By Robert Morgan | Published Sunday, November 30, 2008
Bridgeport High School, Senior, Middle Hitter Stats: The most dominating volleyball player for the second straight year finished with 401 kills, 179 digs and 97 blocks. Coach's comments: Janie is the most powerful player that I have ever coached. She has so many offensive weapons, it is hard to stop her when she gets in her groove.
Sara Oxford Sophomore Decatur, middle hitter Stats: The county's most dangerous threat to hit in both the front and back rows racked up 351 kills, 205 digs, 89 blocks and 56 aces. Coach's comments: Sara is an unbelievable athlete who will do anything asked with a smile on her face. She stepped up to the challenge I gave her with her maturity, willingness and she always strives towards greatness.
Blocker of the Year
Vanessa Varela, Senior Decatur, middle blocker Stats: The returning letterman gave opponents problems all year as she posted a team-high 85 stuffed blocks, 105 kills, 11 digs and four aces. Coach's comments: Vanessa is a hard worker on the court and in off-season. She is a great person that brought life to this team. She always pushed herself to be better. Blocking was her forte.
Libero of the Year
Candice McDaniel, Junior Paradise, libero Stats: The stingy defensive player was spectacular in racking up 387 digs, a county-high 67 saves, 17 aces, 14 kills and had a serving success rate of 92 percent. Coach's comments: She is just an overall awesome defensive player. We would have been in big trouble without Candice this season. She digs the hardest hit balls and puts it right where the setter needs it to be.
Newcomer of the Year
Hannah Avants, Freshman Chico, outside hitter Stats: The only freshman to make the All Wise County Team averaged five kills and 1.1 blocks per game. Coach's comments: Hannah really improved every game and developed into an excellent offensive and defensive player this season.
Setter of the Year
Fleming Smurthwaite, Junior Decatur, setter Stats: The standout versatile player posted 483 assists in a 6-2 attack, 163 kills, 128 digs, 60 blocks and 33 aces. Coach's comments: She is an amazing all-around player and contributes to all positions on the floor. She is a fierce competitor that does not like to lose one bit. She sets the example of working harder each day to get better and will play in college.
Meg Arthur, Paradise
Junior, setter Stats: The talented first-year starter at setter dished out 578 assists, 38 blocks, 23 aces and 15 kills in this playoff season. Coach's comments: She plays a good middle and was going to before we lost our setter and I had to move her there. To change positions at the start of the season and do as well as she did was amazing. She did a fantastic job.
Briana Lambert, Paradise
Senior, middle blocker Stats: The only senior on the playoff team crushed 275 kills along with her 37 blocks, 29 aces and 25 saves. Coach's comments: Briana is the only player we lose, but she will be tough to replace. She is a strong player and always stepped up to rally her troops in tough situations.
Casey Fletcher, Paradise
Junior, middle blocker Stats: The strong middle presence did everything as she finished with 153 kills, 39 blocks and 27 saves. Coach's comments: She is an overall good kid that plays great every night. She does a very good job up front and made us better.
Delani Long, Chico
Senior, setter Stats: The athletic senior led the Lady Dragons with 18 assists, eight kills and 1.1 blocks per game. Coach's comments: Delani was a leader on and off of the court. She worked extremely hard and did an outstanding job for us.
Jessica Coffman, Chico
Senior, outside hitter Stats: The powerful senior hit the ball hard and set well as she tallied 15 assists and eight kills per game. Coach's comments: Jessica really stepped in as a leader. She is a tremendous player for Chico. She maintained composure and played a vital role night in and night out.
Shannon Demmitt, Bridgeport
Senior, setter Stats: The two-year letterman came in a close second for the area's top setter as she finished with 689 assists, 138 digs and a serving success rate of 94 percent. Coach's comments: Shannon is the kind of player that every coach wants to have on the team. She really works hard at her position and always puts the team before herself.
Kim Bible, Bridgeport
Senior, outside hitter Stats: The three-year starter was a big reason the team advanced to the regional quarterfinals this year as she racked up 212 digs, 125 kills and 49 aces. Coach's comments: Kim is an all-around volleyball player. She has a killer serve but can also play defense and attack well. She was also our setter as a sophomore and junior.
Bailey Jones, Bridgeport
Senior, outside hitter Stats: The team's most improved player collected 272 digs and 144 kills in her final season. Coach's comments: You can always count on Bailey to play hard. She can dig balls that most players can't get to. She has really improved her offense this year.
Mindy Burkhart, Decatur
Senior, outside hitter Stats: The standout senior slammed 135 kills, had 51 digs, 41 blocks, 16 aces and seven assists. Coach's comments: Mindy is a hard-working young lady. She makes a lot of noise when she makes a kill because she is a very strong player and that is very intimidating for other teams.
Sami Parker, Decatur
Senior, libero Stats: The two-year starter chalked up 439 digs, 14 aces and 11 assists in this playoff season. Coach's comments: Sami has an amazing work ethic and always gives 110 percent in practice and play. She is a positive player and a great motivator. We will sure miss her next year.
Sydney Lawrence, Decatur
Senior, setter Stats: The four-year letterman collected 336 assists in a 6-2 scheme to go along with her 118 digs, 14 aces and five kills. Coach's comments: Sydney is an outstanding person. She does not have a problem spreading herself around and does it with class and maturity. She was one of our captains and a great leader on the floor.
Sam Sanders, Northwest
Senior, setter Stats: The offensive standout cranked out a team-high 418 kills this year as well as 112 stuffed blocks. Facts: Sam spent the last two years beating up on opposing defenses. She made sure the Lady Texans were back in the state playoffs by leading her team in kills and blocks.
Marisa Morton, Northwest
Senior, libero Stats: The two-year defensive star for the Lady Texans racked up a county-high 561 digs this year. Facts: One of the best liberos to ever play at Northwest, Marisa helped lead the Lady Texans to an 18-16 record and a return trip to the 5A state playoffs.
