Varsity Volleyball
Schedule
Roster
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Carolyn Ames (captain)2025
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Kate Benson (captain)2026
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Alexis Bloomer (captain)2025
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Emily Deihl (captain)2024
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Eliza Everett (captain)2025
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Maya Foster (captain)2024
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Bailey Fuller (captain)2024
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Rebekah Leshnock (captain)2024
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Lauren Lloyd (captain)2025
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Grimsley McNairy (captain)2026
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Grace Viera (captain)2024
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Skyler Woods (captain)2024
Coaches
Team Stories
Our Varsity Volleyball team hosted Thales Academy of Apex in the first round of the playoffs on Thursday, October, 19th. The Warriors were focused and ready to compete. In a previous matchup this season the Warriors defeated the Titans 3-0, but did not take the team lightly because of previous success. "Thales has a very good volleyball team so we knew we were in for a battle." -Coach Lightbourn The Warriors took control of the match early with good serving and great hustle plays all around. The Titans did not bow down and put up a fight the entire match. In the end, the Warriors proved to be too much for the Titans and walked away with another 3-0 victory. The Warriors play Asheville Christian Academy on Saturday, October 21st.
Our Varsity Volleyball Team travelled across town to take on Grace Christian on Tuesday, September 12th. The Warriors were looking to seek redemption after 2 consecutive losses. The Warriors started off strong showing great on court communication and energy which propelled them to a victory in the first set. The second set was plagued by errors on the part of the Warriors which allowed the Eagles to gain momentum and eventually win that set. In set three, the Warriors were able to regain focus and limit their errors. Despite the Eagle's overbearing student section, the Warriors energy level elevated. Sophomore Grimsley McNairy and Senior Rebekah Leshnock made some key plays as well as and our Libero, Senior Emily Deihl, played very strong defense. The fourth and deciding set found the Warriors firing on all cylinders. The Warriors mixed up their shots to keep the Eagles on their toes. Seniors Skyler Woods and Rebekah Leshnock had great chemistry and were able to connect on several key plays down the stretch to push the Warriors over the top! The Warriors look more connected as a team and played GREAT volleyball!
The Warriors will be in action again on Thursday, September 14th when they host Cary Christian. Come out and support!
Our Varsity Volleyball team hosted undefeated Thales Academy of Apex on Thursday, August 31st. The Warriors were focused heading into the contest against Thales. Having just come off of a win the Warriors new that they had a tall task ahead. The Titans were 8-0 coming in to Warriror Territory. The Warriors started off on a role. Good serving and great back line defense had the Warriors ahead early in the contest. The Warriors continued to maintain and took the first match. The second match had several lead changes. The Warriors battled back and was able to come out on top. Heading into the third match the Titans seemed to be running out of gas. The Warroirs capitalized and continued to apply pressure. Ultimately, the Warriors prevailed in three straight sets and upset the previously undefeated Titans. The Warriors will be in action again on Tuesday, Sept. 5th as they host Wake Christian Academy.
Our Varsity Volleyball Team traveled across town to take on Ravenscroft. The Warriors were looking to continue to build momentum. The match was exciting as both teams made adjustments to counter the success of the other. The Warriors won the first 2 sets but the Ravens stormed back to win the next 2 sets forcing a 5th. The Warriors kept their composure, focused on the goal at hand, and were able to come away with a 3-2 victory. "I am very proud of the way the ladies were able to lock in and get the job done. Although we still need to fine tune somethings, we look better each time we take the court." - Coach Romel. The Warriors are in action again on Thursday, August 31st when they host Thales Academy of Apex.
