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The Green Wave volleyball team returns eight varsity lettermen from last season, including Elizabeth Miler (pictured), the team’s leading scorer.

With eight lettermen returning including an all-state performer the Green Wave is the team to beat in Region 8-AAAA this volleyball season.

Summerville lost three starters from last year’s squad, but has some hungry young players anxious to step up and compliment the experienced group that did return this year.

“I’m looking forward to the season,” Summerville coach Teresa Kendle said. “I’m excited about the energy my girls are putting into everything and I’m hoping that will produce some results. We have a strong group of seniors to provide leadership and this team has cohesiveness to it. Everyone is working hard and dedicated so the big thing is we just need some of our young players to come along and help with the defense.”

Providing that leadership will be two-time all-state hitter Elizabeth Miler and fellow seniors Jessie Halajcsik and Whitney Palmer. Miler, Palmer and junior Kathryn Steverson provide good height for the Wave.

Other returning lettermen are freshman Tinari Brown and Hanna Horton, sophomore Taylor Horton and junior Melissa Hanna.

Joining the team for their debut varsity season are junior outside hitter Alexis Volpe, sophomore outside hitter Kayla Branton and eighth-grade setter/defensive specialist Sarah Windham. Branton will be sidelined by injury for some early matches, but Kendle says Windham and Volpe both stand to see some action immediately.

Traditional power West Ashley moved out of Summerville’s region with realignment, but an Ashley Ridge team that was very competitive the past two years in Class AA moves in and will be looking to keep level of competitiveness in the region steady. The remaining teams in the region are Fort Dorchester, Colleton County and Beaufort. The Patriots and Eagles both have a new coach this season, but all three of those teams tend to bring their A Game when they face the Wave.

Kendle says that while her team may not be as strong at the net as it has been in the past, her goal is still winning the region crown and the home-court playoff advantage that comes with it.

“We are going to have to rely on our defense and play smart this year, but we are out to win,” she said. “Serving and passing will also be key for us.”

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com.

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