't mean they won't be a factor in the Northwestern District.

James Wood lost seven players from last year's squad, including Heather Armel (165 kills and 159 digs), Haley Smith (56 kills and 50 blocks) and Sara Michael (118 kills, 61 blocks and 430 assists).

However, the Colonels have some strong players to build the team around. Junior Emily Shannon led the area with 323 kills and had 131 digs. Junior Hannah Tierney had 101 kills and 72 blocks last year for the Colonels. Junior Megan Crabtree also saw valuable playing time. The Colonels also return seniors Carly Mullin (48 kills) and Cady Schaffer (284 assists and 88 digs).

James Wood also has six promising newcomers, including five sophomores.

Last year the Colonels went into the Northwestern District tournament as the No. 4 seed, but advanced to the final. They lost in five games to Millbrook with a regional berth on the line.

"I expect the district to be really strong again this year," James Wood coach Jill Lester said. "I think everybody will be battling it out for the top one or two spots. I'm really excited about the season."

Sherando

The Warriors lost their height, but still have plenty of returners to make some postseason noise.

Lauren Carter (229 kills and 60 blocks in 2008) and Haley Jacobson (194 kills and 56 blocks), who are taller than 6 feet, have graduated. But seniors Taylor Henshaw (383 assists), Megan Sirbaugh, Brooklyn Wilson, junior Lauren Wilkins (57 kills) and sophomore Morgan Sirbaugh give the Warriors plenty of experience to be a factor once again in the Northwestern District.

Last year Sherando lost to Western Albemarle in the Region II semifinals in five games, despite Carter suffering an injury early in the match.

"A lot of girls had to fill in for Lauren when she got hurt and that gave them some valuable experience. We still took it to five games, so the girls did well," Sherando coach Chuck Ashby said. "I know all the coaches [in the district] will do a good job and will have their teams ready. Hopefully, we'll be in the mix."

Skyline

First-year coach Lesley Detweiler has been making some changes to the Hawks program, but so far she likes what she sees.

Detweiler said she's been focusing a lot more on fundamentals in practice and also trying to get the players used to a quicker style of volleyball.

"I think so far they're picking things up pretty quickly," Detweiler said. "We're hoping to be competitive in the district this year. Hopefully, we can surprise a few teams."

Seniors Hannah Graham, Kristina Salazar and Brooklyn Steele will be expected to lead the way. Detweiler said junior setter Natalie Freeman and sophomore hitter Courtney Massey will also have big roles on the team.

Stonewall Jackson

With a strong nucleus returning, the Generals have reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season.

Seniors Heather Stout, Nadine Pence, Amanda Kingan, Jasmine Wymer and Brooke Gonzalez and junior setter Whitney Wilkins all return for the Generals this season. Stonewall Jackson improved with each match last season, and coach Sophie Stout is hopeful the Generals can carry that momentum into this season.

"The team unity is great," Sophie Stout said. "They work hard in practice. I really like what I see. They definitely have a lot of potential."

Strasburg

Expectations are once again high at Strasburg, where the Rams return eight players from last year's Group A state runner-up squad. Strasburg coach Suzanne Mathias said she knows other teams will be gunning for the Rams.

"I always have high expectations," Mathias said. "I expect us to go all the way back, but in order to do that, we've got to take it one day at a time and one game at a time."

Strasburg will once again be led by seniors Jenna Smoot (185 kills and 127 blocks in 2008) and Jaclyn Ayres (130 kills). Junior Lauran Agnew (91) and senior Stephanie Conde (100) give the Rams even more weapons in their explosive offense.

Strasburg won the state title in 2007 and still has several players from that squad on this year's team. The Rams were swept in the state championship match last year by Gate City.

Mathias said she expects the Bull Run District to be a difficult test for the Rams.

"I think Rappahannock County to be tough. I expect Madison County to be tough," she said. "Hopefully, we can be the toughest."

Warren County

The Wildcats return six players from last year's squad and should be improved this season.

Seniors Katie Robinson, Brooke Magalis and Becca Wheeler will look to lead the way. Juniors Paige Partlowe, Robin Mikulak and Taylor Frazier also return to the team this year.

The Wildcats have plenty of youth with five freshmen on the team, all of whom are expected to contribute this season. Junior Hannah Patrick and sophomore Brooke Rutherford will also have roles on the team.

Warren County will be in the five-team Evergreen District this year, and coach Cathy Brill said she likes the way the schedule falls for her team.

"We will have nine games in before we play any district matches," Brill said. "Last year we started off with district matches right away -- 16 is too many district matches in a season. It's going to be a tough district. Kettle Run did really well last year and Fauquier is always tough. We're looking forward to the season."