By ROB HAMILTON
After two consecutive trips to the regional finals, Highland volleyball coach Rob Terrill will be attempting to maintain his program’s success with a dramatically different roster.
Three players who earned a lot of accolades for their performances have graduated, leaving Terrill with some big holes to fill. Kam Terry is off to Elon University after rewriting large parts of the school’s record book. She was a two-time first-team All-Ohio player and three-time Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference MVP. She had 515 kills last year and is ranked fifth in OHSAA history with 1637 for her career, as well as 25th in career aces with 232. She holds school records in kills in a season and for her career, as well as aces in a season (79) and career.
Also gone are Carley Gahm, who was a second-team pick in the league and district with 332 assists and 43 aces, and Lexi Winklefoos, an honorable mention selection in the league with 359 assists and 47 aces who will be playing volleyball for Baldwin Wallace.
However, Terrill still has plenty of talent returning. Junior outside hitter Ashton Terrill was named first-team in both the league and district and was picked honorable mention in the state. She had 340 digs, 74 aces and 156 kills. Senior outside hitter Brogin Denman (171 kills and 136 digs) and senior setter Marlese Ferguson (217 digs) both were named to the league’s second team.
The team has five other returning letterwinners who will be asked to take on much more responsibility in juniors Kelsey Walters and Taylor Belcher and seniors Sierra Mailey, Jorden Goodman and Elora Stiltner.
“We hope to again contend for the MOAC Blue Division championship,” said Terrill. “We have a tough non-league schedule including the Dublin Scioto Tournament, Bishop Hartley and Big Walnut. With 70-plus kids playing club volleyball from elementary through high school, our kids are really pushing each other to get better.”
In the conference, the coach is looking at a lot of teams as potentially being able to contend for a title.
“Elgin has several experienced players returning and our county teams, plus Centerburg and Fredericktown, always play us hard,” he said.
Rob Hamilton can be reached at 419-946-3010, ext. 1807. Connect with him on Twitter at @SportsMCS
