Expected to excel this year
This year’s Middlesex High School Lady Charger varsity volleyball team has 10 players returning from last year’s squad that went undefeated in Tidewater District play and were district champs with a 24-6 overall record. Last season Middlesex won its fifth Tidewater District Tournament in its eight years with Coach Brian Walton, who was voted co-coach of the year for the Tidewater District, sharing the title with King William Coach Tiffany Ward.
The 2024-2025 Lady Chargers were runners-up to champions Rappahannock of Warsaw in the Region 1A Tournament and went to the state tournament for the sixth time in eight years, defeating Altavista Combined School in the opening round — the first Lady Charger State win in at least eight years.
Captains
Five seniors returning to the team include McKenzie Clark, Courtney Jessie, Kaitlyn Hargrove, Carly Jessie, and Karadee Anderson. Named to the second team All-Region 1A in 2024 were Carly Jessie and Courtney Jessie.
Also returning are juniors Rori Stuart and Pollie Hammond. Rori Stuart received an honorable mention to All-Region 1A team in 2024.
Sophomores returning include Hannah Lambert, Hannah Koehler and Kinsley Horn.
New to the varsity team are sophomore Lailah Baylor, and five freshmen Peyton Baker, Ella Faulkner, Annie Bray, Sophie Wilds and Vada Reinhardt.
As Coach Walton starts his ninth year as head coach he’s optimistic. “We should be strong… this is the strongest young group I have had since I have been head coach!”
The JV and varsity Lady Chargers open the season at home against Lancaster on Tuesday, Aug. 26. JV plays at 5:30 p.m. and varsity follows at 7 p.m.
