Prairie senior named Class 3A Co-Player of the Year by a vote of state’s coaches

Rene Ferran
For ClarkCountyToday.com

Prairie senior Zoe McBride was selected Class 3A co-Player of the Year with Capital’s Maia Nichols in voting conducted by the state’s high school volleyball coaches for the all-state team presented by the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association and ClarkCountyToday.com.

McBride was among a number of Clark County athletes included in the 2017 all-state teams in the top four classifications of high school teams. Ridgefield’s Anika Nicoll was named to the Class 2A first team.

Here’s a look at the 2017 all-state volleyball teams as selected by the state’s coaches:

Class 4A

Auburn Riverside senior Calley Heilborn was overwhelmingly selected Class 4A Player of the Year in voting conducted by the state’s high school volleyball coaches for the all-state team presented by the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association and ClarkCountyToday.com.

 

Heilborn has won three 4A state volleyball titles at Auburn Riverside, including each of the last two years. She was named MVP of the tournament this season, notching 27 kills and 18 digs in the final as the Ravens rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Mead of Spokane.

 

Heilborn signed with Western Washington for next season, spurning Division I offers from Boise State and Wichita State to stay close to home.

“Calley is the full package,” said Ravens coach Chris Leverenz, who was named 4A Coach of the Year by her peers. “I’ve been asked so many times this year about Calley, and I’m not sure I’m doing her justice. She is beyond talented in volleyball for sure. She plays with such grace and ease that she makes some things look easy. Coaching her is an honor because of the incredible person she is. Losing her will definitely take a chunk out of our program.”

Ciera Zimmerman, a Colorado State signee who set many of Heilborn’s kills this season with the Ravens, also was voted to the all-state first team. No other school had multiple first-team honorees.

Greater St. Helens League (GSHL) champion Camas had two players receive honorable mention, which required at least two votes. Setter Aubrey Stanton, the league’s co-MVP, and outside hitter Kellie LeBlanc were joined in receiving honorable mention by Heritage libero Bella Forncrook.

4A All-State Team

Player of the Year – Calley Heilborn, OH, Auburn Riverside.

Coach of the Year – Chris Leverenz, Auburn Riverside.

First Team

Hitters – Calley Heilborn, Auburn Riverside; Haylee Kent, Kentwood; Kaitlin Sugai, Puyallup; Kava Durr, Emerald Ridge; Maddie Lee, Mead; Shea Rubright, West Valley (Yakima).

Setters – Ciera Zimmerman, Auburn Riverside; Hannah Pukis, Bellarmine Prep.

Libero – Kasey Woodruff, Curtis.

Second Team

Hitters – Emily Smith, Tahoma; Kate Pestova, Auburn Riverside; Katherine McEuen, Mead; Maddie Butters, Bothell; Patience O’Neal, Tahoma; Peyton Foster, Graham-Kapowsin; Rachael Schlect, University; Tayler Templeman, Emerald Ridge.

Setters – Lillian Eason, Lake Stevens; Lindsey Russell, Mead.

Libero – Julie Westhoff, Kennedy Catholic.

Honorable Mention

Hitters – Anna Maracich, Auburn Riverside; Briana Ingram, Auburn Riverside; Ciarra Choe, Jackson; Eugena Faamausili, Kent-Meridian; Hannah Aaenson, Lake Stevens; Kate Budig, Gonzaga Prep; Keelie LeBlanc, Camas; Lindsay Rosenthal, Richland; McKenna Russell, Mead; Paige Anthony, Tahoma; Paige Wollan, Central Valley; Payton Jones, West Valley (Yakima); Sarah Randall, Curtis; Talaitupu Lologo, Federal Way; Tatyana Utley, Puyallup.

Setters – Anna Saelens, Puyallup; Aubrey Stanton, Camas; Emily Zink, Mead; Jadyn Mullen, Emerald Ridge; Malia Aleaga, Kennedy Catholic; Noelani Helm, Walla Walla.

Liberos – Alaina Lacey, Richland; Ashlynn O’Keefe, Gonzaga Prep; Avery Heinle, West Valley (Yakima); Becca Owen, Skyline; Bella Forncrook, Heritage; Haley Gilbert, Kamiak.

Class 3A

Prairie senior Zoe McBride can add one more honor to her impressive resume before closing the door on her high school volleyball career.

McBride was selected Class 3A co-Player of the Year with Capital’s Maia Nichols in voting conducted by the state’s high school volleyball coaches for the all-state team presented by the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association and ClarkCountyToday.com.

McBride, the two-time 3A GSHL and regional Most Valuable Player, led the Falcons to a fifth-place finish at last month’s state tournament in Kennewick. McBride finished the season with a team-high 565 kills, 63 blocks, 314 digs and 95 aces.

