VOLLEYBALL: Take a look at SOSA’s All-Area team

Derrick Webb, Managing Editor

One regional title, six district champions and a number of instant classic matches … needless to say, this volleyball season was as successful as they come.

Southern Ohio Sports Authority was right there every step of the way, covering individual milestones, improbable feats and wins that changed history.

After a fun-filled year, take a look at our All-Area team, which consists of 35 area players who were at their best throughout the fall season.

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**Bold, italicized statistics recognize team leader

Katelynn Boerger | Senior | Hitter | North Adams

416 kills, 51 aces, 62 blocks, 238 digs, 23 assists

In each of the past four seasons, Boerger has steadily improved. Having said that, she indeed saved her best for last. Her 416 kills set a new career high and led her Green Devils to yet another SHAC championship — one that came with a 13-0 mark in league play. Boerger ends an incredible career that includes 1,071 kills, 755 digs, 209 aces and 235 blocks.

Megan Booth | Senior | Setter | Nelsonville-York

67 kills, 58 aces, 6 blocks, 164 digs, 807 assists

Nelsonville-York coach Wayne Dicken routinely said that Booth was a coach on the court and it showed in her play. Booth was the key piece to a TVC-Ohio championship team, passing out 807 assists and tallying 58 aces, both of which were team-highs. Her overall body of work speaks for itself — 2,205 assists, 206 aces and 435 digs. She leaves a huge pair of shoes to fill.

Katie Burns | Junior | Hitter | Adena

524 kills, 35 aces, 83 blocks, 128 digs, 35 assists

For the 11th time in program history, the Warriors played in the state tournament. Burns was at the forefront of that charge. The junior harassed defenses with an above-the-net mentality, tallying a team-high 524 kills and 83 blocks. She was a first-team All-Ohioan and should enter her senior year as the heavy SVC POY favorite with 850 kills and 142 blocks under her belt.

Addyson Butts | Senior | Middle | Miami Trace

428 kills, 55 aces, 40 blocks, 66 digs, 1 assist

There’s not much left to say about Butts that hasn’t already been written. She’s, in a word, phenomenal. While leading her Panthers to another FAC championship, doing so with a 10-0 mark, Butts totaled 428 kills, 55 aces and 40 blocks. She ends her career with 1,151 kills and three consecutive FAC POY honors. Her next chapter will now come at Robert Morris University. 

Kaci Carroll | Senior | Hitter | Huntington

452 kills, 51 aces, 10 blocks, 340 digs, 11 assists

In a season where Huntington won 21 matches — including 16 of its first 17 — Carroll was the unquestioned ringleader. The senior posted a team-high 452 kills and 51 aces, alongside 340 digs for good measure. She was the SVC’s Player of the Year, earned first-team all-district honors and was an honorable mention All-Ohioan. Her career ends at 1,069 kills and 987 digs.

Ella Chamberlin | Junior | Setter | Wheelersburg

43 kills, 43 aces, 22 blocks, 226 digs, 907 assists

There’s a reason why Wheelersburg’s offense ran like a well-oiled machine and it’s Chamberlin. The Pirates, who enjoyed a 24-3 season, relied on their sensational setter to steer the boat. She answered the bell at every turn. Her 907 assists put her career total at 1,604 with a year to go. When it’s said and done, she’ll enter the OHSAA record books as one of the best to ever play.

Gracyn Clark | Sophomore | Setter | Gallia Academy

21 kills, 59 aces, 5 blocks, 222 digs, 810 assists

There may not be a better sophomore setter in Southern Ohio. That’s how good Clark is. She passed out 810 assists while helping her Blue Devils to an 18-6 overall mark with a 12-2 record in OVC action. She was honored as the OVC’s Offensive Player of the Year and eventually earned third-team All-Ohio recognition. She’ll be one of the area’s best next season — again. 

Addi Claxon | Junior | Libero | South Webster

13 kills, 52 aces, 0 blocks, 532 digs, 39 assists

By all accounts, Claxon is one of the area’s most talented players … and she has been for quite some time. Add another district championship trophy to her resume alongside a team-high 52 aces and 532 digs. Those accomplishments came in a year after the Jeeps lost an uber-talented senior. It wasn’t a rebuild. It was a reload. Claxon was at the center of that storm.

Mia Crum | Senior | Middle | South Webster

273 kills, 21 aces, 48 blocks, 43 digs, 3 assists

South Webster is no stranger to success on the volleyball court and players like Crum are the reason why. Crum led the Jeeps in blocks with 48 and added 273 kills to the mix as well. That helped her teammates win 21 matches and a sixth straight district championship. In the past four seasons, SW has a mark of 95-9. Crum and her classmates orchestrated that effort.

