HSOT names All-State teams in volleyball for 2020-21 season

HighSchoolOT has released its inaugural all-state volleyball team.

The all-state team is broken up into three teams — first, second, and third — with 15 players apiece. Thirty players were named honorable mention all-state.

Later this year, fans can nominate a player for HSOT Honors Volleyball Player of the Year.

Next to each selection is their school, year, position, and end-of-the-year stats (with notes for those whose stats were incomplete). Underneath each team is more information about the selections.

At least 30 selections were required to come from the East half of the state and at least 30 were required from the West. In total, 42 players from the West and 33 from the East were honored.

Players were selected based on a number of criteria, including coach nominations and feedback and conversations with other media members from around the state.

The media members who contributed to this year's all-state teams were: Mike London of the Salisbury Post; Malcolm Shields of the Daily Advance (Elizabeth City), Josh McKinney of the Hickory Daily Record, Paul Durham of the Wilson Times, Michael Lindsay of the High Point Enterprise, Kai Jones of WJG Sports, Tim Hower of CoastalPreps, Jonathan Bym of The Pilot (Southern Pines), Chris Miller of the Jacksonville Daily News, Matt Page of Tar River Preps, Mike Duprez of the Lexington Dispatch, Paul Schenkel of the News-Herald (Morganton), Chris Stiles of The Robesonian, Austin Bailey of The Daily Courier (Forest City), and David Kehrli of The Times-News (Burlington).

All-State Volleyball

First Team

Riley Buckley, North Raleigh Christian (junior) OH/S: 136 kills (57.1 kill%, 2.8/set); 24 aces; 151 digs (3.1/set, 8.9/match); 235 assists (4.9/set, 13.1/match).
Emily Chrysogelos, Cardinal Gibbons (senior) OH: 272 kills (58.5 kill%, 5.8/set); 23 aces; 29 blocks; 54 digs (1.1/set, 3.4/match).
Arica Davis, North Raleigh Christian (senior) MB: 138 kills (62.4 kill%, 2.7/set); 39 blocks.
Ella Gragg, Patton (senior) OH: 316 kills (44.8 kill%, 6.1/set); 37 aces; 181 digs (3.5/set, 10.7 match).
Marissa Meyerhoefer, South Iredell (senior) OH/DS: 167 kills (40.0 kill%, 3.7/set); 34 aces; 11 blocks; 252 digs (5.6/set, 21.0/match).
Malia Moore, West Henderson (senior) S: 60 kills (43.5 kill%, 1.4/set); 35 aces; 11 blocks; 78 digs (1.8/set, 6.0/match); 358 assists (8.1/set, 27.5/match).
Kellen Morin, Hickory (senior) MB: 212 kills (51.8 kill%, 4.6/set); 17 aces; 48 blocks; 46 digs (1.0/set, 3.3/match).
Carson Overbeck, Carrboro (senior) OH/DS: 95 kills (39.6 kill%, 2.7/set); 52 aces; 36 digs (1.0/set, 3.0/match).
Mac Russ, Marvin Ridge (senior) MB: 181 kills (45.7 kill%, 4.4/set); 29 aces; 19 blocks; 121 digs (3.0/set, 9.3/match).
Anna Rymer, South Rowan (senior) MH: 369 kills (59.6 kill%, 6.8/set); 18 aces; 31 blocks; 210 digs (3.9/set, 13.1/match).
Alexis Shelton, Ardrey Kell (junior) OH: 222 kills (44.4 kill%, 5.6/set); 24 aces; 10 blocks; 117 digs (2.9/set, 9.0/match).
Megan Tamisiea, New Hanover (senior) OH/DS: 277 kills (50.0 kill%, 5.7/set); 26 aces; 10 blocks; 204 digs (4.2/set, 14.6/set).
Cassidy Tanton, McMichael (senior) OH/DS: 354 kills (56.3 kill%, 6.8/set); 53 aces; 27 blocks; 238 digs (4.6/set, 13.2/match).
Michelle Thao, Fred T. Foard (senior) OH/DS: 198 kills (50.1 kill%, 3.4/set); 33 aces; 173 digs (3.0/set, 9.1/match).
Gerrin Tomlin, Davidson Day (junior) OH/DS: 239 kills (46.1 kill %, 5.8/set); 20 aces; 171 digs (4.2/set, 13.2/match).

