There are numbers in sports that are synonymous with excellence.
23–Michael Jordan’s jersey number.
715-Career home runs hit by Hank Aaron to break Babe Ruth’s all-time record.
511–Career wins by Cy Young, the most in Major League history.
Locally, the numbers that the Class of 2023 Cedar Ridge volleyball team left behind when they graduated in June are eye-popping and will only grow more impressive over time.
Together, Cameron Lloyd, Julie Altieri, Cameron Lanier, Grace Young, Melissa Benkowitz, Anaya Carter, Isabelle Sheppard and Lauren Cecil teamed to win 84 games with only ten losses. They won 40 consecutive matches against Central Carolina/Big 8 Conference opponents. Fiona Cunningham, who coached the Red Wolves from 2020-2022, never lost a conference game.
Lloyd ended her career with 1,062 kills, the most in school history. Lanier finished with 671 kills, second-most in team history.
Last year, Cedar Ridge won 62 consecutive sets en route to its third consecutive conference championship. They will carry a 28-game home court winning streak into the new season that begins Monday with its first-ever matchup against Eno River Academy.
That will be far from the only thing new for Cedar Ridge. The seniors that amassed the most wins in school history have scattered across the region to launch their college careers. Some are nearby. Lanier had her first practice at Elon University on Tuesday. Young participated in media day at UNC Asheville on Monday. Carter is at UNC Pembroke. Others have ventured beyond the state.
Lloyd left for Bucknell University in Pennsylvania earlier this week. Altieri, the all-time assists leader in school history, is at Salisbury University in Maryland. Benkowitz now resides in Lancaster, PA with Franklin and Marshall University.
When the reign of the Red Wolves seniors ended in the 3A Eastern Regional Championship game against J.H. Rose in Greenville last October, the underclassmen knew there would be new starters for 2023. What they didn’t know is there would also be a new coach.
Last month, Cunningham stepped down after three seasons to become an assistant coach at North Carolina Central University. Cunningham led the Red Wolves to the 2022 3A State Championship, an Eastern Regional championship, three regular season conference titles and two conference tournament championships.
In Cunningham’s place, Latacha De Oliveira was named as her replacement on July 10. De Oliveira previously was the head coach at Durham Academy. She took 2022 off from coaching high school, but grew familiar with several Cedar Ridge players while serving with the Chapel Hill Area Volleyball Club (CHAVC). De Oliveira coached Graylinn Serge, one of the Red Wolves’ eight seniors on this year’s team, when she was a member of CHAVC at age 13.
“It’s been awesome getting to know these girls,’ De Oliveira said after the Red Wolves swept a three-set scrimmage against Wake Christian Academy on Tuesday night at Red Wolves Gymnasium. “These girls play with a lot of heart. They’re very athletic.”
De Oliveira also coached Lanier and Benkowitz at CHAVC. Her hiring as the new head coach of the Red Wolves came a month before the season started.
“It was all very last minute,” De Oliveira said “I heard there was an opening and was asked to apply for it. I interviewed with Coach (Andy) Simmons. I knew the history of the school and how successful they have been. It’s a very good program. I had a chance to talk with Fiona before I was hired and I know this school has a great program. I love the support of the crowd.”
While eight seniors have graduated, Cedar Ridge won’t be lacking in experience. Senior middle blocker Addie Reid, a three-sport athlete, returns with 174 kills and 87 total blocks. Reid has been a regular rotation player for the past two years. In 2022, Reid had eight kills and four blocks in the state championship game against North Iredell.
Serge was the backup libero to Young last season and also played regularly during the state championship season. Last year, she had 23 aces with 215 digs.
Senior Rachel Alverson begins her third year on the varsity. She had a career-high 244 assists as a setter last season, along with 49 digs.
As a freshman in 2022, Mia Marty started in several postseason games while Altieri battled ankle issues. Marty, called up from the junior varsity just in time for the CCC Tournament, finished with 16 assists against Walter Williams in the semifinals, then added 19 assists in the title victory against Orange.
Another sophomore, Claire Hargett, will attempt to fill the outside hitter slot that Lloyd left behind. Hargett played regularly as a freshman, mainly in garbage time, registering 99 kills over 49 sets.
Natasha Buchler-Fosado, Cecilia Kenan, Ellie Woolson, Caroline Park and Alexandra Hood comprise the remainder of the senior class.
After hosting Eno River on Monday, Cedar Ridge will travel to Raleigh to face Millbrook on Tuesday night.