Lake Stevens’ Samaya Morin celebrates a point during a playoff game against Jackson on Nov. 2, 2017, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens’ Samaya Morin celebrates a point during a playoff game against Jackson on Nov. 2, 2017, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

The Herald’s 2018 All-Area High School Volleyball Teams

A look at the top volleyball players in the area this past season.

Eds. 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

Devon Martinka, sr., OH, Stanwood

The hard-hitting Martinka averaged 5.4 kills, 3.9 digs, 0.4 blocks and 0.6 aces per set while leading the Spartans to the 3A state tournament. She twice broke her own school record for most kills in a match — including a 31-kill performance at state — and shattered the school’s career kills mark.

COACH OF THE YEAR

April Munoz, Monroe

In her 14th and final season coaching the Bearcats, Munoz guided Monroe to the program’s first-ever state semifinal appearance. The Bearcats rattled off nine straight wins and claimed the 4A Wes-King bi-district crown en route to a program-best fourth-place finish in the 4A state tournament.

FIRST TEAM

Devon Martinka, sr., OH, Stanwood

Samaya Morin, soph., OH, Lake Stevens

Morin posted 3.6 kills, 3.3 digs, 0.4 blocks and 0.6 aces per set, along with a .344 hitting percentage. She helped the Vikings claim the Wesco 4A title and a seventh-place trophy in the 4A state tournament.

Riley Monan, sr., OH, Lynnwood

Monan averaged 4.9 kills, 4.8 digs and 0.7 aces per set while helping the Royals come within one win of the 3A state tournament.

The Herald’s 2018 All-Area High School Volleyball Teams

Sydney Petersen, sr., MB, Glacier Peak

Petersen, a University of Nevada signee, tallied 1.0 blocks, 2.4 kills, 0.5 digs and 0.5 aces per set. She helped the Grizzlies come within one win of the 4A state tournament.

The Herald’s 2018 All-Area High School Volleyball Teams

Leah Quidachay, sr., S, Oak Harbor

Quidachay, a transfer from Texas, averaged 8.7 assists, 2.3 digs and 0.3 aces per set. She helped the Wildcats advance to the 3A state tournament.

Kiana Pel, sr., L, Lynnwood

Pel, a Saint Martin’s University signee, provided 8.3 digs, 1.1 kills and 0.7 aces per set while helping the Royals come within one win of the 3A state tournament.

SECOND TEAM

The Herald’s 2018 All-Area High School Volleyball Teams

Natalie Stern, sr., OH, Snohomish

Stern posted 3.1 kills, 6.4 digs and 1.4 aces per set. She helped the Panthers claim the Wesco 3A title and a fifth-place trophy in the 3A state tournament.

Claire Doud, sr., OH, Archbishop Murphy

Doud averaged 4.5 kills, 3.2 digs, 0.5 blocks and 1.5 aces per set. She helped the Wildcats come within one win of the 2A state tournament.

The Herald’s 2018 All-Area High School Volleyball Teams

Samantha Zimmerman, sr., OH/MB, Monroe

Zimmerman showcased her versatility by moving from outside hitter to middle blocker midway through the season to fill in for an injured teammate. She posted 2.1 kills, 2.3 digs, 0.9 blocks and 0.4 aces per set while helping the Bearcats to a program-best fourth-place finish in the 4A state tournament.

The Herald’s 2018 All-Area High School Volleyball Teams

MacKenzie Whyte, soph., MB, Snohomish

Whyte averaged 1.1 blocks, 3.1 kills and 1.0 aces per set. She helped the Panthers claim the Wesco 3A title and a fifth-place trophy in the 3A state tournament.

The Herald’s 2018 All-Area High School Volleyball Teams

Tatum McGovern, sr., S, Monroe

McGovern provided 5.3 assists, 1.3 kills, 2.2 digs and 0.7 aces per set. She helped the Bearcats to a program-best fourth-place finish in the 4A state tournament.

Veaya Carter, sr., L, Stanwood

Carter averaged 5.2 digs and 0.4 aces per set while helping the Spartans reach the 3A state tournament

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