Meet the top 26 high school girls volleyball players from the SouthCoast to watch in 2023
Only two of the top eight girls volleyball players from 2022 are back this fall, opening the door for some up-and-coming players to make a name for themselves on courts across the SouthCoast.
Dartmouth’s Adeline Ablett and Old Rochester’s Aubrie Letourneau, a pair of 2022 Standard-Times Super Teamers, are looking to help their respective teams make another deep tournament run as both squads reached the state semifinals of their division a year ago.
Bishop Stang, New Bedford and Old Colony are hoping to get back in the tournament after failing to qualify a year ago.
Here’s a look at the top 26 girls volleyball players to watch on the SouthCoast in 2023:
Kohana Fontinha, Apponequet
Fontinha has developed into a steady presence on the court as a junior setter for the Lakers. “Kohana has great eyes for reading the ball,” said Apponequet head coach Meg Giammalvo. “She’s quick to the ball and betters the ball every chance she can.”
Caitlin Gleavy, Apponequet
Gleavy will take charge as a senior middle hitter/blocker this year. “I’m looking for her to be a big block this year,” Giammalvo said. “She has experience in the middle. She’s even developed her swing.”
Delaney Jacobsen, Apponequet
Jacobsen provides experience and knowledge as a senior outside hitter. “Delaney is very consistent,” Giammalvo said. “She has a positive attitude and her volleyball knowledge on the court is strong.”
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Darian Dias, Bishop Stang
Dias enters her junior year closing in on 1,000 digs as a libero. “Darian is one of the most aggressive back-row players I’ve had,” said Bishop Stang head coach Amanda Tarantelli. “She knows she can get to any ball and she gets to any ball.”
Lilly Manning, Bishop Stang
The senior outside hitter is a force in the front row and behind the service line. “She’s got a strong serve and a strong swing at the net,” said Tarantelli.
Adeline Ablett, Dartmouth
Ablett is coming off a breakthrough junior year in which she was second on her team with 193 kills as a middle hitter, helping Dartmouth make a historic run to the Div. 2 Final Four for the first time. “Adeline is our height. She’s got long arms,” said Dartmouth head coach Rachel Lassey of the 2022 Super Teamer. “When we can get her going, she can make the defenses work for every dig they get.”
Brooke Davis, Dartmouth
A three-year starter and senior captain, Davis is looking for a big season as an outside hitter for Dartmouth. “Brooke is my go-to when you need to get a job done,” Lassey said. “She ‘s going to put every ball in play. She’s very smart and has a high hitting percentage. She does the job and does it well.”
Haley Jenkins, Dartmouth
Jenkins made a big jump from last year to this year and should be an impact player for Dartmouth as a senior middle hitter. “Haley was really good last year, but she’s really taken it to another level,” Lassey said. “She’s quick and explosive and dangerous at the net in the middle.”
Gaby Velazquez, Dartmouth
Velazquez rose to the occasion last year when she took on the duties as a libero. This year she’ll provide leadership and experience as a four-year starter and captain. “Gaby made the biggest transition,” Lassey said. “She’s very versatile. She has her hands on everything and she’s phenomenal on defense.”
Danica Anderson, Fairhaven
The Blue Devils will look for Anderson to control net play as a senior middle. “Danica is a very big block,” said Fairhaven head coach Tara Costa. “Just her presence at the net and her experience of being a bigger, better blocker, we’re hoping she’s going to be a defensive weapon for us.”
Kiana Coppa, Fairhaven
As a senior outside hitter and six-rotation player, Coppa does it all and does it well. “She’s improved our serve receive and defense,” Costa said. “She’s a very smart player. She sees the court very well. She knows what to do.”
Elle McCormack, GNB Voc-Tech
A three-year varsity player, McCormack provides experience and knowledge of the game to the Bears as a junior setter. “She’s such a smart kid,” said GNB Voc-Tech head coach Erika Kosta. “She sees the game very well. She’s really in touch with the strengths and weaknesses of our team.”
