Aced it: Meet the 2023 All-Big Bend volleyball teams, coach and player of the year
It was a thrilling season of volleyball across the Big Bend, with new names and familiar faces making an impact on area programs.
Chiles made a historic run to the state final four while winning a district title alongside Aucilla Christian, Florida High, Lincoln, North Florida Christian and Wakulla all lifting district gold.
Eight programs qualified for the regional rounds of the postseason, with Chiles winning the regional title on the way to the state final four. Florida High made it to the regional final rounds and Aucilla Christian, Leon, Lincoln, Maclay, North Florida Christian and Wakulla all made regional tournament appearances.
With so much action across the area, here are the athletes being recognized with All-Big Bend Volleyball honors.
All-Big Bend Volleyball Player of the Year: Kenzie Hultquist, Florida High
Back-to-back.
Florida High senior Kenzie Hultquist was one of the most dominant players in the area this season, shining on the court as a setter and an outside hitter for the Seminoles. Defending her player of the year honors, Hultquist finished this season with 383 kills, 42 aces, 25 blocks, 309 digs and 451 assists, helping propel the Seminoles to a regional final and finished the season 24-6.
Always coming up in the big moment for the Seminoles, Hultquist's ability to be everywhere on the court was on show throughout the season. The first player to repeat as player of the year since Makayla Washington, who won the crown four years in a row, Hultquist was one of the area's most elite players all season long.
Heading to Florida State to play beach volleyball, Hultquist leaves Florida High with one more honor.
For her outstanding play this season Kenzie Hultquist has earned the 2023 All-Big Bend Volleyball Player of the Year honor.
All-Big Bend Coach of the Year: Kaitlin Jahn, Chiles
It was a historic season for the Timberwolves, who made a run to the state final four and were one of the best teams in the state, finishing the year with a 25-6 record. Led by head coach Kaitlin Jahn, Chiles was a force to be reckoned with on the volleyball court.
Winning a second straight 6A District 2 championship, the Timberwolves followed that up with a win in the 6A Regional final, beating Ponte Vedra 3-0 to claim the program's first regional crown since 2005. Ultimately falling in the 6A state semifinals in a four-set thriller against Vieria, the Timberwolves flexed their muscle this season and will retina a majority of its roster, putting the team in a position to run it back next year under Jahn.
For her excellent coaching and season, Chiles head coach Kaitlin Jhahn has been recognized as the 2023 All-Big Bend Volleyball Coach of the Year.
2023 All-Big Bend Volleyball First Team
OH
Kate Stewart, Jr., Chiles: 308 kills, 40 aces, 36 blocks, 322 digs, 42 assists
Kenzie Hultquist, Sr., Florida High: 383 kills, 42 aces, 25 blocks, 309 digs, 451 assists
Amelia Haggins, Sr., Leon: 250 kills, 20 aces, 21 blocks, 149 digs, 4 assists
Alli Tawney Lincoln, Sr., Lincoln: 334 kills, 262 digs, 22 aces, 18 blocks
S
Ashlyn Koerner, Sr., Lincoln: 730 assists, 246 digs, 143 kills, 52 blocks, 45 aces
Natalie Gibson, So., Chiles: 42 kills, 53 aces, 22 blocks, 292 digs, 979 assists
Eva Goodson, So., Florida High: 266 kills, 34 aces, 20 blocks, 314 digs, 490 assists.
