61 South Shore, Brockton-area high school volleyball players to watch in 2023

After a long offseason, high school girls volleyball has resumed play across the South Shore and Brockton area.

Flashing back to last season, there were plenty local teams in the state tournament. West Bridgewater, Canton, Duxbury, Rockland, Norwell, North Quincy and Milton were among the ones that went the furthest.

So, leading into the 2023 season, we reached out to as many coaches and athletic directors as we could to round up the names of likely future All-Scholastics and all-around players to know.

Here is the group of 61 that we got:

Ava Healey, Abington

Junior outside hitter is a captain heading into her second varsity season. Said coach Thomas Carey, "Ava is a relentless worker, a consummate teammate and someone all of the girls look up to."

Brenna O'Brien, Abington

Sophomore hitter is heading into her second varsity season, who, according to coach Thomas Carey, is an "all-around volleyball athlete that excels in hitting, passing, and serving."

Emma Townsend, Braintree

Junior outside hitter looks to take a leadership role as one of the Wamps' returning starters from last season.

Frankie Spadorica, Braintree

This junior made the move from soccer to volleyball and led Braintree with 40 blocks and totaled 55 kills in her first varsity season last year. Coach Kaileen Spaulding says Spadorica looks to be the team's top offensive weapon.

Kate Sweeney, Braintree

Freshman outside hitter is a newcomer to the team this season. Said coach Kaileen Spaulding, "Kate is going to be a spark for us. She can serve, hit and play defense."

Kesmyn Alves, Brockton

Senior outside hitter spent her last two varsity seasons tending to injuries, but coach Emily Burke said Alves is "a determined and relentless athlete" and "she hasn't let (injuries) deter her from honing her skills in the offseason and coming back stronger for her senior season."

Janasia Brandao, Brockton

Junior outside hitter will be one of the Boxers' top playmakers this fall. Said coach Emily Burke, "Janasia is a player whose love for volleyball grew quickly, alongside her skills."

Jillian Russell, Bridgewater-Raynham

Senior setter is a team captain for the Trojans this fall. Said coach Maria Serrano, "Jillian will give her all on the court and make the right decision for the team."

Caitlin Buron, Bridgewater-Raynham

Junior middle hitter is a team captain. Said coach Maria Serrano, "CJ will bring determination and motivation to the team."

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Lilian Berman, Bridgewater-Raynham

Coach Maria Serrano said this junior outside hitter "will bring her quick thinking and killer hits to the team."

Erin Bigham, Canton

Sophomore was nominated for the Patriot Ledger's Player of the Week with a 33-assist outing in a 3-0 sweep of North Quincy early in the season.

Lydiah Donahue-Wilfred, Cardinal Spellman

Junior captain totaled 33 kills in 100 attempts last fall.

Ella Faich, Cardinal Spellman

Junior setter is a team captain for the Cardinals.

Devyn Dubose, Cardinal Spellman

This junior, like teammates Donahue-Wilfred and Faich, will be counted as a leader due to the fact this year's Cardinal Spellman squad has no seniors.

Julia Grimes, Carver

Junior outside hitter led the Crusaders with 46 aces and 33 kills as last season's team MVP. Said coach Morgan Bardetti, "She is an all-around talented player with natural ability and instinct for the game."

Amanda Byron, Carver

Junior outside hitter totaled 54 aces last season. Coach Morgan Bardetti called Byron a "powerhouse server" who is "hardworking, talented, and a true leader on the court."

Mackenzie Wall, Carver

Coach Morgan Bardetti called this senior setter, a team captain, "the epitome of a leader. Her communication on and off the court are essential to our game strategy."

Casey Nichols, Cohasset

Senior setter is one of the captains for the Skippers' first varsity season. Said Nichols, “When we were playing JV games last season, we all thought ‘Just wait. We’ve got a really good team and we are going to surprise a lot of people. We were all like, We've got this.'"

Clouette Lyons, Cohasset

Senior libero to play a key role for the Skippers this season.

Taylor Soderberg, Cohasset

Senior outside hitter is one of the Skippers' top playmakers in their first season as a varsity program.

