Here are our third-team selections for the inaugural All-Big Country Preps volleyball team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.
STARTERS
ALYKX VLAHOPOULOS, BROCK
Vitals: 5-11, Senior, Outside hitter
Why she’s here: A first-team all-district selection, Vlahopoulos averaged 6.3 kills with a .280 hitting percentage for coach Kimberly Hargrove.
A max-effort player the senior was a big part of the Lady Eagles’ run to the fourth round of the Class 3A playoffs.
KATE BRYANT, JIM NED
Vitals: 5-9, Junior, Outside hitter
Why she’s here: Splitting her time between outside hitter and setter, Bryant was a steadying force Lady Indians, averaging of 8.6 kills, 10 assists, 4.2 digs, 1.2 blocks and one ace per match.
“Kate is the player I look to to run our offense,” coach Miranda Garcia said. “She is for sure the setter that makes hitters look good. Kate plays all the way around and is also a huge threat on the net.”
KYNNLEY HERRINGTON, EASTLAND
Vitals: 5-11, Junior, Middle blocker
Why she’s here: A Jill of all trades for coach Rachel Schuman, Herrington closed her junior season with match averages of 10.8 kills, 7.4 assists, 5.6 digs and 1.9 blocks.
If that wasn’t enough, Eastland’s go-to girl also added 19 aces on her way to earning first-team all-district honors in a tough league.
ANNISSA MORENO, BROCK
Vitals: 5-11, Senior, Middle blocker
Why she’s here: Moreno was a force for the Lady Eagles, tallying 7.8 kills and 2.2 blocks per match from her spot in the middle of Brock’s front row.
But her talent wasn’t confined to the net, as she also averaged 2.2 aces to claim server of the year recognition out of District 8-3A.
CORBYN HERRING, WALL
Vitals: 5-5, Senior, Setter
Why she’s here: Herring had a record-setting season for the Lady Hawks, shattering previous program bests with 94 aces (2.1 per match) and 595 assists (14 per match) this season.
Now Wall’s career assists leader with 1,071, Herring also tallied 4.1 digs per match in claiming first-team all-district honors out of 6-3A.
TRINITY BAXTER, DE LEON
Vitals: 5-5, Senior, Libero
Why she’s here: Was outstanding on the back row for the Lady Cats, averaging 12.1 digs and 0.9 aces to claim libero of the year honors out of District 8-2A.
“Trinity is an absolute machine defensively on the court,” coach Kinsey Garcia said. “She is so consistent and always puts forth maximum effort on the court. She was a captain and carried her team defensively to the third round.”
ABBY CARR, CLYDE
Vitals: 5-10, Sophomore, Utility
Why she’s here: Playing right side and setter opposite of first-team selection Payton Phillips, Carr put up similar numbers, closing her first varsity season with 538 assists, 206 digs, 176 kills, 66 blocks and 51 aces to claim newcomer of the year honors for District 6-3A.
“Abby did a great job, as a sophomore, stepping into a very important role this season,” coach Laura Carr said. “She had several very seasoned hitters that she needed to get the ball to and did a great job running the offense. Abby also put up a solid block for our defense and ended up second on the team in total blocks. As the season progressed, she also became an important part of our offense. Abby is a very hard worker that is extremely competitive and loves to see her teammates succeed.”
RESERVES
JESI WARREN, BRECKENRIDGE
Vitals: 5-6, Junior, Outside hitter
Why she’s here: Was a key player for the Lady Bucks on both sides of the net, contributing 8.5 kills, 8.9 digs, 1.8 aces and 0.7 blocks per match.
“Jesi (was) a big part of our offense and defense this year,” coach Paula Barros said. “They were not only able to put balls down on the floor but also played some good defense. Jesi was phenomenal in the back row.”
EMILY JACKSON, BRONTE
Vitals: 5-8, Sophomore, Outside hitter
Why she’s here: Only a sophomore, Jackson quickly proved her value for the Lady Longhorns, averaging 12-15 kills and three solo blocks per match for a surprisingly competitive Bronte squad.
