WBHS Volleyball

WEST BRIDGEWATER VOLLEYBALL: SPOTLIGHT JOJO GARCIA – VOLLEYBALL ATHLETE West Bridgewater High School Volleyball athlete JoJo Garcia is a rising junior and impact player on the varsity team. Whether it is serving or pounding the ball for a kill or moving the ball for a return, JoJo is one of the strongest hitters in all those categories in the South Coast Conference. She is a great all-around athlete on the court making plays. JoJo displayed those skills almost getting a triple double in one game with 11 digs, 10 kills and 7 aces serving plus had 2 other standout games with 29 digs and 8 kills in one game and 24 digs and 5 kills in another. JoJo also has had games with a 100 percent serving percentage. She is quick on her feet, a great jumper and united supporter of her teammates as well. Her great performance, skillset and talent in the 2025 season is one reason she has been an important impact on the overall success of the team. @WBHS_VB @BoostersWb @aj_traub

WEST BRIDGEWATER VOLLEYBALL: SPOTLIGHT ABBY KELLOGG – VOLLEYBALL ATHLETE West Bridgewater High School Volleyball athlete Abby Kellogg is a sophomore and impact player on the varsity team. 2025 is the first full time season for Abby on the varsity team and she has made a big difference who continues to get better. When Abby has been given opportunities, she has risen to the occasion helping the team get key blocks and kills during crucial stages of games. Abby will be a key player for the front line in the coming years. When either getting individual points or her teammates scoring big points or making dynamic plays her excitement, cheering and support shows she is in her element playing volleyball. Abby hit personal individual highs in games this season with 8 blocks in one game and 6 kills in another. The future is bright when you have a player like Abby who is a welcome addition to the team and who shows she loves to play volleyball. @WBHS_VB @BoostersWb @aj_traub

WEST BRIDGEWATER VOLLEYBALL: MIAA The West Bridgewater Volleyball team led by Head Coach Karen Pennington finished the Final MIAA Power Rankings regular season 2025 Poll in the number 7 position with a record of (12-8). The MIAA tournament starts this week and the number 7 Wildcats are scheduled to play at home against number 26 Triton Regional (4-12) on Thursday October 30, 2025 at 6 pm weather permitting. @WBHS_VB @BoostersWb

WEST BRIDGEWATER VOLLEYBALL: ELLA HOLDEN West Bridgewater High School Volleyball Athlete was announced the winner as the Enterprise Sports Brockton-area High School Female Athlete of the Week. In a five-set thriller against Foxboro on October 16, 2025, Ella Holden recorded 37 assists to help lead the Wildcats to a victory. Thank you to the excellent Enterprise Sports News and Staff @BrocktonSports for this recognition. Ella Holden has been an outstanding performer all season for West Bridgewater. Ella reached double digits in assists in almost a dozen games in 2025 including 8 times with 20 or more assists in a game. Enterprise Link below on story and results. enterprisenews.com/story/spo… Photo Credit of West Bridgewater’s Ella Holden by JP Matta Photography. @WBHS_VB @BoostersWb @ChrisMcDaniel88 @aj_traub

WEST BRIDGEWATER VOLLEYBALL: SPOTLIGHT JASMINE PAULSEN – VOLLEYBALL ATHLETE West Bridgewater High School Volleyball athlete Jasmine Paulsen is a rising sophomore and impact player on the varsity team. Jasmine had an amazing and killer 2025 regular season. She may be without question the most athletic and outstanding jumper in the entire South Coast Conference. Her lift off on every kill, hit, serve or spike she makes is off the charts and you may wonder does she have a jet button in her shoes because she is so good with the height level she reaches. When she hits the ball, it may be one of harder ones in the conference to witness. Jasmine is another athlete on the Wildcats team who simply loves the sport of volleyball and when not playing during the regular season continues her love and dedication in club and travel volleyball. Jasmine had 6 games with 9 or more kills in a game during the regular 2025 season with an induvial season high 13 in 2 different games. She has also been an effective server with an abundance of aces and on defense making digs. Jasmine Paulsen also adds a lot of sparks after scoring points on kills with her screams, fist pumps and chest bumps. She also adds to some unique high fives and jazzy dance moves on her own and with teammates in between plays during games on the court with creative celebrations and always cheering her team on in support when not on the court with a smile and keeping the beat with theatrical fun entertainment along with her teammates which also helps to provide a positive morale and spices up the crowd. @WBHS_VB @BoostersWb @aj_traub @MassGHSVB @SC_Varsity @GlobeSchools @BrocktonSports

