2023 Gadsden Times All-area high school volleyball team, including player of the year
The Gadsden Times all-area high school volleyball team is highlighted by the area player of the year and coach of the year. The team comprises players from all classes:
Player of the Year: Rylin St. Clair, Sand Rock
St. Clair was the star of the Wildcats, and paired with her cousin, Katelyn, helped lead them to the first state title game appearance in school history. Rylin earned Player of the Year, after multiple athlete of the week wins after more than 1,500 assists to go with more than 300 digs and close to 100 aces.
Coach of the Year: Lisa Bates, Sand Rock
Bates led her program to the first state title game appearance this year. The Wildcats had made the final four a few times but had never been able to break through to the finals. While the Wildcats fell in the final match of the year, it was a historic season that saw Bates win her 800th match as well.
First Team
Setter: Rylin St. Clair, Sand Rock
Senior
Why chosen: St. Clair finished with 1,529 assists, 339 digs and 91 aces, earning All-state honors from the coaches.
Outside Hitter: Katelyn St. Clair, Sand Rock
Senior
Why chosen: St. Clair led the Wildcats to the state title game with 909 kills, 474 digs and 82 aces, earning all-state honors from the coaches.
Outside Hitter: Faith Odom, Plainview
Sophomore
Why chosen: Odom had 408 kills to go with 244 digs, 59 aces and 35 blocks.
Middle Hitter: Nevaeh Gaidurgis, Cherokee County
Sophomore
Why chosen: Gaidurgis had 501 kills to go with 267 digs and 66 aces.
Middle Hitter: Emma Greer, Albertville
Senior
Why chosen: Greer had 276 kills and 206 digs to go with 59 blocks.
Libero: Chloe Stephens, Sand Rock
Senior
Why chosen: Stephens was a big part of why Sand Rock made it to the state title game with 911 digs and 90 aces.
Utility: Lydie Varnadore, Fort Payne
Freshman
Why chosen: Varnadore was a versatile player during her freshman campaign, she had 680 assists, 385 digs, 276 kills and 78 aces.
Server: Lydia Northam, Ashville
Sophomore
Why chosen: Northam had 96 aces this season, to go with 478 kills and 325 digs.
Second team
Setter: Ali Price, Plainview
Senior
Why chosen: Price had 1,346 assists on the year with 55 aces.
Outside Hitter: Molly Morrison, Albertville
Junior
Why chosen: Morrison had 368 kills and 411 digs to go with 65 aces for the Aggies.
Outside Hitter: Ace Austin, Spring Garden
Junior
Why chosen: Austin, an Alabama women's basketball commit, had more than 500 kills this year while leading the Panthers to a state championship.
Middle Hitter: SaraKate Yancey, Southside
Why chosen: Yancey had 232 digs to go with 49 blocks.
Middle Hitter:
Libero: Jovi Marble, Southside
Senior
Why chosen: Marble had 507 digs and 50 aces on the year and was the Etowah County MVP.
Utility: Vada Willmoore, Sardis
Sophomore
Why chosen: Willmoore had 286 kills and 213 digs to go with 48 aces.
Honorable mention
Ashville: Zahkiyla Cook (OH, Sr.); Boaz: Alexus Ashley (Setter, Sr.); Cherokee County: Macy Lea (Setter, Soph.); Collinsville: Ava Simpson (Setter, Soph.); Fort Payne: Cooper Garrett (OH, Jr.); Gadsden City: Ansley Wilborn (Libero, Sr.); Gaston: Avah Horne; Glencoe: Emma Croy, Kaelyn Hollis; Hokes Bluff: Sophia Jackson; Plainview: Chloe Hatch (MH, Sr.); Sand Rock: Zoey Handy (MH, Sr.), Bethany Davis (OH, Sr.); Sardis: Jordyn Knight (OH, Jr.) Southside: Kathryn Webb (Setter, Jr.), Lexie Graham (OH/DS); Spring Garden: Chloe Rule, Avery Stewart; West End: Reagan Smith (OH, Sr.)
Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports and Jacksonville State athletics for the Gadsden Times. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: 2023 Gadsden Times All-area high school volleyball team
