High school volleyball preview: ‘Coach’s dream’ leads Bucs’ bid for title
Charlotte Country Day volleyball coach Anna Criss knows she’ll see Sanaa Mohammed in the gymnasium when she arrives for daily practice.
“I’ll see Sanaa in the gym, often before anyone else,” Criss said. “She’ll get here early to help set up for practice. She really enjoys being here.”
Mohammed is an outside hitter for a Buccaneer team that finished second in the state last season and figures to be an N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 4A title contender again this fall.
Mohammed, a 5-10 junior, earned all-state honors in 2024, converting more than 40 percent of her kill attempts and averaging 3.6 kills per set. She also was among the team leaders in digs.
“She is every coach’s dream,” Criss said of Mohammed. “She’s the kind of player you build a program around.”
Mohammed had to choose between basketball and volleyball. Her older brother, Sir, was a standout on a Myers Park state championship basketball team and now plays at Notre Dame.
“But I fell in love with volleyball,” she said. “I like how competitive it gets. In volleyball, when your team is working together, you all play as one. There’s nothing else like it.”
Mohammed got to know Charlotte Country Day assistant coach Laurel Shelley while playing youth volleyball.
“She talked to me about the Charlotte Country Day program,” Mohammed said. “When the time came, I checked it out. I felt at home here.”
Criss lost several leading players off last year’s team but said she has a core of standout returnees, including senior Olivia Roark, sophomore Natalie Kerrins, and Mohammed.
“We’ll have a handful of new faces, mixed with some returning players,” said Criss, who is entering her 10th season as the Buccaneers’ coach. “Some people will have different roles this season. But we have high hopes.”
She said Mohammed helps the program in many ways.
“She has all the intangibles you want in a team member,” Criss said. “Plus, she’s a great volleyball player. I’m really excited about where she can go.”
Mohammed said she worked in the offseason on her passing, but said perhaps the biggest change for her this season will be her role as a leader.
“She was a quiet leader in the past,” Criss said. “She’s more vocal now.”
Mohammed said that as a freshman, she was simply trying to learn how to fit in.
“I was a little scared,” she said. “I wanted to be good. Last year, I felt a bit more comfortable. Now I’m an upperclassman. I feel as if it’s time to be more vocal out there on the court.”
When asked about her strengths as a volleyball player, Mohammed was quick with an answer.
“I try to be a good teammate,” she said. “Sometimes it’s just a high-five. Other times, it’s a suggestion.
“And I guess I hit the ball pretty well, too.”
Mohammed said she wants to play volleyball in college, and Criss said she expects plenty of offers to come in. But in the meantime, Mohammed said, there’s this season to concentrate on.
“We want to win a state championship,” she said. “We got close last year, losing to North Raleigh Christian in the finals. We want to take the next step.”
Here is a preview of the 2025 Charlotte-area high school volleyball season:
Teams to watch
(listed alphabetically)
Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers were 20-3 last season, falling to North Raleigh Christian in the NCISAA 4A finals. With senior Olivia Roark, junior Sanaa Mohammed, and sophomore Natalie Kerrins (83 kills as a freshman) returning, coach Anna Criss’ team should contend again.
Community School of Davidson: “We’re excited about this season,” coach Betsy Miller said. And she should be, with senior defensive specialist Lila English and juniors Lizzie Shields (207 kills in 2024) and Rory Boyle (238 kills and 50 blocks) returning to a team that was 24-5 last fall.
Cox Mill: The Chargers were 21-4 last season and have potential all-state juniors Jordyn Gray and Alaina Walker returning. They look like the class of the Greater Metro 6A/7A Conference.
Davidson Day: The Patriots were 24-4 and NCISAA 3A state champs last fall. They lost their two kills leaders but return senior Alexia Hatzopoulos, junior Reese Mitchell (45 aces in 2024) and sophomore Dara Polk (47 aces as a freshman).
Gaston Day: The Spartans are defending NCISAA 2A state champions but lost Anne Bradley Bing, who led the state in kills as a senior. Returning are three players coach Derek Bing said were keys to last year’s title run — setter Mary Ellen Lovelace, libero Ava Blanton and right hitter Ciara Wallwork.
Lake Norman Charter: Last year’s team finished 22-3 with only one senior. Among the leading returnees are senior Lydia Chambers (220 kills, 58 blocks) and juniors Danielle Lewis (465 digs) and London Stewart (246 kills).
Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks lost in the NCHSAA 4A finals a year ago, and three all-state players graduated. But look for the Mavs to reload around senior Natalie Unkrich (team-leading 326 kills) and junior Victoria Simons (167 kills).
Myers Park: The Mustangs were 20-8 and reached the third round of the playoffs in 2024. Senior Anya Lee (211 kills, 117 blocks) and Elise Bellamy (144 kills as a freshman) lead the list of returnees.
North Iredell: The Warriors (28-3) lost two all-state players and another standout to graduation, but senior Mila Stewart (team leader in digs and service reception last year) and junior Kelsey Flowers (second in kills) lead a talented group of returnees.
Players to watch
Jaylynn Carter, Cuthbertson: A 5-11 junior, Carter was among state leaders in kills last season, with 398.
Madie Chapman, Highland Tech: A 5-10 senior, Chapman totaled 200 kills last season on a state semifinalist team.
Jordyn Gray, Cox Mill: Gray, a junior, had 394 kills last season, placing her among the state leaders. She is a Louisville commit.
Alexia Hatzopoulos, Davidson Day: A 5-9 senior, Hatzopoulos was among NCISAA leaders in blocks last season (43) and had 115 kills on a state championship team.
Alayna Lefebvre, Lake Norman: A 5-6 junior, Lefebvre averaged 4.1 assists per set and is a key part of the Wildcats’ hopes this season.
Riley Parker, Sun Valley: Parker, a 5-10 senior, has career totals of 741 kills, 748 digs and 247 aces.
Natalie Unkrich, Marvin Ridge: A 6-2 senior, Unkrich could be a dominating force this season. She averaged nearly 3.1 kills per set last fall.
Just noting
North Iredell is a perennial state power, but coach Dave Markland said: “This will be the biggest rebuilding challenge North Iredell has faced in five seasons.” All-staters Megyn Gaither and Kayden Flowers graduated in June. But seniors Maggie Mahaffey and Kinley Feimster, who both missed last season with injuries, are returning this fall.
Union County has no shortage of strong teams. Marvin Ridge was 4A runner-up last season, Weddington has nearly all its players back from a 17-10 team, and both Cuthbertson and Sun Valley have potential all-state players on their rosters.
Pine Lake Prep could be poised for a breakthrough this season. The Pride lost only one player from a 20-4 team.
It’s a new world this season in North Carolina prep sports, with the NCHSAA realignment and expansion from four classes to eight. And it looks as if the 7A classification could be very competitive. It includes area powers Marvin Ridge, Weddington, Cox Mill and Lake Norman. North Iredell is 6A. Lake Norman Charter is 4A. Community School of Davidson and Highland Tech are 2A.
A notable coaching change this season — Jan Dowling, who built a state power at West Rowan, has moved to Cox Mill. Dowling was 175-74 in 10 seasons at West Rowan.