Kimmy Dalton | Sophomore | Defensive Specialist | Adena

0 kills, 29 aces, 0 blocks, 546 digs, 10 assists

Right next to “everywhere” in the dictionary, there’s a picture of Dalton. She was literally everywhere all year long, defensively. The SVC’s Defensive Player of the Year earned first-team all-district honors after helping her Warriors win their 38th district title and yet another regional crown. She led the team with 546 digs, averaging 6.1 per set, and logged 555 serve receptions.

Corinne Day | Senior | Middle | Adena

389 kills, 0 aces, 60 blocks, 8 digs, 2 assists

An absolute menace. That’s what Day was all year long. When teams thought they might have had an edge on the Warriors, Day showed up to put any doubts to rest. Her 389 kills and 60 blocks speak for themselves as she played high above the net. That helped Adena go 24-4 overall with a 14-0 mark in the SVC. She was a tremendous player and the ultimate teammate.

Gianna Dixon | Senior | Middle | Nelsonville-York

265 kills, 31 aces, 85 blocks, 95 digs, 8 assists

There are multiple reasons why Nelsonville-York has won back-to-back district championships. Dixon is certainly on that list. Always flying above the net and providing a big block for her back row, Dixon gave opponents nightmares. The senior tallied 265 kills and 85 blocks, which was a team-high. Like the rest of her senior class, she leaves a legacy of success that’s unmatched.

Emma Figgins | Junior | Hitter | Oak Hill

241 kills, 27 aces, 10 blocks, 281 digs, 14 assists

While Oak Hill enjoyed a resurgent year, Figgins powered the Oaks’ attack. The junior led the team with 241 kills and 281 digs, proving to be efficient in every rotation she played in. Figgins was the District 13 Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-league honoree … and for good reason. If there’s ever a name to look out for in 2025, Figgins is that name.

Laken Gullett | Junior | Setter | Eastern

210 kills, 107 aces, 9 blocks, 246 digs, 361 assists

Put simply, Gullett was the catalyst of Eastern’s best season in quite some time. The junior posted team-highs of 210 kills, 107 aces and 361 assists, leading the Eagles to a 17-6 mark, alongside an SOC II championship and a district semifinal appearance. She was the SOC II Player of the Year, a first-team all-district selection and will be even better as a senior.

Evelyn Hamman | Sophomore | Hitter | Chillicothe

353 kills, 63 aces, 72 blocks, 71 digs, 6 assists

As soon as Hamman stepped onto the court as a freshman, we knew she was going to be elite. Nothing changed in her sophomore season. Hamman broke the school’s single-season kill record with 353, alongside a team-leading 63 aces and 72 blocks. Those numbers helped the Cavaliers win 13 matches and take a step forward as a program. She’ll be even better in 2025.

Jobey Hattan | Senior | Hitter | Fairfield

415 kills, 39 aces, 8 blocks, 400 digs, 32 assists

While Fairfield enjoyed a historic season, reaching its first-ever district championship game, Hattan posted a career high of 415 kills alongside a team-leading 39 aces and 400 digs. She was the co-SHAC Player of the Year, a first-team all-district honoree and — put bluntly — should’ve been an All-Ohioan. Her career comes to a close after 1,026 kills and 1,255 digs.

Bree Hicks | Senior | Hitter | Notre Dame

269 kills, 64 aces, 27 blocks, 242 digs, 19 assists

Hicks can look back at a spectacular four-year career. After leading her Titans to another SOC I championship, she also paved the way for ND to capture its first district crown since 2019. She was the SOC I Player of the Year, an all-district selection and earned honorable mention All-Ohio honors. She ends her career with 939 kills, 1,080 digs, 101 blocks and 251 aces.

Sidney Johnson | Junior | Hitter | Waverly

483 kills, 37 aces, 5 blocks, 431 digs, 24 assists

Johnson threw her coming out party and it lasted all year. She posted career highs with 483 kills and 431 digs while leading the Tigers in aces with 37 — posting a serve percentage of 95.8 for good measure. She was the central reason why Waverly won 11 matches, earning a first-team all-SOC selection and a second-team all-district nod. She enters next fall with 889 kills.

