2014 Journal-World All-Area Volleyball Team

Volleyball Naomi Hickman, Free State; Alexia Stein, Baldwin; Corey Valentine, Baldwin; Paige Corcoran, Free State; Reilly Malone, Seabury; Player of the Year Ashley Sparks, Wellsville; Coach of the Year Jill Brown, Baldwin; Caroline Dykes, Lawrence; Kenna Hall, De Soto; Jordan Hoffman, Baldwin; Karly Patton, Wellsville.

Volleyball Naomi Hickman, Free State; Alexia Stein, Baldwin; Corey Valentine, Baldwin; Paige Corcoran, Free State; Reilly Malone, Seabury; Player of the Year Ashley Sparks, Wellsville; Coach of the Year Jill Brown, Baldwin; Caroline Dykes, Lawrence; Kenna Hall, De Soto; Jordan Hoffman, Baldwin; Karly Patton, Wellsville.

Player of the Year

Ashley Sparks,

Wellsville

Sparks capped off her four-year varsity career by leading the Eagles in nearly every statistical category this season. She earned first-team all-state and all-Pioneer League honors for her play, which led Wellsville to fourth place at the Class 3A state tournament.

Coach of the Year

Jill Brown, Baldwin

The Bulldogs reached the state tournament for the first time in 10 years, losing in three sets to Clay Center in the Class 4A-II state championship. It was the fourth-winningest season in program history, led by seniors Jordan Hoffman, Alexia Stein and Corey Valentine.

First Team

Paige Corcoran, Free State — Corcoran was a reliable libero for the Firebirds, leading the team with 245 digs this year and a 2.04 passer rating. She was a first-team All-Sunflower League selection and signed to play at Johnson County Community College next year.

Caroline Dykes, Lawrence — Dykes was the focal point of the Lions’ offensive attack this year, with a team-high 246 kills and a .304 hitting percentage. The junior first-team All-Sunflower League pick also added 90 digs, 26 service aces and a team-best 41 blocks.

Kenna Hall, De Soto — A three-year starter for the Wildcats, Hall was dominant in her final prep season, leading her team to the Class 4A-I state tournament. The Cowley County Community College signee was a first-team All-Frontier League selection with 278 kills, 82 blocks and 48 aces.

Naomi Hickman, Free State — The Firebirds’ 6-foot-4 sophomore middle hitter was tough to stop when she got into a rhythm. Hickman picked up 163 kills throughout the season and earned first-team All-Sunflower League honors for her play at the net.

Jordan Hoffman, Baldwin — The Washburn University signee led the Bulldogs with 420 kills, 46 aces and a 2.2 serve receive rating. A first-team all-state and Frontier League selection, the middle hitter was second on the team with 180 digs, had 38 blocks, and finished with a .290 hitting efficiency.

Reilly Malone, Seabury — One of the top volleyball players in school history, Malone led the Seahawks with 279 kills, a .213 hitting percentage, 20 blocks and 285 digs, breaking the school’s single-season kills record. Her leadership helped Seabury to 19 wins this season.

Karly Patton, Wellsville — Only a sophomore, Patton improved her defense this season and it made a world of difference. The Eagles’ outside hitter had 377 kills and 207 digs this year, while adding 32 stuff blocks. She earned second-team all-state honors and was named to the state all-tournament team.

Ashley Sparks, Wellsville — The Baker University signee broke the Eagles’ all-time career kills record and led her team to the state tournament three times in her career. Sparks, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter, finished with a team-high 459 kills and 259 digs this season.

Alexia Stein, Baldwin — A first-team all-state selection, Stein was a dominant middle hitter with 351 kills at a .300 hitting efficiency. The 6-foot-1 senior also led the Bulldogs with 45 blocks while adding 40 aces and 78 digs, lifting her team to 66 wins over the past two seasons.

Corey Valentine, Baldwin — The Bulldogs’ senior setter had 845 assists for the Class 4A-II state runner-up. Valentine, a first-team all-state and Frontier League pick, also had an impressive 73 kills as a setter to go along with 128 digs, 38 aces and a 2.2 serve receive rating.

Honorable Mention

Ellen Almanza, Seabury; Lacey Billings, Veritas Christian; Rebecca Boyd, McLouth; Makaila Garcia, Eudora; Rachel Harding, Oskaloosa; Aubri Hinkle, De Soto; Catie Kaifes, Mill Valley; Allie Knapp, Free State; Brette Moore, Ottawa; Emily Newhouse, Wellsville; Alicia Pickett, Mill Valley; Joelle Schiffelbein, Perry-Lecompton; Kelsey Simmons, Santa Fe Trail.