By Chris Parker
Hillcrest volleyball returns five players who saw action in a majority of the varsity sets for last season’s 12-win team.
That quintet along with newcomers have put in a strong summer of work to become a better team.
“The biggest strength of our team this year will be their ability to come together as a cohesive unit and compete to meet group goals,” Hillcrest head coach Deirdre Smith said. “We’ve worked very hard at becoming positive and supportive teammates and at improving our mental capacities. We are not a giant team, but we have a ton of heart, and these girls work very hard and don’t give up. You should not underestimate their work ethic and the pride they have in representing Hillcrest High School.”
Senior captain Karsyn Ryan will lead the team this season. She was second for Hillcrest last year with 197 total kills. She also led the team in digs (389) and was second in serve receptions (538).
“Karsyn leads her team with positivity, and she has worked very hard through club and off-season to improve her game,” Smith said.
Micaella Langidrik is a senior setter.
“Micaella was our quarterback in our 2023 season, and she will do the same this coming season as one of our setters,” Smith said. “Micaella leads with patience, and she is very smart. She does a great job seeing the block and setting up her hitters for success. Micaella led our team with 415 assists in the 2023 season. Micaella was deadly from the serving line too. She served 92%, and she was our ace leader with 78 aces.”
Sophomore pin hitter Lillie Moore returns looking to up her 70-kill total from last season.
“Lillie has worked very hard to improve her swing in the off-season,” Smith said. “Lillie completed her freshman season with 70 kills. Lillie is a natural athlete who is extremely coachable. She is a very skilled basketball player, and she is able to capitalize on her basketball athleticism and apply her quick movements to her volleyball game. Lillie works hard at whatever she does. My goal for her is to be a six-rotation player as she possesses the ability to receive and move well on defense. Lillie will bring positive leadership to our squad this season.”
Junior Piersyn Ray returns to the back row at libero.
“Piersyn has worked very hard throughout her club season and off-season to improve her defense and serve-receive,” Smith said. “She has shown tremendous growth in her confidence to lead the back court. Besides leading the back court, we expect to see Piersyn post points on the board with her aggressive serve. Piersyn’s ceiling is very high, and we expect her to continue to make great strides this season.”
Jamyra Parlette returns at right side in her senior season.
“Jamyra has nice size, and she puts up a nice block,” Smith said. “She has worked very hard on her approach, and she has improved her attacking tremendously in the off-season. Jamyra is not flashy, but she is dependable. I have so much confidence in her ability to finish the ball in the front row.”
Seniors Angel Hernandez, Morgan Cook and Da’Mya Dickson will look to have a varsity impact this season as well.
Hernandez is a defensive specialist moving up from junior varsity.
“Angel is a natural leader,” Smith said. “She is the best communicator on our entire squad. We depend on her to keep our team level when things are tough because she communicates so effectively on the court. That is a skill that is hard to pull out of some of the best skilled players. Angel plays with a level head, and we can always depend on her to play great defense.”
Cook saw some varsity action last season and will see a greatly expanded role at middle blocker as a senior.
“Morgan has worked very hard to get her hands on as many balls as she could in the off-season blocking,” Smith said. “She is an extremely coachable athlete, and she works her hardest every time she is on the floor. We are very fortunate to have her leadership this season.”
Dickson is a setter who transferred in last season, but did not play on varsity.
“She (Dickson) will make her varsity debut this season and we are so excited,” Smith said. “Da’Mya will take on setting duties with Micaella this season. Da’Mya possesses a high volleyball IQ, and she works very hard on her setter defense too. Da’Mya has big goals for herself and her team. We expect to see her in a leadership position this season, and we are so excited to finally get her on the floor as a varsity athlete.”
Nicholette Guavis is a sophomore defensive specialist expected to see the varsity floor.
“She (Guavis) brings such a level headed attitude no matter how tough the circumstances are,” Smith said. “Nicholette is extremely quick, and she is hard to rattle. Nicholette has spent time in the club and off-season working hard on her serve-receive and her defense. She has an extremely aggressive serve too.”
Alyssa Brinson, Molly Percival, Jerzie Eastin, Avery Gerald and Ke’Ashza Roy are all in the mix for varsity time as well.
Hillcrest travels to Buffalo on Aug. 27 for a jamboree with Bolivar, Osage and the host Bison. The Hornets open the regular season on Sept. 3 at Glendale.
“I expect the team to continue to work hard on their defensive efforts,” Smith said. “We hope to achieve personal team goals, and with that we hope to win along the way.”
