Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008

All-Area 2008 volleyball squad

By Rene Ferran, Herald staff writer

KENNEWICK -- Here is the player-by-player look at the Tri-City Herald's 2008 All-Area volleyball squad:

MVP: Marcy Hjellum, Hitter, Sr., Kamiakin: CBBN Player of the Year led team with 455 kills (43.0% hitting, 4.8 per set) and 314 digs (3.3 per set); served at 92 percent with 70 aces.

Elizabeth Clark, Hitter, Sr., Southridge: First-team All-CBBN selection and Lewis-Clark State College signee had 244 kills, 126 blocks for league, district runner-up.

Kinzi Poteet, Hitter, Sr., Grandview: First-team All-CWAC selection went over 1,000 kills for her career at state; for season, had 344 kills, 184 digs, 120 blocks and 38 aces.

Shelby Swanson, Setter, Sr., Kamiakin: First-team All-CBBN selection finished with 993 assists, team-high 89 aces; she averaged 9.6 assists per set during Braves' state tourney run.

Chelsey Bettinson, hitter, soph., Richland: Second-team All-CBBN pick made big strides as season progressed; she averaged 2.8 kills, 1.2 blocks during season, 4.9/2.0 in playoffs.

Becky Flores, hitter, sr., River View: Two-time SCAC East MVP and, Northwest Nazarene signee led league champs with 434 kills, 138 blocks, 68 aces; also played setter (276 assists).

Allison Walker, Hitter, sr., Othello, First-team All-CWAC selection and Idaho signee got 1,000th career kill in leading Huskies to state for first time; 392 kills, 283 digs, 94 blocks for year.

Rachel Todorovich, Setter, sr., Walla Walla, All-CBBN selection at both setter and right-side hitter averaged 3.1 kills (39.2% hitting), 3.5 assists per set with 149 digs and 97 blocks.

Coach of the year: Mary Opitz, Kamiakin: In her 23rd season with the program, she led the Braves to the CBBN regular-season and district titles, first-ever state championship final.

Second team

Hitters: Chani Brisby, sr., River View; Karis Gamache, jr., Pasco; Katie Gauglitz, sr., Richland; Eva Grassl, sr., Connell; Elise Jepsen, sr., Kamiakin; Kelsey Julian, soph., Kennewick; Heather Worley, jr., Southridge

Setters: Krysta Olberding, jr., Richland; Ashlynn Smith, sr., Liberty Christian; Andrea Smith, soph., Southridge.

Liberos: Jenna Dohman, sr., Richland; Sarah Girard, sr., Kamiakin