Team to beat has two Division I commits: 62 Section V girls volleyball players to watch

How will Fairport follow up its first girls volleyball championships in over 40 years?

Blessed with a pair of Division I commits and captains in Meghan Clifford and Kiera Cornman, Fairport is hopeful for back-to-back Section V titles, but capturing the program's first state title would be even sweeter.

"Obviously having two D-I athletes is something you don't see in a lot of New York State schools in general," coach Trish Forgensi said. "To have two is very special. They play off each other. They have that level of commitment to the game. Now that they've reached their goals of committing to those schools, it's great for them to now take on that leadership role."

In 2022, Fairport won the Section V Class AA title over a Penfield team making its third straight appearance. It was the Red Raiders' first section championship since 1980. Last year's crew was one win away from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association tournament in Glens Falls before Section VI champion Lancaster beat them in regionals.

"We're hungry to do more," said Cornman, a junior and returning All-Greater Rochester first team outside hitter who verbally committed to play beach volleyball at the University of Hawaii. "I think last year we felt we could've gone further, could've won regionals (and) states. And so that's a little more of an incentive for us to win this year."

Fairport is now part of the newly created Class AAA. Rush-Henrietta is the only other Section V program in the classification this season, so a Fairport-Rush section final in November is inevitable. Clifford, who verbally committed to Marquette University last year, said she doesn't expect to win, and part of her job is to keep her Red Raiders "humble" throughout its grueling schedule, which features tournaments at Penfield, and perennial state powers St. Mary's of Lancaster and Section II's Shenendehowa. Fairport's charitable Dig Pink game against Hilton on Thursday, Oct. 5.

"As a senior and a captain I feel like I'm just trying to lead the team as best I can, make sure we're all working hard and we're all focused, and we're working toward our goal of winning states," Clifford said.

Fairport players

Fairport finished 19-2 in 2022. Forgensi brings back a promising, well-rounded group to surround future college stars.

Clifford is a "dominant" 6-foot-3 middle blocker. She has a powerful swing and is just as good at blocking. Cornman has been a captain since her freshman year and led the team in kills and aces in 2022.

Senior captain Peyton Snyder's skills have "soared" since her freshman season. She was always quiet with good technique but is now more vocal. "That's what's going to win us games," Forgensi said.

Junior Lana Wood stepped up and moved from middle to setter to pace Fairport's 5-1 rotation. Junior Avery Harris is "one of the best blockers" in the section, but has improved her swing and will be an offensive threat too.

Reigning champs

Class AA: Fairport; Class A1: Irondequoit; Class A2: Mercy; Class B: Wayne; Class C1: Midlakes; Class C2: LeRoy; Class D1: Harley Allendale Columbia; Class D2: Pavilion; Class D3: Batavia Notre Dame.

Irondequoit, Wayne and Harley Allendale Columbia all advanced to the 2022 state tournament.

Section V's top girls volleyball players

This is was compiled by Section V coaches, players and returning AGR all-stars.

Hailey Battle, Lyons: Senior middle hitter.

Jayla Bell, Lyons: Junior outside hitter.

Kamryn Bonnell, Lyons: Sophomore setter.

Brody Bostley, Hilton: Junior looks to have a breakout year as she teams up with Mackenzie Gerig at outside hitter.

McKenna Callari, Irondequoit

Lillie Capecci, Livonia

Sam Clark, Victor: Freshman is a "dynamic", well-rounded middle.

Xinaei Clemson, Geneva: Sophomore can play either middle or right side. She'll spend the season figuring out what she is capable of before becoming a key player over the next few years.

Meghan Clifford, Fairport: The senior middle blocker is a "beast" at the net who can hit over or around many opposing players. Clifford will demand the ball and put it away with dominance. She has a range of abilities in what type of set she can hit so her shots are hard to block.

Jaylene Cole, Letchworth

Kiera Cornman, Fairport: The junior outside hitter has been a captain since her freshman year due to her knowledge of the game and her sting leadership abilities. She led Fairport in many categories, and registered 22 kills in the region final.

Sophia Cosentino, Geneva: The senior outside hitter is a leader on the court and always pushing her team. She's played almost every front row position and has worked hard to become a six rotation outside.

Jorji Cox, Warsaw

Eleanor Dorritie, Penfield

Lauren Emke, Pittsford Mendon

Angelina Fitzharris, Webster Schroeder

Laney Flynn, Irondequoit

Rosslan Force, Penn Yan

Sierra George, Newark: Junior setter is a two-year starter who tallied 612 assists and 142 aces (88 as a freshman) in her first two seasons. She's two-time first team all-league selection and team MVP two years in a row.

Mackenzie Gerig, Hilton: The senior four-year starter committed to Division II powerhouse Calvin University. The 2022 AGR second teamer and reigning team MVP has a long list of accolades that includes: second team all-county in 2020 and 2021; first team all-county in 2021 and 2022; 2021 Ultra Ankle JVA watchlist; 2021 and 2022 Line Shot Volleyball Defenders Watchlist; and a three-time American Volleyball Coaches Association Phenom Watch List for the class of 2024.

Milleniyah Glanton, Lyons: Senior middle hitter.

Adelaide Grace, Harley Allendale Columbia

Molly Guzik, Spencerport

Lily Hall, Dundee-Bradford

Meredith Harnden, Hilton: The senior is a second team all-county returner who will speed up and diversify the offense.

Avery Harris, Fairport: Junior right side hitter.

Sophia Heltemes, Victor: The left-handed eighth-grader is expected to be an "elite" setter and make a huge impact in her varsity debut.

LeBria Hickman, East Rochester

Olivia Huber, Wayne

Hannah Ingram, Livonia

Skyler Jehlen, Churchville-Chili

Addison Jones, Lyons: Sophomore right side hitter.

Lila Keating, Pittsford Sutherland

Kaelyen Keefer, Warsaw

Kearstin Laird, Williamson

Jordyn Leader, Pittsford Sutherland

Calla McCombs, Bloomfield

Maria Melnik, Gananda

Julia Mirabello, Victor: The freshman expected to make huge impact as one of team's outside hitters.

Erin Mueller, Webster Schroeder

Lucy Murphy, Hilton: The senior libero will anchor the Cadets' defense.

Kianna Naval, Midlakes: Senior outside hitter guided team to section title in 2022. She's registered 64 aces, 212 kills and 155 digs entering her third season.

Christina Newman, Webster Thomas

Lilly Nicholson, Mynderse

Hannah Olmstead, Victor: The junior middle has tons of experience playing with and against Rochester's best in high school and club.

Natalie Pedersen, Irondequoit

Becca Phillips, Hilton: The junior will speed up and diversify the Cadets' offense alongside Harnden.

Ashley Plotts, Lyons: Sophomore defensive specialist.

Julie Renner, Livonia

Dana Reschke, LeRoy

Paola Rios-Santiago, York

Alannah Roberts, Letchworth

Ariana Roessel, York

Zora Scannell-Rooks, Harley Allendale Columbia

Mikayla Schoffner, Dundee-Bradford

Ingfah Siphakong, Webster Schroeder

Peyton Snyder, Fairport: Senior libero.

Hope Stone, Victor: Senior outside hitter worked hard in the offseason and has the potential to progress throughout the season.

Hailey Trank, Penn Yan

Sariah Tindal, Gates Chili

Audrey Vogt, Churchville-Chili

Lana Wood, Fairport: Junior setter.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V girls volleyball: 62 players to watch in 2023