“Zoe’s talent and work ethic are extremely impressive,” said Falcons coach Jen Palmer. “She has such natural athleticism and is incredibly intelligent in this game. Another quality that makes Zoe stand out is her composure – she was never rattled. She was such a huge part of our team because she added consistency that helped us in all areas of play.”

Nichols helped lead Capital to the program’s first state title, earning tournament MVP honors. For the season, the sophomore had 285 kills and 222 digs.

“It means a great deal to have fellow coaches recognize her talents and abilities,” said Capital coach Katie Turcotte, who was named 3A Coach of the Year. “Maia is a fierce competitor on the volleyball court, whether it is jumping high and hitting hard in the front row or playing excellent defense in the back row. Maia is an all-around player who raises the level of play for everyone playing with her.”

Nichols was joined on the all-state first team by Capital teammates setter Tia Grow and libero Elise Meath. Mount Spokane, which placed third at state, had two first-team selections – Miahna Waters (hitter) and Katie Maher (setter). The rest of the first team included hitters Gracie Jendrezak of Eastside Catholic, Kelly Behrbaum of state runner-up Mercer Island, and Zyonna Fellows of Mount Tahoma.

Three of McBride’s teammates – hitter Abby Brotherton, setter Lainee Wilkins and libero Megan Hammes – received honorable mention, which required at least two votes. Mountain View libero Josie Davis also received honorable mention.

3A All-State Team

Co-Players of the Year – Maia Nichols, OH, Capital and Zoe McBride, OH, Prairie.

Coach of the Year – Katie Turcotte, Capital.

First Team

Hitters – Gracie Jendrezak, Eastside Catholic; Kelly Behrbaum, Mercer Island; Maia Nichols, Capital; Miahna Waters, Mount Spokane; Zoe McBride, Prairie; Zyonna Fellows, Mount Tahoma.

Setters – Katie Maher, Mount Spokane; Tia Grow, Capital.

Libero – Elise Meath, Capital.

Second Team

Hitters – Breanne Shaffer, Kennewick; Callie Weber, Bellevue; Devon Martinka, Stanwood; Devyn Oestreich, Capital; Lauren Hatfield, Gig Harbor; Ruby Fera, Ballard.

Setters – Maddy Eerkes, Kamiakin; Mia Kirsch, Eastside Catholic.

Libero – Tess Hendelman, Mercer Island.

Honorable Mention

Hitters – Abby Brotherton, Prairie; Adara Hamilton, Mercer Island; Akon Aleu, Rogers (Spokane); Kasey Louis, Timberline; Kylie Honrud, Ferndale; Lindsey Schmidt, Shadle Park; Malelega Bartley, Lakes; Malina Ama, Mount Spokane; Sara Flynn, Roosevelt; Simone Davis, Holy Names Academy.

Setters – Alandra Acido-Pastor, Spanaway Lake; Alexis Khuu, Bellevue; Hailey Pelton, Ferndale; Lainee Wilkins, Prairie; Maddie Ryan, Lakeside (Seattle); Saylor Anderson, Stanwood.

Liberos – Josie Davis, Mountain View; Lauren Porter, North Thurston; Megan Hammes, Prairie; Myah Rodius, Shelton.

Class 2A

Burlington-Edison senior middle blocker Afton Field has been named the Class 2A Player of the Year in voting conducted by the state’s high school volleyball coaches for the all-state team presented by the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association and ClarkCountyToday.com.

Ridgefield hitter Anika Nicoll joined Field on the all-state first team. Nicoll, who played both middle blocker and outside hitter, had a team-high 457 kills while hitting at a .350 clip to go with 85 blocks and 25 aces to lead the Spudders to a third-place finish at state, defeating White River in the trophy match.

Field was named 2A state tournament MVP after leading the Tigers to their second title in three seasons. She also was Northwest Conference Player of the Year and the Skagit Valley Herald’s regional Player of the Year.

“Afton was the difference maker for our team this year, both as a leader on and off the court,” said B-E coach Tawnya Brewer, who was named Coach of the Year by her peers. “Her ability to see the court, combined with her athleticism, made her one of the best hitters I’ve ever coached. She doesn’t look intimidating, but as soon as she started playing, she picked apart defenses.”

Nicoll was the only Clark County athlete named to the first team, but younger sister Delaney was selected as a second-team setter and Spudders senior Haley Paul received honorable mention at hitter, which required at least two votes.

GSHL 2A regular-season champion Woodland had two players named to the second team – senior outside hitter Vanessa Franke and junior libero Elyse Booker – while junior middle blocker Taylor Foster received honorable mention.

2A All-State Team

Player of the Year – Afton Field, MB, Burlington-Edison.

Coach of the Year – Tawnya Brewer, Burlington-Edison.

First Team

Hitters – Afton Field, Burlington-Edison; Anika Nicoll, Ridgefield; Emily Chisa, River Ridge; Kelsey Nestegard, Pullman; Kennedy Croft, Tumwater.

