Charlotte-area private high school school volleyball 2020 season preview

The N.C. Independent Schools Board of Trustees have voted to move ahead with fall sports.

High school football practice for private schools will begin next week and games will begin Sept. 25.

Cross-country, girls tennis and girls golf can begin this week. Next week, field hockey, volleyball and boys soccer return.

We conclude our preseason previews today with volleyball.

Volleyball Teams to Watch

Cannon School: The Cougars have averaged 21 wins per season over the past five years, including a 17-7 record (10-0 in the CISAA conference) last year. Cannon returns four starters, led by reigning CISAAA player of the year Meghan Schreck (266 kills last year) and sophomore Courtney Nix, as well as seniors in Hannah Shiffert (middle hitter) and setter Taylor Geist. The Cougars will have plenty of motivation after a heartbreaking 3-2 state semifinal loss to Durham Academy last year.

Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers return five starters from an 18-win team that advanced to the NCISAA 4A state semifinals before falling to eventual state champion North Raleigh Christian. Charlotte Country Day will lean on with senior setter Kayla Spangler to direct a lineup that features seniors E.A. Hamil and Addison Pignetti, junior Sydney Schulze (301 kills last year) and sophomore Reagan Nash.

Davidson Day: The Patriots average 21 wins per season over the last three years, including at 19-1 record and NCISAA 2A state championship in 2019. This year, Davidson Day returns four starters, led by juniors Gerren Tomlin, an all-state outside hitter, all-conference setter Estella Sawyer (727 assists) and seniors Kaley Dawson and Sheridan Elliott.

Gaston Day: The reigning 2A state runner-up has averaged 25 wins the last three years, including a program-best 33 victories last year. This season, the Spartans have some key players to replace, but can lean on the all-state duo of junior outside hitter Drew Brown (349 kills last year) and senior libero, Aly DeFrancisco (402 digs last year) to lead a younger and smaller team.

Providence Day: The Chargers made strides last season (10-8) earning their first winning season since 2015. This year, rookie head coach Adam Carmen will look to build on that momentum with five starters back. They include seniors like middle blocker El Ferguson and setter Sophia Buoy (242 assists last year) as well as sophomore Maiden McLoughlin (198 kills).

Victory Christian: The Kings have been one of the most improved teams in the state the last two years, going from a one-win team in 2017 to a 12-6 squad, including the South Piedmont Athletic Association (SPAA) conference title last year. Coach Audrey Rhode does have some players to replace, but can depend on seniors like setter Kenne Forte and outside hitter Kristen Jackson. The Kings also return juniors Zoe Goole, Harmony White and sophomores Alexandra Cameron and Zaria Gool.

Volleyball Players to Watch

Drew Brown, Gaston Day, Jr.: All-state outside hitter (349 kills, 304 digs, 45 aces) will have to step into a lead role with senior Aly DeFrancisco if the Spartans are going to remain one of the state’s elite teams.

Savannah DeCarlo, Covenant Day, Jr.: Lions’ all-CISAA setter is back to direct what will be a more experienced Covenant Day offense (478 assists last year) with senior outside hitter Olivia Futch.

Caroline Hoag, SouthLake Christian, Jr.: The All-MAC performer will team with fellow all-conference teammate Olivia Kurtas to provide offense to a team that looks to get back above .500.

Kristen Jackson, Victory Christian, Sr.: The Kings senior outside hitter will team with setter Kenne Forte to try to defend their South Piedmont Athletic Association title.

Elinor Langdon, Charlotte Christian, Sr.: The Knights’ libero (382 digs) will be a key player, leader for her team in her final high school season.

Maiden McLoughlin, Providence Day, So.: Chargers’ standout had a breakout freshman year (198 kills, 192 digs).

Meghan Schreck, Cannon School, Jr.: Reigning CISAA player of the year, all-state performer (266 kills, 40 aces last year).

Kayla Spangler, Charlotte Country Day, Sr.: All-state setter is a play-making machine (595 assists, 229 digs, 45 aces last year) with more than 2,000 career assists.

Gerren Tomlin, Davidson Day, Jr.: All-state outside hitter (185 kills last year) returns to try and lead the Patriots to another state championship run.

Volleyball Players on the Rise

Isabella Bianchin, Carmel Christian, Sr.: The Cougars’ lone returning starter should be a big presence in the middle (28 blocks last year).

Carlie Deason, Jr./Caroline Townsend, Sr., Metrolina Christian: All-MAC duo helped the Warriors’ to a conference runner-up finish last year.

Darcy Dodd, Hickory Grove, Sr.: The all-MAC outside hitter is back to lead a Lions’ team looking to build on their first winning record (13-11 last year) since 2012.

Ashlyn Glover/Kennedy Young, Charlotte Christian, Srs: The Knights’ duo combined for 120 blocks last year.

Makayla Harding, Westminster Catawba, Sr.: All-MAC outside hitter hopes to help Westminster Catawba improve after getting just six wins in the last two years.

Ayden Main, Gaston Christian, Jr.: The all-MAC libero returns for the Eagles.

Hannah Shiffert, Cannon School, Sr.: 6-foot-2, all-conference middle blocker (Washington and Lee commit) brings size at the net.

Demi Stamatakos, Charlotte Latin, Sr.: The senior libero (217 digs last year) returns for one of the area’s most consistent teams.

Interesting Notes

• The Covenant Day volleyball team averaged 26 wins per season from 2013-17, but has struggled through two straight losing seasons, going 20-27.

• Gaston Christian volleyball coach Olivia Loeffler was a two-time, all-conference selection and team MVP at North Lincoln High, before playing college volleyball at Appalachian State.

• Gaston Day senior libero Aly DeFrancisco is on the 2020 American Volleyball Coaches’ Association All-American watch list.

• The SouthLake Christian volleyball team had its first losing season since 2013, going 8-11 last year. The Eagles averaged 22 wins per season from 2014-18.

• The Victory Christian volleyball team is a tight unit, but three of their players are actually from the same family: junior Zoe Gool, sophomore Zaria Gool are sisters. Harmony White is their first cousin.

Conference Predictions

CISAA Conference

1. Cannon School; 2. Charlotte Country Day; 3. Providence Day; 4. Charlotte Christian; 5. Covenant Day; 6. Charlotte Latin.

Foothills’ Athletic Conference

1. Davidson Day; 2. Statesville Christian; 3. Hickory Christian; 4. University Christian.

Metrolina Athletic Conference

1. Gaston Day; 2. Metrolina Christian; 3. Hickory Grove; 4. SouthLake Christian; 5. Gaston Christian; 6. Concord Academy; 7. Westminster Catawba.