Layna Ross, GNB Voc-Tech
A varsity player since her freshman year, Ross is looking to leave her mark as a senior middle hitter this fall. “She had made the biggest leap from when she came in until her senior year,” Kosta said. “She’s stepping into her own. She can take over a game.”
Morgan Teves, GNB Voc-Tech
Teves is due for a big year as a junior outside hitter. “She’s made a huge improvement from freshman year,” Kosta said. “She put a lot of work into the offseason and she’s growing into a confident player.”
Lily Gonet, New Bedford
Gonet enters her second year as New Bedford’s starting setter as a junior. “She plugged in last year as a sophomore setter,” said New Bedford head coach Jeff Longo. “She has a natural volleyball IQ. She continues to develop. She can go up and get aggressive and swing too.”
Annabelle Huston, New Bedford
Huston does it all for the Whalers as a senior outside hitter. “She’s a good leader,” said Longo. “When she can get a hold of the ball, she can hit. She can play defense and she can serve.”
McKenna, Benoit, Old Colony
The senior outside hitter has become more dangerous at the net. “McKenna has always been a strong hitter and had a nice swing,” said Old Colony head coach Lauren McGowan. “During the club season, she learned how to find holes in the opposing team's defense.”
Madison Laughlin, Old Colony
The Cougars are looking for a big presence at the net by the senior middle hitter/blocker. “Maddie is known more for her blocking,” McGowan said. “She’s always had the fundamentals and now she’s perfected the timing and reading other team’s hitters.”
Caroline Brogioli, Old Rochester
Old Rochester head coach Jimmy Oliveira has been impressed with Brogioli’s development entering her junior year at libero. “She has to be the surprise of the offseason,” Oliveira said. “She doesn't play much volleyball in the offseason, but the strides she has made since last season is amazing. She’s great at reading the ball.”
Aubrie Letourneau, Old Rochester
A two-time Standard-Times Super Teamer, Letourneau, a junior, enters her third year as Old Rochester’s starting setter. “She has the most experience out of the majority of the players in the SouthCoast,” Oliveira said. “She’s such a smart player. It’s impressive to see such a huge improvement from season to season.”
Camryn Rodrigues, Old Rochester
As the Bulldogs look to make another deep tournament run, they’ll look to the senior right-side hitter. “She has just as much experience as Aubrie; starting on the right side when we won the state championship (in 2021),” Oliveira said. “She brings a lot of experience and leadership to the team.”
Ava Vander Pole, Old Rochester
In her second year on varsity, Vander Pole is expected to make contributions this year as a sophomore outside hitter. “She looks a lot more confident this year,” said Oliveira. “We’re looking forward to her having a bigger role in our offense.”
Cami Van Ness, Old Rochester
Van Ness will be Old Rochester’s go-to outside hitter as a junior. “Cami brings a lot of power for us,” Oliveira said. “She’s a confident player.”
Riley Florindo, Wareham
The Vikings will look to Florindo, a junior libero, to set the tone on defense. “She hones in and focuses so much,” said Wareham head coach Allyson Collette. “She has the mentality of getting every ball.”
Evelyn Francis, Wareham
As a two-year starter, Francis will do it all for Wareham as a junior middle. “She’s probably our most powerful player, but she’s a good passer too,” Collette said. “She’s our most consistent passer, hitter and server.”
Olivia LaCava, Wareham
In her second year setting for Wareham, LaCava has become more of a leader on the court. “We’re working on her running the court and being loud,” Collette said. “And getting her to be a confident sophomore setter.”
TEAM-BY-TEAM CAPSULES
APPONEQUET
Head coach: Meg Giammalvo
Last year’s record: 8-14
Top returners: Delaney Jacobsen, Sr., OH; Kohana Fontinha, Jr., S; Adriana Graca, Sr., S; Sofia; Estrella, Sr., OH; Elise Horton, So., MH; Caitlin Gleavy, Sr., MH.
