By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
With the new year fast approaching, the Washington Daily News is taking time out to rewind the clock and honor the outstanding volleyball players of 2007.
Williamston dominated area volleyball and its success spilled over into the WDN’s All-Area team where the Tigers placed three players on the first team. Joining the Tigers at the top were players from Jamesville, Northside and Southside.
Presley Roberson, MH,
Williamston
Leading this year’s all-area team is the WDN Player of the Year Presley Roberson. The Tigers’ middle hitter dominated the center of the court on both sides of the ball as she racked up 273 kills and 77 blocks. Roberson was the center piece on a Williamston team that made it to the third round of the playoffs with a 21-3 record and went undefeated in the Atlantic Conference.
Lane Harris, OH,
Williamston
A four year varsity player, Harris’ ability on offense made it tough for teams to concentrate all their attention on Roberson. Harris was also a deadly server as she tallied 231 service points to go along with her 88 kills and 24 blocks.
WDN’s Area Coach of the Year Herbie Rogers said one of Harris’ best qualities is her leadership.
Morgan Miller, Setter, Williamston
Like Harris, Miller has been with the varsity volleyball team for four years, three as a starter. Miller excelled defensively, and did an outstanding job of getting the ball to Roberson, Harris and Jamie Spruill.
Miller finished the year with 131 service points, 36 blocks and 10 kills.
Chelsi Chandler, MH/OH/Setter, Southside
One of the most versatile players in the area, Chandler led Southside throughout the 2007 season. Seahawks’ coach Elizabeth Pruden said she rarely substituted Chandler because of her leadership and ability to play all the positions allowed her to stay on the court throughout the game.
Chandler may not have had the powerful spike of a Presley Roberson, but always placed the ball where it needed to be with just enough speed. Chandler was also very active on defense whether it be at the net or in the back.
Lauren Rodriguez, Setter, Northside
One of the most accurate setters in the area, Rodriguez was always able to put the right amount of air under her sets and never failed to place them exactly where they needed to be. When she was setting up her teammates, Rodriguez was a scrappy player who always hustled to the ball and wasn’t afraid to dive after it.
Rodriguez was also a big asset to Northside as a server. With the ability to deliver a hard, low-lying serve with tremendous movement, Rodriguez picked up plenty of aces for the Panthers.
Beth McCombs, MH, Jamesville
The leader of a Bullets team that went 22-2 and advanced all the way to the second round of the NCHSAA 1-A playoffs, McCombs play at the net was critical to Jamesville this season.
The Bullets’ center tallied 288 service points, 371 attacks and 226 kills.
While McCombs was a force on offense, she also had a big impact on defense where she averaged 2.6 blocks per game.
Second team
Heather Jackson, Williamston
Jamie Spruill, Williamston
Daneilya Whitney, Southside
Tiffany Jackson, Northside
Kara Perry Jamesville
Courtney Leggett
Honorable Mention
Bear Grass
Kelly Wynne
Jamesville
Elizabeth Ange
Northside
Lauren Fletcher
Casey Alligood
Amanda Beirne
Plymouth
Khadija Young
Sakina Brown
Pungo
Jodi Rose
Brinkley Johnson
Brooke Modlin
Tess Smithwick
Roanoke
Lavasia Taylor
Southside
Gabby Cillufo
Resla Penn
Mandi Hardy
Tyler Hill
Terra Ceia
Catherine Smith
Jessica Vanderweit
Washington
Samantha Smith
Blaklee Wolfe
Amber Alligood
Williamston
Jamie Radford