2A State Finals: Impact Players

The 2A State finals last weekend were between the number one seeded Salem Academy and the number two seeded Gaston High School. The match was won handily by the Salem Academy Crusaders in three straight sets (25-13, 25-18, 25-18). To recap the match, we will be identifying and highlighting players from each team that were impact players for the team. Although the Crusaders came out on top, the Greyhounds also had some athletes with great performances in the match. GASTON HIGH SCHOOL [caption id="attachment_146296" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-146296" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/06/AQ7A3071-e1624301201770-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Jennifer Barnes[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91215" first="Mackenzie" last="Berger"], 6’3”, MB, Gaston High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy, Idaho State University <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13951829">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> The senior middle Blocker for the Gaston High School Greyhounds has proved a formidable force for opponents. The go-to attacker for the team, she is a crucial aspect of the Greyhounds lineup, playing all-around, not often seen for a middle blocker. In the finals she posted 14 kills on 43 swings, hitting a .186, receiving almost half of the sets dished out and the most swings on the team in the match. She was also 9/9 from the service line with an ace, had 12 digs, 2 blocks, and passed an .875 on serve receive on 7 receptions. Berger was named the Moda Health Player of the Game, was named to the 2A All-Tournament Team, made 2A First Team All-State, and made Northwest First Team All-League this season. Last club season she played for OJVA 17-1 National. Berger recently committed to play for Idaho State University in the fall of 2022. [caption id="attachment_167585" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-167585" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/lexi-fern-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: OSAA[/caption] Lexi Fern, 5’3”, S, Gaston High School <a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/oregon/gaston/gaston-junior-senior-high/lexi-fern1">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> The sophomore setter Fern took on a huge load for the Gaston High School Greyhounds, being tasked with setting a 5-1 a majority of the season. The State finals were no different and the team looked to her to put up hittable sets and make smart setting decisions. In the match, she racked up 22 assists, was 10/10 from the service line, and had 18 digs. Fern was a unanimous selection for the 2A All-Tournament Team, made 2A First Team All-State, and made Northwest First Team All-League this season. Fern is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. SALEM ACADEMY [caption id="attachment_167592" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-167592" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/annabelle-brawley-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: OSAA[/caption] Annabelle Brawley, 5’7”, DS, Salem Academy The senior starting libero since her freshman season for the Salem Academy Crusaders, Brawley showcased steady play in the championship match, as she had done for the past four seasons. Using her steady serve receive, all-out defense, and high volleyball IQ, she was a key piece to the success of the Crusaders this season. In the State finals, she amassed 10 digs, passed a .941 on serve receive on 16 receptions, and was 7/7 from the service line. Brawley was a unanimous selection for the 2A All-Tournament Team, was honored as 2A Player of the Year, made 2A First Team All-State, was honored as Tri-River Conference Player of the Year, and made Tri-River First Team All-League this season. Brawley is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2022. [caption id="attachment_167596" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-167596" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/aly-herber-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: OSAA[/caption] Aly Herber, 6’1”, MB, Salem Academy, North Pacific Juniors <a href="https://www.connectvolleyball.com/profile/AlyH10">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> The junior middle blocker Herber took some big swings during the State finals for the Salem Academy Crusaders. She took the most swings out of anyone on the team, receiving almost half of the sets in the match. For an outside attacker, that would make sense, but to be a middle blocker and receive 41 sets, is almost unheard of. Between Herber and Berger on Gaston, this match was a battle of the middle blockers. On 41 swings, she racked up 14 kills, was 11/11 from the service line with one ace, had 2 digs, and a block. She also had the match-point winning kill. Herber was a unanimous selection for the 2A All-Tournament Team, made 2A First Team All-State, and made Tri-River First Team All-League this season. Last club season she played for NPJ 16-1. Herber is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023. [caption id="attachment_167597" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-167597" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/lexi-herber-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: OSAA[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="161869" first="Lexi" last="Herber"], 5’8”, RS/DS, Salem Academy, North Pacific Juniors The freshman right side Herber (younger sister to Aly Herber) had a breakout match in the State finals for the Salem Academy Crusaders. On 15 swings she had an impressive 6 kills with 0 errors, hitting .400. That puts her hitting percentage at the highest out of anyone on the Crusaders AND the Greyhounds. She also racked up 9 digs, was 15/15 from the service line with two aces, and passed a .900 on serve receive on 9 receptions. Herber made Tri-River Third Team All-League this season. Last club season she played for NPJ 14-1 National. Herber is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2025. [caption id="attachment_167595" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-167595" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/aubrey-smith-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: OSAA[/caption] Aubrey Smith, 5’8”, OH, Salem Academy The six-rotation senior outside hitter Smith has shown steady and dominant play all season long for the Salem Academy Crusaders, and it was no different in the State finals. She hit an impressive .310 with 12 kills on 29 swings, had 14 digs, was 15/15 from the service line with two aces, a block, and passed an insanely impressive 1.000 on serve receive on 18 receptions. Smith was named Moda Health Player of the Game, made 2A First Team All-State, and made Tri-River First Team All-League this season. Smith is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2022.