WEST BRIDGEWATER VOLLEYBALL: SPOTLIGHT AMY DANGOIA – VOLLEYBALL ATHLETE West Bridgewater High School Volleyball athlete Amy Dangoia is a rising star sophomore and impact player on the varsity team. Amy is a versatile athlete and one of the keys in the success of the backcourt for the Wildcats 2025 team. She forms one of the best backcourt dig duos in the South Coast Conference along with her teammate Keira Cogavin. She has an outstanding level of gravity and flexibility and is a quick mover on her feet in getting digs anywhere and everywhere on the court as well as making many saves. Some of the digs she comes up with from extremely hard hits sent from opponents are mind boggling and are already college level type. Some of her highlights are games with 28 digs, 22 digs on her own and had one game combined with Keira Cogavin for 75 digs and another for 58 digs. Amy also had games of a 100 percent serving percentage this season. Amy Dangoia also adds extra funk, spunk and some Latin dance flare on her own and with teammates in between plays during games on the court with creative celebrations and always cheering her team on in support when not on the court with a smile and keeping the beat with theatrical entertainment along with her teammates which also helps to provide a positive morale and spices up the crowd. @WBHS_VB @BoostersWb @aj_traub @MassGHSVB @BrocktonSports @ChrisMcDaniel88 @GlobeSchools

WEST BRIDGEWATER VOLEYBALL: SPOTLIGHT KEIRA COGAVIN – VOLLEYBALL ATHLETE West Bridgewater High School Volleyball athlete Keira Cogavin is a rising star sophomore and impact player as well as a captain on the varsity team. She forms one of the best backcourt dig duos in the South Coast Conference along with her teammate Amy Dangoia. If there was a person, simply born to be a backcourt volleyball specialist, it would be Keira Cogavin. She eats, sleeps and breathes volleyball during the high school season and all year long afterwards in club level and travel play. She is in her element, and she is really good at what she does. Her leadership has helped to win games this season with both her serving and defense with digs. She is always ready to go in her set stance and takes on an incredible number of hard hits from opponents that she turns into digs and saves whether inbound or out of bounds. Some of her highlight games during the 2025 season have been an individual and season high 49 digs in a single game and also had a combined 75 dig game with teammate Amy Dangoia. Keira is also an effective server and has had games with a 100 percent serving percentage. Keira is one of the key reasons for the success of the 2025 season with her actions and play. Keira Cogavin also adds extra funk, spunk and some unique dance moves on her own and with teammates in between plays during games on the court with creative celebrations and always cheering her team on in support when not on the court with a smile and keeping the beat with theatrical fun entertainment along with her teammates which also helps to provide a positive morale and spices up the crowd. @WBHS_VB @BoostersWb @aj_traub @MassGHSVB

WEST BRIDGEWATER VOLLEYBALL: VANGE HILCHEY SENIOR NIGHT SPOTLIGHT: VANGE HILCHEY SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Vange Hilchey is the team’s starting all around outside hitter. With her powerful hits and serves she racks up points for the team. Vange had a 2025 personal season high 11 kills on 10/16/2025. Her defense is impressive picking up almost every ball that comes her way. She is not afraid of diving for the ball and sacrifices herself to keep the ball in play making many outstanding saves. Vange had a 2025 personal season high of 24 digs on 09/22/2025. She has been on varsity since she was in 8th grade. Per the team she never fails to make the team laugh with her humor and hype people up on the court. A big salute and thank you for all your hard work, dedication, care, leadership and love for the volleyball program. Photo Credit of Vange Hilchey by JP Matta Photography @WBHS_VB @BoostersWb @aj_traub @MassGHSVB