Jozy Lougheed | Senior | Setter | Southeastern

185 kills, 62 aces, 26 blocks, 253 digs, 363 assists

Throughout the entirety of her career, Lougheed has been the ultimate utility player. Wherever she was asked to play, she did so, and had success while doing it. While pacing her Panthers to 16 victories, Lougheed led the team with 62 aces and 363 assists alongside 185 kills and 253 digs. Her career ends with her tallying totals of 986 kills, 168 aces, 1,121 digs and 1,175 assists.

Chloe Mayo | Senior | Hitter | Fairland

192 kills, 61 aces, 12 blocks, 109 digs, 9 assists

In the past two seasons, Fairland has collected two Ohio Valley Conference championships. Mayo has been instrumental in that movement. This fall, her 192 kills and 61 aces were team-highs as she led her Dragons to a 19-5 mark and a district final appearance. She was a first-team all-district and ends her career with just north of 600 kills, 120 assists and 370 digs. 

Leah McCloskey | Senior | Setter | Huntington

21 kills, 43 aces, 4 blocks, 267 digs, 1,011 assists

There are some players who never reach 1,000 career assists. Some never sniff that number. McCloskey did it in a season. Her incredible senior year allowed the Huntsmen to win 21 games and reach a district championship match. While McCloskey earned first-team all-district and third-team All-Ohio honors, she ended her career with 736 digs and a whopping 2,259 assists.

Alyssa Mullins | Sophomore | Hitter | Wheelersburg

270 kills, 59 aces, 7 blocks, 301 digs, 13 assists

You can ask Mullins to do anything on the court and she’ll be elite. The sophomore was essential in leading the Pirates to the Elite 8 with her 270 kills, 301 digs and 59 aces. When ‘Burg needed to score in the worst of ways, they’d often look to Mullins to get the job done. The Pirates graduate just one senior. Next year is theirs and Mullins will be an unquestioned leader.

Alli Park | Senior | Middle | Unioto

192 kills, 26 aces, 51 blocks, 33 digs, 14 assists

Each and every night, Park made her presence known in the middle, forcing opponents to hit around her block and alter their offensive game plans. On the opposite side of that coin, she caused problems with a strong swing and the ability to rise high over defenders. Her 192 kills and 51 blocks helped the Shermans piece together 14 wins alongside an 8-6 mark in the SVC.

Gracie Perkins | Senior | Middle | Wheelersburg

374 kills, 0 aces, 74 blocks, 40 digs, 11 assists

There is zero question that Perkins was the engine that kept an Elite 8-bound Wheelersburg team running. Her 374 kills and 74 blocks were team-highs and they earned her SOC III POY and Division V District 14 POY honors, as well as a first-team All-Ohio nod. She ends an incredible career after leading the Pirates to three district championships in four years. 

Addison Platt | Senior | Hitter | Zane Trace

288 kills, 19 aces, 22 blocks, 324 digs, 243 assists

All in all, Platt might be the most under-the-radar player on this list. The senior was a do-it-all threat that, indeed, did it all for her pesky Pioneers. She posted a team-high 288 kills while adding 324 digs and 243 assists to her resume. Her performance helped her earn all-conference and all-district honors while Zane Trace earned its first district title since 2012.

Natalie Ragan | Junior | Setter | North Adams

55 kills, 30 aces, 18 blocks, 171 digs, 799 assists

If you look at Ragan’s statistics through her first three seasons, it’s breathtaking. In consecutive seasons, she’s passed out 744, 551 and 799 assists. Having said that, going into her senior year, she’ll already have 2,094 career assists — just 109 away to qualify for the OHSAA’s record books. Her play helped the Devils go 21-3 overall and win yet another conference crown.

Hannah Rhoads | Senior | Setter | Logan Elm

25 kills, 45 aces, 3 blocks, 199 digs, 542 assists

In 1,499 ball-handling attempts, Rhoads made just 17 errors. That’s phenomenal. She led the Braves with 45 aces and added 542 assists to her career total — which ends at 1,644, alongside 603 digs. Rhoads earned the Sporting Pumpkin’s Lori Koker Award and earned an all-conference nod. In the past three seasons, she helped LE piece together 38 victories.

Laynie Scott | Senior | Hitter | Zane Trace

219 kills, 32 aces, 11 blocks, 292 digs, 14 assists

For the first time in 12 seasons, Zane Trace added a district championship trophy to its case. Put simply, not a lot of people saw it coming. Scott was not one of those people. While she displayed leadership qualities from start to finish, the Pioneers only got better. Her 219 kills, 32 aces and 292 digs helped ZT win 14 matches and play in the Sweet 16. You can’t replace that.