Adriana Amicangioli, East Bridgewater

Coach Andrew MacDonald said this junior is "very solid everywhere on the court, but is very dangerous as an outside hitter. We will look to Adriana to help lead us offensively.

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Miley Delcarmen, East Bridgewater

Coach Andrew MacDonald said this eighth grader has "showcased very strong overall skills as a volleyball player and is a very strong server." He added, "Miley is the type of player that will be very fun to watch this year and in the future."

Tessa Madden, Hanover

Sophomore outside hitter had 23 aces, 33 kills and 113 digs, which ranked second on the team last year. She will be a six rotation player for the Hawks this season. Said coach Colleen Smith, "Tess brings energy and intensity to the court and finds a way to be involved in almost every play."

Noey Giardina, Hanover

This junior will transition from the middle to the outside for the Hawks this season. Said coach Colleen Smith, "Noey’s natural athletic abilities make her a versatile player and we hope that moving her to outside will give us another option up front to open up the offense."

Claire Kenney, Hanover

Senior middle and outside hitter is a captain and three-year starter who had 31 aces, 50 kills and 208 digs while filling in at libero last fall.

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Emma Pereira, Middleboro

Senior outside hitter will be stepping into a primary role as one of Middleboro's two outside hitters.

Isabelle Thornton, Middleboro

Senior middle hitter returns for a second varsity season for the Sachems.

Ava Bryan, North Quincy

Senior middle hitter is a four-year varsity player and team captain. Said coach Caitlin Plaskasovitis, "Ava is solid all the way around. She is coachable. She listens and makes adjustments on the spot. She leads with her actions and her positivity. Ava is calm under pressure and her teammates feed off of her energy."

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Brooklyn Rizzo, North Quincy

Senior outside hitter is a returning varsity starter who also shines on the service line.

Kathy Mo, North Quincy

Coach Caitlin Plaskasovitis said this senior libero "is in constant motion and refuses to let a ball drop."

Madison Davis, Norwell

Senior setter led the Clippers with 189 assists and was third on the team with 87 digs last fall.

Ethan Guarachi, Norwell

Senior libero is a returning a four-year starter who finished as a MVP runner-up in the Patriot League last year, leading the Clippers with 304 digs and 97 aces. Said coach Scott Gilmartin, "EJ is an incredibly smart player. He covers and sees the floor really well. EJ keeps the team loose when needed. As one of our top players, we are able to move him around in our serving line for either of our middles."

Isabella Woodman, Norwell

Senior led the Clippers in kills with 115 last year and was second on the team in aces.

Olivia Flaherty, Notre Dame Academy

Senior outside hitter is a five-year starter and two-year captain. She has played in 228 career sets and compiled 480 Kills and 182 aces as a two-time Catholic Conference All-Star, Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic.

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Ava Orlando, Notre Dame Academy

Junior libero is a three-year starter who has played in 109 career sets and totaled 193 digs, over 500 serve receives and 38 aces for the Cougars. She is an All-Scholastic selection on the basketball court. Said coach Robin Lee, Orlando is "a natural-born athlete with talented beyond words."

Sofia Danick, Notre Dame Academy

Senior setter is a two-year starter and team captain for the Cougars. In her first year as a varsity starter, Danick played in 77 sets, had 61 aces, 293 assists and a 90 percent serve percentage.

Sarah Hilliard, Oliver Ames

Senior outside hitter is a team captain for the Tigers. She is a returning Hockomock All-Star who recently announced her commitment to play Division 1 volleyball at Bucknell University.

Rachel Fleischman, Oliver Ames

Senior libero is a team captain. She is one of the one of the top five defenders in the Hockomock League, according to coach Chelsea Cunningham.

Clare Kavolius, Oliver Ames

Junior setter is one of the top five setters in the Hockomock League, according to coach Chelsea Cunningham.

Mia Murray, Pembroke

Sophomore outside hitter is one of the Titans' few returning starters from last year. Said coach John Turner, "Really excited to see what Mia is capable of this year after a very strong freshman season. Plays all around the court and is already a strong leader in the gym."

