All-Randolph County volleyball team announced

Is peanut better really as good without jelly? Can you have macaroni without cheese? Doesn’t every egg need at least one piece of bacon? Is Abbott as funny without Costello? Would Simon have made it without Garfunkel?

Maybe I’m showing my age in the last two, but I’m sure you get the meaning. There are some duos that just shouldn’t be separated and when choosing the 2025 Randolph Hub Volleyball Player of the Year, we have that philosophy.

Uwharrie Charter Academy was the top team in the county, registering an unbelievable mark of straight-set victories along the way to the state 4-A championship match. To be that successful, it has to be more than just a one-person team, way more in this instance, and it just seems unfair to honor one without honoring another.

So, for the first time in a while, there will be Co-Player of the Year Awards handed out this year as UCA teammates Caroline Way and Emory Johnson will be honored.

Player(s) of the Year:

Caroline Way, UCA, Emory Johnson, UCA

While Way was the most dominating offensive force in the county, she couldn’t have accomplished her incredible statistics without Johnson, who had another stellar campaign as well.

Way finished with 372 kills, had a hitting percentage of .258, added 224 digs and 58 aces during a season which saw the Eagles win 24 straight-set matches, including 72 consecutive sets from August 21 up until Game 1 of the 4-A state championship. Way was named the Four Rivers Conference Player of the Year and was First Team All-Region and First Team All-State.

Johnson was an incredible senior leader who shined in every phase on the floor. She had 955 assists, 193 digs, 64 kills and 53 aces in leading the Eagles’ high-powered offensive attack. She was First Team All-Region and First Team All-State as well.

How do you separate the two? You can’t.

Coach of the Year: 

Lee Kennell, Uwharrie Charter

Kennell took an experienced team and dominated for much of the season, finishing with a record of 28-4 and advancing to the state 4-A championship match, where they were edged out by Lake Norman Charter, 3-2. On the way, the Eagles recorded wins over county foes Eastern Randolph, Wheatmore, Randleman and Southwestern Randolph.

All-County Team

There were other coaches who deserve praise for their efforts this year, just like the players. All eight teams from Randolph County qualified for the playoffs with Asheboro and Eastern Randolph advancing to the second round, Trinity the third round and UCA, Randleman and Southwestern Randolph making up threefourths of the regional Final Four. That means plenty of talent countywide. So, as difficult as it was, we’d like to present the players joining Way and Johnson on the 2025 Randolph Hub All-County Volleyball Team. Players had to first be nominated by their coaches with statistics, leadership and sportsmanship taken into account when picking the team.

LIA GEORGE (Asheboro) — One of the two go-to players for Asheboro along the front line, she demonstrated her overall abilities once again this season. She was the team leader, averaging 2.4 kills per set. She had a team-best hitting percentage of .356 and she was second in digs (3.8) and receptions (243). She impacted the game at multiple levels.

EMMA KATE FORESTER (Asheboro) — As a middle hitter, she contributed greatly in both kills and blocks. Another versatile player who helped in so many categories, she was second on the team with 155 kills, led with 81 blocks and was third with a .275 hitting percentage. She also added 48 aces.

KADIE GREEN (Randleman) — The senior libero was the Piedmont Athletic Conference defensive player of the year as she finished with 587 digs on the season, an average of 6.24 digs per set. She had the top serve receive rating on the team and had 1,247 for her three years on varsity.

NATALIE ROACH (Randleman) — She recorded a very impressive 892 assists on the season as the Tigers’ setter, an average of 9.49 assists per game. She had 221 digs and 44 aces.

KARRINGTON JONES (Randleman) — The sophomore middle blocker was a huge key to the Tigers’ run to the regional finals. She led the team with 293 kills this season with a hitting percentage of .277. She also finished with 33 blocks and proved she will be a force for the next two seasons. 

LARA WISEMAN (Providence Grove) — The senior recorded 309 kills on the season along with 237 digs. She also had 393 receptions and recorded 35 serving aces.

LANIE MCMAHAN (Wheatmore) — She reached her milestone 1,000th assist this year in recording 543 for the season. She registered 66 service aces, showed leadership and provided a steady presence on the court for the Warriors.

VIVIAN UNDERWOOD (Eastern Randolph) — As ER’s defensive leader on and off the court again this year, she played a significant role in the team’s success. She was the FRC leader in digs, finishing the season with 448, despite missing time with an ailment. She also had 489 successful service receptions, doubling those of her teammates.

AVALYNN JOHNSON (Trinity) — The driving force behind the Bulldogs’ offense, she has an opportunity to surpass 3,000 assists next year. She was a player of the year finalist in the Central Carolina Conference. She had 830 assists this season, the top in the conference, No. 3 in the state 3-A ranks and in the top 15 among all classes.

HAYLI COX (Trinity) — A newcomer to the program in 2025, she made an instant and lasting impression with her teammates. Her consistency and focus in every rotation made her an all-around contributor. She had 297 kills, a .394 hitting percentage, which ranked her 173rd in the nation, and added 70 blocks. She also chipped in 41 aces.

CARLY RUSH (Uwharrie Charter) — She finished with 294 kills, 210 digs, 61 aces and was an incredible passer as well. One of the staples of the regional championship team.

SADIE UPCHURCH (Uwharrie Charter) — Uwharrie Charter was loaded with talent and she was one of the main contributors. She recorded 320 digs, 85 assists and was as steady in the back row as a player can be.

BAILEY BLACKMON (SW Randolph) — The most improved player in the county, she was a force for the Cougars all season long. Taking a more prominent role, she registered 281 kills, a .302 hitting percentage and recorded 45 blocks.

CHEYENNE DIXON (SW Randolph) — She missed time because of injuries, but more than made up for it when she was on the floor. She had 226 kills, 250 digs, 39 aces and 18 blocks.

KINLIN HULIN (SW Randolph) — She had an incredible resurgence during the second half of the campaign, finishing with 204 kills and 90 blocks, both of which ranked her among the tops in the conference.

Honorable Mention

Adalyn Scherer (AHS), Emma Little (AHS), Kailey Brown (AHS), Eva Vuncannon (AHS), Callie Craven (ER), Lilah Covington (RHS), Alexis Vaughn (RHS), Olivia Ashby (RHS), Kolbi Jo Lineberry (PG), Adalyn Whitaker (PG), Nyasia Wharton (UCA), Alyvia Spinks (UCA), Avery     Moffitt (Trinity), Charlee Phillips (THS), Stella Brown (SWR), Hailey Kennedy (SWR).