Campus News
September 2nd, 2025
Lady Lakers continue building project
GC returns five from Region 20 volleyball quarterfinalists
The Garrett College women's volleyball team opens its 2025 season Saturday with a tri-match at Hagerstown Community College. Pictured, left to right, are (back row) head coach Brittany Jackson, Audrey Harvey, Emma McCord, Cierra Shoop, Brenna L'Hommedieu, April Etheridge, Chloe Heeter, and Mia Barrios; (front row) Haylee Beard, Katie Yoder, Serenity Parker, Paola Chirino, Karen Cuellar, and Jamarri Silva.
Garrett College's women's volleyball program remains under construction.
"I know the team is excited to build on last year's success," said fourth-year head coach Brittany Jackson. "I feel like the foundation's been poured, and the bricks are going up. I guess the roof will come when we win a conference title."
Jackson has been steadily building a contender, improving from 0-18 to 4-14 to 12-9 in her first three seasons as head coach. Five returning sophomores – middle hitter Brenna L'Hommedieu (Morgantown, WV), libero Paola Chirino (Caracas, Venezuela), setter Karen Cuellar (Palma de Mallorca, Spain), outside hitter Emma McCord (Philippi, WV), and right side Haylee Beard (Halethorpe) – give Jackson hope of moving this project to completion.
"Last year, we had one returner," recalled Jackson, whose team opens the season with a Saturday tri-match against Anne Arundel Community College (1 p.m.) and host Hagerstown Community College (3 p.m.). "Now, with five, it's a whole lot easier helping the incoming freshmen understand the transition to college volleyball. We have girls who have experienced it on the court who can help."
Four of GC's eight freshmen – Mia Barrios (Nampa, ID), Cierra Shoop (Hollidaysburg, PA), Jamarri Silva (Randallstown), and April Etheridge (Upper Marlboro) – "bring depth to our offensive line as attackers," said Jackson. Audrey Harvey (Barton) and Katie Yoder (Accident) provide defensive depth, while Chloe Heeter (Flower Mound, TX) and Serenity Parker (Gulfport, MS) should be two-way assets as setters.
The increased experience and depth – along with added height up front – could permit the Lady Lakers to continue the dramatic improvements made over the past two seasons.
"This is a great opportunity for us to set ourselves up as a higher-seeded team looking to build on last year's success," said Jackson, whose 2024 squad earned the eighth seed at regionals. "With the athletes we have returning and the newcomers, I think we'll continue building a successful program."
