7 local volleyball players given All-State honors

Alise Lewis
Monticello High | 1A volleyball | first team
senior-middle hitter
280 Kills, 242 Digs, 70 Blocks, 46 Aces

Head Coach Sheila Wells: “Alise is a force to be reckoned with on and off the court.
“Although she doesn’t like to hear it, she was a leader on our team and an example to us all. She even created a couple of new time-out huddle cheers that will be used for years to come!
“On the court, Alise is a well-rounded player. She dominated at the net, delivering powerful attacks and well-placed throws and tips.
“Although she knew how to go for the point and take care of the ball at the net, she also played at a high level in the back row which made her an indispensable part of the team.
“Alise has the unique ability to make the game look effortless with her graceful movements and natural athleticism.
“But she also put in the hard work and dedication needed to perfect her skills and become an exceptional volleyball player.
“Alise statistically led the team in nearly every aspect of the game this season and her stats increased phenomenally in comparison to last season.
“This All-State recognition is a well-deserved testament to her skill, passion, and impact on the volleyball court.”

Keezie Flannery
San Juan High | 2A volleyball | third team
junior-setter
740 Assists, 214 Digs, 62 Aces, 23 Blocks

Head Coach Shelby Eldredge: “Keezie is our setter and has been our lights-out player. She always puts in extra time in the gym and weight room all year long. She has a drive for perfection and she will continue to stay late after practice until she gets kicked out by other teams. Keezie has the ability to move the ball around and leave our hitters more open for the kill. Her constant hustle along with her ability to dump or spike the ball was huge for our offense all season long. Keezie also has a great talent for designing our shirts and uniforms. She is very fun to coach because she will go the extra mile to succeed and is definitely an All-State player.”

Averie Gilson
San Juan High | 2A volleyball | third team
Junior-Libero
540 Receptions, 321 Digs, 66 Assists, 57 Aces

Head Coach Shelby Eldredge: “Averie is an intense leader and captain who gives 110 percent in practice and during games. 
“One thing I really loved about Averie is that during practices, when younger players were struggling, she would cheer them on and encourage them.
“When they succeeded she would also celebrate with them. 
“Averie is a Libero so she never gets to spike the ball and she is the one diving on the ground all the time to dig the opponents’ hard hits, so she seldom gets any glory.
“Averie is so deserving of this award and is a tremendous athlete. I have truly enjoyed coaching her.”

Morgann McPherson
San Juan High | 2A volleyball honorable mention
junior- outside hitter
358 Kills, 334 Receptions, 316 Digs, 31 Aces, 16 Blocks

Head Coach Shelby Eldredge: “Morgann played outside hitter for us this season and she is a great all-around player. She was our go-to for a sideout. Morgann was also one of our Captains this year and she was always trying to keep things fun. She is an athlete who puts a lot of pressure on herself to be great. She always wants the ball and she will give you her best attack no matter where she is on the court. Morgann does not like to lose and has a ton of passion for playing hard and winning. She is one of the best outside hitters in the 2A classification and I love that she was given this award.”

Marlee Mack
Monticello High | 1A volleyball honorable mention
junior-outside hitter/defensive specialist
294 Digs, 131 Kills, 19 Blocks, 18 Aces, 95.6 Serve Percentage

Head Coach Sheila Wells: “Marlee was a newcomer to our volleyball team this year, and she made an immediate impact on the team.
“Her versatility and adaptability on the court was invaluable as she played nearly every position!
“Her willingness to step up wherever she was needed was a great example of a team player.
“Marlee was a standout defensive player, consistently demonstrating her ability to read the game and make critical plays.
“Her keen ability to recognize defensive adjustments needed mid-game and effectively communicate them to her teammates was remarkable.
“Not surprisingly, she led the team in digs and proved to be our most consistent server, achieving an impressive 95.6 serving percentage.
“Beyond her on-court prowess, Marlee’s cheerfulness and positive energy have been a welcome addition to the team.
“She inspires those around her with her enthusiasm and encouragement, making her not only a fantastic player but also a unifying force among her teammates.
“Marlee’s dedication, adaptability, and smiling presence have made her an invaluable part of the team.”

Naomi White
Monument Valley High | 1A volleyball honorable mention
freshman- middle blocker
190 Kills, 113 Digs, 90 Aces, 53 Blocks

Head Coach Harrison Miles: “Naomi has played volleyball for the past three years and this was her first year at the high school level. 
“She had improved greatly on her hitting and passing game. 
“She was able to see feel the block and hit at desired openings. 
“She also was able to position herself to dig hits with a high level of proficiency. 
“Naomi is an honor student and willing to work toward her goals.
“She understands the value of putting time into her craft so that she helps the team. 
“At times she was inconsistent because she is a freshman but she adapted well to the higher level of play from seniors as the season progressed.”

Keira Chee
Whitehorse High | 1A volleyball honorable mention
junior-outside hitter