Every high school sports team will have to fill voids left by graduating seniors. Even the Bishop Gorman girls volleyball team.
The Gaels graduated two players who set new Nevada high school records in outside hitter Ayanna Watson (all-time kills) and setter Trinity Thompson (all-time assists).
While some teams think about how to replace the production of players like Watson and Thompson, that’s not the approach Gaels coach Gregg Nunley is taking with this year’s team.
“They’re irreplaceable,” Nunley said. “We’re not even thinking about how we’re going to replace Ayanna or Trinity. We’re a new team. We’ve got new personnel and we’re working out those X’s and O’s for a brand new set of athletes.”
The new high school girls volleyball season begins Thursday and Gorman enters the year as the three-time defending 5A state champion. Gorman isn’t the only team that has lost its top players to graduation.
Coronado, last year’s 5A state runner-up, will have to fill the void left by four starters who are playing Division I college volleyball. Arbor View, last year’s 5A Mountain League regular-season champion, graduated six seniors who were the Aggies’ top contributors.
Gorman: ‘Be the best we can’
Still, Gorman is expected to be a favorite for the title. And coaches are not counting out teams like Coronado and Arbor View, even though they will have a lot of new contributors.
“5A is always going to be competitive,” Faith Lutheran coach Amy Fisher said. “Even though it may be perceived as wide open this year – when people go in with that mentality, they might take a night off. Like any other year in 5A, you can never take a night off and never take anything for granted.”
Gorman does return first-team All-Southern Nevada athletes Boyana Pesic and Chloe Thomas, and Nunley said Aliana Breitling will have a greater role as an outside hitter. The coach added that sophomores Brixton Loyd, Daylin Fawson and Zarah Ghadban will all be contributors for Gorman.
The Gaels will play some of the top teams in the country in Mater Dei (California) and in the Durango Fall Classic and Nike Tournament of Champions events. Nunley said he’s looking forward to seeing his team get better while competing against top out-of-state teams.
“That’s the fun part of coaching is being able to take kids from where they are to where they’re going to be,” Nunley said.
“We’re thinking less of replacing two of the better players ever to come out of Nevada, but more of, let’s be the best that we can be and let’s go get them.”
Trying to unseat the Gaels
Dyllon Rosenberg has taken over at Coronado after Jazlynn Mau left to be the head coach at IMG Academy’s program in Florida. Even with the changes, Coronado is expected to battle atop the 5A Desert League alongside Gorman.
“Coronado is notoriously very competitive and it’s a good problem to have,” Rosenberg said. “We had a lot of girls graduate, a lot of talented girls, but we’re looking to pick right back up where they left off.”
Rosenberg said junior Jamie Beckham and incoming freshman Atley Huebner will be two of the team’s top players. The coach added that he’s looking for the Cougars to develop a scrappier identity on the floor to complement their fast style of play.
“It’s not foreign to them, but it’s not something they’ve been known for,” Rosenberg said. “We’re trying to make Coronado known for being more of a scrappy, defensive hustle team. They’re high-flying and the speed that goes with it – and for me it’s pushing that speed into another direction.”
Faith Lutheran reached the 5A region semifinals last year and finished second behind Arbor View. The Crusaders’ expected starters and contributors – such as Abby Bunyan, Tori Castro, Ellee Ford, Ryann Day, Abby Keyes and Chloe Garcia – all had significant playing time last year.
“We want to play Faith (Lutheran) ball, passing, tough serving and good defense and see where that takes us this year … and just have the confidence knowing we’re going to be able to beat anyone on any given day,” Fisher said.
A look at 4A, 3A
In 4A, Sierra Vista won the state title and will be a threat to repeat with most of its team returning from last year, including 4A player of the year Averie Gidge and Lyla Sneek, who are both sophomores. Other 4A state semifinalist Silverado and Green Valley will also look to be competitive atop the league.
The Meadows will be going for its sixth straight state title (2021-2022 in 2A and 2023-2025 in 3A) and is a favorite in 3A with nine expected returning players for the Mustangs.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
Top returning girls volleyball players to watch
Anne Bernard, Centennial — The senior had 332 kills, 297 digs and 52 aces last year.
Abby Bunyan, Faith Lutheran — The sophomore recorded 349 kills and 76 kills for last year’s Class 5A region semifinalist.
Averie Gidge, Sierra Vista – The sophomore 4A player of the year had 332 kills for the 2025 4A state champion.
Piper Kennedy, The Meadows — The senior had a .319 hitting percentage with 207 kills, 281 digs and 48 aces for the 2025 3A state champion.
Chloe Lopez, Bishop Gorman — The senior led the Gaels with 436 digs and 53 aces and added 153 assists for the 2025 5A state champion.
Bryn Neibaur, Foothill — The junior had 354 kills, 232 digs and 54 aces.
Boyana Pesic, Bishop Gorman — The junior had 231 kills, 277 digs and 50 blocks for the 2025 5A state champion.
Lyla Sneek, Sierra Vista — The sophomore led the 22026 4A state champion with 69 aces, 170 digs and 739 assists.
Darby Vannah, Bishop Gorman — The senior had 128 kills and 91 blocks for t