“Emily was a young force to be reckoned with.” coach Carol Moore said of the first-team all-District 7-2A selection. “Not expected to fare as well in our very tough 1A district, Emily helped lead us to a third-place finish and a playoff run that ended in the area round. She has the work ethic of an older player and the ability to guide her teammates with a constant even-tempered attitude and leadership.”
JAYLEN SAVAGE, BROWNWOOD
Vitals: 6-0, Senior, Middle hitter
Why she’s here: A force in the middle of the Lady Lions front row, Savage tallied 152 kills and 69 blocks this season to wrap up a first-team spot on the all-District 6-4A squad.
She contributed 56 of those kills and 10 of those blocks during league play to help the Lady Lions finish 20-12 and in the Class 4A playoffs.
JORDAN RAE, COLEMAN
Vitals: 5-11, Senior, Middle blocker
Why she’s here: A middle blocker who played and exceled in all six rotations, this first-team all-district pick averaged 11.6 digs to go with six kills, two blocks per match.
“Jordan is one of the most athletic student-athletes I have had the privilege of coaching,” coach Stephanie Bledsoe said. “She is a great teammate and leader on and off the court. This season alone Jordan had a total of 136 kills, 44 blocks and 266 digs. For a fourth-year player, these numbers are incredible. Jordan was a huge part in our success this season.”
AVERY VINSON, JIM NED
Vitals: 5-8, Sophomore, Setter
Why she’s here: Sharing setting duties with Bryant, Vinson was a six-rotation standout for the Lady Indians in her first varsity season, averaging 8.5 kills, 1.1 blocks, 5.0 digs and 12.0 assists per match.
“Avery’s first year on varsity, she played all the way around,” coach Miranda Garcia said. “Avery gets to the ball well as a setter and puts it right where her hitters want it. She was clutch for us on the net as a hitter and blocker as well.”
THALIAH CASTANEDA, BRONTE
Vitals: 5-4, Senior, Libero
Why she’s here: This senior and first-team all-district pick was a consistent source of frustration for opposing hitters, averaging 12-15 digs per match, including a 40-dig effort in a four-set match against Veribest.
“Thaliah was a captain and the backbone of our team,” coach Carol Moore said. “She was a positive, verbal leader in all types of scenarios. She was a fierce competitor for us and led our team in aces (4 per match) and digs. She only came off the court long enough for the libero exchange to be legal.”
LILY SCHERER, ABILENE CHRISTIAN
Vitals: 5-6, Junior, Utility
Why she’s here: A first-team all-district selection and honorable mention all-state pick, Sherer averaged 6.4 assists, 4.0 digs and 0.8 aces per set from her spots at setter and libero.
“Lily made a position change from libero to setter one week prior to district,” coach Arnett McClure said. “She is always willing to do what it takes to compete. (She’s) a hard-working girl driven to win.”
HONORABLE MENTION
OUTSIDE HITTERS — Ryleigh Lawson, Jr., Abilene High (Totaled 106 kills, 80 digs, 21 aces and 14 blocks; second-team all-District 2-6A selection); Madison Rodgers, Sr., Coahoma (Averaged 1.6 kills and 3.0 digs per set; first-team all-District 5-3A selection); Isabella Cox, So., Coahoma (Averaged 2.2 kills and 1.4 digs per set; first-team all-District 5-3A selection); Taylor Summers, Sr., Early (Totaled 121 Kills, 85 digs, 26 aces, six blocks and four assists in district; first-team all-district 8-3A selection); Brylei Gilbreath, Jr., Coleman (Totaled 485 digs while making the transition from defensive specialist to outside hitter); Clarisa Cox, Sr., De Leon — (Averaged 6.4 kills, 7.0 digs and 1.9 aces; first-team all-District 7-2A selection)
