By Brian Hoffman
The Glenvar volleyball team will begin defense of its 2021 state Class 2 title next week when the Highlanders host Blacksburg at GHS. Glenvar finished 23-3 last year and pounded Central of Woodstock in three sets at the Salem Civic Center to polish off the championship season.
The bad news for this year’s Glenvar opponents is that coach Mark Rohrback has just about everyone back. Bailey Conner, a tremendous front line player, was the only senior on the championship team and most of these girls will be playing together for the third straight season. Due to COVID moving the fall 2020 season to the spring of 2021, these girls will have played three seasons in a little over a year and a half come November.
“Almost all of last year’s team is back, and I feel extremely fortunate about that,” said Rohrback. “Our only senior was Bailey Conner, and we are certainly not underestimating the importance of her role on last year’s team and losing a player of that caliber. However, we have setters Audrey Conner and Cara Butler, outside hitters Claire Griffith, Hannah Hylton, and Natalie McMahon, and middle hitters Sydney Loder, Rhyan Harris, and Daisy Ann Dawyot all returning from last year’s squad. They were all major contributors to our team success last year.”
Newcomers hoping to crack the lineup include outside hitter Jamie Forster and defensive specialist Mahre Swanson. They were the junior varsity captains last year, and came up to the varsity team for the post-season.
“Jamie and Mahre are experienced volleyball players and will be serving several roles for this year’s team,” said Rohrback. “We are extremely excited with their progress and to have them join the team.”
Mark’s wife, Jen Rohrback, returns as junior varsity coach and assistant.
“What a blessing to have a JV coach with the knowledge, experience, professionalism, organization and patience, that Jen has in this sport,” said Mark.
Jen is a former player for Glenvar and assisting her with the JV squad this year will be Haley Quesenberry, formerly Haley Leftwich. Haley also played for Glenvar and will be teaching at the high school this year after a stint of coaching and teaching at William Byrd Middle School. Another former player and current local professional firefighter, Courtney Herron, will also be assisting the team from time to time as her schedule allows.
The Glenvar schedule is loaded with capable opponents once again this year. The Three Rivers District is traditionally a strong one in volleyball and Rohrback likes to play the best teams he can find for the non-district schedule
“This area of the state is loaded with volleyball talent,” he said. “We are fortunate to play in the Three Rivers District and see high level, competitive volleyball on a match by match basis. Region C and D also features strong programs that consistently produce outstanding volleyball teams. The only team that is new to our schedule from last year is Blacksburg High School, and we look forward to the challenge of competing with them.”
Obviously the Highlanders are hoping to repeat as state champions, looking for their third overall state title. However, as long as volleyball is fun Mark is okay with it.
“Our goals for this season are the same as they are for every other season,” he said. “To have a lot of fun and to play the game we love at the highest level we can possibly achieve.
“This group of young ladies provide everything you could hope for as a coach. . .intelligence, work ethic, athleticism, competitive desire and an absolute enjoyment of volleyball. I am excited to see their level of play this year, and I hope as many fans of the sport and high level high school athletics make it out to watch and support this exceptional group of athletes.”
The Glenvar Middle School team will have their second game today when the Highlanders play at Northside. Glenvar opened their season with a two-set win over Radford, 25-10 and 25-3.
Action from last week’s scrimmage between Salem and Glenvar at the Andrew Lewis gym. Left, Glenvar’s Hannah Hylton goes up for a spike as Kai Bowen of Salem contests. Center is a battle of #4s as Salem’s Reese Redford and Glenvar’s Rhyan Harris meet at the net. Right, Ella Walker of Salem knocks one down.
