Top returning volleyball players in Greater Savannah area for 2023
Volleyball season has started and local teams are looking forward to successful seasons. Savannah has been a hotbed for talent for years with teams such as Savannah Christian, Calvary Day and St. Vincent's leading the way.
Savannah Arts and Richmond Hill have entered the fray as top teams in the area. Savannah Arts went 40-5 last year and reached the Class 2A state semis for the first time in school history, while Richmond Hill moved up to Class 7A, won a region title and set a school record with 39 wins.
Here's a look at the top returning volleyball players to watch in the Greater Savannah area for 2023.
Finn Higginbotham, Savannah Arts, MB, sr.
The 6-foot-1 senior was named the Region 3-2A Offensive Player of the Year last season and was a key player for the Panthers, who reached the Class 2A semifinals and finished with a 40-5 record. She had 282 kills, 86 aces, 64 blocks and 73 digs and was an All-Greater Savannah first-team selection.
Maggie Kyriakides, Savannah Christian, OH, jr.
Kyriakides earned All-Greater Savannah first-team honors last year as she racked up 262 kills with 137 digs, 52 aces and 20 blocks. She helped the Raiders win the Region 3-3A title and advance to the state quarterfinals.
Gwyneth Harper, Richmond Hill, S, sr.
Harper ran the Wildcat offense with efficiency last season as she amassed 745 assists, 94 aces, 177 digs and 70 kills to help Richmond Hill set a school record with 39 wins against five losses. She was an All-Greater Savannah first-team pick. The team captain notched her 1,000th career assist last season.
Savannah Davis, Richmond Hill, OH, sr.
Davis was a star on the Wildcat team that won the Region 1-7A title and reached the second round of the playoffs. She was an All-Greater Savannah first-team selection and led the team with 299 kills, adding 86 aces, 18 blocks, 178 digs and 263 serves received.
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Lillie Coffey, Savannah Arts, S, jr.
Coffey was the quarterback of the Panther offense with her unique ability to spread the ball around to a wealth of talented hitters. She had 961 assists and 68 aces and was an All-Greater Savannah first-team selection.
Mary Brit Tallevast, Savannah Christian, S, sr.
An All-Region 3-3A first-team pick as a junior, Tallevast lead the Raiders with 408 assists and had 106 digs and 36 aces for the Region 3-3A champs, who closed out the season with a 28-14 record.
Torrin Higginbotham, Savannah Arts, OH, jr.
The younger sister of Finn, Torrin is another star for the Panthers. She had 225 kills, with 145 aces and 21 blocks for the Panthers, who made an unprecedented run to the state semifinals.
Mary Sophia Fischer, St. Vincent's, S, sr.
Fischer reached the 1,000 assist milestone last season and was an All-Region 3-3A first-team pick. She had 611 assists, 202 digs, 49 kills, 81 aces and 37 blocks for an SVA squad that reached the Class 3A Elite Eight.
Carson Reeves, Richmond Hill, MB, sr.
A strong presence in the middle for the Wildcats, Reeves had 153 kills with 50 blocks. She was an All-Region selection.
Harris Stone, Savannah Country Day, L, jr.
Stone was excellent defensively for the Hornets last season as she earned first-team All-Region 3-3A honors with 309 digs and 462 serves received on the year.
Lucy Kelly, Habersham School, S, sr.
Kelly does it all for the Patriots as she racked up 491 assists with 53 kills and 126 digs as a junior, earning second-team All-Greater Savannah honors.
Reese Theriot, Savannah Christian, OH/OPP, jr.
Theriot was a second-team All-Region 3-3A selection as a sophomore when she was third on the team with 147 kills.
Valerie Kirk, Savannah Arts, OPP, sr.
Kirk was a standout for the Panthers last season and looks to take on an even bigger role in her senior campaign.
Murphy Boyett, Effingham County, OH, sr.
Boyett was a standout last season for the Rebels as she was second on the team with 170 kills. The Rebels won the Region 2-6A title and advance to the Sweet 16 of the state playoffs.
Lilla Brennan, Savannah Country Day, S/RS, sr.
Brennan was an All-Region 3-3A second teamer last year. She is expected to be the team's featured setter this year.
Taylor Kennedy, Calvary Day, MH, sr.
Kennedy was a key player at the net for the Cavs last season, and is expected to be a focal point this season under new head coach Brooke Cameron.
Kinsey Prado, Calvary Day, soph.
Look for Prado to be an impact player as a sophomore for the Cavs.
Clara Vorel, South Effingham, MF, soph.
As a freshman, Vorel led the Mustangs in kills with 149 and with 79 blocks, helping lead the team to a playoff berth.
Jada Hillery, Woodville-Tompkins, OH/DS, sr.
Hillery was a key player on the Wolverine squad that reached the Class A quarterfinals last year. She earned second-team All-Greater Savannah honors.
Talia Johnson, Richmond Hill, OH, soph.
Johnson had a solid freshman campaign at Calvary Day last season as she led the team in kills.
Remy Thompson, Savannah Christian, L, jr.
Thompson returns as the anchor of the back line for the Raiders. She led the team with 289 digs last year.
Maya Swenson, Islands, L, jr.
Swenson will take on a bigger role as a defensive standout for the Sharks. She had 111 digs and 34 aces last year.
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: The top volleyball players to watch in Greater Savannah area for 2023
