The Journal-World All-Area Volleyball team, from left: Madison Maring, Eudora; Ashley Sparks, Wellsville; Katy Davis, Free State; Caitlin Broadwell, Lawrence; Shelby Holmes, Free State; coach of the year Mike Bartlow, Veritas Christian; Shelby Dahl, Santa Fe Trail; Morgan Knapp, Free State; Jenny Whitledge, Tonganoxie; and Teri Huslig, Veritas. Not pictured: Hannah Billings, Mill Valley.

The Journal-World All-Area Volleyball team, from left: Madison Maring, Eudora; Ashley Sparks, Wellsville; Katy Davis, Free State; Caitlin Broadwell, Lawrence; Shelby Holmes, Free State; coach of the year Mike Bartlow, Veritas Christian; Shelby Dahl, Santa Fe Trail; Morgan Knapp, Free State; Jenny Whitledge, Tonganoxie; and Teri Huslig, Veritas. Not pictured: Hannah Billings, Mill Valley.

Player of the year:

Shelby Holmes, Free State

A first-team All-Sunflower League selection this season and last, the Firebirds senior broke the FSHS single-season kills record with 325 in 2012. In her final year, Holmes helped Free State share the Sunflower League championship with Olathe East.

Coach of the year:

Mike Bartlow, Veritas Christian

In his first fall as head coach at Veritas, Bartlow’s talented team ended the season on a 25-match winning streak, finished 33-3 and won the Kansas Christian Athletic Association state championship. Led by Teri Huslig, Abi Bartlow, Kristen Finger, Ali Dover and Madi Bennett, the Eagles dominated throughout the fall and earned the program’s second state title in three seasons.

First team

Hannah Billings, Mill Valley — The Jaguars junior set up teammates with 556 assists, served 70 aces and had 193 digs as Mill Valley won the Kaw Valley League championship, advanced to the Class 5A state tournament and finished with a 32-8 record.

Caitlin Broadwell, Lawrence — A junior at LHS, Broadwell led the Lions with 268 kills and 40 blocks (.418 blocking proficiency), contributed 145 digs and 56 aces and was named to the Sunflower League’s first team for the second season in a row.

Shelby Dahl, Santa Fe Trail — Her team’s best all-around player, the junior outside hitter compiled 403 kills, 114 blocks and 255 digs before the Chargers’ season ended in a sub-state final with a loss to Class 4A state runner-up Topeka Hayden.

Katy Davis, Free State — The Firebirds’ starting senior setter not only led her team with 32 aces, but distributed a whopping 782 assists (breaking her own single-season FSHS record) on her way to first-team All-Sunflower League honors for the second straight year.

Shelby Holmes, Free State — Teaming with Free State’s array of powerful hitters, the kills leader helped the Firebirds to a 26-12 record before signing to play with Arkansas State University.

Teri Huslig, Veritas Christian — The KCAA’s top vote-getter among all-league honorees, the setter and outside hitter finished her junior season with 123 aces, a 92.7 serving percentage, 143 digs, 239 kills and 318 assists for the state champions.

Morgan Knapp, Free State — In her first year playing varsity for the Firebirds, the junior made an immediate impact, playing in every set of the season and recording 128 kills, 121 solo blocks and 49 assisted blocks to earn first-team All-Sunflower League honors.

Madison Maring, Eudora — A four-year letter-winner for the Cardinals, the senior middle hitter and blocker scored points with 91 blocks, 345 kills and 14 aces, plus contributed defensively with 122 digs, earning All-Frontier League first-team honors.

Ashley Sparks, Wellsville — Just a sophomore for the Eagles, the outside hitter helped WHS reach the Class 3A state tournament, provided her team with 459 kills and 254 digs and was named first-team all-state in 3A by the Kansas Volleyball Association.

Jenny Whitledge, Tonganoxie — In her senior season with the Chieftains, the long, high-jumping four-year starter amassed 407 kills, 224 digs, 37 aces and 31.5 blocks for THS and signed a national letter of intent with Wichita State.

Honorable mention

Abi Bartlow, Veritas Christian; Annie Beck, Eudora; Darcy Bonzo, Wellsville; Summer Cerny, McLouth; Taylor Cowan, Mill Valley; Halsten Coyle, Perry-Lecompton; Ashley Ebeck, Wellsville; Kristen Finger, Veritas Christian; Courney Hoag, Bishop Seabury; Taylor Hodge, Bishop Seabury; Jordan Hoffman, Baldwin; Monica Howard, Lawrence; Kaitlyn Hullinger, McLouth; Morgan Jolly, Santa Fe Trail; Kelsey Kasson, Perry-Lecompton; Katie Kehl, Baldwin; Erin Klotz, Eudora; Morgan Lober, Baldwin; Sarah McDermott, Bishop Seabury; Molly Oshinski, Mill Valley; Zoe Reed, Lawrence; Alexis Roecker, Ottawa; Jaeden Romine, Santa Fe Trail; Paige Weidner, Ottawa.