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Previewing the 2023 volleyball season on the Treasure Coast

bryan cooney, treasure coast newspapers
·4 min read

Volleyball season has kicked off on the Treasure Coast and many eyes are going to be on Jensen Beach's chase to go back-to-back as state champions.

The Falcons have not been able to pull off the feat of lifting the big trophy two years in a row and if they are to do it this season, it will be done with a roster with only a couple returners from last year's team.

Jensen Beach has already started their year with a win and a couple area teams have already produced key wins in 2023.

Both Fort Pierce Central and Centennial won thrilling five-set matches against formidable opponents and along with Vero Beach and Jupiter will make for an extremely competitive District 7-7A.

TCPalm's Bryan Cooney takes a dive into the teams to watch, top players to know and big matches throughout the rest of the season pitting the area's best against one another.

Barron Collier plays Jensen Beach in the FHSAA Class 5A volleyball state championship on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at Polk State College in Winter Haven.
Barron Collier plays Jensen Beach in the FHSAA Class 5A volleyball state championship on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at Polk State College in Winter Haven.

Teams to watch

  • Jensen Beach: Two very important returners are back for the Falcons with FGCU commit and setter Raegan Richardson along with junior outside hitter Catherine Hamilton, who is committed to UNF for beach volleyball. Additions to the roster include Treasure Coast transfer Jenna Simmons, an outside hitter committed to Stetson, Centennial transfers Sarah Stouky as a senior libero and sophomore right side Abby Dare. Junior Lili Redifer joins the team as a defensive specialist from Arkansas.

More: Jensen Beach volleyball welcomes new faces for state championship defense

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  • Fort Pierce Central: The Cobras have the luxury of two senior hitters at their disposal with Kailani Zezas and Sydney Corbett, a Palm Beach Atlantic commit. Fellow senior Kadiann Perry is a versatile rotation piece from setter to attack. Junior Ivy Cooper, a Virginia Tech commit, is one of the area's top liberos with her defensive skills. Sophomore Azlyn Bass is almost healed from a broken ankle sustained in the offseason and is one of the top setters in the area.

  • Centennial: Returning UAB commit Shayla Henry, one of the most lethal outside hitters in the area, the Eagles added Fort Pierce Central Luyeisy Marquez-Moreno, another senior with great leaping ability to power down kills. Junior Ayla Laure at defensive specialist, junior attacker Jasmine Prosper and senior Emily Wiley at setter bring experience to the table. Keep an eye on freshman Meredith Prince as another setter who has impressed early on.

St. Lucie West Centennial hosts Martin County in a volleyball match, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, in Port St. Lucie.
St. Lucie West Centennial hosts Martin County in a volleyball match, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, in Port St. Lucie.

  • Vero Beach: Losing Florida signee Madison Gravlee off the roster stings for Vero but her younger sister Ella looks to be next in line as a talented freshman outside hitter. Junior Aracelys Sanchez, a USF commit for beach volleyball, is extremely versatile from attack to defense and junior Maleah Mutterback is a name ready to emerge as a contributor offensively. Junior setter Ellie Smith is back as one of the area's top returners at the position.

  • South Fork: Few lost as many senior contributors as the Bulldogs did last year but a couple key returners bring needed experience. Seniors Aubrey Scammell and Cloe Follwell are roaming attackers that have been contributors the past few years. A trio of sophomores are ready to step into bigger roles in setter Brynn Burgk, outside hitter Ava Bochenek and middle blocker Ryan Connelly. Sophomore Hailee Curl and senior Jayla Preston will provide defensive coverage at libero.

Players to watch

  • Raegan Richardson, Jensen Beach senior setter: 806 assists, 186 digs, 115 kills and 82 aces in 2022.

  • Sydney Corbett, Fort Pierce Central senior outside hitter: 307 kills, 154 digs in 2022.

  • Shayla Henry, Centennial outside hitter: 186 kills, 99 digs in 2022.

  • Jenna Simmons, Jensen Beach senior outside hitter: 275 kills, 122 digs in 2022.

  • Ivy Cooper, Fort Pierce Central junior libero: 322 digs, 48 aces in 2022.

  • Luyeisy Marquez-Moreno, Centennial senior outside hitter: 197 kills, 127 digs in 2022.

  • Grace Lee, Martin County sophomore outside hitter: 211 kills, 214 digs in 2022.

  • Brynn Burgk, South Fork sophomore setter: 275 assists, 65 digs in 2022.

  • Catherine Hamilton, Jensen Beach junior outside hitter: 162 kills, 185 digs in 2022.

  • Elliotte Kahler, St. Edward's senior setter: 362 assists, 172 digs in 2022.

  • Azlyn Bass, Fort Pierce Central sophomore setter: 649 assists, 145 digs in 2022.

  • Aracelys Sanchez, Vero Beach junior utility: 202 kills, 236 digs in 2022.

Top games to look out for

  • Lake Worth Christian at Fort Pierce Central, Aug. 28

  • Vero Beach at Centennial, Sept. 7

  • Jensen Beach's East Coast Challenge, Sept. 8-9

  • Vero Beach at South Fork, Sept. 12

  • Jensen Beach at South Fork, Sept. 14

  • Benjamin at Fort Pierce Central, Sept. 20

  • Centennial at Fort Pierce Central, Sept. 27

  • Jupiter at Jensen Beach, Sept. 28

  • Martin County at South Fork, Oct. 10

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Talented crop headlines 2023 Treasure Coast volleyball scene