The first team features four All-Americans: Davis, Morin, Overbeck (who played out of position this year for the Jaguars), and Tanton. Davis was a third-team All-American while the other three were honorable mention. Thao and Chrysogelos were MVP of their respective championship matches. Buckley and Davis are the only teammates to make first team together and join Tomlin as the only first team players from the NCISAA. Nine players averaged more than four kills per set, none more than Tanton's 6.8. Among the first-teamers, Moore led in digs (6.0 per set) and assists (8.1) while Overbeck did in total aces (52) and did Morin in total blocks (48). College choices: Buckley (Mizzou), Chrysogelos (Delaware), Davis (Ohio State), Meyerhoefer (UNC), Moore (Alabama), Morin (Virginia Tech), Overbeck (UNC), Russ (Air Force), Shelton (Oklahoma), Tanton (Auburn).

Second Team

Gracie Ballard, Trinity (junior) OH: 258 kills (55.0 kill%, 5.6/set); 46 aces; 102 digs (2.2/set, 7.3/match).
Megan Beaver, Cardinal Gibbons (junior) L: 29 aces; 182 digs (3.9/set, 11.4/match).
Kadynce Boothe, East Forsyth (junior) OH: 198 kills (45.2 kill%, 5.7/set); 24 aces; 16 blocks; 110 digs (3.1/set, 11.0/match).
Katie Cruise, Providence (junior) S: 48 aces; 18 blocks; 129 digs (2.2/set, 7.2/match); 535 assists (9.2/set, 29.7/match).
Sydney Daniels, Broughton (junior) L: 22 aces; 267 digs (6.8/set, 22.3/match).
Carson Elliott, Wheatmore (senior) OH: 163 kills (43.5 kill%, 4.1/set); 14 aces; 176 digs (4.4/set, 13.5/match).
Raven Gray, Cox Mill (senior) OH: 185 kills (49.5 kill%, 4.1/set); 13 aces; 16 blocks; 64 digs (1.4/set, 3.6/match).
Grace Hammond, Northwest Guilford (senior) S/OH: 188 kills (46.8 kill%, 3.1/set); 41 aces; 24 blocks; 117 digs (2.0/set, 6.5/match); 229 assists (3.8/set, 12.7/match).
Emerson Hoyle, T.C. Roberson (junior) L: 39 aces; 296 digs (4.8/set, 16.4/match); 84 assists (1.4/set, 4.7/match).
Anaiah Jones, Mountain Island Charter (senior) OH: 295 kills (42.3 kill%, 4.7/set); 57 aces; 15 blocks; 174 digs (2.8/set, 9.2/match).
Mackenzie Lynch, T.C. Roberson (junior) OH: 265 kills (44.9 kill%, 4.3/set); 39 aces; 26 blocks; 172 digs (2.8/set, 9.6/match).
Chloe Modlin, Pinecrest (junior) MB: 154 kills (49.0 kill%, 2.7/set); 62 aces; 128 blocks.
Alisa Ruffin, South Central (senior) S/OH: Through 10 matches -- 136 kills (43.9 kill%); 17 aces; 74 digs (2.3/set, 7.4/match); 109 assists (3.4/set, 10.9/match).
Macey Sammons, Falls Lake Academy (senior) OH/DS: 148 kills (57.4 kill%, 3.5/set); 30 aces; 63 blocks; 183 digs (4.4/set, 14.1/match).
Merritt Woodson, Currituck County (senior) OH: 220 kills (45.6 kill%, 5.0/set); 37 aces; 14 blocks; 162 digs (3.7/set, 12.5/match).

The second team features one state champion (Beaver) and three runner-ups (Cruise, Gray, Jones). Woodson helped her school win a title as a sophomore, and Sammons did it as a sophomore and junior. Hoyle and Lynch give T.C. Roberson two players on the second team alone. Beaver joins teammate Chrysogelos as one of two players on the first two teams from Cardinal Gibbons. Boothe leads the second team in kills per set (5.7) by a hair over Ballard (5.6). Elliott is the only second-team member of the 1,000/1,000 club (1,000 career kills, 1,000 career digs). Modlin led the second team in total blocks (128) and total aces (62). Cruise led in assists per set (9.5) while Daniels did in digs (6.8). College choices: Boothe (Tennessee), Cruise (Appalachian State), Hammond (Rhode Island), Hoyle (Florida), Jones (East Carolina), Woodson (East Carolina).

