10 Standout Athletes from 10 Teams at State

It is hard to believe the state tournament is over! And it was a wild ride. Watching the teams battle head-to-head was an absolute blast, with nearly every championship match going extra sets. There are so many athletes from each and every division to talk about.    We have to start with Ava who had an absolutely phenomenal state run, ending with a kill to the deep corner to seal the state championship title for her team in the 5th set. Over the two matches at state, she had 57 kills. Ava was explosive, reliable, and impactful in nearly every play. She was focused and had her eyes on the prize - a huge leader on her team and only a sophomore.     Lucia is the definition of a gritty player. She never comes off the court for CMH, and for good reason. She just has a way of making plays work. Her defense is outstanding, and she reads the court very well. Lucia is relentless on the court and highly competitive. She is a game-changer for her team and was a huge part of their state championship win yesterday.     Hannah is an energizer on the court. Not only does she make the big plays, but she also builds up her team around her. Hannah also gets it done from the service line. She has a rocket of a serve and can earn numerous points from the end line. She is an impressive athlete and teammate.     Abby was nearly unstoppable in the back row. Nothing got past her. She seemed to be everywhere at once. Her block coverage was next level and she never seemed to get tired in the intense rallies. Her endurance, fundamentals, and discipline set her apart, and she was one of the best defenders in any division at the state tournament.     Addie was a rock for her team throughout the tournament. She had a stand-out performance in the state championship match, where she had 9 kills and 3 blocks, helping her team take a set off of DSHA. Addie was relentless at the net and had some momentum-changing plays for the Chargers.     Kaylee is a player who set and swung for the Falls this year, and she did an outstanding job. She was one of their main point earners. Her efficiency in the front row and precision in the back row really set her apart. Kaylee had 10 kills, 17 assists, and 9 digs in the state semifinal match.     Addison was a high-flying pin for DSHA, taking the big rip that secured them their third straight state championship. She had 13 kills throughout the 4-set match. Addison's intangibles were just as valuable as the points she earned. She was focused and hungry to win. She was also a huge energizer. Addison really balanced her competitive nature while bringing a lot of energy and amping up her team.     Sophia is a fun player to watch. She is a lefty middle who has a massive vertical and a high snap on the ball. She is an athlete who plays all six rotations. Sophia is defensively strong and definitely proved why she never comes off the court. In the championship match, she had 10 kills, 3 aces, and 24 digs!     Izzy is a setter who runs the court very well. She was definitely the quarterback for her team throughout the state tournament, and she delivered. She had 36 assists in the championship match and was nearly unstoppable. Whether it was a perfect pass or she was on the move, Izzy consistently found great options in a match that lasted 2 hours and 16 minutes.     Campbell really stepped up for her team, especially in the state championship match. When they were struggling to get the offense rolling, Campbell earned key points and was efficient in the front row. She was also a huge energizer and made big plays in key moments to help build momentum. Campbell was a consistent force and put up a solid block as well.

It is hard to believe the state tournament is over! And it was a wild ride. Watching the teams battle head-to-head was an absolute blast, with nearly every championship match going extra sets. There are so many athletes from each and every division to talk about.