The Craig County girls will open the high school volleyball season this week with a home-and-home against North Cross School. The Rockets were scheduled to open at home with North Cross on Tuesday and on Thursday they return the trip to Roanoke County for a 5 pm jayvee game followed by a 7 pm varsity tilt.
Coach Suzanne Crawford is optimistic with the start of the season finally here. The Rockets return senior setter Maggie Mays and Layla Dooley, who earned honorable mention All-Pioneer District for the Rockets last year. Layla will transition from the opposite position to the middle this year.
Also, Daileilgh Donithan will return as an outside hitter. Jenna Boitnotte is back and playing as an opposite and Cheyanne Bell is also returning in the middle.
Felicity Fisher, a sophomore who will play outside hitter this year, is new to the team. “Her aggressiveness and height will be a welcomed addition to the front row,” said Crawford.
Ashlynn Keen is back and also plays outside hitter. Makenzie Lucas is another newcomer who will rotate from middle to outside this season.
The Rockets are coming off a 4-10 season and look to improve. They lost a bunch of close matches that Suzanne hopes will turn around this season.
“Last year we had a very young team,” she said. “By the end of the season we were playing well, going five matches, but we were just unable to finish the game. Our goal this year is to win more games. These ladies have been working hard in the postseason and putting in long hours at practice.”
The Rockets have a challenging schedule once again.
“I expect Narrows and East Mont to have good programs this volleyball season,” said Crawford. “Narrows has gained Kailyn Jones, Craig County’s second-team all-district middle hitter. Kailyn will be a massive addition to the Green Wave, and I look forward to that matchup. With our middles Layla Dooley and Cheyanne Bell, that will be an excellent match-up to watch.”
Suzanne will be assisted by Logan Peters, who coaches the Craig middle school team and was a previous all-district player for the Rockets, and Ashleigh Peters, who coaches the Jayvees and was also a Craig County High School player.
“The 2024 volleyball season for Craig County High is going to be a good one,” said Crawford. “I’m looking forward to the season. We have a lot of talent and have put in a lot of time to get where we want to be. We have gotten stronger, more focuse, and more determined.
“The girls have come into this season with positive attitudes and a willingness to do what needs to be done. Our leadership from our seniors and returning students has been welcoming. This year, they have to go after it and want it. If they can bring that attitude and determination that they have had at practice, we will have a successful season.”
