Harrer voted Sky-Em volleyball league MVP

The Lady Outlaws had five players selected to all-league teams this year, and sophomore Hawley Harrer earned top honors as the league's MVP.

Harrer was a unanimous selection for league MVP and an automatic first-team pick. Hawley stood out in all the coaches' minds as the top player in the league. Opponents were always stumped as to how to shut down the six-foot, left-handed player. Hawley led the Outlaws with 259 kills during league play. She also served-up 34 aces, and dished out 220 assists.

Coach Jason Myhre had much to say about the talented sophomore.

"Hawley has played very well this season, and has become not only a powerful player, but a smart one as well," said Myhre. "It isn't often that you have a left-handed, six-foot setter/outside hitter playing for you, so when you get that opportunity, you jump at the chance to put her in places to score. Hawley is a wonderful player, and an even better person. As a sophomore, she's shown some great maturity this season that catches some people by surprise when they find out how young she is."

Allie Spear and Jessie Brigham were also first-team selections, and Myhre told The Nugget that coaches commented that both players could very well have earned the MVP award. Allie and Jessie were easy first-team picks, and represented the strength of the Outlaws squad.

Spear has been known for her incredible power when she hits the ball, and this year in addition to powerful hits she became a much more intelligent player on the court. Allie recorded 179 kills, 139 digs, and 34 aces.

"Allie kept teams guessing, and if she didn't hit through them, she'd hit around them," stated Myhre. "Allie was also a huge foundational player on serve-receive for our team. It helps start the offense, and her passing really kept us going at the tempo we like to play at. As a team captain this season, she really is an intricate part of the team in bringing the team together through the season, and will be foundational for our run at another state title. She will be greatly missed after she graduates."

Brigham was recognized as the lightning bolt of the squad. Jessie is undoubtedly the best libero in the state, and coaches commented on that fact. Jessie led the squad with 318 digs, and also tallied 47 aces and 49 assists.

"Coaches tried to serve around her (Brigham), and hitters didn't want to hit at her," said Myhre. "She was all over the court, and nothing was considered a down ball until it hit the ground, because she was usually there to pick up the pass in some diving fashion. With her only being a sophomore, it is amazing to even think about how good she will be before she is through high school. Her serving was also a real strength for the team. She can place the ball better than most players, and just knows how to push herself to go after the tough spots."

Peytan Zanck and Alex Hartford were honored as second-team picks.

Zanck has always played right-side hitter, but this past year coaches felt she had some strength to add to the fast-tempo-offense by playing middle. Peytan posted 96 kills, 21 aces, and 26 blocks.

"Never have I seen a group of coaches be so right about a player," said Myhre. "Peytan fit into the middle position so well that she is probably the best middle in our league, and would rank up there with other middles in the state. She has the jump and power to play the position, and the attitude to continue to get better and better each game. From the beginning of the season until now, she has [gone] from playing the position to owning it. She has to be the most improved player this season."

Hartford has been one of the Outlaws' foundational setters since her freshman year. Alex dished out 349 assists and also recorded 40 aces.

"Alex has got some of the best hands that I have seen on a setter, and the calmness she brings on the court can almost be perceived as her being bored," said Myhre. "I just don't see things get to her on the court. She places a great set, and has the ability to push the girls in the direction that the coaches and I want them to go with our tempo-offense. Alex has also been a solid contributor to our serving. She has a float-serve that causes havoc for other teams. Alex is only a junior, so I believe that after next season, she could take her volleyball to the next level in college if she decides to do that."

The remainder of Sisters' starting lineup represents the best players in each position, but coaches are limited to the number of players that they can nominate. Each conference coach gets a certain number of nominees, based on how they finish in league standings. From there, the vote is left up to the other coaches in league, because you cannot vote for your own players. As a result, top-notch players do not make the all-league teams.

"I firmly believe that at least the rest of our starting lineup should have been recognized this season because of the way we have played our opponents," stated Myhre.

"Brooke Knirk and Ashlynn Cantwell have been amazing contributors to our success, and would be the top player on any of the other teams in our league.

The unfortunate thing is that we have to have all teams represented, and to take all the awards might not go over so well.

In my opinion, each of the girls on our team deserves to be recognized for their accomplishments this season, from our starters, to Emma Houck, Cassidy Ling-Scott, Kendra Sitz, and Sydney Head.

They all brought a level of contribution to add to our team accomplishment.

I'm very proud of this team, and proud to be able to just be there to witness their success."

Myhre, in his first season as the Outlaws' head coach, was honored as Coach of the Year.

"It's hard to be considered Coach of the Year in my mind, when I have such amazing athletes on my team," said Myhre.

"I feel most of my job has just been pointing them in the right direction, and letting their talent take over.

A lot of the honor should go to Coach Brad Bulloch and Cris Converse for their help his season, as well as all the other coaches that have contributed to these girls over the years.

Tanya Johns, Janice Harrer, Miki McFadden, Claire Rerat, Rachelle Myhre, Tricia Louvar, and Angela Sitz are just a few that have coached these girls since they were little, and I apologize if I've forgotten someone.

Between all these coaches, and the time that each of the parents have put in, I just had the responsibility to make sure that all of their hard work wasn't lost.

It was an honor to do that."