First Colonial HS girls volleyball makes history with undefeated season and state championship
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — In November of 2023, in an incredible display of skill, determination and teamwork, the First Colonial High School (FC) girls volleyball team, the Lady Patriots, secured its first Virginia state championship since 2014. Led by coach Edie Magula, an FC alum and the head coach for 28 years, the team of 18 student athletes with standout players Kayla Foley, Keely Heffelfinger, Jules Dooren, Madison Horn, Helen Murray, Rachael Zimmer, Gabby Taylor and Kaiyah Hiles, left an indelible mark in the school鈥檚 history with its remarkable performance on and off the court.
鈥淭he most memorable moment was the last point when we knew that we won and that four years of hard work, sweat and dedication finally paid off,” said outside hitter and senior Heffelfinger.
The volleyball team had an unforgettable undefeated season, ending with an impressive 16-0 record in the Beach Region and 27-1 overall record. The Lady Patriots dominated the court as they outplayed regionally ranked opponents, including Kellam, Frank W. Cox and Ocean Lakes high schools. With the perfect blend of raw talent, skill, strategy, determination and the dedication of an incredible six practices per week, they accomplished the nearly impossible. Their undefeated record throughout the season is a testament to their hard work and perseverance.
The Virginia state championship match was held in Richmond, VA at the Virginia Commonwealth University Siegel Center. The match was determined by the best of five sets. First Colonial was ranked #2 and played #4 Riverside High School of Leesburg, VA. The Lady Patriots won the last set with a score of 27-25.
Senior and team libero Foley was named to the All-Region First Team and earned the prestigious Player of the Year Award. The player who holds the libero position is a defense specialist and wears a unique jersey. With an impressive record of 1000 digs, Foley鈥檚 defensive skills were unmatched, and next fall, she will play for Michigan State University.
Heffelfinger and Dooren joined Foley on the All-Region First Team and displayed outstanding performances throughout the season. Dooren, in particular, recorded an impressive 2000 assists, showcasing her winning playmaking abilities. Additionally, Horn was recognized and named to the All-Region Second Team.
With only four seniors graduating in 2024, the future looks bright for the FC girls volleyball team. Keep a lookout for up-and-coming players, such as Gabby Taylor and Helen Murray, both recognized as All-Region Honorable Mention players. Coach Magula is also looking forward to seeing the efforts of sophomores Teagan Emdadi, who was injured mid season, and Grace Davies-Hackenberg, who stepped up when Teagan could not play.
Congratulations to our young neighbors who have learned how practice, dedication and great coaching can make championships a reality. We can鈥檛 wait to see where their talent and drive takes them next.
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