Draughn 2025 fall sports team capsules

VOLLEYBALL

Last year’s record: 15-8 (8-1 WHC 1A/2A, 1st), lost 2nd round 1A state playoffs

Returning players: Macy Auton, Kylie Corpening, Ella Anthony, Bella Whitson, Ava Aldridge, Shelby Proffitt, Rebecca Feimster, Bailey Mozeley, Kristyn Cozort, Braylen Clontz, Peyton Brewer

Other key players: Lillian Collins, Ashlyn Heavner

From the coach: “This season is shaping up to be one of the strongest in recent years for our program. Nearly every player on our roster saw action in at least one full varsity match last year, giving us a deep and experienced team. We return all but two starters from last season, with Lillian and Ashlyn filling those two starting positions on the court. We’re also excited to be entering a new conference this year. The opportunity to face in-county rivals during conference play brings more energy and intensity to every match. … Expectations are high, and this team is ready to rise to the challenge.” — Triniti Lambert

Outlook: Draughn didn’t disappoint in Lambert’s first season at the helm of her alma mater, winning a conference title and being the only Burke County team to win a playoff match. And even a bump up in classifications doesn’t appear to be worrisome for these Lady Wildcats with league player of the year Mozeley plus all-conference selections Auton, Whitson, Corpening, and Brewer all back on board. Headlined by Alexander Central and Foard, Lambert acknowledges “our nonconference schedule is intentionally tough, designed to battle-test us early and prepare us for anything we may face later in the season.”

BOYS SOCCER

Last year’s record: 4-7-1 (3-4-1 WHC 1A/2A, 5th), lost 1st round 1A state playoffs

Returning players: Bryce Wilcox, Jake Powell, Noah Thomas

Other key players: Christian Ugalde, Charles Baker, Charlie Tzoc Xec

From the coach: “The general outlook is optimistic with a new team dynamic, young players, and a new conference where we will play East Burke and Patton twice this year. We will also play Freedom twice this year.” — Matt Cook

Outlook: Cook inherits a Wildcats team that made a rare postseason appearance last fall as he hopes to keep the club pointed in the right direction in a new conference in which his team is one of just four (out of eight total teams) that qualified for the playoffs a year ago. Powell and Wilcox, who was an all-conference and all-region goalkeeper last fall, will serve as team captains, and Thomas is also back after joining Wilcox last fall on the all-conference team.

GIRLS TENNIS

Last year’s record: 6-5 (4-2 WHC 1A/2A, 2nd), lost 1st round 1A state playoffs

Returning players: Aubrey Childers, Maria Medrano, Peyton Dale, Sasha Duckworth, Mati Kincaid, Addelynn Honeycutt, Madelyn Hudson

Other key players: N/A

From the coach: “Our goal is to fight for a conference championship, make the playoffs, and send some more girls to regionals. We’re looking forward to a new conference to change things up but still have tough competition and have to be ready to compete. We have a large senior group this year (seven girls), and I really hope to send them out on a good note. They came in as freshmen my first year coaching here at Draughn, so it’s the first group I’ve had all four years. We are trying to enjoy it as much as possible and soak it all in together.” — Kelsey Houser

Outlook: The Lady Wildcats have never missed the postseason under Houser, and the streak dates back longer than that, with DHS now seeking a sixth straight dual-team state playoff berth. And with all six ladder players returning and Hudson pushing them for a spot as well, this doesn’t appear to be the year that changes.

GIRLS GOLF

Last year’s finish: N/A

Returning players: Kennedy Stroupe, Emma Starrett

Other key player: Callie Hale

From the coach: “Our goals are to get better each day and qualify for regionals. Kennedy has qualified the past two years, and Emma would have last year if she wasn’t injured. We plan to be competitive in conference when all three girls are able to play. East Rutherford and Hibriten will be tough competition. East Burke should have a full team, and it’ll be fun competing with them and Patton.” — Doug Stroupe

Outlook: Kennedy Stroupe is in her fourth year playing for the Lady Wildcats and will serve as the team captain, while Starrett, who Doug Stroupe said has “worked hard all summer and has improved immensely” also provides plenty of experience (in her third year) and figures to play with the league No. 1s this fall. DHS has already started nonconference matches, and the new league’s season starts Sept. 2 at Forest City Golf Course.

CROSS COUNTRY

Last year’s finish: Boys sixth in WHC 1A/2A, girls N/A

Returning runners: (Boys) Noah Thomas, Ben Fortune; (girls) Adelei Morrow, Saylor Watson, Anna Bordeleau

Other key runners: N/A

From the coach: “We are looking forward to an excellent season in our new conference. We have five returning athletes that were instrumental in our races last year. They will also be joined by some newcomers and rising freshmen. This season is shaping up to be another great season for our runners.” — Brandon Clemons

Outlook: Last fall, Morrow (fourth), Watson (ninth), and Thomas (ninth) led the Wildcats with top-10 showings at the league championship meet, though none ran at regionals. Draughn must replace former county individual champion Tray Powell on the boys side as it enters the Western Piedmont 3A/4A Conference with high hopes.