Player of the Year: Alex Martin
Junior Alex Martin made her varsity debut at Ooltewah this season and the Lady Owls' accomplishments were about as resounding as one of the 6-footer's 653 kills. Martin, who also had 419 digs and 64 aces, helped Ooltewah advance to the Class AAA state tournament and has been chosen Best of Preps all-city player of the year.
Ooltewah coach Elaine Peigen said Martin's blocking progressed throughout the year and she ended up leading the team with 160 blocks. The coach hopes to see a similar advancement in leadership skills next season. There's one area she doesn't have to worry about with her.
"We knew we could depending on her hitting," Peigen said. "If we get the ball to her, more than likely she'll put the ball down."
The District 5-champion Lady Owls competed in the most top heavy league in the Chattanooga area and they won the Region 3 tournament with Martin being selected MVP.
"We had a good season," Martin said. "We won the district tournament and the region. Without being a team, no one can succeed."
Coach of the Year: Christel Brooks
In her third season at Red Bank and second as head coach. Christel Brooks guided the Lady Lions to a season school-best 56-10 mark. Their victory in the Class AA state-title match was Brooks' 300th in her career against 95 losses. Red Bank had finished third in the state in Class AAA in 2008, but five graduated off that team
"We had chemistry and work ethic," said Brooks, who was assisted by Connie Stobert. "I don't care how much talent you have, you have to have that to be successful."
Carrol Anderson is Brooks' twin and coaches volleyball at Flint Hill School in Oakton, Va. Her team finished 31-2 and won a state title for the second consecutive year. "We've got some catching up to do," Brooks said.
Rachel Harper
Boyd-Buchanan
Outside hitter
Junior
She was top six locally in three regular-season categories and ended with 418 kills, 644 digs and 174 aces.
Kalyn Helton
Red Bank
Outside hitter
Junior
Made All-Region 3-AA and her 778 kills led all local teams. She also had 560 digs, 34 blocks and 153 aces.
Andrea Johnson
Soddy-Daisy
Setter/outside hitter
Senior
She totaled 407 kills, 378 assists and 316 digs this year and served more than 700 aces in her career.
Courtney Lawson
Red Bank
Setter/outside hitter
Senior
The Class AA state-final MVP had 483 kills, 948 assists, 566 digs, 34 blocks and 153 aces this season.
Libby Peigen
Ooltewah
Defensive specialist/outside hitter
Senior
She led her Class AAA state-tournament team in digs with 704 and aces with 64 and contributed 215 kills.
Stephanie Silvers
Boyd-Buchanan
Outside hitter
Senior
She paced the Class A state-championship team with 444 kills on the year and added 549 digs and 85 aces.
Rachel Travis
Baylor
Outside hitter
Freshman
She was All-East/Middle Region and had 445 kills and 368 digs for a Division II-AA state-tournament team.
SECOND TEAM
Callie Hildebrand: Signal Mountain, outside hitter, sophomore
Leslie Franklin: Baylor, setter, senior
Shalonda Fugh: East Ridge, outside/middle hitter, senior
Alex Givens: Chatt. Christian, setter, senior
Audra Morgan: Ooltewah, middle hitter, senior
Taylor Snipes: Chatt. Christian, outside hitter, junior
Morgan Sullivan: Ooltewah, outside hitter, senior
TEAMS OF THE YEAR
1. Red Bank (56-10): The Lady Lions were Class AA state champions and won the Region 3 and District 6 championships along the way.
2. Boyd-Buchanan (39-10): The Class A state-champion Lady Bucs swept every team in its classification, winning 60 of 63 games.
3. Ooltewah (44-14): The Lady Owls were regular-season and tournament champs in rugged District 5-AAA and won the Region 3 title.