Setters – Allyson Ray, Burlington-Edison; Tia Andaya, Ellensburg.

Libero – Megan Vandegrift, White River.

Second Team

Hitters – Genesis Wilkinson, East Valley (Spokane); Hannah Rongen, Black Hills; Isabella Jacob, Lynden; Madison Licari, Fife; Vanessa Franke, Woodland.

Setters – Delaney Nicoll, Ridgefield; Natalie Hayward, Archbishop Murphy; Hope Baldyga, White River.

Libero – Elyse Booker, Woodland.

Honorable Mention

Hitters – Ashley Ripplinger, Prosser; Haley Paul, Ridgefield; Hannah Nelson, White River; Kayla McLaughlin, Pullman; Keegan Strobeck, White River; Leah Blakney, Prosser; Mackenzie Moore, W.F. West; Madison Martin, Ephrata; Rachel Wilkerson, Centralia; Sophia Koelsch, Tumwater; Taylor Foster, Woodland.

Setters – Annika Linden, Fife; Kayla Lind, Prosser; Lucy Gao, Pullman.

Liberos – Emma Goodman, Black Hills; Eunice Moran, North Kitsap; Kiana Miller, Ephrata; Payten Bradley, Archbishop Murphy; Presley Sweeney, Liberty (Issaquah); Taylor Beksinski, Selah.

Class 1A

King’s sophomore outside hitter Alli Hansen was selected 1A Player of the Year in voting conducted by the state’s high school volleyball coaches for the all-state team presented by the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association and ClarkCountyToday.com.

Hansen was named the 1A state tournament’s MVP after leading the Knights to their first state title since 2009. She had 25 kills in a four-set win over Cascade of Leavenworth in the final and served seven straight points in the fourth set as King’s took control.

Hansen had a .418 hitting percentage during King’s four-match state run with a team-high 84 kills.

“This is well deserved,” said King’s coach Jeff Fransen, who was named Coach of the Year by his peers. “A great deal of our success at the state tournament was because as a team, we had pretty solid offensive weapons across the board. To that end, every one of our hitters had great performances, but Alli led the charge.”

Setter Tessa Foley distributed the ball to those Knights hitters and joined Hansen and libero Elle Mason on the first team. Cascade, third-place Lynden Christian, and Lakeside (9 Mile Falls), which entered state as the top-ranked team but fell to King’s in the first round, each placed two players on the first team.

La Center junior Laynie Erickson was the lone Clark County athlete to make the second team after helping the Wildcats return to state for the fourth time in five years. Erickson, an outside hitter, had 378 kills (averaging 4.2 per set), 87 blocks, 55 aces and 420 digs (4.6 per set).

“Laynie played every point of every set this year,” said La Center coach Cymany O’Brien. “I can’t say enough about her attitude and work ethic. It’s one thing to be athletic, but you take her athleticism and couple it with her attitude and work ethic, and she’s a coach’s dream. I am really proud of her.”

Wildcats junior Amanda Holm received honorable mention at setter, which required at least two votes.

1A All-State Team

Player of the Year – Alli Hansen, OH, King’s.

Coach of the Year – Jeff Fransen, King’s.

First Team

Hitters – Alli Hansen, King’s; Analia Vazquez, Cascade (Leavenworth); Avery Dykstra, Lynden Christian; Lexi Mikkelsen, Lakeside (9 Mile Falls); Makena Alailima-Daley, Cascade (Leavenworth); Torina Hommes, Lynden Christian.

Setters – Olivia Mikkelsen, Lakeside (9 Mile Falls); Tessa Foley, King’s.

Libero – Elle Mason, King’s.

Second Team

Hitters – Abbie Jackson, Charles Wright Academy; Auna Nolan, Castle Rock; Dominique Kirton, King’s; Laynie Erickson, La Center; Macey Martin, Naches Valley.

Setters – Alisa Hansen, Freeman; Kenna Stoney, Elma.

Libero – Kelsie Otter, Lynden Christian.

Honorable Mention

Hitters – Aleah Kert, Cashmere; Baily McCutcheon, King’s; Emma McLaren, Chelan, Kamimi Papp, Hoquiam; Keeley Morrison, Lakeside (9 Mile Falls); Logann Golden, Castle Rock; Melat Feseha, Northwest; Mihaela Edwards, Kiona-Benton; Rhea Jansen, Freeman; Taylor Tarble, Deer Park; Zoe Naugle, Castle Rock.

Setters – Amanda Holm, La Center; Joelle Forbes, Naches Valley; Kora Pitts, Colville; Lauren Rose, Coupeville; Nya Calzadillas, Kiona-Benton; Raquel Berman, Annie Wright; Sierra Plum, Goldendale.

Liberos – Alleana Gallagher, Lakeside (9 Mile Falls); Hope Lodell, Coupeville; Liv Sather, Overlake; Maile Lueck, Klahowya.