Player of the match Rebekah Leshnock - 7 blocks, 11 kills, 11 Digs and 14 assist
Our Varsity Girls Volleyball Team hosted University Christian on Saturday, August 26th. The Warriors entered the match trying to capture their second win in a row after bouncing back from a loss against NRCA. The Warriors started the match off strong and playing well together. The Warriors went on a run and forced several errors from University Christian. The Warriors continued their momentum into the 2nd match but due to some substitutions and errors by the Warriors, University Christian was able to go on a roll of their one and get the match within striking distance. Senior Skyler Woods quickly doused the fire of the Barracudas by serving several aces. The Warriors were rotating well and making great passes. In the third set, the Warriors continued to roll behind the smart playmaking of Senior Skylar Woods, the back line play of Senior Emily Deihl, and the outside hitting of Senior Rebekah Leshnock and Sophomore Grimsley McNairy. The Warriors were able to win the match in 3 straight sets. The Warriors will be in action again on Tuesday, August 29th as they take on Ravenscroft.
UPPER SCHOOL ROUND-UP (8/21-8/25)
JV FOOTBALL
Our JV Football team traveled to Cary Christian to take on the Knights for their season opener. The Warriors were in high spirits and ready to compete. Matthew Palmer had a 60 yard for a touchdown as the only score for the Warriors. “The loss was tough but was a great learning experience. We will learn and get better from it.” – Coach Viera The Warriors next contest is against Arendell Parrott Academy at home next Wednesday, August 30th.
VARSITY SOCCER
ARENDELL PARROTT (8/22) Our Varsity Boys Soccer Team travelled to Arendell Parrott Academy to take on the Patriots. The Warriors were feeling confident coming off of their strong performance against Dash United. The Warriors had a positive start with several attacking opportunites but made a costly error on defense that led to a goal by the Patriots. “It took us a while to adjust fielding with 3 new players on defense.” – Coach Sewell. The Warriors gave up 2 more goals before the half and went into halftime down 3-0. The Warriors came out the second half and played much better. The Warriors controlled play, created more chances and were able to get a goal back; Landon Brestwitz scored with an assist from Fabian Fallas. “We have work to do, as we must improve our game awareness and technical abilities, best part of it all; the boys are up to the challenge.” -Coach Cornéjo
CARY ACADEMY (8/24) The Varsity Boys Soccer Team faced Cary Academy on their home field. The Warriors held the Chargers scoreless in the first half but were unable to score themselves. The Warriors came out of the half flat and allowed 4 goals in the second half. “The boys tried hard but it just wasn’t enough today. We will go back to the practice field as there is much to work on!” – Coach Cornéjo
VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY
THALES ACADEMY (8/22) Our Varsity Cross Country team traveled to Rolesville to compete in their first race of the season hosted by Thales Academy. The start to the season has been challenged by high heat and humidity, but the team has been faithful to train when and where they can. The Warriors were eager, and a little apprehensive, to race, to find out their level of fitness, and to set a 5K season best on which to build. The girls’ team led by Sophomore captain Lizzie Latchford with Freshmen girls Annie Erickson and Emma Rose Marshall, was first to race in a field of 47 athletes. Lizzie and Annie ran together through the first two miles and finished the race in 15th (28:19) and 19th (28:46) with only 27 seconds between them. Emma Rose ran courageously and showed mental toughness in successfully finishing her first Varsity race (39, 35:43).By the time the gun went off at 6:05 PM for the boys’ race, the temperature had cooled significantly and with cloud cover, a light breeze, and a largely shaded course, conditions were much better than expected. Our six athletes, led by Senior captain Kaishun Sato-Choi, Charlie Slawinski, Connor Jordan, Nico Janas, Carter Moran, and Thomas France ran respectable first races of the season. First to cross the finish line for St. David’s was Charlie, whose 2nd place overall finish in a sub 18:00 time of 17:56 bodes very well for the season ahead. Rounding out our team in the seven-school field of 68 athletes were Connor Jordan (43, 24:52), Nico Janas (51, 26:06), Kaishun Sato-Choi (57, 28:12), Carter Moran (63, 31:13) and Thomas France (67, 33:17). The team earned a 6th place finish with these performances.
VARSITY GIRLS GOLF
GRACE CHRISTIAN OF SANDFORD (8/22) Our Varsity Girls Golf Team opened their season against Grace Christian of Sandford at the Quail Ridge Country Club. Mackenzie Cline was our lone player on a course she had never played before and on a very hot afternoon. The course was in great condition! Mackenzie shot a 1 over par 37 to be the Match Medalist of the day among 15 other players. She started with a double bogey on her first hole, and then eagled the next hole, reaching a par 5 in 2 shots and making a 10 foot putt for eagle, to get back to even par through 2 holes. She had a very steady round after that. Mackenzie finished as the medalist for this event.
