Seacoast high school volleyball 2023: Here's a close look at every local team
Seacoast high school volleyball teams are kicking off the 2023 season with championship aspirations and goals to improve upon last year.
More: Here are 23 Seacoast high school volleyball players to watch in 2023
Here's a look at the local teams from New Hampshire and Maine:
NEW HAMPSHIRE
DIVISION I
DOVER
Coach: Whitney Carrier, sixth season
2022 result: 14-6, lost to Londonderry in Division I quarterfinals
Top returning players: Tory Vitko, sr., setter;Aidyn Stone, sr., libero; Brooke Kelly, jr., MB
Other key players: Reagan Bernard, soph., OH; Grace Kelly, fr., OH; Ava Pohopek, soph., MB; Leah, Meneely, soph., OH; Quinn Carberry, soph., setter; Riley Gregorakos, soph., RH; Sienna Sawyer, jr., MB/RH; Abby Nelson, soph., OH
Outlook: Coach Carrier described Vitko, Stone and Brooke Kelly as her pillars with the most returning experience after five seniors graduated from last year’s tournament team. … “We’re really young; there are a lot of new faces on the team,” Carrier said. “I have so many options this year. A lot of them can play different positions.” Versatility, depth and an improved attack could make up for what the Green Wave lack in experience, especially with respected seniors like Vitko and Stone leading the way. … Dover opens the season at home Friday vs. Salem.
EXETER
Coach: Kate Simmons, fourth season
2022 result: 16-5, lost to Bedford in Division I semifinals
Top returning players: Rachel Poulin, sr., RH; Summer LeClerc, sr., OH; Nevaeh Kephalas, sr., setter; Grace Archibald, jr., MH; Clara Rosenbleeth, jr., MH; Lila Ritchotte, jr., OH; Lola Melecio, jr., libero.
Other key players: Harper Elerecht, soph., OH; Gabby Bale, soph., setter; Claire Ahern, soph., setter; Emma Sabin, soph., libero; Laura Hyvari, sr., utility; Chammie Ellis, sr., DS/utility.
Outlook: The Blue Hawks lost a strong senior group of seven from its 2022 semifinalist team, but coach Simmons the combination of returning veterans and promising new players will put them in position to make a similar run this year. … Poulin, LeClerc and Archibald are key returning hitters for a team that Simmons says will be super scrappy on defense. They will try to orchestrate a smarter attack that doesn’t necessarily rely solely on hard hits, but tries to use the court with placement. … “The juniors and seniors coming back are hungry,” said coach Simmons. “They know what it feels like to be a final four team.” … Exeter opens the season Friday at home vs. Pinkerton.
PORTSMOUTH
Coach: Wayne Siejkowski, 3rd season
2022 result: 13-7, lost to Hollis-Brookline in Division I quarterfinals
Top returning players: Georgia Pinciaro, sr., OH; Margaret Montplaisir, sr., OH; Eva Lalime, sr., setter
Other key players: Maddie MacCannell, sr., RH/MB; Renee Martin, sr., libero/DS; Pia Brewster, sr., DS/libero; Roe Beland, soph., MH; Mackenzie Hagwood, jr., MB
Outlook: The Clippers lost three key players from a year ago, including two starters. But they return a strong nucleus as well as some very good new additions. One thing that stands out for Siejkowski is the team’s height, which makes them one of the taller teams in the division. They also have more depth. … “I think we have a chance to at least repeat where we ended up last year,” said the coach. “That’s what we’re looking to do as a minimum. We have the opportunity to be in the mix.” … Portsmouth hosts Windham in its opener on Friday.
