Stevens, Kiebert and Hicks earn All-State Volleyball honors
SANDPOINT — Clark Fork sophomore setter Brooke Stevens was voted to the first team of the first-ever Idaho All-State Volleyball Team, announced recently by the Idaho Statesman, one of three locals to earn the prestigious honor.
Sophomore outside hitter Ellie Kiebert joined her teammate on the 1A Division II team, garnering second team honors. Wampus Cat head coach Cindy Derr had high praise for the pair.
“I am so proud of both the girls as obviously they both stood out at the state finals,” she said. “Brooke has worked hard. She traveled to Spokane to train with my friend throughout the year. Her hard work has paid off. Ellie just loves playing and being the best player and team player she can be.”
The pair are part of a team that will return all but one player next season, and figures to be a contender for a state trophy.
“This is a huge boost to our program. All the hard work the coaching staff, the players and the parents have put in for the past five years is starting to payoff and show,” claimed Derr, well versed in building programs that contend at state. “We have a great group of girls playing in our school program. I’m also proud that the state recognized players from the north, as most of the players were from the south.”
Sandpoint junior Grace Hicks, a 6-2 setter with the power to end points at the net, earned Honorable Mention honors on the 4A team. The mere fact she made the team without getting to showcase her talent in the state tournament is testament to her talent as a player.
“Had she competed at the state tournament, I believe she would have earned a spot on the All State first team,” said Bulldog head coach Erin Roos. “However, being named as an Honorable Mention is great because it acknowledges that Grace is recognized as one of the top volleyball players in the entire state. She has and continues to work very hard on the court and in the classroom. This honor is well deserved.”
CLASS 4A
FIRST TEAM — Annie Kaminski, Wood River; Dani Nay, Skyview; Kennedi Evans, Twin Falls; Morgan Bower, Skyview; Olivia Bradley, Skyview; Tori Edwards, Twin Falls; Whitney Bower, Skyview; Zoe Thiros, Century.
SECOND TEAM — Brynn McKnight, Middleton; Chinma Njoku, Century; Jozie Crawford, Middleton; Karen Murphy, Skyview; Kennedee Tracy, Burley; Kylie Baumert, Twin Falls; Makayla Tolman, Burley; Natalie Sullivan, Bishop Kelly.
HONORABLE MENTION — Grace Hicks, Sandpoint; Harley Carlisle, Preston; Jessica Whiteley, Preston; Taylia Stimpson, Minico; Zoey Wright, Pocatello.
CLASS 1A DIVISION II
FIRST TEAM — Abigail Yadon, Watersprings; Brooke Stevens, Clark Fork; Chevelle Shepherd, Salmon River; Conlin Coburn, Butte County; Haylee Grossman, Lighthouse Christian; Joanna Hayes, Watersprings; Meg Buxton, Butte County; Sabrina De Jong, Lighthouse Christian.
SECOND TEAM — Bea Whitling, Logos; Brittany Schon, Council; Ellie Kiebert, Clark Fork; Emily Diaz, Salmon River; Gracie Cover, Lighthouse Christian; Maddie Wintz, Logos; Sherawn Brownlee, Butte County; Tausha Cummins, Butte County; Shantell Chavez, Carey.