Volleyball Program Sets Championship Aspirations with Experienced Core and Elite Freshman Class
Head Coach Tionne El-Amin, who has guided the team to three consecutive post-season appearances, believes this roster has all the ingredients for a conference championship run.
Proven Veterans Lead the Way
The foundation of this year's squad rests on four returning starters who earned postseason recognition for their outstanding contributions last spring. Leading the veteran core is Lucy Deleon, whose exceptional two-way performance earned her 2025 Spring OCCAC All-Conference Second Team honors while also being recognized on the OCCAC All-Academic Team for her excellence in the classroom.
Joining Deleon in providing leadership are three teammates who exemplify the program's commitment to academic achievement. Mikayla Brown, Hayley Stoddard, and Kimberly Biglin all return with valuable experience, with Brown and Stoddard both earning recognition as 2025 Spring OCCAC All-Academic Honorees.
Elite Freshman Class Brings Championship Pedigree
The incoming freshman class features a remarkable collection of talent headlined by twin sisters Palmer and Pilar Hampton, who bring immediate impact potential to the program.
Palmer Hampton arrives with an impressive resume that includes 2023 High School Volleyball MVP honors and consecutive Lake Effect Conference First Team selections in 2023 and 2024. Her twin sister, Pilar Hampton, brings defensive prowess to the squad after earning 2024 High School MVP Defensive Player of the Year recognition.
Adding offensive firepower to the mix is Trinity Bell, a two-time high school MVP (2023, 2024) who also earned Division 3 All-District First Team honors in 2023. Bell's proven ability to dominate at the net should provide the attack potency the team needs for championship contention.
Rounding out this exceptional freshman class is Amaya Patterson, whose decorated high school career speaks to her versatility and leadership potential. Patterson earned 1st Team All-Conference recognition in 2024 while capturing Varsity MVP honors in both 2023 and 2024.
Championship Expectations
Coach El-Amin's program has established a culture of success, reaching the postseason in each of the past three seasons. However, this year feels different as the program shifts from post-season participant to conference championship contender.
"This may be our best team to date," said Coach El-Amin. "I believe we have all the pieces necessary to win the conference. We can't talk about it – we have to get it done."
The combination of experienced leadership from the returning starters and the immediate impact potential of the freshman class has created an atmosphere of heightened expectations around the program.
Looking Ahead
With a perfect blend of veteran leadership, academic excellence, and incoming talent, the volleyball program enters the season with legitimate championship aspirations. The foundation built through three consecutive post-season appearances has positioned the team for its most ambitious goals yet.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on whether this talented roster can translate potential into championship hardware. Based on the credentials of both returning players and newcomers, the program has never been better positioned to capture its first conference title under Coach El-Amin's leadership.