Third Team

Kylie Aldridge, Gray's Creek (junior) OH: 177 kills (58.0 kill%, 4.0/set); 37 aces; 16 blocks; 148 digs (3.4/set, 10.6/match).
Ava Auguston, Cary (senior) OH: 88 kills (48.6 kill%, 3.8/set); 5 aces; 5 blocks.
Kaci Balser, Reagan (senior) L: 33 aces; 256 digs (6.1/set, 18.3/match); 44 assists (1.0/set, 3.1/match).
Cheyenne Clonch, West Wilkes (senior) MH: 286 kills (51.8 kill%, 5.1/set); 29 aces; 66 blocks; 98 digs (1.8/set, 5.4/match).
Karoline Cox, Person (senior) MB: Through 12 matches -- 125 kills (56.3 kill%, 3.1/set); 30 blocks.
Madison Cail, Providence (senior) MB: 177 kills (54.3 kill%, 3.0/set); 21 aces; 37 blocks.
Brianna Frazilus, Cary Christian (junior) OH: No stats available.
Katie Jamerson, Marvin Ridge (senior) S: 67 kills (36.8 kill%, 1.3/set); 24 aces; 139 digs (2.7/set, 8.7/match); 460 assists (8.8/set, 35.4/match).
Sophia Kruczko, Green Hope (senior) MB: 121 kills (49.6 kill%, 2.6/set); 25 blocks.
Olivia Lefever, D.H. Conley (senior) S: 353 assists (6.4/set, 20.8/match).
Robin Rosser, Cox Mill (senior) OH: 152 kills (55.3 kill%, 3.6/set); 39 aces; 24 blocks.
Celia Ryan, Cardinal Gibbons (senior) S: 34 aces; 17 blocks; 74 digs (1.6/set, 4.9/match); 571 assists (12.7/set, 38.1/match).
Kaylee Spees, East Lincoln (senior) L: 29 aces; 339 digs (8.1/set, 30.8/match).
Carson Grace Toomer, Ashley (senior) L: 24 aces; 240 digs (6.9/set, 24.0/match).
Ellen Zwikker, Chapel Hill (senior) MB: 125 kills (73.5 kill%, 2.7/set); 14 aces; 37 blocks.

The third team features a third player from 4A champion Cardinal Gibbons (Ryan), giving the Crusaders the most selections on the first three teams. Meanwhile, Cox Mill (Rosser), Marvin Ridge (Jamerson) and Providence (Cail) each picked up their second selection. Frazilus is one of just four NCISAA players on the team. Cail, Frazilus, Lefever, Rosser, and Ryan all played in title matches this year, while Kruczko did the previous three, Zwikker did in two of the previous three, and Jamerson did as a sophomore. Clonch leads the second team in kills per set (5.1) while Spees is tops in digs per set (8.1) and Ryan leads in assists (12.7). Clonch also led the third team in total blocks (66) while Rosser led in total aces (39). Auguston was limited to just six of her team's 10 matches, but was still voted Triangle 8 Conference player of the year. College choices: Aldridge (Virginia Tech softball), Auguston (Furman), Clonch (Lenoir-Rhyne), Cox (Mount Olive), Cail (Emory), Jamerson (Oklahoma Christian), Kruczko (East Carolina), Toomer (Lafayette), Zwikker (Barry).

Honorable Mention

Gabby Black, Caldwell Academy (senior) OH: 268 kills (53.0 kill%, 4.3/set); 45 aces; 111 digs (1.8/set, 5.6/match).
Emily Bobbitt, Corinth Holders (freshman) OH/S: 215 kills (42.8 kill%, 4.6/set); 34 aces; 11 blocks; 153 digs (3.3/set, 10.9/match); 45 assists (1.0/set, 3.2/match).
Krista Brantley, East Wake Academy (senior) OH: 216 kills (42.6 kill%, 4.5/set); 31 aces; 12 blocks; 139 digs (2.9/set, 9.9/match).
Hallie Brown, Goldsboro (junior) MH: 138 kills (55.0 kill%, 3.1/set); 18 aces; 65 blocks.
Aaliyah Byers, Kings Mountain (junior) OH: 210 kills (44.0 kill%, 5.3/set); 28 aces; 100 digs (2.5/set, 7.7/match).
Maddie Cox, Apex Friendship (junior) S: 31 kills; 34 aces; 66 digs (1.5/set, 4.4/match); 358 assists (8.1/set, 23.9/match).
Megan Dorsey, Fred T. Foard (senior) OH: 136 kills (38.4 kill%, 2.3/set); 43 aces; 164 digs (2.8/set, 8.6/match).
Ava Douglas, Cox Mill (senior) S: 45 aces; 12 blocks; 62 digs (1.1/set, 3.4/match); 727 assists (13.2/set, 40.4/match).
Kaylin Dowling, West Rowan (senior) OH/DS: 173 kills (37.7 kill%, 3.6/set); 40 aces; 22 aces; 187 digs (3.9/set, 14.4/match).
Maddy Drye, Alamance Acers (senior) OH: 146 kills (54.7 kill%, 3.8/set).

