Shenandoah District Volleyball Returns Top-Tier Talent

Shenandoah District volleyball fans will be watching some of the best action in state this fall when the season gets underway in a couple of weeks.

Thirteen of the 20 all-district performers from a year ago are currently slated to be back on the court this season. Plus, Region 3C champion Alleghany along with a tradition rich Rockbridge County team will be joining the district for 2025.

Here’s a look at who will be returning to action for the upcoming season.

Fort Defiance ruled the Shenandoah a year ago and advanced all the way to the Class 2 state championship game where the Indians fell to Ridgeview.

The Fort returns three all-state performers from a year ago, including the Shenandoah District and Region 2B Player of the Year and first-team all-state selection Maecy Frizzelle. Sophomore Caroline Hanger and defensive specialist Norah Anderson were second-team all-state picks. Also back is middle hitter Savannah Crookshanks, a second-team all-district selection.

Wilson Memorial figures to be one of the teams capable of challenging Fort Defiance. The Hornet finished 13-8 a year ago, losing in the first match of the Region 3C tournament to Brookville in five sets. Wilson took Fort to five sets late in the season and also took Alleghany, a Class 3 state quarterfinalist, to five sets. More on Alleghany later.

Wilson returns three all-district performers, including first-team picks setter Bree Kindig and hitter Katie Lawhorn. Estee Irving is back after earning second-team all-district recognition in 2024. Kindig was also a first-team All-Region 3C selection. The Hornets should have good depth this season with members of the district JV championship team adding a talent boost to the varsity roster.

Alleghany lost some talent from its Three Rivers District championship squad, but the Cougars return Kendra Dressler, a first-team all-district pick, along with second-team pick Hannah Hensley. Alleghany finished 23-5 a year ago, falling in the state quarterfinals to Christiansburg. The Cougars were 7-0 against teams they will face in district play this season (3-0 vs. Rockbridge, 2-0 vs. Wilson and 2-0 vs. Stuarts Draft).

Rockbridge finished 12-12 a year ago but the Wildcats did qualify for the Region 3C tournament. Jada Hamilton, a first-team All-Valley District performer and a second-team all-region selection, return to lead the Cats. Also back in Mackenzie McCormick, a second-team All-Valley District pick. Rockbridge went 0-2 a year ago against Fort Defiance.

Staunton and Waynesboro could also make some noise this season.

The Storm has a new head coach with former Mary Baldwin University head coach Jody Lohr now at the helm. A solid nucleus of varsity talent returns and will receive a boost from a talented junior varsity team. Staunton setter Kaylan Herron, a first-team, all-district selection returns to lead the Storm. Also returning is senior Saraiah Lassiter, s second-team, all-district pick a year ago.

Waynesboro also returns a strong nucleus, led by first-team, all-district pick Morgan Sites. Jordan Smith and Aaliyah Diggs, both second-team, all-district selections also return.

Buffalo Gap will look to sophomores Bailey Tribble and Avery Wheeler to lead the way this season. Both were second-team All-Region 1B picks with Tribble also earning a spot on the all-district second team.

Riverheads drops back down to Class 1 this season. The Gladiators have just one senior on the varsity but do have several players with varsity experience.

Stuarts Draft starts a rebuilding process with Jess Bergan DeWitt beginning her first season as the program’s head coach.

NOTE: Harper Carter was named to the all-district second team a year ago as a freshman at Buffalo Gap. Carter has transferred to Fort Defiance and will not play this season.