Coastal Middle School completed the year undefeated, winning over STEM in the semifinals and Savannah Classical in the finals to claim the Savannah Chatham County Public Schools Middle School volleyball championship. The Seahawks volleyball head coach Blair Printup came into the season looking to reconnect with the game.
“At the start of the season, I expected to reconnect with the game and coaching,” Printup said. “I had stepped away for a few years, but coaching volleyball has always been a passion of mine.”
Nearly 70 girls tried out for 14 spots. Printup quickly saw strong team potential.
“It was after our very first practice that I realized something special was happening,” she said. “The girls were begging to stay longer just to keep playing. That’s when I knew a championship wasn’t just possible — it was within reach.”
Coastal Middle went 10-0 in the regular season and 13-0 overall, winning the middle school volleyball championship.
Printup was most impressed by the team’s depth and flexibility.
“Every game felt like a coach’s dream when it came to planning the lineup,” she said. “You know you have something special when you can trust any player to step in and do their job.”
The postseason tested the team’s depth, especially in the semifinal with STEM.
“The semifinal against our longtime rival, STEM, really showed what our team was made of,” Printup said. “The match had long rallies, a packed and loud gym, and two teams leaving everything out there.”
“For the first time all season, we dropped a set,” she added. “The girls had to dig deep, regroup, and settle their nerves before taking the next two sets.”
Coastal won the semifinal 2-1 to advance to the championship.
In the final match, Coastal defeated Savannah Classical Academy 2-0, winning 20-13 in the first set and 20-11 in the second set.
Leadership came from Atalie Ophus (8th) and Kinley Donner (8th), who led by example, along with Lizzie Otegen (8th), Sawyer Allison (7th), and Aria Kazmaier (6th).
“Throughout the season, the girls were reminded that every player mattered,” Printup said. “In many ways, our toughest competition all season was in our own gym.”
Though volleyball wasn't the primary sport for some players, Printup emphasized their athleticism and quick adaptation as key factors in the team's success.
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2025 Coastal Middle School Seahawks Vollyball Roster |
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| 1 | Aria | Kazmaier | |
| 2 | Mila | Hutcherson | |
| 3 | Sawyer | Allison | |
| 4 | Lena | Woodhouse | |
| 6 | Finlay | Harris | |
| 7 | Lizzie | Otegen | |
| 8 | Adalyne | Calloway | |
| 9 | Atalie | Ophus | |
| 10 | Layla | Jandrilich | |
| 11 | Ava | Lewis | |
| 12 | Christy | Hutcherson | |
| 13 | Kinley | Donner | |
| 14 | Sutton | Perry | |
| 20 | Savannah | Richardson | |
| Head Caoch - Blair Printup | |||
Runner-up: Savannah Classical Academy
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Photo Credit: SCCPSS Health/Physical Education/Athletics Department, Coastal Middle School, Savannah Classical Academy social media pages.
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