2023-11-29 07:02:06
Oak Glen’s volleyball team did just regarding everything right in its ride to the school’s eighth state championship this season and for that reason there were plenty of Class AA All-West Virginia honors spread around for the Golden Bears.
Oak Glen put two players on the first team and two on the second team in the honors complied by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
Senior Ashlyn Six, a first-team selection and finalist for West Virginia player of the year, completed the season with 369 kills, hitting .269, to go with 80 aces, 189 digs and 25 blocks.
“Ashlyn is a selfless teammate and a hard worker,” Oak Glen coach Morgan Saddler said. “She excels offensively. Ashlyn has had a tremendous career at Oak Glen. She’s going to do great things at Fairmont State University. We are so excited for her.”
Junior McKenzi Martin, also a first-team selection, contributed 502 kills (.251 hitting percentage), 42 aces, 276 digs and 37 blocks.
“McKenzi embraces our team culture and hard work,” Saddler said. “She leads by example and is a vocal leader in our gym. McKenzi plays a vital role in our offense, swinging from all positions at the net. She has had a great junior season, surpassing 1,000 kills in her career.”
On the second team was Oak Glen sophomores Jersey Smith and Averi Martin.
Jersey Smith had 41 kills, 59 aces, 207 points, 46 blocks, 214 digs and 1,152 assists.
“Jersey plays a vital role in our offense as our 5-1 setter,” Saddler said. “She always shows up to work hard and never takes a rep off. Jersey is a vocal leader for our team and a tremendous setter with great hands and high volleyball IQ.”
Averi Martin had 257 kills with a .328 hit rate including 49 aces, 197 points, 99 blocks, 55 digs and 15 assists.
“Averi embraces the grind. She is coachable and pushes herself to be better each day,” Saddler said. “Averi plays a vital role offensively and defensively for our team. She is an offensive threat in transition while also working to block at the net.”
Oak Glen junior Addison Smith was named an all-state special honorable mention. She had 292 digs, 106 assists and 603 serve receptions.
“Addison is a selfless teammate and a hard worker,” Saddler said. “She leads by example and is a vocal leader in our gym. Addison plays a vital role in our defense and serve receive patterns. She plays aggressive and loud — those characteristics make her a tough libero.”
Overall Saddler thought the team working as a whole contributed to the state championship run.
“I am very proud of Ashlyn, McKenzi, Jersey, Averi and Addison for being named to the all-state teams, however it takes a team to receive accolades,” Saddler said. “Each player on our roster made an impact this season. I am very proud of Oak Glen volleyball and each girl on our roster. It takes a team.”
Philip Barbour placed a pair, led by first-team captain junior MacKenna Halfin, who racked up 514 kills (.351 hitting percentage), 32 aces, 72 blocks (24 solo) and a team-high 391 serve receives.
Senior Katie Kennedy (560 assists, 210 kills, 32 aces, 34 blocks, 288 digs) joins her teammate Halfin on the first squad.
Herbert Hoover also earned two first-team slots for senior Kaili Casto (612 digs, 79 aces) and junior Ashton Henrich (324 kills, 442 digs, 106 aces).
Shady Spring’s duo on the first team is sophomore Reagan Mann (349 kills. .217 hitting percentage, 45 aces, 37 blocks, 302 digs and 522 assists) and senior Camille Testerman (259 kills, .216 hitting percentage, 63 aces, 40 blocks, 377 digs, 56 assists).
Two players are their team’s lone reps: Wayne’s Gabby Elliott finished the year with 403 kills, 114 aces and 280 digs and Frankfort’s Taylor Mandell tallied 305 kills, 50 blocks and 225 digs.
The second team is captained by Independence junior Aubree Cantrell, Winfield sophomore Brooklyn Cole and senior Albany Davis, Herbert Hoover sophomore Ahaziah Smith, Liberty Harrison senior Hailey Haynes, Philip Barbour freshman Finley Carpenter and Wayne junior Addie Adkins.
The Class AA all-state volleyball team as chosen by the West Virginia Sportswriters Association:
FIRST TEAM
MacKenna Halfin, Philip Barbour, JR (Captain)
Gabby Elliott, Wayne, SR
Kaili Casto, Herbert Hoover, SR
Ashlyn Six, Oak Glen, SR
Katie Kennedy, Philip Barbour, SR
McKenzi Martin, Oak Glen, JR
Reagan Mann, Shady Spring, SO
Taylor Mandell, Frankfort, JR
Ashton Henrich, Herbert Hoover, JR
Camille Testerman, Shady Spring, SR
SECOND TEAM
Aubree Cantrell, Independence, JR (Captain)
Albany Davis, Winfield, SR
Hailey Haynes, Liberty (Harrison), SR
Addie Adkins, Wayne, JR
Mahailey Nicholson, Roane County, SR
Brooklyn Cole, Winfield, SO
Jersey Smith, Oak Glen, SO
Averi Martin, Oak Glen, SO
Finley Carpenter, Philip Barbour, FR
Ahaziah Smith, Herbert Hoover, SO
SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION
Hannah Harden, PikeView; Ilyauna Evans, Clay County; Lily Saville, Keyser; Jiya Marshall, Poca; Emma Swiger, Robert C. Byrd; Avery Noel, Frankfort; Chloe Richards, Lewis County; Carli Raye, Wyoming East; Rachel Mann, Shady Spring; Brianna Adkins, Herbert Hoover; Jaina Davis, Independence; Aspen Hixenbaugh, Liberty (Harrison); Addison Smith, Oak Glen; Emily Williams, Liberty (Raleigh); Kaitlyn Lester, Westside; Baylee Carpenter, Nitro
HONORABLE MENTION
Rylee Burkhammer, Clay County; Piper Harlan, Roane County; Cara Brown, Bluefield; Sophie Bailey, Poca; Leah Dawson, East Fairmont; Haley Sweeney, Shady Spring; Karlee Lusk, Wyoming East; Kenna Keener, Grafton; Dylann Trump, Liberty (Raleigh); Olivia Stone, Nicholas County; Ocean Clatterbuck, Berkeley Springs; Emma Simpson, Independence; Izzy Knotts, Philip Barbour; Sydney Cochran, Westside
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