SPAULDING
Coach: Stephanie Nesbitt, first season
2022 result: 11-8, lost to Bishop Guertin in Division I first round
Top returning players: Kennidee Becton, sr., OH; Claire Prieto, sr., MH; Leah McLaren, sr., DS; Madison Hartman, jr., setter; Madelyn Gagnon, jr., setter
Other key players: Kadence Gahan, soph., OH; Alexis Sanders, soph., OH; Camryn Fogg, jr., DS; Stella Mitropoulos, jr., MH; Nicole Thomas, jr., DS; Abby McMillan, jr., DS; CJ Dexter, jr., OH
Outlook: There will be a lot of changes for the Red Raiders this season. They graduated seven seniors and welcomed a new coach in Steph Nesbitt, a former Spaulding player and a 1999 grad. Her daughter, Hailey, also a former Red Raider, will coach the JV team. … “We need to work as a team,” Nesbitt said. “We need to trust each other and build those relationships. They’re all new coming into the group.” … It will be the usual Spaulding MO – scrappy on defense with not a lot of height. … The Red Raiders open the season Thursday at home vs. Londonderry.
WINNACUNNET
Coach: Casey Davies, first season
2022 result: 1-17. Didn't qualify for Division I tournament
Top returning players: Alexis Ciardelli, sr., RH/S; Allie Kasztejna, jr., OH; Scarlett Orluk, sr., MH; Shea Graham, sr., OH;
Other key players: Jessica Gelbstein, sr., setter; Alica Lewis, sr., libero; Adelle Welch, jr., DS;
Outlook: The Warriorsare looking forward to a clean slate with Davies, their third coach in as many seasons. After winning one match in 2022, the team is motivated more than ever to prove to each other what they are capable of. … Casey takes over the helm after four years at Bishop Guertin as a JV coach and varsity assistant. … "The team is trusting the process,” Davies said. “We are practicing early in the morning and late at night combined with strength training to ensure that we are ready to get some wins this season. … The girls are clear on where they want to end up this season and now it's time to get to work." … Winnacunnet opens the season Friday at home vs. Timberlane.
DIVISION II
OYSTER RIVER
Coach: Cassandra Doore, 10th season
2022 result: 18-1, won Division II state championship
Top returning players: Annabelle Svenson, sr., MH; Emilia Cavicchi, sr., setter; Emerson Przybylski, sr., OH; Gracy Spirito, soph., setter; Kylin Ayotte, jr., Libero/DS; Aubrey Young, soph., libero/DS; Kylie Dulac, jr., OH; Claire Jorgensen, soph., RH
Other key players: Addie Bower, fr., MH; Addie Dubois, soph., OH/MH; Leah Lynsky, soph., RH; Carley Dalton, soph., DS; Jackie Rucker, jr., MH
Outlook: The good news is that the Bobcats return all but two key players from their 2022 state championship run. The bad news is that the two losses are pretty big, especially four-year versatile hitting star Emma Hampton, the Division II player of the year. … With five of the team’s first seven players back, led by Cavicchi and the 6-foot-3 Svenson, OR should be in contention to challenge for the Division II title again. … “We’ve got some good experience,” said coach Doore. “They’re still young, which I really like, and we’ve got some good leadership with our three seniors.” … The Bobcats opened the season Thursday at Winnisquam.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Coach: Kristie Holtz, 24th season
2022 result: 13-5, lost to Campbell in Division II quarterfinals
Top returning players: Camilia Garcia, sr., setter; Sheridan Paine, sr., DS; Asia Saffie, sr., DS
Other key players: Gabriella Puertas, sr., OH; Alina Hathaway, soph., MH; Kaitlyn Kelly, soph., OH; soph., OH; Meeghan Quinn, soph., RH; Grace Talbot, sr., DS; Audrey Berde, sr., MH/RH; Brielle Kelly, jr., MH; Violet Wall, soph., OH; Samantha Bosco, sr., DS
Outlook: The Saints graduated seven seniors and lost all-stater Maggie Hurley, who transferred. “It’s definitely a rebuilding year,” said veteran coach Kristie Holtz. “We’re certainly working every day on the things we need to get better.” … STA has a strong core of defensive players, which will help the team as it looks to develop an offensive game. … Still, the Saints have a solid group of seniors who have either waited in the wings for their chance or chipped in last year. How they meld together will determine how well the Saints will do. … St. Thomas was set to open the season Thursday at Coe-Brown.
