Chiles volleyball coach Kaitlin Jahn doesn’t sense the same outside expectations surrounding her program this season.
That’s why she believes the two-time defensing Class 5A state champion Timberwolves could surprise people.
Fresh off another successful season that saw Chiles capture its second consecutive state title and record a school-record 31 wins, the Timberwolves look to replace a dominant senior class (featured five starters) with nine returning varsity players.
The roster also features players who spent time developing behind one of the area’s most accomplished groups that capped off a three-year run with a 81-8 record.
“We’ve had such a dominant senior class that was ahead of them,” Jahn said. “A lot of these girls have spent time behind that group. They’ve been training with those players for multiple years, and nobody really knows what we have coming up.
“Now it’s their turn.”
According to FHSAA records, Maclay was the last school from Leon County prior to Chiles to win consecutive state championships (1995-96). The state leader for consecutive state titles is 1A Sneads with nine.
Returnee, Bryant commit Avery Banks headlines Chiles volleyball
The Timberwolves return several key contributors, including Bryant University commit Avery Banks, a 6-foot-4 left-handed right-side hitter, UNF beach volleyball commit Loganne Abernathy and experienced setter Riley Boykin, who enters her third varsity season. Sterling Carlile also returns after starting on the outside last year.
Jahn also points to the depth throughout the program.
Childs carries 34 players across three teams, including a freshman squad for the second consecutive season. The move, she said, has already begun paying dividends.
“We just had so many girls and quality players that it was kind of a no-brainer for us to keep three teams,” Jahn said. “Having that freshman team was huge for us. It’s allowing us to keep and train more girls and have them become contributors quicker instead of sitting on the bench with giant rostered teams.”
Chiles will get an early test of where it stands this weekend, when it hosts the Chiles Preseason Classic Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14-15. The two-day event will feature 12 teams, including Leon, Lincoln, Mosley, Gulf Breeze and Maclay.
The Timberwolves also face a challenging road ahead in District 2, where Mosley joins Chiles, Leon and Lincoln. Chiles will also travel to the invitation-only Venice Tournament, one of the state’s premier regular-season events.
The road may be different this year as the Timberwolves no longer have the proven stars that led their recent run. Last season, seniors Lindsay Smith, Natalie Gibson and Eva Goodson shared All-Big Bend Player of the Year honors.
Instead, Chiles has a group of players who have spent years preparing for their opportunity.
“This group finally gets its chance,” she said.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Chiles volleyball looks to surprise after losing stars
Reporting by Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