Julianna Erickson, Jacksonville (senior) MH: 203 kills (48.6 kill%, 4.4/set); 48 aces; 51 blocks.
Martina Foster, Fred T. Foard (junior) MB: 124 kills (53.4 kill%, 2.1/set); 44 blocks.
Kary Hales, Jesse Carson (senior) L: 35 aces; 300 digs (8.1/set, 27.3/match).
Ainsley Halvorsen, Apex (senior) OH: 141 kills (41.2 kill%, 3.9/set); 24 aces; 106 digs (2.9/set, 8.8/match).
Daija Jackson, West Henderson (senior) MB: 138 kills (55.4 kill%, 3.3/set); 21 aces; 31 blocks.
J.J. Johnson, Bishop McGuinness (senior) OH/DS: 236 kills (45.3 kill%/ 4.6/set); 38 aces; 13 blocks; 180 digs (3.5/set, 12.0/match).
Madison Jones, Jordan (senior) MH: 112 kills (58.9 kill%, 3.5/set); 13 blocks.
Lindsey MacDiarmid, Caldwell Academy (senior) OH: 218 kills (61.6 kill%, 3.5/set); 48 aces; 13 blocks; 76 digs (1.2/set, 3.8/match).
Avery Markham, Apex Friendship (sophomore) OH: 135 kills (41.8 kill%, 3.1/set); 27 aces; 93 digs (2.1/set, 6.2/match).
Savannah McIntosh, Porter Ridge (senior) S: 39 kills; 70 aces; 125 digs (2.8/set, 8.3/match); 316 assists (7.2/set, 15.1/match).

Grace Nelson, Murphy (senior) OH: 182 kills (65.2 kill%, 3.6/set); 38 blocks; 115 digs (2.3/set, 7.2/match).
Ella Philpot, D.H. Conley (junior) MB: 181 kills (51.0 kill%, 3.3/set); 69 blocks.
Lauryn Pitt, Farmville Central (senior) OH: Through 13 matches -- 210 kills (44.6 kill%, 4.8/set); 29 aces; 17 blocks; 119 digs (2.7/set, 9.2/match).
Lauren Pledger, Mountain Island Charter (senior) MH: 205 kills (50.4 kill%, 4.2/set); 11 aces; 19 blocks; 50 digs (1.0/set, 3.3/match).
Murphy Riggs, Southwest Guilford (senior) L: 62 kills (42.2 kill%, 1.5/set); 27 aces; 78 digs (1.9/set, 6.0/match).
Mackenzi Searcy, R-S Central (junior) MH: 216 kills (48.0 kill%, 4.9/set); 23 aces; 13 blocks.
Payton Shiflet, Southwestern Randolph (junior) OH: 197 kills (46.0 kill%, 4.8/set); 18 aces; 112 digs (2.7/set, 8.6/match).
Jaden Vaughn, Jesse Carson (senior) OH/DS: 197 kills (35.6 kill%, 5.3/set); 16 aces; 206 digs (5.6/set, 18.7/match).
Ryleigh Whitekettle, Dixon (senior) MB: 160 kills (38 kill%, 5.5/set); 24 aces; 116 digs (4/set, 11/match).
Meredith Wooten, Princeton (senior) S: 26 kills; 52 aces; 143 digs (3.1/set, 10.2 match); 434 assists (9.4/set, 31.0/match)

The honorable mention list features seven players from championship teams (Black, Brantley, Dorsey, Drye, Foster, MacDiarmid, Philpot). Black and MacDiarmid compete in the NCISAA 2A, while Drye competes in the N.C. Home Educators Athletic Conference. It gives Cox Mill its third all-state player (Douglas), as well as Fred T. Foard its second and third players (Dorsey, Foster). West Henderson, D.H. Conley, Mountain Island Charter each added a second player to their totals. Caldwell Academy, Apex Friendship, and Jesse Carson had two honorable mention players. Whitekettle led all honorable mention selections in kills per set (5.5) while Hales led in digs (8.1), and Douglas led in assists (13.2). Philpot led in total blocks (69) while McIntosh did in aces (70). Vaughn was the only player on any of the all-state teams to average more than 5.0 kills and 5.0 digs per set and finished her career with more than 1,000 each. College choices: Drye (Appalachian State), Pitt (Brevard), Pledger (Appalachian State), Riggs (Air Force), Vaughn (Lenoir-Rhyne), Whitekettle (Houston).