NKHS Girls' Volleyball: Skippers Look to Make Waves

Considering the fact that her NKHS girls’ volleyball team fell just one match short of playing for the state championship last fall, the 2011 season begins with the bar set high.

The Skippers began last season at 2-4, but then rolled off five wins in seven matches before falling to Coventry in an emotional 3-0 loss in the state semifinal. This year, Coach Victoria Tefft returns with a young but talented squad. 

“We lost some really important players so we are a little young as far as experience goes,” Tefft said. “That’s going to be a huge factor for us, is how we’re going to develop.” 

Of the five players lost to graduation last year, none will be missed more than the dominant outside hitter Annie Ragan, a two-time first-team all-stater who set the emotional tone for the team. 

“Annie was just a great all-around player so replacing her is a real challenge for us,” Tefft said. “But we’re going to plug the gap in other ways. There is always someone who wants to step up to prove that they can keep us going in the right direction. Sometimes it’s not just one person and I like that.” 

Tefft will look to senior JoJo Chatham, the Skippers’ captain and primary setter, to step into the role as the leader. 

“It’s nice to have her back because she is a very committed, enthusiastic and energetic leader,” Tefft said. “One of JoJo’s qualities is that she’s just tenacious. If there’s a ball she can get to, she will get to it.” 

Moira Crocker, also a senior, returns for her second year with the team as a middle hitter. In the early practices this year, Crocker demonstrated signs of serious improvement in her game. As such, she’ll be expected to help fill the large void left by Ragan. 

“Moira played a lot over the winter and she’s just really elevated her skills,” Tefft said. “She’s become a tremendous blocker. Probably the most difficult skill in volleyball is blocking effectively and consistently but she has great timing and she just explodes off the floor. Moira has become much more of an offensive force since last year.” 

Other returning players rounding out the nucleus are Lindsay Merz, Amelia Wietman and Michaela Polom, who will likely shift to the right side this year. According to Tefft, Wietman might evolve into a secret weapon for the Skippers this season. 

“Amelia’s gotten quicker and has developed good overhand skills in the front row. But she’s also working on a real devastating serve, a little jump float that’s going pretty well for her.” 

An unexpected addition of talent comes in the form of junior year exchange student Francis Feldman, who more than makes up for her inexperience in the game with a mix of athleticism and other intangibles. 

“She’s very quick, very coachable and has a great court sense,” Tefft said of her new player. “When you’ve got someone who has great court sense, you’re in good shape.” 

Regarding the competition this year, Tefft sees some tough teams, especially within the field of the Division I – South teams. 

“It’s the usual cast of characters,” she said. “The best teams we’ll face will probably be Coventry, Prout, South Kingstown, Chariho, always the same mix. East Greenwich will probably be stronger this year than they have been. Toll Gate had some good JV kids last year so I expect them to be good. You know, it’s a strong division.” 

“Every one of those teams has some offensive weapons and they have the basic elements of tough serving and ball control,” she added. “That’s always the platform. From there, we’ll do our best to build the rest of the house and make it fancy.”