High school volleyball: The News Tribune’s 2023 All-Area team
First- and second-team selections for The News Tribune’s 2023 All-Area volleyball team.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Hannah Byers, Olympia, sr. — 4A SPSL South co-MVP paced the Bears to an undefeated 4A SPSL South title, 4A District 3/4 title and third-place trophy at the 4A state tournament. Averaged 4.5 kills and 3.2 digs per set, and tallied 49 aces. Also a 4A first-team all-state selection by the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association this fall. Cal Poly beach volleyball commit.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Christie Oldright, Olympia — Led the Bears to a 24-7 overall record, the West Central III/Southwest bidistrict title, the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A state tournament and a third-place finish in the state tournament.
FIRST TEAM
MB Dani Brown, Puyallup, sr. — 4A NPSL North MVP led the Vikings to a fifth-place finish at the 4A state tournament. Was also a 4A first-team all-state selection by WSVCA this fall. Three-time TNT All-Area pick.
OH Ivy Brown, Silas, sr. — 3A PCL co-MVP led the Rams to a league title and the 3A District 3/4 tournament, averaging 5.3 kills and 3.2 digs per set while adding 63 aces. Also a 3A honorable mention all-state selection by WSVCA this fall, and a two-time TNT All-Area pick. Committed to University of the Pacific.
OH Avery Cukjati, Curtis, jr. — 4A SPSL north first-team selection racked up 436 kills (4.03/set), 270 digs (2.5/set) and 61 aces, leading the Vikings to the Class 4A state tournament quarterfinal round. Santa Clara beach commit.
OH Sophie Danielson, Auburn Riverside, sr. — 3A NPSL MVP led the Ravens to an undefeated league title this season, and a 3A state quarterfinals appearance. Posted 241 kills, 19 aces, 100 digs and 15 blocks. Danielson was also a 3A first-team all-state selection by WSVCA this season. Utah State commit.
S Peyton Ensign, Curtis, jr. — Vikings setter averaged 7.3 assists and 2.2 digs per set and added 41 aces for a Curtis program that reached the 4A state quarterfinals. 4A SPSL North first-team selection was also a 4A second-team all-state selection by WSVCA. Two-time TNT All-Area pick.
MB Ashley Harris, Black Hills, sr. — 2A EvCo MVP averaged a team-leading five kills per set for a Wolves program that placed eighth at the 2A state tournament, and added 53 aces, 199 digs and 41 blocks. Harris was also a 2A second-team all-state selection by WSVCA this season.
S Kate Herrick, Olympia, sr. — 4A SPSL South first-team selection averaged 8.7 assists and 2.5 digs per set, and added 67 aces for a Bears program that won 4A SPSL South and 4A District 3/4 titles and placed third at the 4A state tournament.
S Sammi Humphrey, North Thurston, soph. — Praised by coach Jackie Meyer for her volleyball IQ, skill and control of the court, the 3A SSC first-team selection made everything go for the 3A SSC champion Rams, who took fourth in the 3A state tournament. Tallied 701 assists, 368 digs, 145 kills, 92 blocks and 40 aces. Second-team WSVCA all-state selection.
RS Alexis Meyer, North Thurston, sr. — Right side hitter put the ball away in key moments of big games all season for the 3A SSC champions. Had 417 digs, 229 kills, 106 blocks and 36 aces for the Rams. Eastern Washington track commit.
L Haley Osborne, Enumclaw, jr. — 2A SPSL libero of the year averaged 4.5 digs per game and had a 93 percent serving accuracy, leading the Hornets to the 2A state tournament. Second-team all-state selection by WSCVA.
S Reese Sheppard, Puyallup, jr. — 4A SPSL North first-team selection was a key part of Puyallup’s state tournament fifth-place team this season. Also a 4A honorable mention all-state selection by WSVCA. Two-time TNT All-Area pick.
OH Alani Taliloa, Mount Rainier, jr. — 4A NPSL MVP had 245 kills in 49 sets played, averaging five kills per set for the Rams. Also an honorable mention all-state selection by WSVCA.
S Lydia Ward, Gig Harbor, sr. — 3A SSC MVP set Gig Harbor program records for assists in a single season (989) and career (2,121), and aces in a single season (84) and career (178) this fall. Also had 334 digs, 151 kills and 25 blocks for the Tides.
OH Grace Wesenberg, Emerald Ridge, sr. — 4A SPSL South co-MVP averaged 4.5 kills per set and recorded 45 aces for the Jaguars before missing the postseason due to injury. Also a 4A honorable mention all-state selection by WSVCA. Three-time TNT All-Area pick.
SECOND TEAM
Outside hitters — Susannah Barnett, Olympia, sr.; Addison Conner, North Thurston, soph.; Layne Dent, Cascade Christian, jr.; Emilia Linden, Fife, sr.; Arianna Medchill, Curtis, jr.; Natalie Piasecki, Gig Harbor, sr.; Ziah Sneva, Peninsula, jr.; Emery Stevenson, White River, fr.; Becca Wilber, Puyallup, sr.; Bridget Woodruff, Bellarmine Prep, sr.
Middle blockers — Marley Alefaio, Lakes, soph.; Paige Henderson, Tumwater, soph.; Avery Kimball, Tahoma, sr.; Acacia Murphy, Rainier, jr.; Malia Oden, Annie Wright, sr.; Kianna Rohner, White River, jr.; Grace Vahey, Northwest Christian, sr.; Vivian Yount, Kennedy Catholic, jr.
Setters — Colby Bellerive, Emerald Ridge, soph.; Val Brandt, Silas, sr.; Bryanna Dodson, Auburn Riverside, jr.; Louden Leia, Washington, soph.; Emily Robello, Tumwater, sr.; Maddie Taitano, Bellarmine Prep, jr.; Annika Wright, Tahoma, jr.; Maya Quitiquit, Kennedy Catholic, soph.
Liberos — Ava Froemke, White River, sr.; Brooklynn Hayes, Tumwater, sr.; Peyton Heim, Gig Harbor, soph.; Ava Hoy, Olympia, sr.; Mya McCleary, Capital, sr.; Ana Palaki, Stadium, jr.
