Olin, Stapleton lead MCC volleyball team
Chiawana setter Ashtin Olin and Kamiakin outside hitter Allison Stapleton were named co-MVPs of the Mid-Columbia Conference, as voted on by the league coaches.
The seniors also were first-team selections last year.
Walla Walla’s Tracy Rotert was named Coach of the Year.
The 6-foot-2 Stapleton helped the Braves to an 11-3 MCC record and the top 3A seed for the playoffs. Through the regular season and Saturday’s playoff game, she has a team-high 225 kills, 29 blocks and 252 digs.
Kamiakin will play Southridge at 6 p.m. Thursday in a Bi-District loser-out match at Kennewick High School.
Stapleton, who carries a 3.8 PGA, also is a standout track athlete in long jump, triple jump and high jump. She will attend BYU to play volleyball.
Olin (5-11), who has committed to Cal State-Sacramento, also has the Riverhawks in the playoffs. After finishing the regular season 8-6 and earning the No. 2 seed to the 4A regional tournament, Chiawana went 1-1 last weekend with a win over Gonzaga Prep and a loss to Mead.
Chiawana will play Ferris on Saturday in a loser-out match at 1 p.m. at Richland High School.
Six of eight players on the first team are repeat selections — Olin, Stapleton, Pasco’s Catelyn Linke, Richland’s Kamry Breard, Chiawana’s McKaidan Moore and Kamiakin’s Leanna Shymanski. Southridge senior middle hitter Lauren Beck and Richland sophomore libero Lainie Lacey round out the first team.
FIRST TEAM
Players of Year: Ashtin Olin, sr., Chiawana and Allison Stapleton, sr., Kamiakin. Coach of the Year : Tracy Rotert, Walla Walla.
Libero: Lainie Lacey, so., Richland. Setter: Ashtin Olin, sr., Chiawana; Kamry Breard, sr., Richland. Outside hitter: Catelyn Linke, sr., Pasco; McKaidan Moore, sr., Chiawana; Allison Stapleton, sr., Kamiakin. Middle hitter: Lauren Beck, sr., Southridge; Leanna Shymanski, sr., Kamiakin.
SECOND TEAM
Libero: Victoria Estes, sr., Pasco. Setter: Kamaile Moody, sr., Southridge; Maddy Eerkes, jr., Kamiakin. Outside hitter: Madison Judy, sr., Kamiakin; Sarah Howlett sr., Richland; Breanna Shaffer, jr., Kennewick. Middle hitter: Emma Wenzel, sr., Walla Walla; Tasha Hungate, sr., Hanford.
HONORABLE MENTION
Libero: Marissa Logozzo, so., Chiawana. Setter: Jordanne Bauder, so., Richland; Noelani Helm. so., Walla Walla. Outside hitter: Caylee Shelton, jr., Hanford; Lindsay Rosenthal, so., Richland; Riley Hebdon, jr., Southridge. Middle hitter: Yaneli Garcia, so., Chiawana; Carlee Rowell, sr., Kamiakin.
This story was originally published November 1, 2016 at 8:10 PM with the headline "Olin, Stapleton lead MCC volleyball team."