Photo by Liberty University Athletics
Ivy Garner: Following an eventful summer, former Cedar Ridge striker Ivy Garner scored the opening goal of the season for the Liberty women’s soccer team in its 3-1 win over East Carolina at Johnston Stadium in Greenville on Thursday. Garner scored in the opening minute off a deflection off a pass by Halle Engle. Garner, a senior, was named to the All-Conference USA first-team last season. Last year, she was second on the team with nine goals. She led the Flames with eight assists. In June, Garner played for the North Carolina Courage in The Soccer Tournament. She scored the game-winning goal for the Courage in its opening contest. For the duration of the summer, Garner played for the North Carolina Courage U-23 team in the USL W League. After winning the league championship in 2024, the Courage U-23 squad reached the championship game in July. Utah United defeated the Courage for the title.
Payton Wilson: The Pittsburgh Steelers will visit the Carolina Panthers for its final exhibition game on Thursday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Wilson is preparing for his second season with Pittsburgh. Last week in the Steelers exhibition opener, Wilson registered three tackles in a 31-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium.
Bryse Wilson: On Wednesday, Wilson earned a start for the Charlotte Knights against the Memphis Redbirds at Truist Field. Wilson suffered the loss, allowing eights runs off eleven hits in five-and-one-thirds innings. It was his fifth start for Charlotte since he was designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox in June. Wilson had won his prior two starts with the Knights.
The 2025 volleyball season will start in less than two weeks. Here are some of the former Orange and Cedar Ridge starts that will take the floor for various college programs across all NCAA divisions this fall.
Lottie Scully: After three years at Binghamton University, Scully has transferred to the University of Houston. In 2024 with the Bearcats, Scully was the America East Conference Setter of the Year. A senior, Scully was a first-team All-America East selection after leading the conference with 994 assists. She had ten double-doubles, including 56 assists in a match against Long Island University.
Cameron Lloyd: The all-time kills leader in Cedar Ridge history, Lloyd starts her third season at Bucknell later this month. In 2024, Lloyd appeared in all 26 matches for the Bison. She supplied 174 kills with 241 digs. Last year, the Bison was one win away from its first Patriot League regular season championship since 2000, but lost to Colgate in the regular season finale. Bucknell finished 21-5 in 2024.
Cameron Lanier: On August 29, Elon will start its season against Coppin State at the Scharr Center. It will be the start of Lanier’s junior season. Last year, Lanier appeared in 25 matches for the Phoenix, starting 20 of them. She finished second on the team with 245 kills, including a career-high 15 against Southern Miss. She ranked third on the team with a 23.6% hitting percentage.
Graylinn Serge: Another member of Cedar Ridge’s 2021 3A State Championship team, Serge enters her sophomore year at UNC Greensboro. Last season, Serge competed in 13 matches and 31 sets. She had 47 digs, including nine each in matches against Furman and Samford. The Spartans went 8-22 in 2024.
Addie Reid: The middle blocker for the 2021 Cedar Ridge state championship team is now a sophomore at North Carolina Central. Last year, Reid played three matches.
Ella Wimsatt: The captain of Orange’s 2024 Eastern Regional championship team, Wimsatt starts her sophomore season at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne. In 2024, Wimsatt plays 56 sets as a freshman with 27 kills and 12 aces. The Bears finished 25-7 overall, finishing 2nd in the South Atlantic Conference. They reached the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Anaya Carter: Playing in Conference Carolinas, Carter is entering her junior year at UNC Pembroke. As a sophomore in 2024, Carter saw action in 23 matches and registered ten aces. The Braves finished 17-18 overall.
Julie Altieri: The all-time assist leader in Cedar Ridge history, Altieri starts her junior year at Division III Salisbury University. She is already seventh in school history in career assists. Last season, Altieri registered 1,048 assists, ninth-most in a single-season in Salisbury history. She was name to the Coast-to-Coast All-Conference first-team.
Melissa Benkowitz: Yet another member of Cedar Ridge’s 2021 3A State Championship team, Benkowitz is a junior at Division III Franklin & Marshall University. Last year, Benkowitz played in 29 matches for the Diplomats. She totalled 93 kills, 185 digs and 39 aces.
Abby Silinski: There will be two Hillsborough players playing for Franklin & Marshall this year. Silinski, who played on two conference championship teams at Orange, is a freshman with the Diplomats.
Allie Wilkerson: Playing at Division III Averett University, Wilkerson is a junior with the Cougars. Last year, she started in all 31 matches and recorded 176 kills.
Grace Young: After spending one season at UNC Asheville, Young played her first season at Division III Greensboro College last year. Last year, Young played in 29 matches and totalled 299 digs and 46 aces.
