BHS Volleyball Team Ready for Postseason; Indians Face Lincoln in Sectional Semifinals
By Chris Johnson on October 30, 2024
Bridgeport High School volleyball coach Ali Burton has a specific goal in mind when she puts together the regular-season schedule for her team – make it as tough as possible to get the Indians prepared for the postseason.
This year’s schedule has been arguably the most daunting in the state. If one was to name a powerhouse volleyball team within the state, odds are the Indians have crossed paths with them at some point.
And they have navigated the schedule with flying colors as they bring a record of 46-8-2 into today’s Class AAA Region II, Section 2 tournament at Robert C. Byrd.
The Indians are the top seed and will take on No. 4 Lincoln at 6 p.m., while No. 2 Robert C. Byrd faces No. 3 Lewis County in the other semifinal matchup. The winners then will meet for the sectional title. The sectional champion will then host one of two co-regionals next week with tonight’s runner-up traveling to the Section 1 champion.
“I think we are ready,” Burton said. “This group loves to compete. They are a great group to be around and they have worked their butts off.
The Indians are getting major contributions from every spot in their primary rotation with State Player of the Year candidate Myleigh Smell leading the way.
Smell leads the team in kills with 541, while Salam Rajjoub has 246, Calleigh Morgan has 178 and Taylor Randolph has 175. Sam Martin has 42 kills and Addison Veigel and Kennedy Wolfe add 27 and 23, respectively.
Rajjoub has a team-best 82 aces and is one of six players with at least 30. Morgan has 71, Smell has 65, Wolfe has 39, Kaylee Enfield has 38 and Veigel has 31.
Rajjoub also leads the team in blocks with 53. Smell is close behind at 50. Randolph adds 38, Morgan has 34 and Martin has 24.
Enfield leads the way in digs with 473. Smell adds 338 and five other players have at least 100 in Veigel (195), Kloey Martinez (162), Wolfe (150), Morgan (127) and Rajjoub (100).
Veigel’s 621 assists lead the Indians while Wolfe adds 265.
Editor's Note: Photo of BHS volleyball team in a huddle by Joe LaRocca.
