Delaney Hopen | Shorewood
Senior | Outside Hitter
Hopen, an outside hitter, has led the Thunderbirds in kills since her freshman season. She averaged over 12 per match last year as a junior. An injury kept Hopen out of the front row at times last season, but she responded by averaging 14 digs per match and earning first-team All-Wesco 3A honors as both a libero and an outside hitter.
“Delaney has court awareness and plays smart,” Shorewood head coach Jennifer Chartrand said. “She leads by example both on and off the court. She is a fierce competitor and supports her teammates. I expect her to continue to work hard and be a good leader and to share her love of this game with those around her.”
Bailey Nelson | Marysville Pilchuck
Sophomore | Outside Hitter
Nelson made a name for herself as a freshman, averaging six kills per set with a 39 percent kill percentage — the highest of all Tomahawks players. Her efforts helped the Tomahawks reach the district championship, despite entering the tournament with a No. 8 seed, and advance to the state tournament.
“Bailey is a unique player in the sense that she can hit from anywhere on the court,” Marysville Pilchuck head coach Brittany Fitzmaurice said. Her passing exceeds expectations and she serves well. She is an all-around star.”
Mina Duong | Monroe
Junior | Libero
Duong was named to the All-Wesco second-team as a libero last year, helping Monroe earn a berth in the district tournament. The Bearcats came up just short of advancing to the 4A state tournament, falling 3-2 to Kamiak in the second-place match at districts.
“Mina is a dynamic defensive player,” Monroe head coach April Munoz said. “She is definitely drawing the attention of college coaches and already has some offers. She is a very strong athlete with great court awareness and is very competitive. She constantly wants to improve. On top of this, she is a great teammate. I have no doubt she will have a long and successful career in volleyball.”
Jaime Cymbaluk | Archbishop Murphy
Junior | Outside Hitter
Cymbaluk, who posted 188 kills with 22 aces and 34 blocks in 2014, was named second-team all-league last season as a sophomore middle blocker. This season, Cymbaluk will move to outside hitter for the Wildcats. The American Volleyball Coaches Association has Cymbaluk ranked No. 11 in the country for the Class of 2017 and No. 47 for all age definitions.
“Her ability to hit anywhere at the net makes her a very dangerous threat on offense,” Archbishop Murphy head coach Brandon Jones said. “Jaime can hit any set at any tempo with authority. At 6-feet tall, she is a formidable blocker at the net. Jaime is also the type of player that teammates love to play with. Her constant positive attitude make her an invaluable asset to the team.”
Sam Drechsel | Cedar Park Christian-Bothell
Junior | Outside Hitter
Last season as a sophomore, Drechsel, who has verbally committed to play volleyball at the University of Maryland, was voted the Cascade Conferences Most Valuable Player. She had 498 kills (an average of 5.6 per set), 46 blocks, 267 digs and 53 aces while helping lead the Eagles to a third-place finish at the 1A state tournament.
“Sam is not only a high-caliber player, she is a great teammate,” Cedar Park Christian-Bothell head coach Marni Drechsel said. “She navigates the balance needed between being extremely competitive and encouraging her teammates both on the court and off.”
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