WEST BRIDGEWATER VOLLEYBALL: ARIANA LONE SENIOR NIGHT SPOTLIGHT: ARIANA LONE Ariana Lone is a senior captain on the varsity volleyball team. Ariana is a middle blocker for the Wildcats meaning she is constantly fighting at the net and making powerful plays that the team and the spectators live for. Ariana had a 2025 personal season high 11 kills on 10/16/2025, personal season high 8 blocks on 09/24/2025 and a personal season high 13 digs on 09/22/2025. She is also an effective server on the team. She has been on the varsity team since 8th grade and has been playing since 7th! She works so hard and makes everyone feel welcome on the court. Ariana’s been a supportive teammate for everyone and anyone who enters the team, JV or Varsity she’ll be there to help. Per the team she has the kindest heart and soul you’ll ever meet and everyone in the program is incredibly grateful to have her in it. A big salute and thank you for all of your hard work, dedication, care, leadership and love for the volleyball program. Photo Credit of Ariana Lone by JP Matta Photography @WBHS_VB @BoostersWb @aj_traub @MassGHSVB

WEST BRIDGEWATER VOLLEYBALL: ELLA HOLDEN SPOTLIGHT: West Bridgewater High School Volleyball Athlete Ella Holden has been a star on the 2025 varsity team. Only a sophomore and a co-captain on the team Ella is having a tremendous season as a Setter on the team. Ella Holden has supported the Wildcats team with 190 assists already this 2025 season after 10 games. 6 of those games she has had at least 20 assists and had a career high 36 assists against Apponequet on September 22, 2025. She has amassed almost 350 assists in her high school career so far with West Bridgewater and she has also been an important and effective server on the team as well. Ella Holden has been in the zone with her focus and has been one of the many talented key ingredients for the Wildcats success under the leadership of Head Coach Karen Pennington who are rated in the top 10 of the MIAA Division 4 Volleyball Power Rankings as of September 30, 2025. @WBHS_VB @BoostersWb @BrocktonSports @sports_ledger @ChrisMcDaniel88 @GlobeSchools @aj_traub @MassGHSVB

WEST BRIDGEWATER VOLLEYBALL: RAELYN GIFFORD SPOTLIGHT: West Bridgewater High School Volleyball athlete Raelyn Gifford was simply special last week in matches. Raelyn Gifford had one of the most impressive performances of the season against Bridgewater-Raynham on September 19, 2025. With the Wildcats down in the fifth and final set to determine the winner and Bridgewater-Raynham only 1 point away from winning and up 14-8, West Bridgewater’s Raelyn Gifford helped to engineer a dominant ending when she personally had 8 attacks in a row with 4 big kills for points that helped to capture the come from behind victory 16-8 along with exceptional serving from Amy Dangoia. Earlier that week Raelyn Gifford had a perfect serving performance against Fairhaven, going 6 for 6 with 2 aces and had 15 digs in that game. It should be noted that Raelyn is only in eighth grade on Coach Karen Pennington’s Wildcats Varsity team and is already generating a buzz as one of the best at her grade level in all Eastern Massachusetts. Photo Credit of Raelyn Gifford: Lisa Holden @WBHS_VB @BoostersWb @ChrisMcDaniel88 @aj_traub