Key newcomers: Orianna Hernandez, Jr., Opposite; Eva Zuber, Sr., OH.
Outlook: With a strong core of returning players, coach Giammalvo has high expectations for this fall after winning one playoff game a year ago. “I would like for us to make it to the tournament again this year and go above .500,” she said. “We have cohesiveness on the court. We have a lot of returners within the program. I feel that after playing for a few seasons now at the level we’ve been at, those are our strengths.”
BISHOP STANG
Head coach: Amanda Tarantelli
Last year’s record: 5-13
Top returners: Lilly Surprenant, Sr., S; Lilly Manning, Sr., OH; Ali James, Sr., MH; Darian Dias, Jr., L; Olivia Mlynek, Jr., M.
Key newcomers: Maggie Martin, So., OH; Kirstyn Mello, Sr., DS.
Outlook: Interest in girls volleyball is booming at Bishop Stang. The Spartans had their biggest turnout for tryouts under Tarantelli with more than 60 girls, including 22 freshmen. “That’s the most since I’ve been here,” she said. The Spartans have a strong returning core with eight seniors and also got a few transfers from Bishop Connolly as they look to qualify for the playoffs after missing it last year by two spots. “We definitely see the potential of the playoffs,” Tarantelli said. “Until last year, we’re seeing grit and bounce back this year. It’s an intelligent team. They’re smart in their game play. They find the open spots. We’re also a strong serving team again. Because eight of them are returning, there’s already that chemistry there.”
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DARTMOUTH
Head coach: Rachel Lassey
Last year’s record: 20-4
Top returners: Gaby Velazquez, Sr., L; Brooke Davis, Sr., OH; Haley Jenkins, Sr., MH; Adeline Ablett, Sr., MH; Olivia Arruda, Sr., DS; Alaina Strozik, Sr., S; Maddie Goldizen, Sr., RS; Victoria Carvalho, Sr., DS.
Key newcomers: Chloe McKinnon, So., OH; Kyla Martin, Jr., RS.
Outlook: After reaching the Div. 2 state semifinals last year, Dartmouth is reloaded and ready to make another deep tournament run and contend for a fifth straight Southeast Conference championship with the return of several key players. “I’ve got a bunch of veterans out on the court,” Lassey said. “They have awesome chemistry together. They are ready for the challenges that lay ahead.” Dartmouth has a strong all-around lineup. “Our serving is awesome,” Lassey said. “Our defense is really strong and we have multiple weapons at the net. They’ve worked so hard in the offseason to make sure of that. I really think if we can get everybody flowing, we can beat anybody.”
FAIRHAVEN
Head coach: Tara Costa
Last year’s record: 11-6
Top returners: Danica Anderson, Sr., M; Ava Bissonnette, Sr., S; Kiana Coppa, Sr., OH.
Key newcomers: Karly Bradshaw, Jr., OH; Addison Dean, Jr., M; Emma Gomes, Sr., L/DS; Liz DaCunha, Sr., L/DS.
Outlook: Even though the Blue Devils graduated six players from a year ago, they feature a mix of veteran and new players as they look to make another playoff appearance. “We return enough experienced players to balance out some of the inexperience we have. We have a well-rounded group,” Costa said. “They have a lot of heart and desire to win. We want to qualify for postseason play. We want to contend for the small in our conference. It’s attainable if we work hard and keep improving.”
GNB VOC-TECH
Head coach: Erika Kosta
Last year’s record: 16-8
Top returners: Layna Ross, Sr., MH; Elle McCormack, Jr., S; Morgan Teves, Jr., OH; Haley Rivers, Sr., O/R.
Key newcomers: Brooke Costa, Jr., DS/L; Kelcy Monteiro, Sr., M; Reese Kupiec, So., DS/L.
