Keenan Lady Raiders Volleyball young but talented

By Neill Kirkpatrick

Special to the HSSR

Columbia – Heading into the 2024 season Keenan head volleyball coach Kiarra Pettway knew she would have a young squad as she had to replace seven seniors that had made three straight trips to the class AAA playoffs.

The Lady Raiders are also in a new region and have dropped down to AA after the latest reclassification by the high school league. They are off to a solid start at 4-3/2-2 and are in good position to make another playoff trip. Four of their next five matches are region matches with two on the road before they end the season with three consecutive home matches.

“We are young but we have talented players. I’ am proud of these girls and the hard work they have put in to get better every day,” said coach Pettway.

This years version of the lady Raiders have only two seniors in Ceigan Carter and Samiyah Hicks. Carter is outstanding at the net and leads the team in kills and is second on the team in aces, digs and service receiving. She is closing in on a 100 kills for her career to go with over 170 digs and over 150 service receiving. She has been one of the teams most versatile players the past two seasons. She is also one of the teams captains.

The Lady Raiders other captain is a junior and returning starter hitter Kristin Brown. She is seconds in kills and has over 60 for her career. She is also one of the teams top servers and last season had 38 aces.

Junior setter/defensive specialist Zaniah Pearson is also a returning players and does a great job of covering the floor. She leads the team in assists and third in diggings

Junior Tymina Walker is a defensive specialist that covers the backline well.

Freshman Trinity Corbin has made the biggest impact of the new players for the Lady Raiders. She has stepped in to handle the libero position and has been outstanding. She currently leads the team in service receiving and in digs.

The sophomore is made up of Camille Saunders, Estella Vazsquez and Tyleea Robinson. They have all seen time on the floor.

Brailyn Williams and Lace Perez, both freshmen, round out the Lady Raiders lineup.

The Lady Raiders have a match up with Newberry on 10/15 that could determine who gets the second seed from region 4AA and a home playoff game.