Top teams return top players in Brevard County high school volleyball in 2023
Last season, Brevard County had yet another team go to a volleyball state championship game, with Viera finishing as the class 6A state runner-up.
This year, the 2023 season kicked off Aug. 21 with several teams looking like contenders for championship trophies.
Here are some of the area's teams to watch.
Viera High
While Viera lost to New Smyrna beach in five sets in the state championship game last season, this year the Hawks return several starters from that state runner-up team.
Among those is Sophia Jones, who had the second-most kills (207) and the most aces (62).
The Hawks also return last season's team assist leader Mallory Merz and digs leader Amelia Talbott.
To go along with the returners, Viera has added a talented player in Izzy Starck, who moved to Viera from Colorado. Starck was named the 2022 Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year after a dominant junior season.
Like Viera, her school also finished the season as state runner-up, furthering the team's mission of becoming state champions in 2023.
Merritt Island High
Merritt Island has been the county's image of a consistently and dominance over the years.
The Mustangs have won 18 straight district championship and two state titles under head coach Angie Patrick.
Last season, the Mustangs fell to Wesley Chapel in the region championship in five sets.
This season they return junior Bella Schwantz, who finished last season with 190 kills, 46 aces, 196 digs, and senior Maddie Johnson, who had 183 kills, 42 aces, 141 digs to close out last season.
Digs leader Rylie Loggins (202) is also back for the Mustangs.
Holy Trinity Episcopal
The Tigers are another playoff team that saw impact players return this season.
Junior Isabelle Clark had 257 kills and 51 total blocks last season.
Along with Clark, Maya Collins, who had 47 aces and 446 digs last season, is back for the Tigers.
Astronaut High
The War Eagles return Claire Pavick and Kimberly Tang, who look to help the team go back to the playoffs.
Pavick had 233 kills and 35 aces last season while Tang added 59 aces and 587 assists.
Brevard HEAT
Brevard HEAT only lost two games last season, with the second lost coming in the second round of the playoffs.
Caitlyn MacConnell was second in kills last season with 144 and added 37 aces and is back to lead the team again this year.
Satellite High
A few teams that missed the playoffs last year have gotten out to undefeated starts to open this season.
The Satellite Scorpions have started their season with a 4-0 start. Senior Ava Bray led the team in kills last season with 181 and junior Kimber Thompson, who led the team in assists and aces, can help Satellite make a push to the postseason.
Bayside High
Bayside's Jasmine Calton had a strong sophomore season last year after finishing with 237 kills, 35 aces and 96 total blocks.
This season the Bears are also 3-0 so far with Calton already tallying 41 kills and her teammate Jenna Walters landing 40 kills on the season so far.
Cocoa Beach
After winning just one game last season, Cocoa Beach has already surpassed that this season. The Minutemen are 4-0 after the first two weeks of the season.
It could be yet another strong year for volleyball in Brevard. Be sure to check 321preps.com for the weekly schedule of games.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard County high school volleyball teams to watch in 2023
