THE PATRIOT-NEWS'
BIG 12 GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Kelly Friers, Cumberland Valley
While several different players were capable of going on the attack for Jackie Orner’s Cumberland Valley squad, the scoring chance usually went through Friers. She was a dominating force at the net but was also an unbelievable setter. Some of the best hands of any player in the state, her assists were tough to read immediately, which is why she produced an incredible 734 assists, 126 digs and 85 kills for a CV team that won the District 3-AAA title and advanced to the PIAA Class AAA quarterfinals.
Bethany Gould, Cumberland Valley
At times it seemed as though there was no shot Gould couldn’t reach. After a slow start, Gould developed into an ultra-talented libero and a senior leader for the Eagles. A very consistent serve that produced 29 aces, Gould, however, made her mark with her defensive play in the back row with 450 digs. Her ability to chase down a variety of shots was instrumental in helping CV make its run to a district title.
Morgan Herold, Carlisle
Herold provided the Thundering Herd with steady play and leadership on the floor. She’s easily one of the best liberos in the Mid-Penn Conference with a machine-like 96 percent serve percentage. As a result, Herold finished the season with 37 aces and led Carlisle with 213 digs. Like Mueller, some of her best games came against Commonwealth Division heavyweights Cumberland Valley and State College.
Lydia Mueller, Carlisle
Described by head coach Mike Beachey as “a powerful lefty opposite hitter,” Mueller played some of her best volleyball against some of the best teams in the Commonwealth, namely Cumberland Valley and State College. Mueller led the Thundering Herd with 192 kills and 126 digs. Her ability to attack from the front and back row made the Herd a tough out in the opening round of the District 3-AAA playoffs.
Hannah Fry, Trinity
The kind of player that can dominate a match is a select group. Fry is in that class as she spearheaded a Shamrocks attack with 287 kills and 57 aces. Her hitting percentage was a very efficient .344. One of the smoothest swings at the net you’ll ever see, Fry landed herself a scholarship to Northeastern University.
Katie Goyette, Trinity
In her sophomore season, Goyette made tremendous improvement and turned herself into one of the best setters in both the Mid-Penn Conference and District 3. She led the Shamrocks with 488 assists and added 41 aces for a Trinity team that captured a third straight Mid-Penn Colonial Division title and made it to the District 3-AA quarterfinals.
Liashira Rivera, Chambersburg
Her strong personality made her a natural leader on the floor for the Trojans. A prototypical leader by example, Rivera finished with 223 total kills, but she made her biggest impact at the net. One of the purest blockers in the Mid-Penn, Rivera contributed 105 blocks with 54 going for kills. Her presence at the net made Chambersburg an upper-tier Mid-Penn Commonwealth team that reached the District 3-AAA playoffs.
Nakita Gearhart, Greencastle-Antrim
A very smooth, fluid senior middle hitter, Gearhart was the lightning rod for the Blue Devils attack that finished with a share of the Mid-Penn Capital Division title. But she was also a capable of taking a step back to facilitate the offense and was also very solid in the back row. Gearhart finished with 164 kills and 129 digs for a G-A team that made it to the District 3-AA quarterfinals.
Delaney Roman, Northern
Roman has been toiling on the Polar Bears’ varsity team since her freshman year. But this season, Roman really broke through as a junior, helping the Dillsburg side qualify for the District 3-AA playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. Roman, who played a variety of positions for head coach Angie Gaido, had 297 kills and 248 passing digs.
Rachel Kline, Palmyra
Grew by leaps and bounds on the court and it helped put the Cougars on a much more competitive footing. A District 3-AA all-star, Kline finished with 243 kills and 141 digs. Her improved play and smooth offensive play was instrumental in guiding Clark Sheaffer’s club into a Mid-Penn Colonial contender, which included a win over division champ Trinity and a trip to the 3-AA semifinals.
Suzanne Horner, State College
Turned out to be the steady presence that got the Little Lions through some key injuries. The Mississippi State signee was a picture of versatility as she finished with 272 kills, 213 digs and a team-high 548 assists for a State College team that captured the Mid-Penn Commonwealth title and the District 6-AAA championship and advanced to the PIAA Class AAA quarterfinals.
Christine Irwin, State College
One of the leading attackers from head coach Chad Weight’s deep, talented squad, Irwin stepped to the forefront with 314 kills. Her presence at the net — 38 blocks — helped to disrupt some of the best outside and middle hitters in the Mid-Penn Conference. Irwin also contributed 227 defensive digs and 69 aces.
SECOND TEAM
Karleigh Lutz, Cumberland Valley; Elizabeth Scott, Cumberland Valley; Kristine Jahn, Cumberland Valley; Annie Goerl, Lower Dauphin; Rachel Hunter, Red Land; Karli Frelin, Chambersburg; Kyla Irwin, State College; Morgynn McKenzie, Greencastle-Antrim; Megan Smith, West Perry; Jennifer Rusling, Palmyra; Becca Flickinger, Gettysburg; Jada Pickett, Chambersburg.
Your commemorative 2012 high school sports all-star section will be on newstands Wednesday, Dec. 5. The section is filled with photos, profiles and articles highlighting the midstate's finest athletes. Be sure to pick up a copy to remember the hard work, dedication and achievements earned by Central Pa.'s sporting stars.