By Phil Murphy
Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, DigitalSports.com
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In the National District, Yorktown is the clear-cut favorite to repeat. The Patriots (13-8) ran the district table and return four starters from last year’s team that advanced to the Northern Region quarterfinals.
Headlining their returners is National District Player of the Year — and first team all-region outside hitter — Elyse Bush, a four-year varsity starter. Bush had a district-high 361 kills last season. Yorktown also brings back first-team all-district senior right side Courtney Duran, who recorded over 150 digs in 2008.
Two young Patriots will play into the mix, as well. The Rock sisters, sophomore middle Ashley and freshman outside hitter Katie, will both see significant playing time. Ashley Rock started as a freshman last year and made an impact in Yorktown’s three-game district championship match win over Edison with five kills and five digs.
Coach Brittanie Behar made no mistake that, with so many pieces in tact from last year, she hopes the Patriots can repeat as National District champions and advance beyond the regional quarterfinals, where they were eliminated last season.
To accomplish the latter, though, they must improve on their 2-8 record against out-of-district opponents.
To accomplish the former, Yorktown will have to stay ahead of both Edison and Stuart.
Under fourth-year coach Matt Merante, the Eagles advanced to the district final last season despite a 9-11 overall record. They graduate three starters, including second-team all-district setter Ariell Thompson and both starting outside hitters.
Juniors Hannah Barnhart and sophomore Taylor Laksbergs are competing to fill Thompson’s vacancy. Junior libero Deloris Mensah was praised by Merante for her quickness and is an integral part of the Edison nucleus.
Another contributor that is young in age — but not in class — is 6-foot senior middle back Marnee Rand. Rand was a sophomore last season, but is in a military family and is taking an accelerated course load. She plans to graduate early to avoid moving before her senior season.
Stuart is the dark horse in the district, having had the best record in its seven-year program history last year, 14-7. But it graduated six seniors, four of whom were first-team all-district and three play in college: Setter Corey Haynes (St. Peter’s, N.J.), outside hitter Bianca Santos (Shepherd) and libero Katherine Herrera (Fairmont State).
The Raiders return two captains, though, in senior setter Danielle O’Brien and senior libero Andrea Suarez.
“They have enough game experience and enough knowledge — and, honestly, enough athleticism — to help carry some of the other ones forward,” said seventh-year Stuart coach Sharon Ponton of O’Brien and Suarez. “In the mean time, they have to play their game, too, which is difficult for a high-school kid.”
A first-time varsity player that could make an impact is junior outside hitter Maria Martucci, a converted soccer player that Ponton labeled as a “difference-maker.”
Hayfield joined the National District this offseason and could figure prominently into the final district standings. The Hawks bring back junior outside hitter Jessie Kolden, a first-team All-Patriot District selection as a sophomore.
Kolden instantly becomes the best underclassmen in the district and, if healthy for the season, will make her second-straight first-team all-district team.
Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com
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