Local netters honored by Pacific Conference
In a year in which the four western Washington County schools were at the back end of a competitive Pacific Conference, they didn't lack recognition when it came to the conference's all-league teams.
In all, Century, Forest Grove, Glencoe and Liberty boasted 17 honorees, including four first-teamers, two second-teamers and 11 honorable mention.
Glencoe and Century led the way, with the Tide's Aneli Godinez-Martinez and Jayda Lee, along with the Jaguars' Milan Hoopes earning first team selections.
Hoopes, a junior outside hitter who was voted Most Valuable and Most Inspirational by her teammates, led the team in kills and kill attempts, averaging more than 14 kills per match. She was joined on the list of all-league honorees by teammates: Brooke Johnson, a sophomore setter who led the team in assists; junior Defensive Specialist Ava Mastrantonio, who was second on her team in aces; sophomore middle blocker Kimy Anderson, who averaged five blocks per game; sophomore libero Neveah Baccay, who led her team in digs; and freshman defensive specialist Tehya Militante. All earned honorable mention.
Century finished fifth in the conference this year despite having just one senior, and came on strong late, winning four of their last six league matches, with much of their success coming as a result of a core made up of these standouts.
"I can honestly say that these girls were a strong base that kept the team in sync and moving strong," said Century head coach Melissa Lund.
Glencoe's Godinez and Lee, too, were depended on mightily by a Tide team that placed fourth in the Pacific Conference. Glencoe head coach Mike Gaffaney said Godinez, a senior, was and has been one of the most consistent and productive members of this year's squad, in addition to being one of the most competitive athletes they've had in the program. He also pointed to Lee, a junior, as an asset that just continues to grow both physically and by way of an increasing knowledge of the sport.
"Her greatest improvement this season was that she learned to take risks," he said. "And in that will come a greater sense of confidence in her decision-making."
In addition, the Tide were represented by second team selection Tia Schlottmann, a senior outside hitter for whom Gaffaney had nothing but praise.
"If I were to pick a most improved player this season, it would be Tia," the coach said. "As a senior she took it upon herself to elevate her game and compete in a way she's really never shown before. She's an intelligent and crafty hitter who moved the ball around mostly larger blockers, whose strong and well placed serves put opponents out of system most of the time."
The Tide's Adelle Brogger and Lydia Hall earned honorable mention selections. Gaffaney said King had a breakout season and improved in both hitting and blocking, and that Brogger was "much improved as a volleyball athlete."
Forest Grove senior return specialist and middle blocker Olivia Grosse was a second team selection, while fellow senior Katie Ellington and junior Amanda Rebsom earned honorable mention.
The Vikings finished just 5-16 on the year, but head coach Amber Lieb acknowledged the trio's individual success and pointed to the improvement they made as a team as the season progressed.
"I am very proud of Olivia, Katie and Amanda for their honors," said the coach. "I wish more of our team could have been recognized for all the individual improvement I saw over our season.
Not to be forgotten, Liberty had four players honored, led by senior middle blocker Breeze Bartle, who was the Falcons' lone first team selection. In addition to Bartle, Liberty setter Rae Leano, along with outside hitter and return specialists Michelle Benitez and team co-captain Maddie Ineson, all earned honorable mention.
McMinnville's Ben Patterson was selected Coach of the Year, and the Grizzlies' Jazi Smith earned Player of the Year honors.
The complete list of honorees is below:
Pacific Conference All League
1st Team
Jazi Smith, McMinnville
Sophie Gregoire-Salagean, Newberg
Aneli Godinez-Martinez, Glencoe
Breeze Bartle, Liberty
Jayda Lee, Glencoe
Jocelyn Chavez, McMinnville
Milan Hoopes, Century
Ainslie Ridgway, McMinnville
Piper Harrop, Sherwood
2nd Team
Allison Fiarito, Sherwood
Tori Petersen, Newberg
Alli Douglass, Sherwood
Lauren Griswold, Newberg
Honorable Mention
Katie Ellington, Forest Grove
Rae Leano, Liberty
Jacie Ruden, McMinnville
Rebecca Upchurch, Newberg
Evan Parent-Korsness, Sherwood
Neveah Baccay, Century
Ava Mastrantonio, Century
Tehya Militante, Century
Amanda Rebsom, Forest Grove
Adelle Brogger, Glencoe
Lydia Hall, Glencoe
Maddie Ineson, Liberty
Elyse Patterson, McMinnville
Brooke Johnson, Century
Michelle Benitez, Liberty
Kaylie Duckworth, Newberg
Josie Wilson, Sherwood
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