Karlee Snavely | Freshman | Setter | Zane Trace

193 kills, 34 aces, 49 blocks, 236 digs, 460 assists

For the next several seasons, Snavely is a name you’ll be habitually reading about. All year long, Snavely showed glimpses of brilliance, leading the Pioneers with 34 aces and 460 assists. But her 193 kills and 236 digs shows that she’s able to play every position at a high level. If you’re looking for a name to watch out for, pencil hers in. She’s going to be absolutely special.

Christian Thompson | Senior | Hitter | Fairfield Union

471 kills, 40 aces, 41 blocks, 395 digs, 19 assists

If you’ve seen Thompson play, you know exactly how special she is. Nothing changed this past fall as she led her team in kills, aces and digs — 471, 40 and 395, respectively. Her play allowed the Falcons to finish 18-6 overall with an 8-4 mark in the always-tough-to-win-in MSL-Buckeye. Thompson ends her career with 1,427 kills and 1,084 digs, alongside a slew of school records.

Ally Thornsley | Sophomore | Setter | Circleville

271 kills, 27 aces, 37 blocks, 161 digs, 319 assists

After immediately making a difference during her freshman year, Thornsley was the Tigers’ go-to player this fall. Her 271 kills led the team, as did her 3.7 kills per set. Her .216 hitting percentage was nearly one-hundred percentage points better than last year’s and her 37.6 kill percentage was nearly 10 points better. The point? Her future is bright. She’s gushing talent.

Rylee Toadvine | Senior | Athens

263 kills, 37 aces, 22 blocks, 264 digs, 20 assists

On a team that was bursting at the seams with talent, and one that won a share of the TVC-Ohio title, Toadvine was the leader. Her 263 kills were a team-high and she added 37 aces and 264 digs to the mix, proving her worth in every spot on the court. The Bulldogs’ 19 wins were the program’s most since 2015. Toadvine and her fellow seniors leave a high bar to hit.

Grace Townsend | Senior | Setter | Chillicothe

69 kills, 45 aces, 20 blocks, 214 digs, 629 assists

Townsend didn’t see much playing time during her freshman season. But as soon as she stepped foot on the court as a freshman, she looked like a seasoned veteran — and has since. While leading the Cavaliers 13 wins, Townsend passed out 629 assists to bring her career total to 2,193. Add in 180 kills, 141 aces and 653 digs, and you’ve got an outstanding, proven setter.

Lindsee Williams | Senior | Middle | Minford

346 kills, 0 aces, 67 blocks, 34 digs, 20 assists

Minford’s all-time kills leader was better than ever during her senior year. Williams led her Falcons to a 15-9 mark with a team-high 346 kills and 67 blocks, setting new career highs in the process. Williams, a first-team all-league and first-team all-district honoree, ends her career with 1,093 kills, 218 blocks and a reputation that speaks for itself. She’s one of the best to ever do it.

Kylie Yeazel | Junior | Setter | Miami Trace

49 kills, 51 aces, 20 blocks, 149 digs, 754 assists

With two entire seasons left to play, Yeazel has already tallied 1,486 assists — 732 as a freshman and 754 this past fall. Those numbers speak for themselves. She’s as consistent as they come and her play helped the Panthers finish 22-2 overall. The Panthers do lose three incredible seniors. But they’ll have Yeazel back in the fold and she’ll undoubtedly be a leader.

Honorable Mention Selections

Kortney Sowers, Adena; Kyra Stulley, Unioto; Brailee Hauswirth, Huntington; Allie Baker, Huntington; Kailee Johnson, Zane Trace; Aubree Clark, Westfall; Claire King, Logan Elm; Payton Rhymer, Fairfield Union; Aubree Frazier, Gallia Academy; Erin Lowe, Chesapeake; J’Lynn Risner, Rock Hill; Addison Godby, Fairland; Grace Woodward, Wheelersburg; Makayla Raynard, South Webster; Addy Brewster, Western; Maycee Ford, Notre Dame; Claire Newman, Northwest; Maci Bradford, West; Kendyl Christman, Valley; Brinlee Harden, Oak Hill; Taryn Gillott, Waverly; Joey Neal, Minford; Lyndsey Schaefer, Notre Dame; Aubrey Quillen, Eastern; Kelsey Clark, Fairfield; Tylee Davis, Hillsboro; Lauren Farrens, Miami Trace; Jordyn Zinn, Vinton County; Sofia Smith, Athens; Kyleigh Warren, Nelsonville-York

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