The Chapel Hill High School women’s volleyball team ended its season with a 22-3 record, taking first place in DAC-VII 4A conference with a 10-0 record and making it to the third round of the state playoff tournament.
The Tigers entered the playoffs as the third overall seed, defeating both Fuquay Varina High School and Wakefield High School in straight sets on October 21 and October 24 respectively.
The team lost 3-0 to Green Hope High School, runner-up in the state tournament, on October 26, concluding the Tigers’ season.
Head coach Ross Fields said that the team had “lots of success” during the season, including notable wins against Gibbons High School on September 6, when the Tigers won 3-2, and Millbrook High School on September 29.
The Tigers also recorded victories over crosstown rivals Carrboro High School on August 22 and East Chapel Hill High School on October 17, defeating the Jaguars and Wildcats in straight sets.
The Tigers featured eight seniors, including co-captains Julia DePinto, Cady Cox and Laynie Smith, as well as college-bound athletes Laynie Smith, Suna Merkler and Lexi Smollen.
DePinto, a four-year varsity setter, notched over 1,500 assists during her career, in addition to recording an 88.2% serving success rate.
As a captain, DePinto said she felt privileged to “be the person to bring [the team] all together in times of difficulty.”
Cox, also a four-year varsity player, stepped into the role of libero after serving as an outside hitter the past three years. Over her career, Cox maintained a 91.5% serving success rate.
Cox looked back upon the season fondly. “The season was definitely cut short, but the team had such a special bond that made it such a great experience,” she said.
Junior Kira DeVrieze, a defensive specialist who recorded 143 points on the season, was also a co-captain this year, her first year in the role. DeVrieze said she was thankful for the opportunity “to be on a team with such competitive, fun, and skilled players.”
One such skilled player is outside hitter Laynie Smith, who had 309 kills on the season to lead the conference; Smith also led the conference in hitting percentage and was third in the state.
Smith’s accomplishments led to her being recognized as an Under Armour All-American.
“It’s such an amazing feeling to be recognized for all my hard work, and it’s surreal to see it pay off,” Smith, who will play for the University of Illinois next year, said.
Two other players have committed to play volleyball at the collegiate level. Senior Suna Merkler has committed to Sewanee University, while Lexi Smollen will play for Belmont University. Both universities are located in Tennessee.
