
Former Southport standout Chelsea Brothers Hoffman takes the helm and is eager to instill a culture of winning.
The team’s motto, “Raise the Expectations,” is the same that she used during her senior year at Southport in 2011.
“We have been under the radar, and I want them to raise the expectations of themselves and Southport volleyball,” Hoffman said. “I’m super excited about our lineup and the way we can play this year. Volleyball is a mental game and these kids need to stay up.”
Hoffman has an ace in fourth-year starter Tianna Wright, an energized senior with 198 kills, 188 digs, 33 blocks and 19 aces last year. Wright is joined by classmates: scrappy defensive specialist Kierston Whitlock, 204 digs, and middle blocker/setter 5-9 Maggie Davis.
“Wright is very volleyball smart,” Hoffman said. “She’s our leader and the other girls really look up to her. She helps lead by example and she is so experienced.”
Setter Vanessa Miller, hard-working defensive specialist Nicole Vidaurre and middle blocker Lauren Cullison, 34 blocks, round out the Cardinals.
“We stress ball control, and all these kids will know how to pass the ball,” Hoffman said. “You can’t hit the ball unless you get a good pass. These kids are working hard on all the fundamentals.”
She is building a future with three juniors and five sophomores on the varsity and a freshman team for the first time in five years.