The top returning girls volleyball players? Here are a few stars to keep an eye on

Is it that time already?

The high school fall sports season is just about upon us and before we know it, we’ll be back at Rhode Island College for the girls volleyball championships. We ended last season with North Kingstown, Barrington, Tolman and Central raising trophies at the Murray Center.

The Skippers extended their most recent dynasty with a third straight state championship. It was an undefeated 2024 for North Kingstown — take one last bow NK, you deserve it.  North Kingstown will be put to the test this season after graduating an impressive senior-led group.

Barrington remained in Division II despite winning the league crown — the school’s first title since 2016 — against Middletown. The Eagles have some pieces returning from their championship team that should excite the Barrington community.

Barrington’s threat to the throne? That might belong to Westerly. The Bulldogs fell out of the playoffs in the quarterfinals, but outside hitter, Lyla Auth, might not let that happen again.

Tolman and Central both stayed in D-III and D-IV, respectively. Realignment, or lack thereof, makes for an interesting season. No titles were vacated, and that should make everyone hungry this fall.

We start our preview coverage, as always, with a handful of the top returning players in the state. It’s not an exhaustive list of the state’s best players — that’s for end-of-season remarks — but rather a group of girls to keep an eye on. Some stars haven’t had their breakout yet, and we’ll certainly keep a close look on those who make noise this fall.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the players to watch for the 2025 season!

Lyla Auth, Westerly

Senior, Outside hitter

Auth does a little bit of everything for Westerly. She led the Bulldogs in kills, aces and was second in blocks for the fifth seed in Division II last year. Auth, who was a second-team All-State pick last year, is verbally committed to Manhattan University. The senior, and multi-sport standout Ella Reyes, should be a force in league play this fall.

Sonja Beasley, Chariho

Junior, Middle blocker

Chariho finished eighth in league play last year and reached the quarterfinals. Look for Beasley, a young and upcoming middle, to take the reins in Wood River Junction this season. She made the coaches’ All-State third team last year after totaling 81 blocks for the Chargers.

Sofia D'Agostino, La Salle

Senior, Libero

The state’s top libero returns to captain the Rams this season. D'Agostino, The Journal’s first-team All-State libero last year, finished with 258 digs for La Salle. The Rams were knocked out by North Kingstown in the semifinals, but it wouldn’t be a shock if La Salle makes it back to the Murray Center.

Addison Fain, East Greenwich

Senior, Middle blocker

Fain managed a whopping 144 kills and 62 blocks from the middle for East Greenwich last year. The senior is an absolute force at the net and should duplicate that success this season. She was a second-team pick by the state’s coaches association last year and could be ready to make a bigger jump for the Avengers.  

Kayleigh Garrepy, North Kingstown

Junior, Middle blocker

Garrepy’s been a star at North Kingstown since her freshman year. She earned a second-team All-State nod from the Providence Journal that season and was a first-team pick last year. She finished with more than 100 kills for the state champions and returns to lead the group that will be in contention for a fourth straight title. Expect Garrepy to make even more noise this season.

Emma McCrann, Barrington

Senior, Outside hitter

Barrington had all the makings of a league champion last year. The veteran and committed group with a history of success made good on that potential, winning the D-II crown. Any repeat bid will start with McCrann, the Eagles outside hitter. She was a second-team pick by the state’s coaches as Barrington’s leader in kills. McCrann and fellow hitter, Claudia Leonard, might be enough to help the Eagles repeat as league champs.  

Keira Mullen, East Providence

Senior, Right side hitter

Mullen returns as Gatorade’s Player of the Year. The senior was just the third player of the year from East Providence when she was selected after compiling 241 assists, 203 kills and 182 digs for the D-I semifinalists. Mullen recently verbally committed to the College of Holy Cross and is in store for another big season for the Townies.

Maisy Naff, La Salle

Senior, Outside hitter

Naff made The Journal’s All-State second team a year ago and could be ready for an even better senior campaign. She paced the Rams in kills with 224 and finished second in digs. Between D'Agostino and Naff, La Salle has plenty returning to make a run at the championship.

Eliza Vest, East Providence

Senior, Outside hitter

Vest is another strong returning option for East Providence this season. The 5-foot-10 hitter made the coaches’ second team last year. If the season started today, East Providence would open near the top of our power rankings.

Sarah Wilcox, Mt. Hope

Senior, Outside hitter

If the second set against Middletown in the semifinals last year went Mt. Hope’s way, the Huskies probably would have played for a championship. But the Islanders took the frame, 29-27, and made their way to the Murray Center. Mt. Hope will be out to surpass that semifinal stage and Wilcox will be a big part of that potential success.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Girls volleyball players to watch for in the 2025 RIIL season