Lawrence Journal-World 2016 All Area Volleyball from left: Kayla Maples, Eudora; Kayla Kurtz, Baldwin; Payton Gannaway, Free State; Mykah Wingerter, Tonganoxie; Lindsey Hornberger, Bishop Seabury; Coach of the Year Amy Hoffsommer, Free State; Lauren Willson, Tonganoxie; Lauren Maceli, Lawrence; Player of the Year Naomi Hickman, Free State; Rachel Hickman, Free State; Chloe Holland, Veritas Christian; Abbi Folks, Perry-Lecompton.

Player of the Year: Naomi Hickman, Free State

Hickman led the Firebirds with 284 kills, breaking the school record for career kills, totaling 730. The 6-foot-4 senior middle hitter led the Sunflower League with 124 blocks and ranked sixth with a .378 hit percentage. The three-time all-Sunflower League selection has signed to play at Creighton.

Coach of the Year: Amy Hoffsommer, Free State

In her second year coaching at Free State, Hoffsommer directed the Firebirds to a 35-7 record and their first Class 6A state tournament appearance since 2004. The Firebirds beat Shawnee Mission Northwest and Blue Valley West at state.

First team

Abbi Folks, Perry-Lecompton — The top setter in school history, Folks set the school’s career assists record at 1,024 and ranked second with 768 career digs. The senior earned first-team all-Big Seven honors after recording 373 assists, 301 digs, 97 kills and 23 aces this year.

Payton Gannaway, Free State — The senior right-side hitter drilled 172 kills with a .252 hit percentage to lead the Firebirds to second place in the Sunflower League. Gannaway, a Missouri Science and Technology signee, had a team-high 48 aces with 39 blocks and 65 digs.

Rachel Hickman, Free State — A first-team all-state selection, the left-handed Hickman registered 234 kills on a .274 hit percentage. The 6-foot-3 sophomore outside hitter added 89 blocks, 66 digs and 42 aces. She committed to play at Kansas.

Chloe Holland, Veritas — Leading the Eagles to a 34-11 record and second place in the KCAA state tournament, Holland led the offense with 391 kills, 83 aces and 20 blocks. The 5-foot-8 junior was named to the all-state tournament team.

Lindsey Hornberger, Bishop Seabury — The Seahawks leaned on Hornberger to spark their offense in most matches this season. Hornberger, a sophomore outside hitter, registered 185 kills in 68 sets, adding a 217 digs and 34 aces.

Kayla Kurtz, Baldwin — Kurtz led the Bulldogs in most statistical categories this season. A sophomore outside hitter, Kurtz recorded 109 kills, 212 digs and 35 aces on her way to receiving an all-Frontier League honorable mention.

Lauren Maceli, Lawrence — The 5-foot-5 sophomore libero led the Lions with 428 digs, recording 5.3 digs per set and earning second-team all-Sunflower League honors. Maceli had 34 aces and was strong at receiving serves, leading the Lions to a 12-26 record.

Kayla Maples, Eudora — When the Cardinals needed to put a ball away, they turned to their senior outside hitter. Maples led EHS with 248 kills, adding 225 digs and 43 service aces. The second-team all-Frontier League pick will play at Neosho County Community College next year.

Lauren Willson, Tonganoxie — Leading the Chieftains to the Class 4A-I state tournament, Willson smashed 286 kills on a .318 hit percentage. The 5-foot-8 junior outside hitter added 72 digs, 43 service aces and 16 total blocks.

Mykah Wingerter, Tonganoxie — One of the most efficient hitters in the state, Wingerter finished the season with 240 kills and only 41 attacking errors for a .589 hit percentage. The senior earned an all-state honorable mention in Class 4A-I totaling 55 blocks.

Honorable mention

Laurel Bird, Lawrence; Ronna Erickson, Perry-Lecompton; Mya Gleason, Free State; Emily Hummelgaard, Tonganoxie; Jasmine Thevarajoo, Eudora; Talisa Stone, Perry-Lecompton; Cameryn Thomas, Free State; Baylee Unruh, Lawrence; Emma Wilson, Veritas Christian.