Volleyball players earn all-state honors

Hawley Harrer and Allie Spear were named first-team all-state, and Jessie Brigham earned second-team all-state recognition for their play on the hardwood last season.

Harrer, a sophomore, was one of the most dominant volleyball players in the state at all levels, and everyone recognized that at the Clearwater Classic Tournament. Sisters went up against Central Catholic, which was the second-place team at the 6A level.

"Hawley wreaked havoc on their hitters with her blocking, as well as frustrated their defense with her smart shots," said Coach Jason Myhre. "They didn't have an answer for her, and we played them in two very close sets."

Harrer was also dominant in the Outlaws game against Summit, who went on to win the 5A championship. Sisters was down two sets against Summit, and the moment Harrer started to get going the game turned around. The Outlaws took the next three sets and earned the win.

"Central Catholic and Summit are two very strong, very well-coached teams, where Hawley made her presence known," said Myhre. "In my opinion, if we would have won state, she would have been the 4A Player of the Year."

Hawley finished the season with 310 kills, served 91 percent with 36 aces, recorded 282 assists, and tallied 28 blocks.

Spear (senior) was the Outlaws' strong hitter, and she showed it on the court all year long. Allie wrapped up her final season with 188 kills, was 85 percent at the service line with 39 aces, and had a serve-receive average of 2.36, with 3.0 being perfect.

"This year we not only saw Allie's strength, but her wisdom out on the court," said Myhre. "Instead of powering the ball through the blocks, she did a masterful job hitting around them. She's one of the most all-around players that I have coached, where she could hit the ball with power, pass the ball consistently, set the ball with accuracy, and just be an all-around presence on the court. As a senior, her presence will be missed, and she leaves big shoes to fill."

Brigham was a second-team pick, and the best libero in the Sky-Em League. Jessie dug almost every ball that came her way, and was one of the Outlaws' top servers. She knew just where to put the ball, and would hit spots with precision. Jessie served 89 percent with 64 aces, recorded 399 digs, and had a serve-receive average of 2.29.

"Jessie was probably the best libero in the state," said Myhre. "She's a non-stop motor, and a coaches' dream to know that no ball is unreachable when you have Jessie on the court. She wasn't afraid to put herself right in the line of fire of any hitter, and just had a fearless attitude on the court. As we got deeper and deeper into the season, her range got wider and wider. At some points in some games, she was covering 80 percent of the back-court, just taking away any holes that the opposing team would try and hit."