With the 2025 fall sports season quickly approaching, it’s time to take a look at the top returning volleyball players in the Chagrin Valley Conference.
CHAGRIN DIVISION
Perry cruised to the conference title last fall with a 10-0 mark in league play. The Pirates return four all-conference performers from a season ago, but they do have to replace Chagrin Division MVP Madison Miner, who graduated.
Returning for the Pirates are sophomore Emily Mechenbier, a first-team All-CVC performer at middle blocker; senior setter Kendra Konrad, a second-team selection; senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Tatum Christian, an honorable mention selection; and junior setter Aubrey Santore, who was named honorable mention in 2024.
Hawken finished second in the league standings last fall. The Hawks return just two all-conference performers from last season in senior outside hitter Kyndall Williams, a second-teamer, and senior libero/defensive specialist Casey Jared, who was named honorable mention.
Chagrin Falls, which finished 6-4 in league play last season, returns three all-conference performers. Senior outside hitter Gigi Calabrese was a first-team selection, junior libero Sadie Conrad was named to the second team, and junior middle hitter Lily Victoroff was an honorable mention selection.
West Geauga (4-6) returns senior setter Malory Lear, a returning first-teamer, junior outside hitter Anna Grill, a second-teamer, and junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Ella Grill, who was named honorable mention.
Orange (2-8) returns four all-conference performers in junior outside hitter Sophia Newman, who was named first team, junior outside hitter Maddie Moore, a second team selection, and junior middle hitters Kelsey Lewis and Kaylee Newman, who were named honorable mention.
Harvey senior libero Emily Amador is a returning first-team All-CVC performer.
Lutheran West moves into the Chagrin Division after previously competing in the Metro Division. The Longhorns finished 9-3 in league play. They return senior libero Hannah Bryda, who was a second-team All-CVC performer.
LAKE DIVISION
Defending champion Edgewood (10-0) returns just two all-conference performers from last fall, but one of them is junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Faith Vencill, the reigning Lake Division MVP. The Warriors also return senior libero Luci Paolillo, an honorable mention selection.
Jefferson (8-2) returns senior setter/right side hitter Cheyanne McGirr, a second-team selection, and sophomore setter Olivia Palm, who was named honorable mention.
Geneva (6-4) returns five All-CVC players, including first-teamers Ella Haeseler and Rhiley Williams. Haeseler is a senior setter/outside hitter, while Williams is a junior middle. The Eagles also return junior libero Cora Brace, a second-team selection, and seniors Brooke Wright and Claire Cafaro, who were named honorable mention. Wright is an outside hitter while Cafaro is a middle hitter.
Madison (4-6) returns junior defensive specialist/libero Gracie Kless, a second-teamer.
METRO DIVISION
Defending champion Independence (12-0) graduated Metro Division MVP Sofia Smotek, but the Blue Devils return a pair of all-conference performers in senior setter/right side hitter Haley Wilson, a first-team selection, and senior outside hitter Anna Jirmasek, who was named to the second team.
Fairview finished second in the Metro Division with a 9-3 record. The Warriors return junior right side hitter Brooklyn Schmidt, a first teamer, and junior setter/right side hitter Chloe King, who was named honorable mention.
Third-place Cuyahoga Heights (6-6) returns senior Reilly Conte, and Trinity (3-8) returns senior setter/defensive specialist Izzy Buehner, a second-team selection, and senior middle Trinity Johnson, who was named honorable mention.
Richmond Heights (1-11) returns honorable mention selections Loryana Williams, a senior setter, and Raquel Dickson, a sophomore middle hitter.
Beachwood joins the Metro Division this fall after competing in the Valley Division last season.
The Bison bring back junior libero Gianna Preston, a second-team selection, and honorable mention recipients Kaylin Hilliard, a junior outside hitter, and Casie Baker, a junior setter/outside hitter.
VALLEY DIVISION
Defending champion Berkshire (9-1) heads into the 2025 season with four returning all-conference performers, including reigning Valley Division MVP Marissa Rish, a senior setter/right side/outside hitter. Rish was also named first-team All-CVC.
The Badgers also return senior middle hitter Jill Smetana, a first-teamer, senior outside hitter Kate Miller, who was named second team, and honorable mention selection Ava Chuha, a senior setter.
Kirtland (8-2) brings back junior outside hitter Ellie Spencer, who was named second team, and junior defensive specialist Bria Golem, an honorable mention selection.
