Senior setter and pin hitter Addie Lore stands as a cornerstone of Cherokee High School’s volleyball program, embodying the determination and versatility that has helped propel the Chiefs to a successful 15-11 season. As one of the team’s most dynamic players, Lore has established herself as both a leader on the court and a driving force behind Cherokee’s championship aspirations.
A Season of Growth and Leadership
The 2024 season marked a pivotal year for both Lore and the Cherokee volleyball program. Lore compiled impressive statistics that tell the story of her multifaceted impact on the team’s success. With 119 kills, 217 assists, 118 digs, 6 blocks, and 42 aces across 60 sets played, she demonstrated the kind of all-around excellence that championship teams require.
“With the season starting soon, I am very excited for the girl’s Cherokee team and its potential,” Lore reflected. “We have great hitters, setters, and passers despite losing seven seniors to graduation. The team functions as one and during preseason we all strive to help each other out during conditioning or any drills that we struggle with.”
Her statistical production backs up that optimism. Lore’s 42 aces ranked among the team’s best, showcasing her ability to generate points from the service line. Meanwhile, her 217 assist were tops on the team while senior Kate Kurzawa’s 204 was close behind, highlighting her role as a primary playmaker for Cherokee’s offensive attack.
The Heart of Cherokee’s Success
Cherokee’s 15-11 record and 4-4 conference mark in the Olympic American division represented solid progress for a program looking to establish itself among South Jersey’s elite volleyball schools. Under head coach Maggie Reed, the Chiefs demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the season, bouncing back from tough losses to secure crucial victories.
The team’s chemistry became evident early in the season, as Cherokee opened with victories over Washington Township (2-0), Lenape (2-1), Rancocas Valley (2-0), Mainland (2-0), Shawnee (2-0), Our Lady of Mercy (2-0), and Eastern (2-0). This hot start set the tone for a season filled with competitive matches and character-building moments.
“Some of the key returners this season are Cassie Markel and Ava Doherty,” Lore noted, highlighting the experienced core that provided stability for the team. “While we have strong passers all around, Cassie and Ava have been playing varsity for multiple years and are both amazing hitters in the front and all over the back row.”
Overcoming Adversity
Perhaps no moment better illustrated Cherokee’s growth mindset than their playoff journey. After securing a first-round tournament victory against Gloucester Tech (2-0), the Chiefs faced their familiar postseason nemesis, Southern Regional, in the quarterfinals. The 2-0 loss to Southern provided both heartbreak and valuable lessons for the program.
For Lore, the Southern game represented a moment of personal reflection and growth. “A moment from my volleyball career that stands out to me is when we played Southern in the playoffs and got knocked out,” she shared. “Going into that game, all of the girls were so excited to play, we knew it may be the end to our season like the past couple of years against Southern, but it also could have been the best game we ever played, since Southern was a very strong team.”
The defeat served as motivation rather than discouragement for Lore, who used the experience to fuel her development as a leader. “I did not show up for my teammates when we lacked energy starting the game and I regret that. This year, I will bring my teammates up and rise to the occasion when needed in any game. I need to be a mentally tough player who can be confident even in moments when we are down 10 points.”
Building Championship Culture
Under the guidance of coaches Reed and Barlow, Cherokee implemented new training methodologies that emphasized positional development and mental toughness. The coaching staff’s focus on innovative warmups, specialized drills, and diverse conditioning methods created an environment where players like Lore could flourish.
“Coach Reed and Coach Barlow have focused on different kinds of warmups, drills, and even conditioning methods that I think will change the way we go about this season,” Lore observed. “They have started to focus on more positional work at practice, and I think it can help us a lot in the long run.”
The team’s emphasis on positional excellence allowed Lore to showcase her versatility as both a setter and outside hitter. Her ability to transition seamlessly between roles provided Cherokee with tactical flexibility that proved valuable throughout the season’s challenging schedule.
Team Chemistry and New Talent
One of Cherokee’s greatest strengths during the 2024 season was the integration of veteran leadership with emerging talent. Lore praised the team’s collaborative spirit and the impact of new players joining the program.
“Kim Moncrief is also a key returner, while she got pulled up later in the season, she is an incredibly talented middle blocker and is looking to play outside which she is very skilled in as well,” Lore explained. “We have many new faces coming in while we are still figuring out where they are going to play as of JV or varsity, we have many new freshmen coming in this year that I truly believe will be our game changers.”
Club Experience Enhances High School Success
Lore’s development as a complete player benefited significantly from her club volleyball experience with MVBC. This additional training proved invaluable in refining her skills as both a setter and hitter.
“My club years that I spent playing at MVBC have contributed to my growth last year during the fall,” Lore reflected. “I was coached by Pat Senft who now coaches for Lenape and he helped me grow as a leader and the goals that I have set for myself. I have worked to develop my defense as a setter and my offense as a hitter.”
This commitment to year-round improvement exemplifies the dedication required to excel at the high school level while preparing for potential collegiate opportunities.
Looking Toward the Future
As Lore enters her senior season, her goals extend beyond individual achievement to encompass team success and personal growth. Her vision for Cherokee volleyball reflects both ambition and realism, focusing on consistent performance and mental toughness.
“The teams’ main goals for these seasons are to win the games that we are supposed to win and to fight to every last point,” she stated. “Last year we got into a rut where we were losing games where on paper we were supposed to win right off the bat. While we play many difficult games during our season, we will try our very hardest to rise to the occasion at every match we have and dominate the court.”
Lore’s personal aspirations align with her team-first mentality. “My personal goal this season is to help my team as a whole compete with the state and get a good record. I strive to make our team look good and personally I want to grow as an athlete and have a better mindset this season.”
Her ultimate dream remains playing volleyball at the collegiate level, a goal that seems increasingly attainable given her statistical production and leadership qualities. “Competing at the collegiate level has always been a dream of mine and I am hoping I get the chance to,” she shared.
The Cherokee Volleyball Legacy
Lore understands her role in maintaining and enhancing Cherokee’s volleyball tradition. The program’s emphasis on hard work, team chemistry, and continuous improvement has created a culture where players can thrive both individually and collectively.
“The team this year is such a fun and hard-working team. We have all been working in the off season to improve as players and I think that good volleyball players or athletes in general are made in the off season,” Lore noted. “With new and aggressive players coming in I believe we can change the tides of last year as well as continue the Cherokee volleyball legacy.”
Her approach to leadership combines optimism with accountability, recognizing that sustained success requires both individual excellence and collective commitment. “I will approach this season with an open mind and an optimistic mindset,” she declared. Lore is also following the legacy of her sister Sydney who was a team Captain at Cherokee and went on to play collegiate volleyball at the D3 level.
A Bright Future Ahead
As Cherokee volleyball prepares for future campaigns, Addie Lore represents the kind of player who can elevate a program from competitive to championship-caliber. Her combination of statistical production, leadership qualities, and growth mindset positions her as a key figure in Cherokee’s continued development.
The Chiefs’ ability to compete with South Jersey’s best teams while developing young talent suggests a bright future for the program. With Lore leading the charge and a strong supporting cast returning, Cherokee volleyball appears poised to build upon the foundation established during the 2024 season.
“Fans should expect high energy and lots of exciting plays,” Lore promised, setting the stage for what could be a breakthrough season for both her and the Cherokee volleyball program.
As she continues her volleyball journey, Addie Lore embodies the determination, skill, and leadership that define championship-level players. Her story is far from over, and Cherokee volleyball fans have every reason to be excited about what lies ahead.