DIVISION III
SOMERSWORTH
Coach: Steve Hodsdon, 23rd season
2022 result: 19-1, won Division III state championship
Top returning players: Sya Mckay, jr., MH/OH; Aby Lambert, jr., setter; Shauna Breitmaier, sr., OH; Lillie Hamilton, jr., libero; Savanna Comeau, soph., MH/OH; Emily Patterson, jr., RH
Other key players: Kamrie Perkins, sr., DS; Katelyn Whiteman, jr., OH; Ashley Aldebot, sr., RH; Danna Dyer, jr., DS; Lilah Marshall, sr., OH; Riley Barton, sr., RH; Paige Demers, fr., MH; Emily Runions, fr., OH; Kylie Pettengill, fr., setter
Outlook: Somersworth’s first season in Division III after a long run in D-II was as good as it gets. The ‘Toppers should be in position to make another run with 12 players back. … There is a lot of depth and versatility led by a trio of juniors in six-foot hitter Sya McKay, setter Aby Lambert and libero Lillie Hamilton, as well as senior outside hitter Shauna Breitmaier, junior right side hitter Emily Patterson and dynamic sophomore MH/OH Savanna Comeau. … “We were hunters last year,” said coach Steve Hodsdon. “This year we will be the hunted.” … The Hilltoppers open the season Friday at Prospect Mountain.
MAINE
CLASS B
MARSHWOOD
Coach: Rob Childs, fourth season
2022 result: 2-12. Didn't qualify for postseason
Top returning players: Kate England, sr., libero; Averi Dudley, jr., setter; Sivan Semo, jr., MH/MB
Other key players: Katelyn Friberg, sr., DS; Katie Sanborn, sr., OH/RH; Ayla O’Leary, sr., MH/MB; Mady Denault, sr., DS; Natalie Lathrop, soph., OH; Mychala Marcotte, jr., OH/RH; Brynn Folger, soph., setter; Kylie Folger, soph., DS; Riley Phipps, soph., OH; Renee St. Pierre, soph., RH; Nellie Young, soph., MH/MB
Outlook: The Hawks are in year two of building a solid foundation for growth. "We have committed to building a team who plays for the girl next to them and leaves it all on the court,” said coach Childs. … After a disappointing year in regards to wins and loses the Hawks are excited for their comeback story. The summer has been filled with positivity with the addition of more than 20 new girls and two new coaches in the program training hard. … The Hawks open the season Thursday at home against Falmouth.
YORK
Coach: Suzanne Bradley, eighth season
2022 result: 12-4, lost to Yarmouth in Class B semifinals
Top returning players: Brooke Roe, jr., OH/MH; Lauren Chagnon, jr., libero; Maya Babcock, soph., DS/libero; Bella Parrotta, soph., setter; Nora Dowling, sr., setter/RH; MiKayla Kortes, sr., MH
Other key players: Jillian Holland, soph., OH; Maddie James, jr., MH; Sophie Fullerton, jr., MH; Hannah Moroney, jr., DS/RH; Hannah Cleary, jr., OH; Maclain Zuk, jr., DS
Outlook: The Wildcats should be competitive again in tough Class B with six new players led by Roe, Chagnon and Dowling. … Coach Bradley has retained a smaller roster of 12, but expects all those girls to play for the deep Wildcats. One big loss is senior spark plug Chloe Slovenski who injured her knee in last year’s semis and has not been cleared to play. She will provide support as team manager. … Although still young, Bradley feels York can be one of the better teams if “they stay strong and play together as a team. … "We have some really strong players who play at high level club,” Bradley said. … The Wildcats have a tough schedule with some Class A powers penciled in as well as two matches with Yarmouth and Cape Elizabeth. They opened the season Thursday at Wells.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast NH ME volleyball 2023: Team by team previews
