Young Cane Bay volleyball team building for future

David Shelton • October 7, 2024

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By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Summerville – A strong and firm foundation must be established before a castle can be built. The same concept goes for building a high school sports program.

Sometimes you have to take a few lumps early in the process but through hard work and dedication, success can be achieved.

Cane Bay volleyball coach Chris Latigona ha assembled a 2024 roster that he feels will develop into a legitimate power, but it will take a little time. Nonetheless, the coach has a young team this fall and he has put the team through a difficult non-region slate of games against high level teams.

“Although our overall record (5-14) doesn’t reflect, we have played some good volleyball. Coming up short to tough opponents,” the coach said. “We have a young team with only two seniors this year. My young team is learning to build resilience and have battled through several key injuries and sicknesses this year. We are currently 3-3 in region play and look to make a strong push for a playoff spot this year.”

Three early region wins will do a lot for the goal of making the state playoffs. Cane Bay has two region losses to perennial power Wando and another to state title contender Lucy Beckham.

The two seniors in the lineup are captains Caroline Combs (outside hitter) and Elli Robertson (libero). While their overall leadership is a key strength, the team’s best player is sophomore right side hitter Rylie Friar, who leads the team in kills and blocks while boasting the top kill percentage on the team.

Sophomore Marley Stephens is the starting setter, along with junior Ellie Karan, who also sets. Juniors Zye Bryant and Mariah Bryant are the key performers in the middle of the net.

Junior Brooke Bartlett is a key sub as a defensive specialist.

“Our team strength is our scrappy defense,” Latigona said. “We are building something special with these young players, although we have our moments due to our experience levels.

“We are excited to see how our young players, Rylie Friar, Marley Stephens and Ellie Karan progress the rest of the year and into the following season.”

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By David Shelton • July 30, 2025

By David Shelton Senior Writer Charleston – First Baptist School has new leadership within its football program and athletic department for the coming 2025-26 school year. Kevin Mapp was hired as the new head football coach in the early spring and Jay Godbolt was hired as the new athletic director at the start of the summer. Mapp has extensive coaching experience on both the college and high school levels while also working in law enforcement. First Baptist is his first head coaching position. Mapp last coached defensive linemen at James Island Charter High and has had coaching stints at James Madison, Hampden-Sydney, Georgetown, Marshall, Missouri State and Coastal Carolina. Mapp graduated from James Madison and was a defensive lineman on the 2004 Division I-AAA (now FCS) national championship team. “Coaching has always been my passion,” Mapp said. “Ever since I was playing, I wanted to be a coach. I have always found a way to coach while working in law enforcement. I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunities to do both.” Mapp has been with the Charleston County police department for the last 10 years. He took some time away from coaching to start a family. “I felt like First Baptist was the perfect fit for me and my family,” Mapp says. “It’s a great opportunity at a great place. The kids here work hard and there is a lot of support from the administration. I’m excited to be the head football coach at First Baptist.” Mapp has hired coordinators on both sides of the ball. Will McCombs , once the head coach of the program, will call the offensive plays. Chris Hart comes over from James Island as the defensive coordinator. “Our numbers are improving and the kids are working hard,” Mapp said. “I feel like we can be a competitive team. It’s year one of the building process.” Godbolt has been a coach and athletic director in the Charleston area for nearly two decades. As the boys basketball coach at Charleston Collegiate, Godbolt coached three state championship teams. He also has been a coach and athletic director at Lowcountry Leadership Academy. Godbolt has more than 450 career victories as a head basketball coach. Current First Baptist basketball coach Antoine Saunders was Godbolt’s assistant at Charleston Collegiate.