Health Sciences Enters 2026 With High Ceiling, Milestone Goals

Overview

• Coach Blair Helton said Health Sciences Charter School enters 2026 with "one of the most promising squads" the program has assembled.
• Tianna Riley-Vance is set to run the offense as the team's sole setter in a 5-1 system, with Helton expecting her to chase the program's first 1,000-assist setter milestone.
• Nayeli Camacho and Riley-Vance are the captains, while Helton said Semaj Hill brings energy, vocal encouragement and hustle beyond the box score.
• Emone Perry is a senior outside hitter Helton identified as a primary point scorer, while Jada Gibbs and RaMya Peay are players to watch in expanded roles.
• The schedule opens Sept. 8 against Buffalo Academy of Science, with September dates against South Park, Olmsted, Hutch Tech, McKinley, Emerson/Bflo Culinary, Lafayette, City Honors and I-Prep.

Health Sciences Sets A High Bar

Health Sciences Charter School enters the 2026 girls volleyball season with a coach who is not hiding the expectations.

"The outlook for our 2026 season is extremely high," coach Blair Helton said. "This is one of the most promising squads we have assembled at Health Sciences, with the ceiling to surpass our program's historic 15-6 mark."

That 15-6 season came in 2024-25. Health Sciences went 9-11 in 2025-26, and Helton said the goal this fall is to move beyond the program's benchmark while making noise in Section VI.

The team's foundation starts with its returning varsity core and the way Helton wants the group to play. He pointed to athletic net presence, court synergy, aggressive serving, cleaner communication in passing and a standard that has to hold on every rally.

"We want to be known as a disciplined, high-intensity, and relentless team that plays with superior volleyball IQ," Helton said.

Riley-Vance Directs The Offense

Tianna Riley-Vance enters the season as the team's established setter in a 5-1 system, and Helton expects her to be one of the central storylines of the year.

"We expect a standout year from Tianna as our primary floor general, and we anticipate she will become the first 1,000-assist setter in Health Sciences program history," Helton said.

Riley-Vance and senior libero Nayeli Camacho are the team's captains, giving Health Sciences leadership in the setter and libero spots.

Senior outside hitter Emone Perry is another key piece after Helton identified her as a primary point scorer.

Helton named Jada Gibbs as a returning player likely to take a step forward and RaMya Peay as another player who could become an important contributor. He also highlighted Semaj Hill for energy, vocal encouragement and hustle that do not always show up in a box score.

Building Toward Section VI

Helton said Health Sciences wants to limit unforced errors, keep opponents under 15 points per set and connect its younger talent with its veterans in fast-paced situations. Health Sciences opens Sept. 8 against Buffalo Academy of Science and Sept. 10 against South Park before a Sept. 14 match at Olmsted. September also includes Hutch Tech, McKinley, Emerson/Bflo Culinary, Lafayette, City Honors and I-Prep.

October includes Medina on Oct. 1, South Park on Oct. 2, Olmsted on Oct. 5, Hutch Tech on Oct. 7, McKinley on Oct. 9 and Mount St. Mary Academy on Oct. 12 before the closing stretch against Emerson/Bflo Culinary, Lafayette and I-Prep.

Helton's larger program target is direct: Health Sciences wants to win what he described as the first sectional playoff game in school history while pushing past the program's 15-6 benchmark.

Fans can follow the program on Instagram at @thehscsfalconsvolleyball and watch matches on YouTube at The HSCS Falcons Volleyball.