Outlook: The Bears will look to the experience of Ross, McCormack and Teves as they look to contend in the South Coast Conference and beyond. “We definitely have leadership in the right place,” Kosta said. “They’ve been playing together for a long time.” Kosta hasn’t set any long long-term goals for the season just yet. “We’re just focused on getting better every day,” she said. “We have a good core but we’re adding in a lot of pieces. Gelling as a team is key.”
NEW BEDFORD
Head coach: Jeff Longo
Last year’s record: 4-16
Top returners: Annabelle Huston, Sr., OH; Lily Gonet, Jr., S; Maria Oliveira, Sr., L.
Key newcomers: Narissa Blevines, Jr., S/M; NaRya Burgos, Jr., M; Iriana Carrion, Sr., OH/DS; Maria Rubio Zepeda, Sr., DS/H.
Outlook: With only two returning starters, the Whalers have a ton of holes to fill as they strive to make the playoffs after missing out the last two years. “I basically have two returners that have experience from last year,” Longo said. “We have a lot of question marks at this point, but we’re getting better every day. Our strength is they want to get better and they work hard. There’s a good dynamic. They’re strong students. We have winnable games which could create a situation for us to make the playoffs.”
OLD COLONY
Head coach: Lauren McGowan
Last year’s record: 4-15
Top returners: McKenna Benoit, Sr., OH; Alyssa Couto, Sr., S; Madison Laughlin, Sr., M; Logan Crook, Jr., L; Kelly Quin, Jr., OH.
Key newcomers: Hailey Goldstein, Sr., S; Sophia Lydon, Jr., L.
Outlook: Many of the returning Cougars put in work in the offseason and it’s shown. “The team is looking really strong,” said McGowan. “Having 12 girls at Whaler camp this year was a huge help and our girls played premier club. There was a lot of improvement. We’re hopeful for the season. I’m hoping and striving for the conference title this year. Our defense is greatly improving.”
OLD ROCHESTER
Head coach: Jimmy Oliveira
Last year’s record: 17-7
Top returners: Aubrie Letourneau, Jr., S; Camryn Rodrigues, Sr., RS; Rylee Kouta, Sr., S; Aurora Hayden, Sr., RS; Arielle Troupe, Sr., MB; Caroline Brogioli, Jr., L; Cami Van Ness, Jr., OH; Jocelyn Pires, Jr., MB; Ava Vander Pole, So., OH.
Key newcomers: Hannah Eaton, Jr., RS; Kaitlyn Rodrigues, So., L; Molly Franco, Fr., DS/OH.
Outlook: Don’t be surprised if the Bulldogs make another deep tournament run after reaching the Div. 3 state semifinals a year ago. “There was a lot of movement in the division and more competition within the division, but in my eyes we’re one of the top teams in our division,” Oliveira said. “I think we’re right up there with the best of them.” ORR not only returns its three-year starting setter, but brings back three of its four outside hitters from a year ago. “This year the noticeable difference is the energy and they’re working hard,” Oliveira said, adding that the defense has improved drastically. “This is definitely our strongest team defensively. They’re also smart.”
WAREHAM
Head coach: Allyson Collette
Last year’s record: 7-15
Top returners: Riley Florindo, Jr., L; Olivia LaCava, So., S; Evelyn Francis, Jr., M; Zora Andrews, Jr., OH; Makayla Young, Sr., OH; Julia McDuffy, Sr., OH.
Key newcomers: Priscilla Ross, So., DS; Jolee Anderson, So., M.
Outlook: After a historic run last year with the program’s first-ever playoff win, the Vikings have a new look in a new conference, switching from the South Coast Conference to Mayflower Athletic Conference Comprehensive. “It’s going to be a lot different,” said Collette. “Last year we were always playing up and getting beat a lot and this year we’ll be ahead so we can’t get complacent.” The Vikings will have to fill the void left by the graduation of Standard-Times Super Teamer Fredi Gakidis. “Compared to last year, we have more depth,” Colette said. “We’re more well rounded as a team. We have good defense and good passing.”
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 2023 Watch List top high school girls volleyball players SouthCoast
