varsity.roanoke.com

JEANNA DUERSCHERL The Roanoke Times

Jessica Church, a senior at Hidden Valley High School, bumps the ball during a drill. Church will move to the libero position this year.

Despite opening just six years ago, Hidden Valley High School has captured state championships in swimming, tennis, basketball and soccer.

The Titans hope volleyball will join that list.

Hidden Valley captured the 2007 Region IV championship and advanced all the way to the VHSL Group AA quarterfinals before falling to Roanoke County rival Northside.

Hidden Valley has produced some strong teams in the past, but the Titans have never been the best team within a two-mile radius.

That distinction has always belonged to Hidden Valley's parent school, Cave Spring.

The Knights have been a dominant Group AA program, winning the state title four times from 2002-2006.

Hidden Valley lost to Cave Spring in last year's River Ridge District tournament, but they won both regular season matches. It marked the Titans' first ever victory over the Knights.

"We've been building," said Carla Poff , who is entering her fourth season as head coach. "In the past, they might have been a little stronger, while our stronger players were a little younger."

Leading the way this fall for the Titans are two seniors, setter Eva Delaney and outside hitter Jessica Church. Both were named second-team All-Timesland last year.

Delaney recorded 73 aces and 1,027 assists -- just 16 shy of the school's career record of 1,043.

Church, who will move to libero for her senior season, also registered 73 aces to go along with 39 digs and 265 kills.

Samantha Klostermann, a transfer from William Byrd, will step in at outside hitter.

The River Ridge District always produces some of the best players and teams in the state, and this year looks to be no different.

Salem, which also made it to the state quarterfinals in 2007, and Cave Spring are both more than capable of taking home the district title.

Wide open Blue Ridge

Although they had just seven players on the team, Northside won the Blue Ridge District and advanced to the Group AA state semifinals in 2007.

At 6-foot-3, senior Rachel Fertitta was the Vikings' heart and soul.

Fertitta, who will play at Emory & Henry College this season, tallied 512 kills and 140 blocks while serving at 97 percent.

To help counter that loss, Samantha Barney, an all-district middle hitter last season, is moving to outside hitter.

Lord Botetourt could give the Vikings some problems, as district player of the year MacKenzie Tyree returns for her senior season.

Among other accomplishments, Tyree set the school-record for digs in a match (44) and digs in a season (555).

William Byrd lost its best player when Klostermann transferred to Hidden Valley, but a new head coach could help kick-start the program.

Amanda Stump, a former William Byrd player, will take over the head coaching duties in 2008.

Juggling act

Patrick Henry head coach Pat Sheedy is taking on a different role this season.

In addition to coaching volleyball, Sheedy is entering her first season as the Patriots' athletic director.

"I'm enjoying the change of pace," Sheedy said. "I enjoy working with the other coaches and the other programs, so it's been a nice experience for the first month and a half."

Sheedy insists her new position won't interfere with her commitment to volleyball.

Second-team All-Timesland outside hitter Jenny Young returns from last year's team that went 18-6 and claimed the Western Valley District championship.

Battle in the Three Rivers

Glenvar must replace four starters from last year's team that finished 23-3 and reached the Group A state quarterfinals.

The return of first-team All-Timesland performer Liz Trinchere should ease that transition.

Trinchere set the single-season school record for kills (441) and digs (359), while leading the Highlanders with 86 blocks last season.

"She's pretty dominant offensively and defensively," Glenvar head coach Mark Rohrback said. "She brings a lot of experience, and all-the-way-around, she's rock solid."

Glenvar has won the Three Rivers District title three years in a row, but according to several area coaches, Auburn is in a position to end that streak.

"They push us every year," Rohrback said. "Every time we get together it's a great match."

Change in the Mountain Empire

Grayson County head coach Charles Campbell has resigned after leading the Blue Devils to seven Mountain Empire District regular-season titles in 10 years.

From eighth grade through the varsity level, Campbell and his wife, Jill, were the only two coaches in the Grayson County program.

Campbell said that managing three teams while trying to raise a family became too much to handle.

Campbell, who will continue to work with athletics at the middle school level, accumulated a 178-51 overall record and was named the 2007 Timesland Coach of the Year.

Daniel Collins, a volunteer assistant at Galax last season, will try to keep the program rolling.

His work is cut out for him.

The Blue Devils finished 25-2 and reached the Group A state semifinals in 2007, but all eight players from last year's team graduated, including Timesland player of the year and UVa-Wise signee Mikaela Anders.

On the brink

Galax head coach Rose Houk is on the verge of joining a very exclusive club.

Houk, who is entering her 28th season at Galax, needs just 14 wins for her 300th career victory.

Galax finished 15-8 last season, but the Maroon Tide's only district losses were to Grayson County. Galax lost in the Region C quarterfinals at Glenvar.

As the Virginia High School Coaches Association's all-star volleyball game coordinator, Houk has witnessed the sport's rise in popularity throughout the area.

"Southwest Virginia volleyball is stronger, better and more competitive than ever," Houk said.