High school volleyball: The News Tribune’s fall 2021 All-Area team
What a year it was for local volleyball, highlighted by Peninsula (3A) and Curtis (4A) making runs to the state championship matches. These were the best players in the South Sound this fall.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Hailey Brockway, Graham-Kapowsin, jr. — Once again, Brockway was one of the state’s most dominant players this fall, putting Graham-Kapowsin on her back and guiding the Eagles to a third-place finish in the 4A state tournament. Illinois State commit racked up 582 kills and 6.5 kills per set, both marks the top in the state at any classification, per MaxPreps. “The numbers speak for themselves,” said coach Loni Parks. “She has the ability to simply put us on her shoulders.” Two-time TNT All-Area player of the year.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Taylor Buell, Curtis and Katrina Cardinal, Peninsula — For the seasons they had, both Buell and Cardinal are equally deserving of the honor. Curtis posted a 23-4 overall record, winning the Class 4A South Puget Sound League — one of the state’s toughest leagues — during the regular season. The Vikings also won the West Central District III/Southwest bidistrict title and took second in the 4A state tournament, beating Central Valley, Mount Si and West Valley (Yakima) before falling to Bothell in the championship game. Peninsula, meanwhile, posted a 21-1 record, which included an undefeated league title in the 3A South Sound Conference, a West Central III/Southwest bidistrict title and a runner-up finish in the 3A state tournament, beating Eastside Catholic, Bellevue and Ferndale before falling to Mead in four sets in the state championship match. It was the program’s best-ever finish in state.
FIRST TEAM
OUTSIDE HITTERS
Ella Ensign, Curtis, jr. — 4A South Puget Sound League North Division co-MVP was the most competitive player on one of the state’s best teams, punishing opponents all season long. Prior to state, had 450 kills (4.5/set), 48 aces and 310 digs. “She’s just an all-around leader, solid as far as passing, hitting — she does it all for us,” said Curtis coach Taylor Buell. “She’s our go-to on the court.”
Langley Griffin, Peninsula, jr. — Right-side hitter is a gifted athlete with both speed and hops. “Her ability to slice through the ball make it a challenge for defenders to dig, and her powerful jump-serve is counted on every match for more than a handful of points,” said coach Katrina Cardinal. Had 274 kills, 80 aces, 41 blocks and 235 digs for the Seahawks, including a season-high 26 kills in the state championship match against Mead.
Kate Johnson, Olympia, sr. — Left-handed right-side hitter is The Olympian’s 2021 All-Area player of the year, leading the Bears to a 4A state tournament appearance and eighth-place finish. Recognized by longtime Bears’ coach Laurie Creighton for calm and steady demeanor, as well as her heavy hitting and big kills in big moments. Had 270 kills and 21 solo blocks for Olympia.
Sirena Peredo, Washington, jr. — Stands at just 5-foot-6, but brings devastating power to the outside hitter position for the Patriots, who advanced to the Class 2A state tournament. Two-time TNT All-Area selection.
Delaney Speer, Tahoma, sr. — Outside hitter was the 4A North Puget Sound League MVP in her senior season. Western Washington commit and two-time league MVP led Tahoma to back-to-back league titles. This fall, had 260 kills, 194 digs, 16 blocks and 42 aces. “Her serve-receive passing and defense make her the full package,” said Tahoma coach Sara Russell. “She is a smart hitter who finds a way to put the ball down.”
Grace Wesenberg, Emerald Ridge, soph. — Emerald Ridge’s go-to hitter had 331 kills and averaged 3.8 kills per set for the Jaguars, which won the 4A SPSL league tournament. Had 18 blocks, 160 digs and 41 aces.
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
Danielle Brown, Puyallup, soph. — Already the 4A SPSL North Division co-MVP as a sophomore, Brown had 261 kills (2.6/set), 86 solo blocks and 136 total blocks for the Vikings.
Riley Clark, Lakes, sr. — The 3A Pierce County League MVP led the league with 76 blocks, led the league in kills with 202 and a .476 hitting percentage and had 230 digs. Also had 25 aces. Coach Krista Manke said Clark’s offseason weight room and conditioning efforts made this her best season yet. “She has a passion for the game and a never give up attitude,” Manke said.
Krisee Copeland, Auburn Riverside, sr. — Six-rotation middle blocker was a first-team selection in the 3A NPSL and part of a Ravens team which upset top-seeded Lakeside in the state tournament. Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah) commit had 289 kills, 61 aces, 209 digs and 93 blocks. Praised by coach Mike Tienda for being a great teammate and example for younger girls in the community.
Rudi Reyes, Curtis, sr. — The lone senior in the starting lineup could jump out of the gym for the Vikings, leading Curtis to the 4A SPSL regular season title, a West Central III/Southwest bidistrict tournament title and a runner-up finish in the 4A state tournament. Prior to state, had 190 kills, 71 blocks and 41 aces. “She’s a short middle but she sure has hops,” Curtis coach Taylor Buell said. “She really brings that leadership, calmness to the team, but also that quiet intensity.”
SETTERS
Danielle Faamausili, Steilacoom, sr. — 2A SPSL MVP was a four-year starter for Steilacoom. This season, she had 102 kills, 52 aces, 44 blocks, 320 digs (13.3/set) and 759 assists (9/set) for the Sentinels. “She’s the best teammate I have ever seen,” said Steilacoom coach Blair Suek. ”She has helped establish a culture of working hard for every ball, inspires her teammates and does things that in the moment feel impossible that she makes look easy.”
Lauren Wittmers, Peninsula, sr. — First-team 3A SSC selection was a major reason Peninsula advanced to the state tournament championship match. “She is skilled at running a strategic and deceptive offense,” said coach Katrina Cardinal. “Her ability to throw off the blockers, for our hitters to have open holes to attack through, is remarkable.” Had 702 assists, 40 aces, 73 kills, 22 blocks and 123 digs for the Seahawks.
LIBERO
Sophia Sheppard, Puyallup, jr. — First-team 4A SPSL selection had a team-high 492 digs (4.7 per set and 15.4 per match) for the Vikings and added 88 kills.
SECOND TEAM
OUTSIDER HITTERS — Gabrielle Faamausili, Steilacoom, sr.; Hannah Byers, Olympia, soph; Ivy Vindivich, Puyallup, jr.; Ivy Brown, Silas, soph.; Grace Peterson, Graham-Kapowsin, jr.; Tommi Gallucci, Peninsula, sr.; Camryn Lingenbrink, Central Kitsap, sr.; Kim Tercero, Cascade Christian, sr.; Kiauna Mack, Rogers, sr.; Keeley Santillan, Bellarmine Prep, sr.; Brooke Parsons, North Thurston, sr.
MIDDLE BLOCKERS — Kate Jenson, Silas, sr.; Sydney Locke, Decatur, sr.; Zoe Faull, Tahoma, sr.; Kadence Stoddard, Peninsula, sr.; Alyssa Duncan, Tumwater, sr.; Isabela Burney, Tumwater, jr.
SETTERS — Alisia Silverthorn, Auburn Riverside, sr.; Reese Sheppard, Puyallup, fr.; Roslyn Zentz, Rogers, sr.; Sydney Bronson, Capital, sr.; Alex Loveless, Black Hills, jr.
LIBEROS — Hannah Couch, Auburn Riverside, sr.; Carley Wilson, Central Kitsap, sr.; Kelli Kaelin, White River, jr.
This story was originally published December 12, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
