The Herald’s 2021 All-Area high school volleyball teams

Published 1:30 am Friday, December 31, 2021

Editor’s note: The Player of the Year and All-Area teams were chosen by The Herald sports staff based on coach recommendations, season statistics and first-hand observations.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Emily Mekelburg, sr., OH, Arlington

Click here for The Herald’s player of the year story on Mekelburg.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Kyle Hoglund, Lake Stevens

After graduating a decorated senior class in the spring, Hoglund guided Lake Stevens to its fifth straight Class 4A state tournament berth and its fifth consecutive Wesco 4A title. The Vikings finished with a 19-2 record and placed seventh at state.

FIRST TEAM

Emily Mekelburg, sr., OH, Arlington

Mekelburg delivered 4.6 kills per set on an efficient .379 hitting percentage while helping lead Arlington to a sixth-place finish at the 3A state tournament. The Abilene Christian University signee was a second-team all-state selection and added 1.3 digs, 0.9 aces and 0.2 blocks per frame.

Madison Nguyen, sr., OH, Archbishop Murphy

Nguyen posted 4.4 kills, 3.8 digs and 0.3 aces per set as 15-6 Archbishop Murphy finished with its most wins in a season since 2016.

Hayli Tri, jr., MB, Lake Stevens

Tri averaged 1.8 kills per set on a .308 hitting percentage and added 1.1 blocks, 0.4 aces, 0.3 digs while helping lead Lake Stevens to a seventh-place finish at the 4A state tournament. She was first-team all-state selection.

Anneke Hanson, sr., OH/MB, Snohomish

Hanson provided 2.2 kills per frame with a .351 hitting percentage as Snohomish qualified for the 3A state tournament. The all-state honorable mention added 1.7 digs, 0.5 blocks, 0.4 aces and 0.2 assists per set while playing both outside hitter and middle blocker for the Panthers.

Ellina Powell, sr., S/OPP, Jackson

Powell averaged 3.2 kills per set on a .314 hitting percentage and added 3.1 assists and 0.7 aces while helping lead Jackson to the 4A state tournament. She was an all-state honorable mention.

Taylor Pederson, sr., S/OPP, Arlington

Pederson stuffed the stat sheet with 4.7 assists, 1.8 digs, 1.7 kills, 0.7 aces and 0.1 blocks per set as she helped Arlington to a sixth-place finish at the 3A state tournament. She was a second-team all-state pick.

SECOND TEAM

Malia Shepherd, sr., OH, Arlington

Shepherd delivered 3.2 kills, 2.2 digs, 0.9 aces and 0.2 assists per frame while helping Arlington to a sixth-place finish at the 3A state tournament. The senior posted a .299 hitting percentage.

Anna Schroedl, sr., OH, Lake Stevens

Schroedl posted 2.5 kills per set with a .233 hitting percentage as she helped Lake Stevens to a seventh-place finish at the 4A state tournament. The all-state honorable mention added 1.4 digs, 0.4 aces and 0.2 blocks per frame.

Lillian Thompson, sr., MB, Everett

Thompson averaged 4.0 kills and 2.0 blocks per set while helping lead Everett to a 13-7 record.

Olivia Rueckert, sr., MB, Stanwood

Rueckert provided 2.3 kills per set on a .339 hitting percentage and added 0.8 blocks and 0.6 digs while helping lead Stanwood to the 3A state tournament.

Lilly McCauley, sr., S, Glacier Peak

McCauley dished out 6.8 assists per frame and added 2.2 digs for Glacier Peak. She was an all-state honorable mention.

Marissa Martinez, sr., L, Jackson

Martinez averaged 4.2 digs and 0.5 aces per set while helping lead Jackson to the 4A state tournament.