SPORTS VOLLEYBALL SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLE: SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO WEST BRIDGEWATER HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AVA HARKINS – A love for Volleyball, a career unmatched in West Bridgewater High School history and a special human being. The article includes interviews and statements from Ava’s parents, coach and some current/former players/parent. QUESTIONS FROM WEST BRIDGEWATER NEWS AND ANSWERS FROM AVA HARKINS: What were some of your favorite moments playing for the team the past 6 years? Ava Harkins: Some of my favorite memories were when I was a sophomore, and we made it further in the tournament than we have before. That 2022 season we were 20-3 and had won 18 games in a row until finally losing in the elite 8. Another favorite memory was when I hit my 1,000 assists as a setter and getting 500 kills which had never been done before at West Bridgewater High School in Volleyball history at the school. What made you love the sport of Volleyball at West Bridgewater high school? Ava Harkins: I began to love the sport of volleyball from the team atmosphere and how engaging it is. The girls are always so nice and welcoming even when I was just in 7th grade. Have you played at the club level after any season and if so where and how do you think it helped you for others to do? Ava Harkins: I have played at the club level ever since 7th grade, I played for Smash and CMASS Edge. It helped me so much in the long run and without club volleyball I would never have made it to where I am today. The level of play helped me become more advanced and I learned so much in the process. How did you feel when you reached 1,000 assists and 500 kills in your career as the first in school history to do so? Ava Harkins: When I reached 1,000 assists and 500 kills in my career, I was very proud of myself. At the time during those games, I had no idea that it was happening, until my amazing Coach Karen Pennington surprised me and stopped the games and made the announcements. Everyone was so happy for me. How do you feel as being the only senior on the 2024 team which is mainly made up of young underclassmen and what has it meant to you? Ava Harkins: Being the only senior on the team has been different but has encouraged me as a captain to be better for my teammates. We have never had a team this young, and they are all each super talented players that are dedicated, work hard, and make me smile. Every single player is making a special positive impact on this team. I am proud of myself for being a part of helping in leading them to their future. Do you plan to continue to play volleyball in college or elsewhere after you graduate high school? Ava Harkins: I was recruited, and I am verbally committed to continuing my volleyball career after high school to play at Keene State College. I am so excited for my future there with that young team and coaching staff for the upcoming seasons. Let’s Go Owls! What are you most grateful for in your career playing Volleyball? Ava Harkins: I will always be thankful foremost to my parents as well as my family, friends, teammates and coaches for the continued support. QUESTION FROM WEST BRIDGEWATER NEWS WITH ANSWERS FROM AVA HARKINS PARENTS – DEBORAH AND WILLIAM HARKINS: Please share any moments that Ava did that were the most memorable in seeing her play volleyball for the school and how it made you feel? Deborah and William Harkins: Watching Ava grow as a player, teammate, captain and person has been the most enjoyable part of watching her play for the past 6 years at WB and during her club seasons as well. Also, watching her mentor the younger players during her senior year was a proud parent moment. We are extremely proud of her and all her accomplishments. Her hard work and dedication have certainly paid off. Although it’s sad her high school career is coming to an end, we are looking forward to the next chapter of her volleyball career and academic journey in college as she is verbally committed to play at Keene State College. We are extremely proud of her, she took on the recruiting process herself, we just supported her. It’s hard and a full-time commitment and job to do. QUESTION FROM WEST BRIDGEWATER NEWS WITH ANSWER FROM FORMER PLAYER AND GRADUATE OF WEST BRIDGEWATER HIGH SCHOOL – BROOKE ROBICHAUD What were your most memorable moments playing with Ava Harkins? Brooke Robichaud: Although we were often referred to as a “Dynamic Duo,” at times we were much more than that. We learned from and taught each other every step of the way. We had a special working relationship on the court not seen often. We counted on one another. We were our own silent critics who continuously strived to be better. I am now playing at Connecticut College for the tournament club team, and I miss playing with Ava every time I continue to touch the ball. QUESTION FROM WEST BRIDGEWATER NEWS WITH ANSWERS FROM CURRENT TEAM PLAYER ELLA HOLDEN AND HER MOM LISA HOLDEN: What are your most memorable moments of playing with or watching Ava Harkins as well as any insight on her? Lisa Holden, parent of Ella Holden a freshman on the team: Ella Holden is in her 3rd year as a 9th grader which gives us a unique perspective of such young players who are playing against kids as much as 5yrs older. Ava has had such responsibilities as modeling teamwork, uplifting them, gaining control of emotions as well as keeping their focus in the task at hand. Younger teams can be a