Coastal Christian volleyball seniors poised for one final run at a state championship
Jackson Fuller
Wilmington StarNews
State championship expectations are the norm for Coastal Christian's volleyball program, but an unfamiliar scent is accompanying that lofty goal this fall.
The Centurions are loaded with senior talent who know this is their final chance at a state title. Coastal Christian exited the NCISAA playoffs in the semifinals during each of the past two seasons, and it's now-or-never for the six seniors on the roster.
"We talk about it pretty much every practice," Coastal Christian middle hitter Lydia Pate said. "That's the only goal for the season."
Coastal’s #9 Lydia Pate reacts with her teammates as Topsail took on Coastal Christian Tuesday Aug. 17, 2021 in Hampstead, N.C. Coastal Christian swept Topsail 3-0. [KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS]
Pate and the Centurions (6-1) flaunted their prowess Tuesday night, cruising to a 3-0 (25-8, 25-15, 25-10) win over Topsail (0-2). Pate, who committed to UNC-Asheville on Monday, had eight kills, five blocks and two aces.
Pate and Kelly McConekey make up one of the state's best attacking duos. McConekey, a North Florida beach volleyball commit had a team-high 10 kills to go along with 10 digs Tuesday. The Pate-McConekey duo put on a show in the final set with 10 combined kills.
"Whenever you're in the moment you're not focusing on just one kill, or one pass or one block, we're focusing on everything coming together," McConekey said. "I know for me and a lot of the other girls, when we get a kill we're thanking the setter and thanking the passer. It starts with the defense, and we have a lot of confidence we're going to eventually be in the right spot."
Coastal’s #15 Kelly McConekey spikes the ball as Topsail took on Coastal Christian Tuesday Aug. 17, 2021 in Hampstead, N.C. Coastal Christian swept Topsail 3-0. [KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS]
Hannah Bloodworth, Mallorie Moore and Kora Beth Witzenman are the other three seniors in Coastal Christian's starting lineup. Bloodworth is the defensive anchor and libero, while Moore slots next to Pate and McConekey as a gifted attacker.
Witzenman is the heartbeat behind Coastal Christian's humming engine. The senior setter had 24 assists Tuesday, but she's also a handful at the net, posting four kills and three blocks. She also brings a fiery demeanor that Coastal Christian is going to need as games get tighter with more stakes.
"(Kora's) mom will tell you, there is no emotion on the court," Coastal Christian head coach Dudley Raye said. "She's having fun on the inside, but you can't tell on the inside. She's so determined."
But outside of those five seniors, there is still plenty of young talent ready to carry on the Coastal Christian tradition. Freshman Elsa Southerland looks like a star-in-the-making, and sophomore Samantha Harrell was Raye's Player of the Game Tuesday after a dominant performance with her serve.
Last year, Coastal Christian's season was disrupted by COVID-19 protocols and a helter-skelter non-conference schedule. The Centurions only got to play nine games during the regular season before the playoffs.
This fall, Raye is happy to get back to a more normal buildup to the postseason. Games against public schools like Hoggard and Laney, and talented private schools such as Arendell Parrott Academy will have Coastal Christian geared up for the playoff stretch.
Again, everything this season is about a state championship. Perhaps the biggest challenge until the latter parts of the season will be maintaining the right motivation.
"We want these tough non-conference games because we've had an easy time in our conference the last few years," Raye said. "I know the girls are hungry, but we have to focus every day on just being the best team we can be. If we do that every day, we can be the best team in the state when it's all over."
Reporter Jackson Fuller can be reached at Jackson.Fuller@StarNewsOnline.com or 910-343-2262.
Jackson Fuller
Wilmington StarNews
State championship expectations are the norm for Coastal Christian's volleyball program, but an unfamiliar scent is accompanying that lofty goal this fall.
The Centurions are loaded with senior talent who know this is their final chance at a state title. Coastal Christian exited the NCISAA playoffs in the semifinals during each of the past two seasons, and it's now-or-never for the six seniors on the roster.
"We talk about it pretty much every practice," Coastal Christian middle hitter Lydia Pate said. "That's the only goal for the season."
Coastal’s #9 Lydia Pate reacts with her teammates as Topsail took on Coastal Christian Tuesday Aug. 17, 2021 in Hampstead, N.C. Coastal Christian swept Topsail 3-0. [KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS]
Pate and the Centurions (6-1) flaunted their prowess Tuesday night, cruising to a 3-0 (25-8, 25-15, 25-10) win over Topsail (0-2). Pate, who committed to UNC-Asheville on Monday, had eight kills, five blocks and two aces.
Pate and Kelly McConekey make up one of the state's best attacking duos. McConekey, a North Florida beach volleyball commit had a team-high 10 kills to go along with 10 digs Tuesday. The Pate-McConekey duo put on a show in the final set with 10 combined kills.
"Whenever you're in the moment you're not focusing on just one kill, or one pass or one block, we're focusing on everything coming together," McConekey said. "I know for me and a lot of the other girls, when we get a kill we're thanking the setter and thanking the passer. It starts with the defense, and we have a lot of confidence we're going to eventually be in the right spot."
Coastal’s #15 Kelly McConekey spikes the ball as Topsail took on Coastal Christian Tuesday Aug. 17, 2021 in Hampstead, N.C. Coastal Christian swept Topsail 3-0. [KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS]
Hannah Bloodworth, Mallorie Moore and Kora Beth Witzenman are the other three seniors in Coastal Christian's starting lineup. Bloodworth is the defensive anchor and libero, while Moore slots next to Pate and McConekey as a gifted attacker.
Witzenman is the heartbeat behind Coastal Christian's humming engine. The senior setter had 24 assists Tuesday, but she's also a handful at the net, posting four kills and three blocks. She also brings a fiery demeanor that Coastal Christian is going to need as games get tighter with more stakes.
"(Kora's) mom will tell you, there is no emotion on the court," Coastal Christian head coach Dudley Raye said. "She's having fun on the inside, but you can't tell on the inside. She's so determined."
But outside of those five seniors, there is still plenty of young talent ready to carry on the Coastal Christian tradition. Freshman Elsa Southerland looks like a star-in-the-making, and sophomore Samantha Harrell was Raye's Player of the Game Tuesday after a dominant performance with her serve.
Last year, Coastal Christian's season was disrupted by COVID-19 protocols and a helter-skelter non-conference schedule. The Centurions only got to play nine games during the regular season before the playoffs.
This fall, Raye is happy to get back to a more normal buildup to the postseason. Games against public schools like Hoggard and Laney, and talented private schools such as Arendell Parrott Academy will have Coastal Christian geared up for the playoff stretch.
Again, everything this season is about a state championship. Perhaps the biggest challenge until the latter parts of the season will be maintaining the right motivation.
"We want these tough non-conference games because we've had an easy time in our conference the last few years," Raye said. "I know the girls are hungry, but we have to focus every day on just being the best team we can be. If we do that every day, we can be the best team in the state when it's all over."
Reporter Jackson Fuller can be reached at Jackson.Fuller@StarNewsOnline.com or 910-343-2262.
