Over the last few seasons, Shady Spring has held the keys to the kingdom in Class AA Region 3 volleyball.
With the graduation of two first team all-staters and a head coaching change, some of the challengers may be seeing the Tigers as vulnerable this season.
First year head coach Brantlea Wood has no plans for Shady Spring to step down from its lofty perch.
“I think a lot of teams will come in thinking that way and I like it. I accept that challenge. The players feel the same way,” Wood said during summer workouts. “They still want to win. I feel 100 percent this is still a state championship contending team. We will have to work a little harder and work on our strategy of how we go into games, but I have a lot of confidence in these girls.”
There is good reason Wood’s confidence. The Tigers return several veterans that have been through the postseason battles and advanced to the state championship game.
“This is a very good group that is super athletic and very versatile. A lot of them are playing different positions, so they are being utilized in all different ways and will be included in the rotation,” Wood said.
Leading the attack for the Tigers this year will be seniors Camille Testerman and Haley Sweeney.
“Camille and Haley just have a presence on the floor. You know when they are there and you know they are always going to be consistent players,” Wood said. “They have been a big help for me so far not having an assistant coach. They really help with the flow of things.”
Junior Rachel Mann is a three-year varsity player that has a dynamic serve and plays all the way around for the Tigers.
“Rachel is our left side all the way around which is a very important. She is smart and plays a go-to position. That is kind of your outlet,” Wood said. “She takes a lot of swings and she knows what she is doing. Rachel is consistent and you know what you are getting from her out there.”
Fellow junior Kadence Stump saw action in the postseason when Testerman was limited with a hand injury.
“I think Kadence is more comfortable this year and I feel like a lot of that comes from her leadership role,” Wood said. “She is really coming into her own and finding more of a voice on the floor too.”
Just like her older sister, sophomore Reagan Mann plays well above her age. With soft hands and a wicked swing, the younger Mann is an extremely versatile player.
“Reagan is setting and hitting for us,” Wood said. “Her consistency over the last year has really grown. I look for her to be a big force for us on the front row wherever she is hitting.”
Also pressed into action last year when Testerman was limited, even as a freshman, Olivia Stump proved she could handle the spotlight of the varsity stage.
“Olivia will be in the middle. She is a lot more comfortable and her confidence has really grown since last year,” Wood said. “That is one thing that I wanted to get from her because she will be a difference maker up front. Now she knows she is in a full-time role and she encourages her teammates a lot.”
Sophomore Kenidi Creager and freshman Jenna Joyce will see time on the back row, while sophomore Brooklyn Humphries and freshman Allie Fragile will add depth in the middle.
“There are two or three defensive players that are fighting for a spot. They can all do it, it is just a matter of consistency, communication and court presence,” Wood said. “Once we get in a flow and in a rhythm we will see who is fitting in the best.”
Freshman Bristol Bloomfield will be a name to watch coming from a family of volleyball players.
“Bristol will play some on the outside. Her volleyball IQ has really helped her not panic,” Wood said. “Sometimes as a freshman when you get pulled up, it can be nerve-racking. She has been around it, so she knows how to keep her emotions in check.”
A tough regular season schedule has paid big dividends for Shady Spring the last few seasons. Wood has not backed down from that philosophy in 2023.
“I pretty much kept the same schedule as last year and the same order. I didn’t change much. It is go big or go home,” Wood said, smiling. “We are going to jump in the fire and see how it goes. Then we will come back and make adjustments after that. They all have a high IQ, so our big thing this year will be making adjustments.”
Shady Spring opened the season Saturday by splitting a tri-match with Class AAA schools, George Washington and Huntington.
The Tigers will be back in action Saturday morning when they play in the Shirley Brown Invitational at Woodrow Wilson High School.
