Fall Sports Preview: The top Faces of the Fall
High School fall sports season begins Monday in the Observer’s coverage area.
To preview the season, the Observer gathered a collection of the area’s top players, by sport. Meet them here and get more preview coverage, including players to watch and teams to watch by sport, at charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school
Boys’ Soccer:A.J. Whisenant, Hough
Class: Sophomore
2014 Stats: 26 goals, six assists, all-state, all-region, all-MECKA 4A conference.
Why Him?: Huskies sophomore forward was only freshman to be named all-state (N.C. coaches’ association) and is back to lead a Hough team that believes it can improve on its 4A state semifinal run from a year ago.
Volleyball: Sarah Billiard, Covenant Day
Class: Junior
2014 Stats: All-state outside hitter had 265 kills, 200 digs, 27 blocks for NCISAA 3A state runner-up.
Why Her?: University of Virginia volleyball commit (265 kills last year) is also a standout basketball player for the Lions, averaged 18 points and 16 rebounds last season.
Girls’ Golf: Moon Cheong, Charlotte Latin
Class: Junior
2014 Stats: All-state performer finished 3rd at both the NCISAA state and conference meet.
Why Her?: Cheong, only 15, is a two-time all-state player, who recently qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur in Portland (OR), and has 4.2 grade-point average.
Girls’ Tennis: Gabyand Katie Soden,Myers Park
Class: Gaby, senior; Katie, junior
2014 Stats: Gaby, 13-4 singles last year; Katie 14-2 singles last year; 15-7 together as doubles’ team, made it to 4A state semifinals.
Why Them?: The Soden sisters proved to two of the state’s best doubles players while helping the 4A state runner-up, Mustangs to a 16-1 record.
Girls’ Cross Country:Lexi King, Marvin Ridge
Class: Junior
2014 Stats: 4th at state, 3A Midwest, Southern Carolinas’ conference, and Union County champion.
Why Her?: King is one of the best long-distance runners in cross country, outdoor and indoor track, and now looks to add another state championship to her resume this fall.
Boys’ Cross Country: Mitchell Resor, Weddington
Class: Senior
2014 Stats: 3A West Regional champion, Southern Carolinas’ conference and Union County runner-up, 3rd at 3A state meet.
Why Him?: Resor has proven he is one of the best distance runners on the state and is on the verge of doubling as 3A state individual and team champion.
Field Hockey:Kathryn Holland, Country Day
Class: Senior
2014 Stats: 20 goals, three assists.
Why Her?: Two-time all-state forward had six game-winning goals last year, including the decisive score in Bucs’ 1-0 overtime victory over Durham Academy. Holland is a Division I field hockey recruit, according to Country Day coach Lisa Thompson.
This story was originally published August 16, 2015 at 7:15 PM with the headline "Fall Sports Preview: The top Faces of the Fall."