2006 All-County Volleyball Team: Versatility marks all-county team

Friday, Feb. 8, 2008

2006 All-County Volleyball Team: Versatility marks all-county team

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Player of the Year: Kelly Williams

Making her second appearance on the Star⁄Gazette first team, St. Vincent Pallotti senior Kelly Williams collected 154 kills, 139 digs, 43 blocks, 41 assists and 58 service aces from 94 service winners. The tall, talented outside hitter punished teams with her powerful spikes and effective jump serves. Selected to the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference first team, Williams is still considering offers from several college programs. Austin-Peay (Tenn.) State University, Jacksonville (Fla.) University, Barton (N.C.) College and St. Andrew’s (N.C.) College have contacted Williams about playing for them next fall. Williams is planning to major in business at one of those schools. Williams reached double-digits in kills in nine of the Panthers' 12 matches. She had a season-high 18 kills in the five-game match against Institute of Notre Dame in mid-October, had 17 kills on two other occasions and attained 14 kills in four other matches, including a playoff loss to John Carroll on Oct. 18.

Coach of the Year: Jeff Ware

During his fifth season at Charles H. Flowers, Ware guided a senior-laden squad to a 16-2 mark and its first 4A South Region title. After watching his team suffer a sweep in the season opener at Eleanor Roosevelt, Ware saw his team amass 16 consecutive victories including the first win in program history against Bowie. In the 4A South Region final, Ware’s squad overcame a two-games-to-one deficit to upend host Eleanor Roosevelt and earn a berth in the 4A state semifinals. Damascus swept Flowers in the state semis, but Ware was the only county coach to win a region title this fall. His career record at the school now stands at 46-30.

First Team

Jessica Bradford, Seton: Making her second consecutive appearance on the Star⁄Gazette first team, Bradford enjoyed a superb senior campaign for the 8-10 Roadrunners. Bradford was either first or second in every statistical category for Seton this fall, collecting 187 assists, 117 kills, 98 digs, 57 service aces, 27 solo blocks and 18 block assists. She was selected to the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference second team.

Megan Alger, McNamara: Although she needed roughly half of the season to reach peak form after recovering from offseason jaw surgery, Alger was again a force in the middle and on the outside for the Mustangs. Alger was among the Mustangs’ leaders in kills (134) and blocks (65) and made the most of her limited serving chances. Blessed with a sharp swing and crisp serve, Alger was selected to the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference second team.

Jacky Velazquez, Northwestern: Another one of the county’s superb all-around players, Velazquez led the Wildcats with 129 kills, 75 digs and 41 services aces. Velazquez proved to be capable of playing every position on the floor and will be one of the county’s top returning players as a senior next fall.

Ashley Harris, Flowers: One of the primary reasons the Jaguars won 16 straight matches and earned their first 4A South Region banner, Harris led the Jaguars with 116 kills and added 93 digs, 54 service aces and made 10 blocks. In the 4A South Region final at Eleanor Roosevelt, the senior closed the second game with seven straight service winners and five aces.

Brooke Wilson, Roosevelt: After transferring from Sidwell Friends School, the junior outside hitter was a valuable addition to the Raiders during their unbeaten run through the league schedule. Blessed with a strong swing and a smooth serve, Wilson was among the Roosevelt leaders in kills, blocks, digs, service winners and service aces. Like Velazquez, Wilson looks to be one of the county’s top returning players next fall.

Brittani Steward, Flowers: Another one of the Jaguars’ twin towers up front, Steward gave opponents fits with her strong left-handed swings. The senior amassed 168 service points this season and owns the school career record with 423. She added 94 kills and had 10 blocks. Steward enjoyed a superb run through the 4A South Region tournament with 28 kills in wins against Parkdale, High Point and Roosevelt.

Shannon Woolery, Bowie: One of the county’s best all-around players, Woolery made valuable contributions to the Bulldogs with her passing, setting, serving and hitting skills. The senior led the Bulldogs with 102 kills, added 78 assists, 35 blocks and 29 service aces from 123 service winners. A true student of the game, she plans to attend Maryland, Loyola, St. Mary’s, Princeton or Harvard next fall.

Cheryl Savoy, High Point: A versatile all-around player, the senior setter was the catalyst behind an Eagles’ team that went 13-3 and reached the 4A South Region semifinals. Despite losing two premier hitters from last year’s region championship squad, Savoy netted impressive numbers this fall. She led the Eagles with 176 assists, added 112 digs and 67 kills.

Second Team

Megan Reilly, Amaka Dike, and Becky Akinyude, Roosevelt

Terri Kellaher, Bowie

Sam Spellicy and Mercedes Maynard, Seton

Kelsey Ahlquist and Kaitlin O’Hara, Pallotti

Jade Walker, McNamara

Ann Graham, Douglass

Evette Dziedzic, Grace Brethren

Allyson Lyke, Oxon Hill

Olaitan Sofola, Friendly

Kayla Spear and Anisa Taylor, Gwynn Park

Brittany Tyler, Riverdale Baptist