MB/MH
Amelia Wass de Czege, Sr., Florida High: 213 kills, 25 aces, 114 blocks, 37 digs, 2 assists
Delany Scott-Hanowell, Sr. Chiles: 171 kills, 7 aces, 84 blocks, 42 digs, 2 assists
DS/Libero
Lauren Taylor Lozano, Sr., Lincoln: 505 digs, 42 assists, 36 aces
Jenna Cross, Jr., Wakulla: 22 kills, 34 aces, 391 digs, 27 assists
2023 All-Big Bend Volleyball Second Team
OH
Kaylin Johnson, Sr., Chiles: 242 kills, 15 aces, 55 blocks, 79 digs, 1 assist
Whitlee Harvey, So., Wakulla: 262 kills, 34 aces, 3 kills, 261 digs, 21 assists
Reese Harvey, Sr., Wakulla: 226 kills, 37 aces, 7 blocks, 108 digs, 1 assist
Lindsay Smith, So., Chiles: 316 kills, 50 aces, 55 blocks, 217 digs, 9 assists
S
Landri Rossi, Jr., Maclay: 108 kills, 52 aces, 17 blocks, 144 digs, 405 assists
Emily Cordell, Jr., Wakulla: 16 kills, 36 aces, 7 blocks, 150 digs, 696 assists
Hayden Ashworth, Jr., Aucilla Christian: 125 kills, 62 aces, 29 blocks, 189 digs, 368 assists
MB/MH
Bella Dougherty, Jr., Lincoln: 112 kills, 72 blocks, 6 aces
Gaby Harnden, Jr., Chiles: 65 kills, 5 aces, 80 blocks, 52 digs, 3 assists
DS/Libero
Holly Sanders, Jr., Chiles: 2 kills, 22 aces, 286 digs, 41 assists
Gabby Kellogg, Jr., Florida High: 18 aces, 363 digs, 67 assists
2023 All-Big Bend Volleyball Honorable Mentions
OH
Journey Kramer, Jr., Maclay: 145 kills, 5 aces, 17 blocks, 61 digs, one assist
Katie Chapman, Sr., NFC: 154 kills, 30 aces, 10 blocks, 141 digs
Kori Brown, Jr., Rickards: 162 kills, 61 aces, 14 blocks, 209 digs, 6 assists
Roselyn Mcleod, Jr., Aucilla Christian: 199 kills, 73 aces, 19 blocks, 214 digs, 19 assists
S
Kenadie Greene, So., Leon: 143 kills, 19 aces, 22 blocks, 222 digs, 188 assists
Oliva Woods, Fr., St. John Paul II: 201 kills, 32 aces, 21 blocks, 121 digs, 158 assists
Ella Goodman, Sr., Taylor County: 14 kills, 27 aces, 232 assists
MB/MH
Jada Rodgers, Sr., Rickards: 140 kills, 61 aces, 43 blocks, 64 digs, 4 assists
Riley Deem, Sr., Florida High: 125 kills, 53 blocks, 24 digs
DS/Libero
Aditi Mukhirala, Jr. Leon: 102 kills, 36 aces, 9 blocks, 183 digs, 6 assists
Hannah Harvey, Sr., Taylor County: 2 aces, 103 digs
Former Players of the Year
2022: Kenzie Hultquist, Florida High; 2021: Alexa Washington, Leon; 2020: Cailin Demps, Leon; 2019: Shania Cromartie, Leon; 2018: Makayla Washington, Leon; 2017: Makayla Washington, Leon; 2016: Makayla Washington, Leon; 2015: Makayla Washington, Leon; 2014: Kailey Harvell, Chiles; 2013: Kailey Harvell, Chiles; 2012: Haley Kole, Maclay; 2011: Haley Kole, Maclay; 2010: Haley Kole, Maclay; 2009: Alex Johnson, Leon/Lexi Weldon, Chiles; 2008: Paige Pridgeon, Lincoln; 2007: Courtney Zuber, Leon; 2006: Katie Johnson, Leon; 2005: Kayla Parker, Florida High; 2004: Marri Royster-Crockett, Florida High; 2003: Ashley Pridgeon, Leon; 2002: Emily Kohler, Florida High; 2001: Sally Nobles, Lincoln; 2000: Jessica Miller, Leon; 1999: Sara Leeka, NFC; 1998: Erica Bunch, Wakulla; 1997: Neeley Meggs, Florida High; 1996: Devon Greene, Maclay; 1995: Jenni Williamson, Maclay; 1994: Brittany Runo, Leon; 1993: Jenni Williamson, Maclay; 1992: Chris Pittman, Florida High; 1991: Hilary Tomberlin, Florida High; 1990: Paige DuBois, Florida High; 1989: Paige DuBois, Florida High; 1988: Rachael Wade, Florida High; 1987: Cameron Lewis, Maclay; 1986: Tracy Fellenz, Maclay; 1985: Ann Palmer, Maclay
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: The 2023 All-Big Bend volleyball teams are revealed, who made the list