Heather Boyce, Pembroke

Senior middle hitter is a team captain for the Titans this fall. Said coach John Turner, "Heather is a class example of consistency in my program, from the way she prepares to the way she plays the game. A strong presence in the middle, both offensively and defensively."

Ava Bouphavongsa, Pembroke

Junior setter found herself on varsity late into her sophomore season, and was named a captain this fall. Said coach John Turner, "Very athletic player that can cover the entire court while commanding an offense. I see her having a big junior year."

Destiny Francis, Quincy

Junior is a strong hitter and blocker from the middle for the Presidents.

Alyssa Hopps, Quincy

Coach Jacqui Niosi said this junior outside/middle hitter "is a great athlete and plays all the way around.  She has been working hard this preseason and will hopefully have a big impact for our team."

Paige Mann, Quincy

Senior hitter was primarily a setter last year but will get more chances to take more swings herself this fall.

Maggie Elie, Rockland

Senior setter is a four-year starter, two-time South Shore League All-Star, 2022 SSL Tobin Division MVP and Enterprise All-Scholastic. Said coach Emily Adams, "Maggie has an incredible work ethic and positive impact on the court. She is always making plays that no other player could get to. Her hustle and dedication to the game shines through each time she touches the ball."

Tori Hynes, Rockland

Senior middle hitter is a two-year varsity starter who made the move from soccer to volleyball last fall.

Nayla Chaves, Rockland

Senior middle hitter enters her second season as a varsity starter. She was named a South Shore League All-Star last fall.

Lauren Thompson, Scituate

Junior outside hitter had a breakout sophomore season last fall, totaling 125 kills to lead Scituate to its first ever postseason run. Said coach Jen Harris, "She’s a quick, smart six-rotation player who can terminate from any zone, including back row."

Anna Bradley, Scituate

Coach Jen Harris said this sophomore middle hitter "burst onto the scene last year as a freshman, and quickly became noticed for her powerful swing and block timing. She is sure to make a large offensive impact (this fall)."

Sumner Harris, Scituate

Senior setter is a four year varsity starter and two-year captain who recorded 48 aces and 165 digs last season.

Reese Helisek, Silver Lake

Junior setter had 128 assists, 21 aces, and 76 digs last season.  Said coach Brette Blette, "She is in position to run the team's offense and be a playmaker."

Delaney Moquin, Silver Lake

Junior middle hitter had 54 kills, 10 blocks, and 18 aces last year. Said coach Brette Blette, "She will be a threat at the net, both offensively and defensively.

Elora Coffey, Silver Lake

Said coach Brette Blette, this sophomore libero "has shown that she can be a defensive force and will help our team transition from defense to offensive opportunities."

Mia Bradshaw, South Shore Tech

Bradshaw served 32-for-32 with 7 aces and 13 assists as the Vikings defeated Blue Hills, 3-2, early in the season.

Hannah Nota, South Shore Tech

Nota had six kills and 25 digs in a win over Blue Hills this season.

Alyssa Viola, South Shore Tech

Viola served 28-for-29 with four aces in a win over Blue Hills early this season.

Brooke Robichaud and Ava Harkins, West Bridgewater

Robichaud, a senior setter, and Harkins, a junior setter, are two team captains that coach Karen Pennington says "run the court as one." Robichaud was the co-Player of the Year in the Mayflower League. Together, they have a 95 percent serve rate and have less than eight combined setting errors. Said Pennington, "They’ve been together since Ava was a seventh grader. Communication is done without words."

Jenella Jacobs, West Bridgewater

Senior is "super strong with blocking, and her hitting continues to improve," said coach Karen Pennington.

Jasmine Paulsen, West Bridgewater

This eighth grader is a player to watch as she progresses, said coach Karen Pennington. "Amazing maturity from such a young player."

Caroline Gray, Whitman-Hanson

Junior setter is a has been a starter since her freshman year. Coming into the season, she has career totals of 937 assists, 73 aces and 104 kills and has led the Panthers to the state tournament each of her first two seasons on varsity.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: 61 players to watch across South Shore high school volleyball