RIGHT SIDE HITTER — Bethany Avalos, Jr., Snyder (Averaged 4.6 kills, 1.1 blocks and 3.3 digs per match; first-team all-District 3-4A selection)
MIDDLE BLOCKER — Allie Gullett, So., Snyder (Averaged 4.4 kills and 1.2 blocks per game; second-team all-District 3-4A selection); Elizabeth (Lilly) Woodward, Sr., Breckenridge (Averaged 4.6 kills, 1.9 blocks, 1.5 aces and 2.6 digs per match); Ellason Felts, Jr., Brock (Averaged 6.4 kills, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 aces; first-team all-District 8-3A selection); Shae Lang, Jr., Coahoma (Averaged 1.7 kills, 0.9 blocks and 2.2 digs per set; first-team all-District 5-3A selection); Kylie Olvera, Sr., Dublin (Averaged 1.3 kills, 0.4 blocks, 0.4 aces and 0.2 assists per set); Baylee Burrow, Sr., De Leon (Averaged 7.0 kills and 2.57 blocks per match; first-team all-District 7-2A selection); Aubrie Frazier, Fr., Hawley (Totaled 87 kills, 27 blocks, 31 digs and 11 assists; named newcomer of the year for District 6-2A); Kylie Beighley, Jr., Ranger (Averaged 4.1 kills, 2.7 aces and 3.2 digs per match; second-team all-District 6-2A selection)
SETTER — Zoie Joslin, Jr., Coahoma (Averaged 4.7 assists per set; first-team all-District 5-3A selection); Reagan Harm, Sr. Comanche; Bethany Tomlinson, Sr., Early (Totaled 288 Assists, 20 kills, 37 digs and five aces; first-team all-District 8-3A selection); Kirsten Fox, Jr., Ranger (Averaged 1.6 kills, 9.6 assists, 1.8 aces and 3.5 digs per match; first-team all-District 6-2A selection)
LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST — Maddie Perez, Sr., Abilene High (Totaled 327 digs, 58 assists, 45 aces and seven kills; second-team all-District 2-6A selection); Gabby Stokes, Sr., Abilene High (Totaled 213 digs, 18 assists and eight aces; honorable mention all-District 2-6A selection); Jazzy Cantu, Sr., Abilene High (Honorable mention all-District 2-6A selection); Analysia Fuentes, Sr., Brady (Totaled 258 digs and 41 aces; first-team all-District 6-3A selection); Hailey Little, Jr., Brock (Averaged 9.2 digs; second-team all-District 8-3A selection); Addy Cunningham, So., Eastland (Averaged 9.9 digs, 3.0 assists, 1.2 aces, 0.3 kills per match; Second-team all-District 8-3A selection); Autumn King, Sr., Wall (Averaged 9.9 digs and 1.2 aces; first-team all-District 6-3A selection)
UTILITY — Alexis Dolton, Jr., Abilene High (Totaled 51 kills, 42 assists, 46 digs and 24 blocks); Kylie Wooten, setter/DS, Sr., Brownwood (Totaled 503 assists, 201 digs and 40 aces; first-team all-District 6-4A selection); Jazzane Potts, OH/setter, Sr., Sweetwater (Averaged 3.8 kills, 3.4 digs, 7.6 assists and 0.7 aces per set); Emma Kirk, OH/DS, Jr., Brock (Averaged 6.1 kills, 0.7 blocks and 6.3 digs; second-team all-District 8-3A selection); Isabella Durbin, OH/DS, Sr., Hawley (Totaled 135 kills, 161 digs, 46 aces, 21 assists and five blocks; first-team all-District 6-2A selection); Kinley Corley, OH/DS, So., Hawley (Totaled 125 kills, 126 digs, 85 aces, 11 assists and 6 blocks; first-team all-District 6-2A selection); Hallie Ellerbe, OH/DS/setter, Fr., Ranger (Averaged 2.6 assists, 2.1 aces and 4.6 digs per match; honorable mention all-District 6-2A selection); Brooke Huffman, OH/DS, Sr., Ranger (Averaged 6.1 kills, 2.7 aces and 3.3 digs per match; second-team all-District 6-2A selection); Arzul Hawvermale, OH/DS, So., Ranger (Averaged 2.4 aces and 5.1 digs per match; honorable mention all-District 6-2A selection); Johnnie Hise, OH/setter, Sr., Moran (Averaged 5.2 kills, 3.7 aces, 4.4 assists and 4.2 digs per set; first-team all-District 6-1A selection); Hannah Rogers, DS/setter, Sr., Moran (Averaged 2.5 kills, 2.2 aces, 6.1 assists, 5.3 digs per set; second-team all-District 6-1A selection)