Oyster River's Svenson, Somersworth's McKay, Hodsdon earn top state volleyball honors
DURHAM – Annabelle Svenson started playing volleyball when she was a sophomore at Oyster River High School.
Two years later, the Bobcat senior middle hitter has been named the New Hampshire Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Player of the Year.
“I couldn't think of a more deserving player,” Oyster River head coach Cassandra Doore said. “She has grown faster and more than any other player I've coached. This is because of her dedication and hard work. She is also one of the best captains I have worked with. I couldn't be more proud of her and she has set the bar high for all athletes at Oyster River. Not just in athletics, but in dedication, work ethic and just being an overall great human.”
Svenson had four aces, 14 kills and five blocks in Oyster River’s 3-2 win over Coe-Brown for its second straight Division II state championship this fall.
“(This award) came as quite a shock to me because I still sometimes see myself as the little sophomore who was petrified to hit the ball,” Svenson said. “I really owe it all to Coach Doore, and all my club coaches at 603 for getting me to where I am now because I truly wouldn’t be the player I am without them.”
Svenson and teammate Emilia Cavicchi were both Division II all-state first-team selections, and Aubrey Young was an honorable selection pick.
Somersworth wins Coach of the Year, Player of the Year
Somersworth may have lost to Inter-Lakes in the Division III championship game, but that didn’t stop Steve Hodsdon from being selected as the New Hampshire Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year, and junior Sya McKay being named Player of the Year.
“It’s a team award more than a coach award,” Hodsdon said. “I am very humbled my colleagues voted me for that.”
Hodsdon also won the award in 2016.
McKay is the first Somersworth player in Hodsdon’s 24 years as head coach to receive the Player of the Year award.
McKay didn't break into the starting lineup until past the midpoint of her sophomore season.
“She’s come a long way from last year,” Hodsdon said. “She had a blocking prowess last season, and added a lot of offensive firepower to her game this year. It was exciting to watch that growth. She was the most dominant player in the league.”
The following is a list of Seacoast girls who made an all-state team this season.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Division I
First team
Tory Vitko, Dover, rightside hitter
Second team
Georgia Pinciaro, Portsmouth, outside hitter; Rachel Poulin, Exeter, rightside hitter; Aidyn Stone, Dover, libero
Honorable mention
Margaret Montplaisir, Portsmouth, outside hitter
Division II
Second team
Asia Saffie, St. Thomas Aquinas, libero
Honorable mention
Camila Garcia, St. Thomas Aquinas, setter
Division III
First team
Aby Lambert, Somersworth, setter
Second team
Quinn Arico, Portsmouth Christian, middle hitter, setter; Christian Kailey, Portsmouth Christian, setter; Heidi Geyer, Portsmouth Christian, outside hitter/rightside hitter
Honorable mention
Savanna Comeau, Somersworth, outside hitter
MAINE
Class B South
First team
Nora Dowling, York; Jillian Holland, York
Second team
Maya Babcock, York; Brooke Roe, York
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH Volleyball Coaches Association honors Svenson, McKay, Hodsdon
