The volleyball team always receives acknowledgement for their talent and performance– obtaining five district wins since the opening of the school, becoming district champions last year, as well as placing third in the state championship the same year. Yet unlike previous years, this year has brought in some demographic changes in the age makeup of the varsity team. With 11 past seniors graduated and 15 overall non-returners in the program, the team is now primarily composed of juniors and sophomores. Currently, the team is ranked third in district with a record of 3-1 and will play their fifth district match against Stony Point this Tuesday. 
“I think this year is going to be different because we are a young program since so many seniors graduated,” sophomore Amaya Vohra, JV Defensive Specialist, said. “I think my team specifically is very talented and we are all very competitive. I think being friends and getting along with your teammates really affects performance on the court. It allows you to be a family and trust each other. Trust is so important specifically in team sports. It also just allows everyone to have fun and know that their teammates have their back no matter what.”
Last year, varsity had 12 returners from the 2023–24 season, with an overall team of 17 players. This year, three returners have come to reprise their season: junior Audrey Hedlund and seniors Jenna Hehman and Jamison Smith.
“The team is going to differ in age from last year,” Hehman says. “Last year we were an older team full of seniors, while this year we are a very young team with only two seniors. I believe our connections are going to be very strong with one another this season. Having the experience of being a part of this program, and being on the varsity level for the past few years has been an advantage for sure. Being a returning player has helped me go into the season with confidence and a perspective not many people can say they have.”
Hehman plays as an outsider hitter on Skyline’s top national team, Royal, and has played on varsity since her sophomore year. She will play Division l volleyball at Louisiana Tech next year.
“My motivation going into every game comes from wanting to bring glory to God,” Hehman said. “My faith is a huge part of who I am, so when it comes to volleyball I keep him at the center of all I do.”
Hehman expresses that her personal goals this season include hitting 1000 kills (unreturnable hits that end the rally and get the hitter’s team the point), and hitting over .300 every game (this means that more than 30% of a player’s attacks are kills, and also indicates that they make minimal hitting errors). Also counted among impressive student athletes in the program is Hedlund.
“I’m very excited to be a leader this year and work with others who have not been on varsity,” Hedlund said. “It’s a younger team so we just have to build up our connections on the court.”
Hedlund plays as a middle blocker, competing in her third season on varsity. She originally made JV as a freshman, but she moved up to varsity during the season — a rare achievement for a ninth grader. She became one of three captains this season, joined by Hehman and Smith. She plays for AJV’s top national team, Adidas, and is verbally committed to play Division l volleyball at William & Mary.
“[Volleyball] has helped me to communicate and work as a team,” Hedlund said. “Having fun with friends while competing makes the game fun and is what helps you win. Building connections with everyone helps build connections on the court.”
Hedlund sets out to repeat their victory in districts this year and make a run in the playoffs. This season, the varsity team consists of two seniors, eight juniors, four sophomores, and one freshman — quite a stark difference from the 11 seniors, five juniors, and one sophomore the year before. Sophomore Camille Garcia joined varsity this year as a DS.
“I think that I can learn a lot from the upperclassmen and Coach Southall,” Garcia said. “For me specifically, this is a much higher level than last year on JV and even though I don’t play very much compared to last year, it makes me want to work harder and earn a spot on the court. Being on varsity, you really have to fully commit to volleyball and put everything into it no matter what.”
Garcia played as libero on JV last year. The program has had some staffing changes this year: Paul Pehrson, previously the JV coach, now coaches the flex team, and new employee Ashley Dennes coaches JV.
“I love this sport because it is a team sport, and it teaches you so many life lessons,” Vohra said. “It teaches me to move on, and continue to put in the work whether it’s recognized or not. I immediately fell in love with the sport and never looked back. I think this program is so special and we have a very high standard that is set and we get to represent such an amazing person in everything we do and play for someone other than ourselves which is Matthew Vandegrift.”
