The North Atlanta Girls Volleyball team is a strong contender to emerge the 2014 region champion. Winning the city championships for two consecutive years now, the girls have demonstrated serious skill, and are poised for success again this year.

Coach Star Brackin, in her fifth year coaching the team, has expressed excitement about the prospects for the season. The women are expected to compete again for a city championship, despite the loss of last year’s team leaders and co-captains, Erin Starnes and Carson Morris. Starnes was the team’s outside hitter, while Morris was a setter. The team also lost Camilla Sims and Sarah Holt, both of whom were strong middle hitters.

Brackin feels confident even with the loss of key players. “I believe we’re just as strong, if not stronger. There is more camaraderie and everyone is extremely positive on the court. Also the new players have been great additions to the team,” she said.

Tyler Hunter and Tatiana Burell, varsity squad captains, are also optimistic about the team’s potential. Such optimism is fueled by an early-season win over Elite Scholars Academy. Since then, the team has defeated Creekside, Therrell, South Atlanta, and Maynard Jackson.

Some players to watch are Hunter, a strong player, and Burell, the team libero, who is returning after recovering from an injury last season. Adenike Makinde is a rising star for the volleyball team and the freshman is sure to play a key role in her career at NAHS. In the first match of the season against Creekside, she served first and won eleven straight points, helping lead the team to an early victory.

Andrew Taylor, the new head JV coach, and Luke Martin, assistant JV coach, both pointed out that there are many great players at the junior varsity level, too. “There is no shortage of talent on this squad, and the team is set for a strong season. I’m excited for my first year working with the volleyball team,” Taylor said.

Next, the volleyball warriors will take on Cambridge High School at home on September 23 at 5:30 pm. The full volleyball schedule can be found here.