Jordan Dry (3) and Ava Corl (20) celebrate.

Kaceyann Nielsen Photography.

 

By Mike London

mike.london@salisburypost.com

First in a series of volleyball reports …

GRANITE QUARRY — Memories of East Rowan’s breakthrough, 20-win season in 2022 are still strong in Granite Quarry.

East subtracted current college players Leah Hinceman, Riley Hill and Anasty Faavesi from that group and understandably took a step back to 11 wins in 2023. You don’t lose players like those three and not take a step back.

The 2024 edition of the Mustangs probably will finish somewhere in between those two teams. East probably isn’t as talented as it was in 2022, but it has lot more experience than it was a year ago.

“Our girls have improved quite a bit and the program is in good shape,” said East coach Sandy Lytton, who started her ninth season at the helm a few weeks ago. “We’ve got a full varsity team and a full jayvee team. We’ve got strong numbers, and we’ve still got very good athletes, girls who love to compete.”

East has started 5-4, including several road matches in tournament settings. East is off to a 3-1 start in the always competitive South Piedmont Conference. The loss was a disappointing one — 3-0 to Carson on Wednesday.

“We played pretty well the first two sets against Carson and held our own,” Lytton said. “But Carson has a strong group of girls who have been playing club ball together for a while, they made better decisions than we did and they pulled away from us. Carson has a hitter (Reese Joyner) who was unstoppable and one of the best liberos (Kaylee Thonen) anywhere around.”

Lake Norman Charter and South Rowan were SPC co-champs a year ago and are still strong. West Rowan has to drop off some without two-time Rowan County Athlete of the Year Emma Clarke, but the Falcons still have proven players. The Cabarrus schools won’t be pushovers. They look to be considerably tougher than they’ve been in recent years.

“They had some re-districting in Cabarrus, and some of those schools added volleyball players,” Lytton said. “It’s going to be a very challenging league. I think those tough, early non-conference games we’ve played are really going to help us, and we’ve got some more of those scheduled.”

East returns the two girls who provided the bulk of the kills last season. Cameron Ostle produced 345 kills, while Alli Corl had 202.

“They’re very strong hitters, but beyond that, they’re good volleyball players,” Lytton said. “They’re versatile. They can do about everything”

Madalynn Tigert, the super softball pitcher, makes an impact in volleyball with devastating serves. The sophomore had 53 aces in 2003 to lead the team.

“She’s one of those special athletes,” Lytton said. “Amazing server.”

East plans to get taller and more formidable at the net in a few weeks, as Lytton hopes Leigan Lusk will be able to return from an ankle injury. Lusk, a junior, is a 6-foot middle blocker with experience.

Kady Collins, a tall, athletic girl who also plays basketball and softball, has been handling most of the action in the middle. Ella Lowry, a freshman blessed with height, was expected to be a jayvee, but she’s been getting varsity reps with Lusk sidelined.

Jordan Dry anchors the back-row defense as the libero. She paced East in digs last season and probably will do so again. Dry is also the key Mustang on serve receive.

“Jordan takes a lot of balls,” Lytton said.

Jacee Eudy returns as the lead setter, and she’s also good on defense.

Alyssa Hollar is another capable setter, so the Mustangs will sometimes use a 6-2 formation.

Brooklyn Buck is a defensive specialist who shines on serve receive.

Ava Corl, Alli’s twin, sets some action as a right side hitter.

Seniors Seeley Adams and Kierstin Eagle are utility players who can be plugged into several spots.