From left, Gardiner’s Danica Martin, left, Lila Anderson and Megan Carver try to block a shot by Cony’s Addi Lebel last season in Gardiner. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

As has been the case since the  COVID-19 pandemic shut down the 2020 season, numbers continue to rise at a steady rate for central Maine high school volleyball teams.

Entering the 2024 season, however, multiple teams are dealing with roster overhaul, a coaching change or both.

Two years removed from its appearance in the Class B final, Gardiner will have a new head coach leading the program. Bill Boardman, a former assistant coach, takes over the program from Tiffany Ouellette. Boardman — who is an assistant coach for the school’s softball team and the head coach of the Black Tigers, the nine-school girls hockey co-op that includes Gardiner — is well connected to the program.

“I’m excited (for the new season), being a new volleyball coach and not expecting to be a volleyball (head coach) in my lifetime,” Boardman laughed. “So far, I’m having a great time, and things are going pretty well. I’m ready to get going.”

The roster itself is also going through change. The Tigers, who went 9-6 last season, graduated outside hitter Yana Montell, who was a Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference first team all-star selection. The roster is strong in numbers — Gardiner has 28 players — but will be young, with only eight upperclassmen. Seniors Danica Martin and Cam Chadbourne will be among Gardiner’s top players entering the season.

“I think things are looking pretty decent,” Boardman said. “The program itself is doing very well. It’s a very young group that’s going to play volleyball this season, but the veterans that are returning are very solid and have shown great leadership so far to get (the younger players) ready to play.”

Messalonskee was the area’s top team last season. The Eagles went 15-1, which included a perfect 14-0 regular season before falling 3-2 to eventual Class B champion Yarmouth in the semifinals.

The Eagles, however, are going through a roster overhaul. The team graduated their top players, including Elise McDonald, the KVAC Player of the Year, who led the team in service aces, assists and hitting percentage. The team also graduated libero Kaitlyn Burbank, who led the team in digs and receptions, as well as Kyra Cummings, who led the team in kills.

Even with the turnover, Messalonskee will still be full of veterans entering the fall. The Eagles have 11 upperclassmen, led by seniors Ava Perrino, Olivia Thomas, Stacey Grier, Madison Wilson and Sofia Derosby. The team also returns head coach Dan Juilli, who won KVAC Coach of the Year honors in his first season leading the program.

Messalonskee’s Ava Perrino prepares to serve during the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championship match against Gardiner on Monday night in Augusta. David Leaming photo

Cony finished 3-11 last season and missed out on the Class B playoffs. But head coach Lindsey Morin was pleased with the team’s progress. This year, the Rams will be one of the more veteran-heavy teams of the area. Cony will be led by Addie Lebel, who earned KVAC second team honors last season.

“We have a small but mighty team this year,” Morin said. “I have five returning seniors and four returning juniors. We’re excited, and they’re hungry for (a strong season).”

Morin has also been pleased with the offseason work of the athletes, many of whom have played on club teams.

“They all got a love for (the game) and wanted to improve and wanted to focus on volleyball, that’s certainly helped,” Morin said. “They’ve gained their confidence, and their communication has really improved this year, which is great.”

Nokomis went 2-12 in Class B last season but has multiple reasons to look forward to progress this fall. To start, the Warriors had 34 players come out, the highest number the program has had since entering the varsity ranks in 2019.

“This is the most (players) we’ve ever had, I’m really excited,” Nokomis head coach Kate Myers-Jewett said. “(The roster) is looking younger. I think at least half of my girls are sophomores. I have about six or seven seniors, maybe five or six juniors and the rest or sophomores or freshmen.”

The Warriors are also returning senior Jayden Hood, the team’s top player. Last season, Hood earned KVAC second-team honors.

“I think our serving (will be a strength),” Myers-Jewett said. “Keeping the communication and the energy up on the court and off the court (will be a key).”

Maranacook got off to a strong start in the varsity ranks last season, as the Black Bears finished 7-8, reaching the Class C quarterfinals.

Siobhán Soucy takes over as the program’s new head coach, replacing Robyn Graziano. The Black Bears lose eight players from last year’s team — six seniors and two exchange students — but Soucy has been pleased with what she’s seen on the court during the preseason.

“Camaraderie, drive and willingness to learn are the cornerstones of this year’s squad,” Soucy said in an email. “To have a successful season, we’ll need to focus on our teamwork and continue to develop our skills. We have high expectations for ourselves, and I am confident that this group has the potential to achieve great things.”

Ava Candage and Layton Moulton are two of Maranacook’s top returners. Harper Fyfe is a new addition, but brings athleticism to the court.