VARSITY GIRLS TENNIS
RAVENSCROFT (8/22) The Varsity Girls Tennis Team travelled to Arendell Parrott Academy to take the Patriots. Junior Kennedy Holmes and 8th grader Anna Hauser both won very tough singles matches in 3 sets. The doubles teams for the Warriors played well again. The Warriors are learning and growing with each match. “I am very proud of how all of the girls played. Parrott had a really strong lineup, especially at the top.” – Coach Crowder
JV VOLLEYBALL
ARENDELL PARROTT (8/17) Our JV Volleyball Team played big rival Arendell Parrott in Lockerbie Gym on August 17th. It was the first game of the season for this team, and they came ready to play! While the team lost, both sets were close (27-25 and 25-23). The entire team had a consistent serving and hitting game with standouts M.E. Martin, L. Graham, E.K. Woody and M.E. Borges. Coach Lamb and Coach Eastmann were pleased with the team’s performance and know that their team will continue to improve throughout the season. They look forward to their next game at North Raleigh Christian on August 22nd.
NORTH RALEIGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (8/22) Our JV Volleyball Team traveled to NRCA to take on the Knights on August 22nd. The Warriors were looking to build upon a their performance in the first game of the season. The Warriors were a bit nervous due to the notoriety of the Knights. The Warriors allowed their nerves to get the best of them in this contest. By the time they settled into the match and realized they could be competitive against NRCA it was too late. “the girls let themselves get overwhelmed that the other team was known to be a hard one.” – Coach Lamb
VARISTY VOLLEYBALL
NORTH RALEIGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Our Varsity Volleyball Team travelled across town to face the Knights on Tuesday, August 22nd. The Warriors had a slow start in the first 2 sets as our hitters just could not seem to get going. The Warriors had a few unforced errors and trouble defending the outside and middle hitters of NRCA. The Warriors were able to make some adjustments in the 3rd set with Senior Skyler Woods setting 5-1 and Senior Rebekah Leshnock moving to outside hitter. Sophomore Grimsley McNairy stepped up for the Warriors and had several key plays as she was aggressively attacking from the front and back row. Senior Rebekah Leshnock made some key blocks as well to help the Warriors take that set. “We faced some talented players today. Playing against this level of competition will help prepare us for the tough schedule ahead.” – Coach Lightbourn
CARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (8/25) – Our Varsity Volleyball Team headed to Cary Christian on Friday, August 25th. The Warriors were looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season against NRCA. The Warriors started off slow but were able to get things going and win the first set. The Warriors had too many unforced errors in the 2nd and 3rd sets and found themselves down 1-3 headed into the 4th set. The Warriors were able to bounce back and win the 4th set behind some key kills and blocks from Senior Rebekah Leshnock and Junior Eliza Everett. By the 5th set the Warriors were clicking on all cylinders and easily took the win. “We are still making too many unforced errors during crucial moments of the match. We have to get better.” - Coach Lightbourn
Our Varsity Volleyball Team hosted the Pirates of Arendell Parrott Academy on Thursday, August 17th. The Warriors came out fired up and ready for the match up. The Warriors came out strong and took control off the opening serve. The Warriors were clicking on all cylinders offensively and defensively during the first 2 matches. It seems as though the Warriors would secure a 3 - 0 sweep but the Patriots had other plans. The third match was a nail biter with several lead changes. The match went down to the wire with the Patriots coming out on top and forcing a 4th set. The fourth set was also a nail biter with the score being tied several different times. The game came down to a key play by Senior Maya Foster which put the Warriors over the edge. The Warriors are now 6 and 0. The Warriors will be in action again on Tuesday, August 22nd when they take on North Raleigh Christian Academy at home! Come out and support our Varsity Volleyball Team!