(Editor’s note: This is the second of four Middlesex High School [MHS] fall sports preview packages. Watch future editions of the Sentinel for previews of MHS cross country and football, which also start new seasons this month.)
The 2024-2025 Middle-sex High School (MHS) Lady Charger varsity volleyball team has 10 players returning from last year’s squad, which went undefeated in Tidewater District play. The team was also the district champion with a 20-3 overall record. The 2023-2024 Lady Chargers were runners-up to champion Rappahannock of Warsaw in the Region 1A Tournament. MHS Head Coach Brian Walton’s crew advanced to the state tournament for the fifth time in seven years.
Captains
All four seniors are team captains, including, in alphabetical order, Hailey Bruce, Addison Heasley, Karlie Morris and Libby Oliver. Each of the seniors was named to the All-Region 1A team. Also, three of these Lady Chargers received special honors in the Tidewater District. Karlie Morris was named the Tidewater District player of the year. A middle hitter, Morris had a total of 271 kills this season.
Hailey Bruce was named the Tidewater District defensive specialist of the year.
Libby Oliver was selected the Tidewater District Libero of the year. She finished with 221 digs last season.
Setting specialist Addison Heasley tallied 498 assists last season.
“All four are leaders on and off the floor,” said Coach Walton. “Our offense runs through Karlie Morris, who just committed to Randolph Macon College.”
Juniors
Six juniors returning to the team include Pollie Hammond, McKenzie Clark, Courtney Jessie, Kaitlyn Hargrove, Carly Jessie, and Karadee Anderson. Named to the second team All Region 1A in 2023 were Carly Jessie and Courtney Jessie.
“The seniors have been playing for me for three years and everyone else for two years, except the newcomers,” said Coach Walton. “All know very well what is expected of them and how we do things.”
New players
New players are freshmen Hannah Lambert, Hannah Koehler, Kinsley Horn, Rori Stewart and Mia Foley. “We have a good mix of veterans and freshmen,” said Walton. “We’re looking forward to getting the season started and expectations are very high again this year.”
Scrimmage
The Lady Chargers will host the Gloucester Lady Dukes for a scrimmage. It is set for 7 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 22, in John S. Clements Memorial Gymnasium on the MHS campus in Saluda.
The Charger girls face an early test on Tuesday, Aug. 27, when they host the Rappahannock Raider girls of Warsaw at 7 p.m. at MHS. “Rapp” is the only team Middlesex lost to in the regular season last year.
