Published: Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009 / Updated: Monday, Aug. 24, 2009 07:09 AM

Prep volleyball: Local squads have big shoes to fill

The high school volleyball season is fast approaching. Westminster Catawba hosts the first area regular-season match at 6 p.m. Tuesday against NCISAA Metrolina foe Covenant Day.

Northwestern won the Region 3-AAAA volleyball title last year. The Trojans were a senior-led team guided by first-year coach Cesar Robles, who was named The Herald's volleyball coach of the year.

Rock Hill tied for the Region 4-AAAA crown in 2008. The Bearcats were led by all-state and region player of the year Karlee DuBard.

Northwestern was beaten in the second round of the state playoffs by Hillcrest. It was Hillcrest that downed Rock Hill in the third round.

Robles lost Heather Whitesides, now at Newberry College, and Ashley Young from last year's team. Northwestern will only have five players back out of 11 who played varsity last season. But the JV team was strong last year and Robles had more than 50 girls out for the team.

Rock Hill coach Cindy Elder begins her 19th year. She thought she had a shot at a state title last year. Her team was ranked as high as No. 6 in state polls. The Bearcats last played for a state title in 1978 under coach Julia Corn. Elder's teams have been in the playoffs in 16 of her 18 seasons.

DuBard (Presbyterian), Alicia Bragg (Erskine) and Paulette Rivers (Anderson) all graduated and are playing collegiate volleyball.

Three new area coaches to watch are Nation Ford's Carrie Christian, Clover's Sean Cowley and Lancaster's Betsi O'Shields. Each coach brings a unique background to their program that should translate to more wins on the court.

Here's a look at the Herald-area schools:

Chester

Coach: Marilyn Milton

Region: 4-AAA

2008: Chester did not make the postseason. Chapin was the top seed out of the region. Chapin and No. 2 Lugoff-Elgin were both eliminated in the second round of the Upper State playoffs. Pickens won the Class AAA state title over Hilton Head. It was the Blue Flames' seventh state championship in the last nine years.

Clover

Coach: Sean Cowley, first year

2008: Finished third in Region 3-AAAA.

Top returning players: Caitlan Flanagan, Sidney Cates, Tanaya Pettus, Lauren Hohler, Leeta Brown.

Key losses: Casey Killian, Georgianna Westmoreland, Stephanie Dover, Jaclin Poole

Who is Sean Cowley?: He previously coached the freshmen/sophomore and JV programs at Mater Dei High School in Southern California before coming to work for Clover.

Fort Mill

Coach: Melanie Jaehnen, second year

2008: Second in Region 3-AAAA

Top returning players: Megan Crimi, Lindsey Piedt

Key Loss: Senior leadership.

They said it: “Our two seniors did a wonderful job leading by example and cheering on their teammates. They were also very positive on the court, so I will be looking for some girls to fill this void on our team this season.” Fort Mill coach Melanie Jaehnen

Indian Land

Coach: Olivia Terzo

Region: 3-A

2008: The Warriors beat Williston-Elko in the first round of the playoffs last year. They won the first two games against Greenville Tech in the second round but lost the last three to bow out of the postseason. Indian Land has won four Class A state championships (1996, 1997, 2001, 2004).

Lancaster

Coach: Betsi O'Shields, first year

2008: Sixth in Region 4-AAAA

Top returning players: Quana Jones, Tarah Tipton, Shannon Trusedale

Who is Betsi O'Shields?: O'Shields takes over a Lancaster volleyball program that went winless in 2008. She had been at Wren High teaching and coaching for the last three years. She compiled a coaching record of 35-17 and led the team to the playoffs all three seasons.

Lewisville

Coach: Mary Hall

Region: 3-A

2008: Missed the postseason. Landrum went on to capture its third straight Class A state title.

Nation Ford

Coach: Carrie Christian, first year

Who is Carrie Christian?: She comes to Nation Ford from Charlotte Country Day School, where she coached the last five seasons and led the team to two state championship appearances. In addition, she handles the general operations for the Carolina Juniors Volleyball Club in Charlotte. She has already coached many Nation Ford volleyball players.