With the new high school sports season approaching, there are several area athletes who are expected to turn heads and establish themselves as the county’s best.
Three county girls are back after claiming Player of the Year honors in their sports in 2023 — Taylor Colson (cross country), Hannah DeVincent (soccer) and Alayna Enoff (field hockey). But many talented athletes will challenge those returners for their spots.
The Carroll County Times is presenting its 24 of 24, a list of some of the top high school athletes — 24 boys and 24 girls — to watch this season.
Here is the girls Carroll County Fall 24:
Cross country
Taylor Colson, Century, sophomore
The 2023 Runner of the Year won the county meet by more than 1 minute, 27 seconds. She followed that up with a win at the Class 2A state championship meet. That was all as a freshman.
Brynn Keilman, Winters Mill, sophomore
Keilman opened her career with an eight-place finish at the county meet, one of three top-10 finishes in her first season. In the winter, she placed third at the county indoor track championships in the 3,200.
Emily Mitroka, Century, senior
Mitroka was second behind her teammate, Colson, at last year’s county championship and finished seventh at the state meet. In the spring, she won a track state championship in the 1,600.
Cyndi Phelps, Winters Mill, senior
Phelps had a strong junior campaign, winning two county meets and placing fourth at the county championships. She is poised to close out her high school career with an even stronger 2024.
Field hockey
Sophie Baer, Manchester Valley, senior
The midfielder was a key reason the Mavericks won 14 straight games in 2023 on their way to a county title and the state semifinals. Last year, she tallied four goals and 11 assists.
Alayna Enoff, South Carroll, senior
The 2023 Player of the Year amassed 13 goals and 13 assists, leading the Cavaliers to a 14-3 record and the Class 1A state title. Her tendency to rise up in clutch moments will be called upon again as both she and her team now have a target on their backs.
Taylor Fique, Manchester Valley, sophomore
Fique had a phenomenal first season for the Mavericks, finishing with 10 goals and six assists. Another year of development should make her even more dangerous.
Amanda Herrold, Manchester Valley, junior
Herrold’s 2023 earned her Player of the Year consideration. She scored 11 goals for the state semifinalist Mavericks while also adding eight assists. Look for her to once again be among the county’s best.
Carley Topper, Francis Scott Key, senior
Topper finished 2023 with four goals and 11 assists for the Eagles, helping lead the team to the regional finals. She leads a talented group that should be a factor in the county and state races.
Natalie Opatovsky, Century, senior
Opatovsky was a first team All-County selection as a defender in 2023 and will anchor another strong group at Century.
Stevie Schultz, Westminster, junior
Schultz finished 2023 with six goals and two assists for the Owls and will be called upon to help lead the team at both ends of the field this year.
Soccer
Bella Coccio, Century, senior
Coccio, a midfielder, is a two-time first team All-County pick and is expected to be among the county’s best yet again. She finished 2023 with six goals and six assists as one of coach Chris Little’s captains.
Hannah DeVincent, Liberty, senior
DeVincent’s numbers were off the charts last year, as she amassed 17 goals and 19 assists in her Player of the Year junior season. Don’t expect much of a drop-off as she will lead her Lions in their championship quest.
Emmerson Hill, Westminster, junior
Hill was a key member of the Owls during her sophomore season and her athleticism will be called upon once again as she develops into a team leader.
Lexi McGinnis, Century, senior
McGinnis was a first team All-County defensive pick who helped the Knights post seven shutouts last season. Defense has been the calling card for Century in recent years, and with McGinnis leading, it should be again.
Hannah Neske, Winters Mill, sophomore
As a freshman, Neske led the Falcons in scoring, matching her eight goals with eight assists. She should only get better as her varsity career continues.
Abby Rieger, Francis Scott Key, senior
Perhaps the county’s best defensive player in basketball, Rieger was among the county scoring leaders last soccer season, netting eight goals for the Eagles as a midfielder.
Bryce Sarver, Liberty, junior
Sarver joins DeVincent in a dangerous scoring tandem in Eldersburg. As a sophomore last season, Sarver scored 12 goals and handed out four assists for the regional champion Lions.
Volleyball
Haleigh Hodges, Liberty, senior
The Lions’ libero amassed an impressive 282 digs as a junior. She complimented her defense with 37 aces and 40 assists.
Elaina Murphy, South Carroll, junior
Murphy has a phenomenal sophomore campaign that nearly earned Player of the Year recognition. She led the Cavaliers with 159 kills and served 39 aces. An all-around player, she also collected 144 digs.
Emme Powers, Liberty, sophomore
Powers had to fill some big shoes on Liberty’s front line as a freshman last season. The 5-foot-11 hitter thrived, putting down 154 kills.
Molly Thomas, Westminster, senior
The Owls’ libero finished last season with 16 kills, 34 aces, 35 assists and 135 digs. Prepvolleyball.com listed Thomas among its national Class of 2025 defenders to watch list.
Emily Troy, Manchester Valley, junior
Troy will be a go-to option for a Mavericks team that many think will contend for a county title. Last season, she totaled 103 kills, 123 digs and 34 aces.
Pia White, South Carroll, senior
As the primary setter for the county co-champion Cavaliers, White finished last season with 249 assists, 98 digs, 14 kills and 32 aces.
