The Woodrow Wilson volleyball team has made it a habit in recent years, four in a row to be exact, of finding its way to Charleston for the state volleyball tournament.
Unfortunately for the Flying Eagles the trip has ended just short of their ultimate goal of a state championship title.
Could 2024 be the year that the ladies from the City of Champions break through and grab the elusive championship?
A lot of volleyball will be played between now and November, but Woodrow Wilson has clearly put itself in the conversation of championship contenders.
“I have been excited about this group for a couple of years,” head coach Bre Rhodes said. “Now that they are seniors, they are realizing this is their last chance to win it and that fully makes it a little bit special.”
While the Flying Eagles bring back several experienced and talented players, there are some key losses due to graduation from a team that compiled a 41-9-9 record last year.
“We lost two defensive players that played consistently, Emily Gallaher and Abby Mower, along with a right side hitter, Saira Diehl, that also play consistently,” Rhodes said. “We were looking for some people to fill those spots and we had two freshman come up who we think will step right in. I honestly don’t see them missing a beat. They played travel ball and I also took them up to the Philip Barbour tournament this summer where they played well.”
Abby Dillon is back for her senior season and once again will lead Woodrow Wilson from the setter position. Dillon has been named first team all-state each of the last two seasons and has recorded over 3,000 assists for her career.
Moving with such smooth efficiency that often you don’t realize she is on the floor, Dillon is coming off a season where she had 1,340 assists, 55 aces, a team-high 480 digs and 59 kills as well.
“Abby is hungry and she is ready. Playing the setter position is the perfect spot for her to lead this team,” Rhodes said. “She is excited and ready to roll. Everything she does is pretty flawless. Abby knows exactly what to do and that helps a lot.”
The big swings for the Flying Eagles will likely come from Dillon’s senior running mate, Salia Harris. Harris led the team in 2023 with 591 kills and earned all-state honors as well. Harris also recorded nearly a 40 percent kill percentage.
Although Harris has been the standout bomber for Woodrow, she will also have plenty of help this season along the front line.
“Salia will definitely be a go-to hitter for us and we will have a freshman that will fit in the middle in Mollie Smith. Really, we have dynamic players at every position this year,” Rhodes said. “Opposite of Salia is junior Anya Hasan. Opposite of Mollie is senior Lexi Coleman in the middle. Reagan Rist is a sophomore who will step in for Sara Diehl. You will know there names by the end of the season that’s for sure.”
Coleman led the team with 60 blocks last year, while Anya Hasan threw down 219 kills.
London Baker and Skylar Jeffrey played consistently last season and will anchor the back row. Dalya Hasan also returns in the back row opposite of Dillon. Dalya Hasan also give the Flying Eagles a hitting threat from the back row.
Jeffrey and Baker played 133 sets apiece for Woodrow Wilson in 2023 with Jeffrey leading the team with 76 aces. The defensive duo combined in nearly 650 receptions.
“Kendra Bailey will step in on the back row as well. She can play anywhere on the back row,” Rhodes said. “I am confident with any of the players that I put on the floor. They will all see the court and make a name for themselves.”
The postseason for the Flying Eagles will have a different look this year with volleyball moving to four classes and Woodrow being part of Class AAAA.
The sectional lineup for Woodrow Wilson will include Oak Hill and Riverside. The opposite section of Region 3 will include George Washington, St. Albans and South Charleston.
Sectional winners will host the sectional runner-up from the other side for the regional co-final championship. The regional co-final winners both advance to the state tournament.
Notably absent from the postseason line-up is longtime rival Greenbrier East who remains in Class AAA for this season.
The Flying Eagles and the Spartans have waged some epic battles in sectional play over the years.
“The rivalry with East is still there, but just not in the postseason,” Rhodes said. “We won’t have to beat them on the way to the state tournament. Now with the co-region set-up, we may not even see George Washington in regional play.”
The season starts for Woodrow Wilson Aug. 22 at Shady Spring with a tri-match which includes defending state champion Morgantown starting at 6 p.m.
The Mohigans knocked off the Flying Eagles last year in the state tournament semifinal round.
“We don’t normally see Morgantown, especially early on,” Rhodes said. “I jumped at the opportunity to see them because that will hopefully tell us what we need to work on.”
The following Saturday (Aug. 24), Woodrow Wilson will host the annual Shirley Brown Invitational which includes Shady Spring, George Washington, Hurricane, South Charleston, Spring Valley, Capital and Cabell Midland.
