The CVC volleyball team is the Visalia Times-Delta’s Tulare County high school girls sports team of the year for the 2024-25 school year.
The Central Valley Christian volleyball team is the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register’s Tulare County high school girls' sports team of the year for the 2024-25 school year.
2024 record: 38-9
Head coach: Bucky Kroeze
Impact players: Emerson Kroeze (setter), Emma Mihalcin (outside hitter), Ally Lane (outside hitter), Claire Phillips (middle blocker), Lola Highstreet (middle blocker), Sienna Shaffer (opposite hitter)
2024 CVC Volleyball Highlights
CVC made Tulare County history in 2024, becoming the first Tulare County volleyball program to win a CIF State championship. The Cavaliers captured a Division III state crown in straight sets, defeating Monta Vista-Cupertino 25-15, 25-22, 26-24 last November.
CVC also captured the 2024 Central Section Division II title and an outright Tri-County Conference-Kings Canyon championship. The Cavaliers' championship run was spearheaded by Highstreet (101 blocks, 351 kills), Emerson Kroeze (974 assists), Mihalcin (340 kills, 358 digs), Phillips (100 kills, 65 blocks), Lane (274 kills, 83 aces, 305 digs) and Shaffer (118 kills, 60 aces).
CVC also had on-court contributions from Abigail Heeringa, Kate Verhoeven, Ella De Jonge, Cooper Piepgrass, Ella Burton, Madyson Hastings, Jori Hughes and Tara Kroeze.
What players and coaches said about the Cavaliers during the 2024 season
- "In the past, we've had some great players. This is the first year where I've coached where we've had six players where they play together as a team, and I mean that. Honestly, we've had talent over the years but they didn't play together as a team. It was very individual at times, and this team, they don't play that way. They play as one unit, and I love that about them." − Bucky Kroeze
- "This group is very fun. We're all friends with each other. We all have good bonds and connections with each other. It's just been a fun team." − Highstreet
- "This group, there's no drama. There's nothing. They're glued together. They spend time together outside of playing volleyball and we made sure that was something we really worked on, just trying to be more encouraging. Whether that was on the court or off the court. I think it's really created a great atmosphere for our team to really thrive in." − Kroeze
- "We worked very hard for this. We always kept pushing. We really wanted this win because we haven't had it in quite a few years at this school." − Highsteet on winning a section plaque
2025 CVC Volleyball outlook
CVC graduated only two starters — Highstreet and Shaffer — from its state-championship team. Returning starters Emerson Kroeze, Mihalcin, Phillips and Lane are all back.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: 2025 Tulare County girls sports team of the year: CVC volleyball
Category: General Sports
