It may be too late to buy stock on the rise for Pineville on the volleyball court as we head into the 2024 season. The Mountain Lions are coming off a historic 18-win season which secured the best record in program history.
They came up just short in the All “A” Classic and were the runner-up for the first time in school history, Pineville was able to secure the 51st District championship. With a roster that reports back five of the six starters from last season, the Mountain Lions could have the roster to make the next jump after falling just short to Harlan County in five sets at the regional tournament last year.
“Everything this class of seniors have been working for comes to a head this season. We have accomplished a lot, but we are absolutely not satisfied. Last year our focus was to get over the district hump. We had been in the championship several years and had never been able to get it finished until last year. That was our first goal. This year, we want to be back there again, back in the championship of the All A and finish that job, and go on to the region and make them mention Pineville in the conversation of the best volleyball teams in the 13th,” said Pineville coach Samantha North.
Senior captain Kamryn Biliter returns as the 51st District Tournament MVP. Biliter led the team with surgical precision with 308 assists, and was the defensive leader with 238 digs. A key piece of the 2024 season, she has a plethora of targets to hit.
Ava Arnett returns after leading the offensive and defensive fronts with 316 kills and 160 blocks. The senior also led the team in service aces with 101 while posing a threat at the net, Arnett proved to be an all-rounder with 214 digs, which was second on the team.
Senior Addison Slone rounds out the attack with 181 kills and 86 service aces. The senior also got it done at both ends as she neared 200 digs in the back row as well last season.
Kadence McQueen had a breakout season on the net for the Lions, securing 144 blocks for her team last year.
Behind that front line, Pineville also returns juniors Makayla Terrell (120 digs), Brooke Harris (67 digs) and Mackenzie Caldwell (51 digs) in the back row to provide much needed leadership defensively.
“We have an exceptional group of players, and a nice mixture of athleticism and volleyball experience and knowledge. Some of our freshmen have six seasons of volleyball under their belt,” North said. “They have been champions and have no fear of any team, no matter the name on their jersey. Our upperclassmen lead with passion and determination. There is nowhere to hide on the floor and in practice, and our younger girls rise to that challenge. I trust them to make big plays and command the floor, and they continue to show that they can and will fight for every point.”
The Lions will have to look to their youth to replace Nadine Johnson to graduation. Johnson went for 86 kills and 114 digs last season.
They return freshman Brynlee Sizemore, who provided a solid stat-line for Pineville and will look to get more involved with the departure of Johnson. Sizemore, as a setter, dished out 182 assists, had 144 digs, along with 88 service aces. This year she will get more looks offensively playing right side.
The Lions will also look to freshman Maja Brown, who played in few, but clutch sets last season, and newcomer Jaycee Caldwell, who was a standout on the Pineville middle school volleyball team. Junior Makenna Turner will also look to take the next step in providing height on the net.
“We played a tough summer schedule to prepare for this season and believe it is going to pay off for us. We played 5A schools with multiple district and region championships to their name, teams who have been to the Sweet 16, teams with a winning legacy older than I am,” North said. “We want to be in that conversation with the best, and I believe we are making the right moves to get there. This season is going to be special.”
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