By JAY W. BENNETT
The Parkersburg News & Sentinel
CHARLESTON – Top-seeded East Hardy and No. 2 Greenbrier West landed a pair of players on the Class A all-state volleyball first team, but third-seeded Wirt County and Tiger junior Addie Stephens was selected captain of the top unit by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
In what has been a tumultuous postseason for single-A volleyball teams, the state tournament is set for next week at W.Va. State.
“We really stress the team aspect, especially when volleyball is about as team oriented of a sport as you can have,” admitted Wirt County head coach Katie Frazier. “Addie has improved a lot from last year to this year and has wanted to make this team as good as possible.”
Stephens, a first team selection as a freshman and a second team pick in 2023, was named this year’s Little Kanawha Conference Player of the Year. The Tiger enters the state quarterfinals versus No. 6 seed Sherman with 546 kills, 78 aces, 82 blocks, 123 digs and 95 assists.
The only other repeat honoree on the first team is Greenbrier West senior Preslee Treadway, who made the move from outside to middle hitter this year and has put up 269 kills, 127 blocks, 348 digs and 32 aces while serving at 88%. Senior teammate Megan Griffith, the Cavaliers’ three-year starting libero, has 516 digs, 509 serve-receives and 33 aces while serving at 92%.
“I first met them when my daughter played softball with them when they were 9 or 10, and they were best friends then, and they still are,” admitted GWHS head coach Joe Robertson. “Preslee loves practicing hitting while Megan is practicing defense, hitting bullets at her. They both played varsity as freshmen. Megan is our energizer bunny on the court and makes some amazing digs, coming from nowhere it seems.”
East Hardy head coach Marsha Hahn’s Cougars, who had a win against Class AAA state champion Bridgeport, landed junior Morganne Miller and senior Chloe Miller on the first team.
“Morganne has demonstrated remarkable dedication in strengthening her skills and enhancing her performance, particularly in hitting,” expressed EHHS assistant coach Chris Hahn, who noted the Millers weren’t related. “Through her hard work and perseverance, she has developed into a well-rounded player with a work ethic that is truly exceptional. Chloe stands out as a leader on the team, with a keen ability to read the game and elevate the performance of her teammates. Her four years of experience have made her an invaluable asset, and her leadership both on and off the court will leave a lasting impact.”
The junior Miller carries a .312 hitting efficiency with 530 kills. An 88.1% server, she has 59 aces, 21 blocks, 278 digs and is at 91% on her 221 serve-receives. The senior Miller, who had just seven ball-handling errors and 409 assists, also has nine blocks, 19 aces, 80 kills and 291 digs with 222 serve-receives at 94%.
Sherman junior Sophia Rollo was selected to the first team and enters the state tournament with 537 kills, 57 blocks, 167 digs and 41 aces while serving at 94%.
Gilmer County, which was ousted in the regional co-final at Sherman, was represented by Ava Dobbins. The Titan junior hit .228 with 177 kills, 143 blocks and 45 digs to go along with 54 aces while serving at 89%.
Huntington St. Joe, which is in year two of restarting its program, had Katie Vickers land a spot on the first team. The Irish junior not only had 551 kills while hitting .314, but she served at 93.1% with 98 aces to go along with 366 digs, 43 assists and 253 serve-receives.
The other two spots on the first team went to St. Marys senior Callie Powell and Clay-Battelle junior Ginger Gross.
Powell had a double-double with 19 kills and 12 digs versus Trinity in the regional co-final to help the Blue Devils advance to their first state tournament in school history.
The Pleasants County program, which has the No. 8 seed and will face East Hardy, has watched the four-year starter Powell put down 302 kills with 408 digs and 53 aces.
The libero Gross, who had 56 aces while serving at nearly 94%, finished with 343 digs, 62 assists, 14 kills and 514 serve-receives.
Trinity senior Rylan Sharp, who served at 85% and had 125 aces, 261 digs and 298 kills, was selected captain of the second team.
Fourth-seeded Pendleton County, which will take on No. 5 Magnolia in the state quarterfinals, was represented on the second unit by senior Lizzie Alt, while the Blue Eagles landed senior Sienna McKeever.
Also earning nods on the second team were East Hardy senior Brooklynn Tinnell, Sherman senior Maycey Davis, Greenbrier West senior Paige Dean, Wirt County junior Makayla Moore, Tyler Consolidated junior Katie Grimm, Gilmer County junior Blair Dobbins and Notre Dame senior Emily Besten.
Wooden plaques in the shape of West Virginia that include the high school name, player’s name, licensed WVSWA logo, and year of the honoree, are available to all-state first team, second team, and honorable mentions and can be purchased from the Bear Wood Company through WVSWA.org or Bearwoodcompany.com.
CLASS A FIRST TEAM
Addie Stephens, Wirt County, JR (CAPTAIN)
Morganne Miller, East Hardy, JR
Preslee Treadway, Greenbrier West, SR
Sophia Rollo, Sherman, JR
Ava Dobbins, Gilmer County, JR
Katie Vickers, Huntington St. Joe, JR
Callie Powell, St. Marys, SR
Ginger Gross, Clay-Battelle, JR
Megan Griffith, Greenbrier West, SR
Chloe Miller, East Hardy, SR
SECOND TEAM
Rylan Sharp, Trinity, SR (Captain)
Brooklynn Tinnell, East Hardy, SR
Maycey Davis, Sherman, SR
Paige Dean, Greenbrier West, SR
Makayla Moore, Wirt County, JR
Sienna McKeever, Magnolia, SR
Katie Grimm, Tyler Consolidated, JR
Blair Dobbins, Gilmer County, JR
Lizzie Alt, Pendleton County, SR
Emily Besten, Notre Dame, SR
HONORABLE MENTION
Keylee Lester, River View; Emma Russell, Sherman; Baylee Beachler, Pendleton County; Jessa Anderson, Magnolia; Breigyn Dawson, Wirt County; Ava Gallion, Huntington St. Joe; Ruby Owens, Clay-Battelle; Lainey Jackson, Trinity; Abi Waldron, Calhoun County; Avery Townsend, Pendleton County; Sydney Knight, Magnolia; Maddy Sweet, Greenbrier West; Madison Owens, Madonna; Kauai Messer, Tug Valley; Austyn Paugh, Notre Dame; Addison Armentrout, East Hardy; Addyson Gallion, Huntington St. Joe; Amber Stevens, Tolsia; Arlie Humphreys, Trinity; Raven Matthews, Tucker County; Kayli West, Tyler Consolidated; Payton Staats, Wahama; Layna Moyers, Gilmer County; Kierston Rozell, Meadow Bridge; Laura Hacker, St. Marys; Baylei Vance, River View; Piper Fryer, Notre Dame; Lexi Stahl, Union; Taylor White, Montcalm
