Coach May shares high praise for this year’s volleyball leaders

As a standout student athlete at both Delaware Valley High School and Misericordia University, current Warriors girls’ volleyball head coach Karley May knows what it takes to be an effective leader. So it’s easy to understand why she is very proud of the captains for the 2024 Delaware Valley High School girls’ volleyball program: seniors Isabella Bixby (right side hitter) and Lauren Donnelly (outside hitter).

“We have the team vote on who they think should be captains, but they would have been my pick as well,” May said. “They both lead by example in every practice and game. They bring a great energy to everything they do and they are constantly putting the good of the team above their own wants. The younger girls have been drawn to them since before the season even started. I can trust them to delegate and act for me when I am not there or if any problems arise.”

Toward the end of September, both captains had already put up some noteworthy statistics on the court.

“Lauren has 40 kills, 49 digs, 44 service points, and 15 aces,” May said. “Bella has six kills, six digs, 11 service points and five aces. They both work so hard and have overall gotten more and more consistent as the year has gone on. We’ve worked a lot on serving with both of them, working to get more consistent but also aggressive behind the service line and it has shown.”

Coach May has noticed that both Donnelly and Bixby concentrate on their studies. “They are both in multiple AP classes and have done a great job at managing them,” May said. “We have to leave school early a lot for our away games, none of which are closer than an hour and a half away. They have worked hard to stay on top of things and communicate with their teachers.”

The ways in which the captains interact with their teammates is commendable. “They hold their teammates accountable every day, but they have proven that they do not ask anything more than what they would do or expect from themselves,” May said. “They lead by example and show everyone to never settle for less than their best. They hold themselves to a crazy high standard.

“On the other hand, they are awesome at showing their teammates grace and try to help them see that even if they make a mistake, it isn’t the end of the world. They are some of the biggest and loudest cheerleaders in the gym always. No matter what, they are hyping their team up.”

Coach May mentioned Lundyn Vanhorn (senior, defensive specialist), Kate Prior (junior, libero), Brianna Waldron (junior, middle hitter), Samantha Prisco (junior, middle hitter), Emiley Hughes (junior middle hitter), Cece Dickerson (sophomore, outside hitter) and Makayley Hughes (freshman, setter) as being among the top contributors on the roster thus far this season.

The Warriors are scheduled to host Pittston on Friday, October 4.

“We may have had a little bit of a rough patch [recently] with two losses in a row, but we have stepped up and are ready for any challenges coming our way,” May said. “These girls work so hard and do whatever they can to make the team better.”