Tuscaloosa News All-area high school volleyball team, highlighted by Megan Fairburn
The Tuscaloosa News all-area high school volleyball team is highlighted by Northridge's Megan Fairburn as the player of the year.
Fairburn finds herself earning first-team honors for the second-straight season, joined by two other Jaguar teammates after Northridge claimed the Class 6A-Area 6 title and made a trip to the AHSAA Class 6A Sweet Sixteen.
University Charter School made its first trip to the Class 1A state championship game, where it fell 3-0 to Spring Garden. The Trailblazers were the first charter school in Alabama to compete for a state title.
Player of the Year
Megan Fairburn, Northridge
Why chosen: Fairburn wrapped up a successful career at Northridge this season. During her four years with the Jaguars, she tallied up 153 aces, 154 kills, 2,450 assists and 572 digs, and she was a part of a Jaguar program that was continually a state title contender.
Coach of the Year
Stephanie Gaither, University Charter School
Why Chosen: In her fourth year leading the UCS program, Gaither led the Trailblazers to the Class 1A state title game, making them the first charter school in the state of Alabama to compete for a state title. UCS finished the season 35-5 and claimed the 1A-Area 6 title.
First Team
Megan Fairburn
Northridge, senior
Position: Setter
Why Chosen: Fairburn wrapped up her senior season with 50 kills, 80 assists, 990 assists and 250 digs.
Elise Fulgham
Northridge, senior
Position: Outside hitter
Why Chosen: The outside hitter had 325 kills and 34 blocks in her senior season for the Jaguars.
Brinkli Wood
University Charter School, junior
Position: Outside hitter
Why Chosen: The Trailblazers team captain tallied up 143 aces, 331 kills, eight blocks, 271 digs and 10 assists during her junior season. In the state championship match, she contributed four kills and nine digs.
Ava Lacoste
University Charter School, junior
Position: Libero
Why Chosen: LaCoste contributed 85 aces, 11 kills, 379 digs and 38 assists this season, adding 18 digs in the state championship match.
Amelya Russell
Sipsey Valley, junior
Position: Middle hitter
Why Chosen: Russell, who was ranked fifth in hitting percentage in Class 4A and fourth in blocking in Class 4A, was named the Bears' offensive player of the year this season.
Sarah Helms
Demopolis, junior
Position: Middle hitter
Why Chosen: The junior racked up 236 kills, 19 solo blocks, 12 block assists and 85 aces this season.
Olivia McDaniel
Northridge, senior
Position: Utility
Why Chosen: McDaniel, who saw time as an outside hitter and defensive specialist, contributed 75 aces, 173 kills and 272 digs during her senior season. She is committed to play volleyball at Pensacola State University.
Savannah Dockery
Sipsey Valley, senior
Position: Defensive specialist
Why Chosen: Dockery was ranked fifth in Class 4A with 572 digs during the 2023 season.
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Second Team
Setter: Belle Cormier, sophomore, American Christian Academy
Outside hitter: Ansley Mason, senior, Sipsey Valley
Outside hitter: Ella Grace Larkin, senior, University Charter School
Middle hitter: Kemara Thomas, freshman, Paul W. Bryant
Middle hitter: Brooke Benham, junior, Hillcrest
Libero: Emma Bennett, junior, Northside
Utility: Maggie Hubbert, senior, Fayette County
Defensive specialist: Carter Thomason, senior, Northridge
Honorable Mention
Holy Spirit: Berkley Young; Northridge: Kate Wilkin, Maya Hall; Northside: Chloe Cedotal, Angel Smith, Keeleign New; University Charter School: Maddy Gullahorn; American Christian Academy: Molly Barger, Reagan Morrison; Paul W. Bryant: Chyonna Hamlett; Fayette County: Lilly Beth Davis; Hillcrest: Kameryn Browne, Olivia McCollumn, Caroline Rogan
Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa News All-Area high school volleyball team
