Henderson County's Caeson Hargitt.
As always, hopes are high at Henderson County as the 2024 volleyball season gets underway.
“My biggest goal for this year’s team is to build this group of girls into a regional contender,” said new Lady Colonel head coach Kelli Harris. “We have girls that have some solid varsity experience and they love the game. I want to get them prepared to compete for the regional championship.”
Meanwhile, Union County looks to keep improving after going 13-11 a year ago, and Webster County hopes to work its way into the district picture as well.
Here is a look at each of the team’s in the 6th District:
Henderson County
The Lady Colonels have won the last three district championships and were the 2nd Region champions as recently as 2021.
Harris moves to Henderson from Grayson County, where she has 12 years of head coaching experience. During that time, she amassed a record of 210-170 with six 12th District championships.
Henderson was ranked fifth in the region in the preseason coaches’ poll, but the Lady Colonels are almost always a threat to take the 2nd Region title.
“Grace Galbraith is a senior setter with leadership skills and great hands to make her hitters look really good,” said Harris. “In our first scrimmage, Grace suffered an injury and we will be without her for the first couple weeks.
“Addi Kirtley a sophomore has stepped in to fill the setting position and is working extremely hard to get the hitters solid sets.
Harris said the Lady Colonels have a pair of big offensive weapons.
“Ava Stott is a senior outside hitter who is a serving threat and is a solid presence at the net.
“Evangeline Loffland is a sophomore outside hitter who is definitely impressive at the net. She has power and is able to place the ball and score points.”
Caeson Hargitt is a junior middle hitter who led the team in blocks last year with 58. “We will look to her to challenge the hitters on the other side of the net and become a consistent hitting threat,” said Harris.
“Kamryn Raley is a junior hitter who is really smart about placing the ball. Adding her to a front row power hitter will create defensive confusion for our opponents.”
Raley was second on the squad a year ago with 111 kills and second with 172 digs.
Ella Whitledge is a junior libero. “She is very solid with passing, defense, and leading the back row,” said Harris.
“Emmy Sword is a freshmen outside hitter that I am hopeful that she will develop for us to utilize as a power hitter. She has been ill and we are hoping that she recovers and can get back to her summer play form.”
Harris said the team plays well together.
“This group of girls are very enjoyable and are really working to take Henderson County back to the state tournament.
“I wouldn’t be able to run this program without Jordan Cannon King leading the freshmen, Brooklyn Glasscock leading the JV, and Bailey Elder who is working with our setters. I am truly blessed to be a part of Henderson County and I appreciate all the support the community has given me and this team. Our future is definitely bright.”
Webster County
First-year head coach Amy Martinez is looking for Webster County to bounce back after an 8-12 showing last season.
The Lady Trojans are just three years removed from an appearance in the 2nd Region championship match, but lost in the 6th District semifinals last season.
“Our first goal was building a strong team chemistry and improving are overall skills which I believe we have a great start at. I’m looking forward to the growth in those two areas,” said Martinez. “Of course, we also want to achieve a winning record, to finish the season with more wins than loses and win key matches.”
The top hitters from last season return in junior Chloe Soukup and senior Brooke Burton. Soukup led the team with 135 kills last season while Burton was next with 100.
Kamryn Edens, a sophomore, and Davi Outlaw, a senior, are both back after getting 136 and 122 assists, respectively, in 2023. They were also one and two in digs with 111 and 78.
Other returning players include junior Taylor Roberts, junior Ella Rakestraw, sophomore Arely Martinez, junior Natalin Wingo and junior Raynei Roy.
“Some newcomers that I will count on this season are Mylee Austin, Leah Herron, Paige Ray, Jayleigh Hill and Campbell Liggett,” said Martinez.
“As we gear up for the season, I am filled with optimism and enthusiasm. We have a team with talent and experience and I’m eager to see what we can accomplish together. I have a fantastic group of girls who are committed to the sport and each other. Their teamwork and dedication will be the foundation for our season. I look forward to the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead.”
Union County
Five seniors return for a Union County squad that took Henderson County to five sets in the 6th District championship match last season.
“We return an experienced senior class including leading hitter Dana Curry which is approaching 1K career digs,” said head coach Quaid Girten.
“However, injuries will hurt us big early season as Dana and Jaylei Davis will both be out. We will be replacing our experienced setter Jaylei (leg injury) and both middles (graduation).”
The Bravettes lost their setter to a broken leg injury this summer at their first open gym. Davis, a senior, had 385 assists a year ago.
“I believe we’ll get off to a slow start as we build a new team and deal with injuries,” said Girten. “However we have a lot of room for growth and potential to improve towards the middle to end of the season.
Curry, a senior, led the team in kills with 258 last season. She also recorded 543 digs.
Senior Addie Tamayo had 93 kills and 15 blocks.
Rheagan Clark, another senior, led the squad in service aces with 47 and was second in digs with 292.
Junior Rosella Greenwell figures to move into a more significant role on the varsity team this season after getting 24 kills and nine blocks in 2023.
Other players who will be called upon to fill the rotation include junior Ali Green, Serena Oba, senior Savannah Bickett and sophomore Claudia Wheatley.
