Tallulah Falls School’s varsity volleyball, softball and cross country teams enter the fall season with returning talent, new contributors and expectations built around recent program growth.
The Lady Indians volleyball team is coming off a 27-9 season that ended with a state runner-up finish. It was the program’s second appearance in the state title match in a four-year span.
Several anchors from last season are not back, including Becca Heyl, Margalida Amengual Sanchez, Laura Ruiz Rendon and Sofia Livianos. Returning players include senior Shelby Whisnant; juniors Corinne Swinton, Stella Bowman, Cami Perry, Finlee Ridlehoover and Keely Franks; and sophomores Tori Crota and Emmalyn Whisnant. Brazilian newcomer Beatriz Fernandes also joins the program.
Tallulah Falls is guided by ninth-year head coach Matt Heyl, who eclipsed 200 career victories last season. He has led the program to the playoffs in each of his first eight seasons.
“Despite its youth, we are optimistic about our potential,” Heyl said. “Much of that optimism comes from the improvement seen and the expected improvement the coaching staff anticipates. Bowman and Crotta have shown significant improvement, while setters Finlee Ridlehoover and Crotta continue to progress every day. Defensively, Emma Whisnant has also taken major strides since last season to lead our defense. So the key phrase for what our strength will be is expected improvement. Another strength for this year’s squad is its chemistry. We believe the team’s camaraderie is already evident and plan to continue building that unity throughout the season. Tallulah Falls enters the season with ambitious goals: posting a winning record, competing for a region championship, and making another run to the state Final Four. The road will be difficult, but the Indians believe that if they can reach that stage, a unified team can accomplish something special.”
The volleyball team opens the season Aug. 4 at Banks County, taking on the host school and Winder-Barrow in a tri-match. Tallulah Falls will play in a tournament Aug. 8 at Loganville Christian. The home opener is scheduled for Aug. 17 against Athens Christian.
The Tallulah Falls softball team enters its third year as a full varsity program under head coach Jenny Long. The program won two games in its inaugural season and was close several times to adding more wins last year.
“I have high expectations for this season,” Long said. “I believe this could be a pivotal year for our program. I expect this team to compete at a high level, demonstrate a strong understanding of the game, and develop the best team chemistry we have had to date. If we commit to working hard, supporting one another, and embracing our roles, I believe we can accomplish something special together.”
Five starters return, led by senior Juliana Roberts. Junior newcomers Suzanna Cabe, a pitcher, and Julie Edelheit, a catcher, join the roster. Ruby Sue Anderson and Evie Purcell are among the young players expected to contribute.
The senior group includes Roberts, Joanna Miller, Madison Phillips, Gabby Heard, Stephanie Celestin and Matea Rajkovic. Juniors Cabe, Edelheit and Ellie Shaw will push that group. Sophomores Sky Knowles and Baylin Cumberland are also on the roster, along with freshman Anderson and eighth-graders Purcell, Aleigha Jones and Kayleigh McEntire.
The Lady Indians travel to Blairsville for the season opener against Union County on Aug. 7. Their first home game is Aug. 13 against George Walton.
The Tallulah Falls cross country program also enters the season after a historic year. The Lady Indians won their first region championship and finished as state runner-up. The boys had two individuals compete at state, marking seven straight seasons with Tallulah Falls represented in the state meet.
“Our girls are entering the season with big expectations,” second-year head coach Jamie Jimison said. “We are aiming to duplicate or even improve on last year’s state runner-up finish. We are returning four of our top five finishers from last year’s team, including school record holder and All-State finisher, Olivia Henderson for her senior season.”
Henderson owns the top time in TFS history with a personal record of 20:17.00, set in early October at Unicoi last season. She placed third at state in 20:36.91 and is a two-time All-Region honoree. Senior Avery Keim, also a two-time All-Region selection, has a personal record of 21:53.88 set at state in her sophomore season. Senior Megan Prince also returns.
The girls roster also includes juniors Sofia Alderfer and Veronica VerBerkmoes; sophomores Mary Kate Ball, Eliza Culp and Gabby Oliver; and freshmen Lily Denard, Emili Menalla and Naomi Russo.
For the boys, senior Teagan Penland leads the returning group. Penland is second on the TFS Legacy List with a personal record of 16:27.79, set as a sophomore. He placed ninth at state that season and is a two-time All-State and All-Region selection.
“Our boys are ready to make a big leap this season,” Jimison said. “Following a rebuilding year, we return a lot of our core, as well as some exciting fresh faces. I expect Teagan to lead a hungry team to much higher heights.”
The boys roster includes seniors Penland, Ryan Anderson and Hawk Oliver; juniors Sam Belk, Eric Guan, Steven Jackson, Caleb Kelly, Morgan Martin, Gonzalo Martinez and Hudson Penland; sophomores Jett Davis, Lorenzo Matthes, Kaden Purcell and Sebastian York; and freshmen Zachary Bonner, Jaren Jimison and Lincoln Penland.
The cross country season opens Aug. 15 with the NE Georgia Championships. Home meets include the TFS Short Course Challenge on Aug. 20, Cookies ’n Quotes XC Festival on Sept. 8 and TFS Harrier Harvest on Sept. 24. Tallulah Falls will host the 2026 Region 4-AAAA Championships.