challenge. Younger girls can be hard on themselves trying to keep up with 17-18yr olds on the court when they are only 12,13 or 14. Ava has been great at encouraging them. Ava was Ella. Ava started as a 7th grader also so maybe that's what gives her the skills to be so patient with these girls yet able to get them where they need to be at the same time. It's never easy being the young ones on the team. You don't want to let the older girls down and Ava never makes the girls feel like they do that. Ella Holden – Freshman Player: As our only senior, Ava has allowed us to be our energetic selves, dancing on the sidelines, cheering/supporting everyone, playing together and yet Ava helps to keeps us focused on the game at the same time. The chemistry is just great this year with all of us together and her as our captain as well as only senior player. QUESTION FROM WEST BRIDGEWATER NEWS WITH ANSWERS FROM WEST BRIDGEWATER HIGH SCHOOL VARISTY VOLLEYBALL COACH KAREN PENNINGTON: Please share a testimonial of what Ava Harkins has meant to you and your volleyball program since she started and positive and memorable moments you would like to share that made you feel as her coach? Coach Karen Pennington: I met Ava at tryouts in August of 2019. She was an incoming 7th grader, tiny in stature but big in athleticism. She always has been a natural athlete; graceful movements with a hidden explosive power. Ava didn’t know what position she wanted to play, she just wanted to play. Before the end of the 1st day of tryouts I had her pegged as a setter. Her hands were spectacular. They’ve only gotten better with time. I was coaching JV at the time, she was my first choice for the team behind some very talented 8th graders. She learned quickly and soaked up everything she was told. When I moved to varsity the following season I took Ava with me. I knew she was a special talent; but I have also learned that she is a special human being. She never “stuck out” as being younger than the other girls, nor did her play on the court telegraph that she was younger. She held her own and just kept getting better. I wish I could take the credit for this, but it isn’t even close. Ava has played club ball for many years. Her club coaches helped her become the talent she is today. (I like to think I may have helped a little.) As the only person in the class of 2025 to continue volleyball into varsity, makes Ava special. But the fact that our young program, which is full of young athletes now, which I am proud of them all and everyone on the team, means that Ava will be sorely missed next season. She was a part a dynamic duo (with 2024 graduate Brooke Robichaud) for 4 years. Those two could read each other’s minds without blinking. I dubbed them the dynamic duo when they were on the court together. It was very special to watch these two together. I wasn’t sure what would happen this season with Brooke graduated. Ava didn’t falter. She has taken players such as freshman, Ella Holden, under her wing and they’ve been working well together. I will miss her next season. Her teammates will miss her next season. They look up to her, they take their cues from her. She is the first person they look to on the court. She is one of the founding members of a small, young, West Bridgewater High School volleyball program. She holds many firsts. First player to hit 1000 assists, first player to hit 500 kills, first active 8th grade varsity player to play in every match as an 8th grader. The list goes on… As a setter, she leads the team; as a person, she leads her teammates. Ava has her struggles just like everyone does. You will never see it on the floor. I have enjoyed watching her laugh and do silly things this season as she deals with much younger teammates. I like to think she’s had a great Senior Season; it isn’t over yet with post season tournament play starting on November 1, 2024, but I’ve loved watching her grow. I hope she has wonderful memories to take with her into the next chapter. WEST BRIDGEWATER NEWS INSIGHT: Having covered every game this 2024 season the West Bridgewater Wildcats Volleyball team has been fun to watch and report on. Ava Harkins has been a sensational leader as captain and only senior on the team who has set unmatched school records and achievements this season. She always seems focused, poised and does things on the court with such grace. She has been an inspirational leader on the court for others to respect as she has done with them. Ava has set standards as a leader, player and person that many have looked up to and will remember for many years to come. West Bridgewater was fortunate to have her part of this special volleyball program at the school. The current 2024 varsity team is in Division 4 yet, they played many games this season against Division 1, 2 and 3 teams and competed well continuing to get better. Each team player on this unit that was part of Ava’s senior year also deserves recognition for their dedication and hard work as the future holds very bright for them all. These players are Juniors Ariana Lone and Vange Hilchey. Sophomore JoJo Garcia. The Fab 4 Freshman Amy Dangoia, Ella Holden, Jasmine Paulsen and Keira Cogavin. 8th grader Caydence Jones and 7th grader Raelyn Gifford. Thank you Ava Harkins, for all of your hard work, dedication and care in volleyball. Best of luck always in your continued career. @WBHS_VB @BoostersWb @WBMSHSAthletics @BrocktonSports @MassGHSVB @GlobeSchools @BostonHeraldHS @ReporterRyan24 @JDHERALDHS @aj_traub @sports_ledger