Oak Ridge claimed two superlative awards as the District 13-6A volleyball awards were announced this week.
The War Eagles – which finished the year 35-12 and fourth place in the competitive nine-team league with a 10-6 mark – had six players total recognized as superlatives or the first and second teams, while two more were honorable mentions.
Senior Bradi Rhodes capped her high school career with the Co-Most Valuable Setter award.
Rhodes with just nine assists shy of 700 on the season as she averaged 5.3 per set. Rhodes’ top district performance came on Sept. 3 when she totaled 31 assists in a five-set marathon loss to College Park.
Sophomore Micah Rusher was recognized with a superlative award for the second straight season.
After claiming Newcomer of the Year in 2023, Rusher was recognized as the district’s Most Valuable Blocker.
Rusher had a team-high 119 blocks on the season, an average of 0.9 per set and 2.5 per match. Her best district match was when she totaled seven blocks in a four-set loss to The Woodlands to end the regular season on Oct. 29.
Oak Ridge had two selections to first-team, both returning juniors. The War Eagles’ top offensive performers earned the spots – Gaby Santiago and Leila Ceaser.
On second team, senior Layla Porter and junior Jade Clay were recognized.
The War Eagles had two honorable mentions in juniors Riley Dube and Guen Blackburn.
As Grand Oaks won the district title and advanced to win its second consecutive state championship, the Grizzlies had four superlative award winners.
Senior Samara Coleman, who’s headed to the University of Pittsburgh, was named Most Valuable Player. Junior teammate Halle Thompson was Most Valuable Hitter. Junior Samantha Sampson was among three sharing the Most Valuable Setter award. Grizzlies leader Morgan Rogers was named Coach of the Year.
Also sharing the Most Valuable Setter award with Rhodes was College Park junior Caroline Prihoda. College Park senior Morgan Madison was named Most Valuable Defensive Player for the Cavaliers team who made the state final four for the first time.
The Woodlands sophomore Liz Kath was named Newcomer of the Year.
SUPERLATIVES
Most Valuable Player: Samara Coleman, Sr., Grand Oaks
Most Valuable Hitter: Halle Thompson, Jr., Grand Oaks
Co-Most Valuable Setter: Caroline Prihoda, Jr., College Park
Co-Most Valuable Setter: Bradi Rhodes, Sr., Oak Ridge
Co-Most Valuable Setter: Samantha Sampson, Jr., Grand Oaks
Most Valuable Defensive Player: Morgan Madison, Sr., College Park
Most Valuable Blocker: Micah Rusher, Soph., Oak Ridge
Newcomer of the Year: Liz Kath, Soph., The Woodlands
Coach of the Year: Morgan Rogers, Grand Oaks.
FIRST TEAM
Lacey Tinnell, Jr., College Park
Reese Ellen, Jr., College Park
Sarah Arroyo, Sr., College Park
Brooklyn Davis, Sr., Caney Creek
Emilee McKee, Sr., New Caney
Tori Greeney, Jr., Willis
Carly Paugh, Sr., Willis
Gaby Santiago, Jr., Oak Ridge
Leila Ceaser, Jr., Oak Ridge
Ella Lewis, Sr., The Woodlands
Cameron McDaniel, Sr., The Woodlands
Abby Lewis, Sr., The Woodlands
Payton Stroud, Sr., The Woodlands
Francine Saplala, Jr., Cleveland
Cali Reece, Jr., Grand Oaks
Hailey Lotspeich, Jr., Grand Oaks
Julia Flessas, Jr., Grand Oaks
Kendall Glover, Sr., Conroe
SECOND TEAM
Sadie Kendrick, Soph., College Park
Haley Tinnell, Fr., College Park
Isabell Peters, Sr., Caney Creek
Hailey Caballero, Sr., Caney Creek
Ashlan Thompson, Soph., New Caney
Alexandra Ruiz, Jr., New Caney
Summer Clark, Sr., Willis
Avery Wood, Jr., Willis
Jade Clay, Jr., Oak Ridge
Layla Porter, Sr., Oak Ridge
Sasha Bespaly, Jr., The Woodlands
Megan Johnson, Jr., The Woodlands
Emori-Edwards Shedd, Sr., Cleveland
Aaliyah Jackson, Sr., Cleveland
Emma Ferreira, Sr., Grand Oaks
Mia Owens, Soph., Grand Oaks
Natalia Johnson, Sr., Conroe
Prestyn Parish, Sr., Conroe
HONORABLE MENTION
Maddie Whitefield, Sr., College Park
Anna Leland, Sr., College Park
Monica Garcia, Sr., Caney Creek
Marissa Solorazano, Jr., Caney Creek
Amari White, Soph., New Caney
Kassidy Hammond, Jr., New Caney
Kennadie Gibson, Fr., Willis
Rylee Foerster, Jr., Willis
Riley Dube, Jr., Oak Ridge
Guen Blackburn, Jr., Oak Ridge
Ava Gibbs, Jr., The Woodlands
Claire Hudgens, Sr., The Woodlands
Kinaya Waller, Soph., Cleveland
Chidera Amah, Soph., Cleveland
Peyton WIley, Soph., Grand Oaks
Gianna Malone, Sr., Grand Oaks
Isabella Murray, Soph., Conroe
Anastcha McGowen, Jr., Conroe
Oak Ridge senior Bradi Rhodes (5) sets the ball to sophomore Micah Rusher (7) during the regional semifinals match against Royse City last month. (Chris Zorzi/SportCast Media)
