The ENC Moments All-Volleyball Team
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After leading the Patriots to their second straight NCISAA 3A championship and posting stellar numbers all year, Arendell Parrott’s Alli Grant Avery was named “ENC Moments Volleyball Player of the Year.”
There was quite a bit of success across the area in volleyball.
Whether it’s Arendell Parrott winning its second straight state NCISAA 3A title, Ayden-Grifton making its inaugural trek to the NCHSAA 2A championship game, or long losing streaks getting broken (Kinston snapped a 46-game skid, Jones Senior a 16-game one) there was plenty to get excited about. In the area, four teams posted double-digit wins this season (Arendell Parrott, Ayden-Grifton, North Lenoir and South Lenoir) and three others increased their win totals from last year (Bethel Christian, Greene Central and Kinston).
Through the great team efforts across the area, here were the players who stood out the most with their play. There will be six members on the first team, six on the second and a Player of the Year, who won’t be on the first team. Hopefully, this is the most accurate list for the ENC Moments region.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Alli Grant Avery, Arendell Parrott
Stats: 433 kills, 61 blocks, 44 aces
The senior has always impressed during her five years with consistent play, and 2019 was no different. Avery virtually emulated her numbers from last year (432 kills, 55 blocks, 53 aces) while leading the Patriots to their second straight state title, ending her career with a sterling 108-11 record. APA also ended the season as the No. 9 team in the state according to Maxpreps. Apologies to Ayden-Grifton’s Emily Dykes, who elevated her game to another level this season as well.
COACH OF THE YEAR
David Barnes, Arendell Parrott
Last season, the Patriots had a perfect record and didn’t have nearly the adversity of 2019. Dealing with a two-game losing streak where APA couldn’t hold on to 2-0 leads in each, it could’ve been easy to lose confidence — instead, the team closed the season out with nine consecutive wins, eight by straight sets. Barnes deserves a lot of credit for helping the Patriots stay focused on the goal of a third championship. Apologies to Ayden-Grifton’s Linda Bryant, who will retire with the school’s first state title game appearance.
FIRST TEAM
Alexia Bryant, Ayden-Grifton
Bryant was second on the Chargers with 219 kills and formed one of the scariest trios in the state when she was on. The senior was also one of two players to be a part of the most successful run in Chargers’ history with 78 wins and three conference titles.
Emily Dykes, Ayden-Grifton
The senior was the most feared hitter in the EC2A and registered a conference-high 419 kills. It wasn’t the only factor of Dykes’ game, as she led the Chargers in service aces (61) and blocks (56) while stepping her game up in the postseason.
Virginia Edmondson, Arendell Parrott
Edmondson ensured opponents wouldn’t get a break just because Avery was on the back row. The junior was second on the team in kills (192), while also contributing 37 service aces and 25 blocks for the now two-time defending state champion Patriots.
Aale’Yah Garris, Ayden-Grifton
Garris was the Chargers’ X-factor throughout the season and did a little bit of everything in the process. The senior was third on the team in kills with 193, but finished second in blocks (36) while providing 36 service aces.
Mackenzie Pope, Arendell Parrott
Pope is one of two players to start since eighth grade and she made sure her senior year would finish with a bang. Pope was the primary setter with 536 assists, but was also third in kills (173) while finishing second in aces (55) and blocks (33).
Kennedy Sullivan, North Lenoir, junior
The stats don’t tell the whole story for Sullivan, who was the best defensive player in the area. The junior did have 157 digs with a 97 percent serving percentage and 32 aces, but she covered quite a bit of ground this season.
From left, Ayden-Grifton’s Aale’Yah Garris, Emily Dykes and Alexia Bryant were major contributors in the Chargers’ first trip to the NCHSAA 2A state championships and all made the ENC Moments All-Volleyball First Team.
SECOND TEAM
Mary Grace Beyer, South Lenoir
Beyer will be a terror in the EC2A for years to come as the freshman led the Blue Devils in kills with 155 and finishing second in aces with 44.
Gisell Cervantes, Arendell Parrott
The junior may not have been able to play the last few games of the season, but Coach David Barnes stressed her importance as a libero for what became the No. 9 team in the state.
Paytyn Jones, North Lenoir
The junior was second on the Hawks in kills with 188 and led the team in service aces (40). When Jones was on, the Hawks became a formidable foe.
Reena Parris, North Lenoir
The junior led the Hawks with 193 kills and was the team’s most consistent hitter. Expect a great duo of Parris and Jones for the 2020 campaign.
Madalyn Radford, Greene Central
The senior did a little bit of everything for the Rams, leading the team in kills and blocks while second in service aces. Greene Central made significant strides and Radford was a catalyst.
Sara Beth Stroud, South Lenoir
An injury in the regular-season finale shouldn’t dampen what the senior was able to accomplish this year. Stroud finished second on the team in kills with 108 and led the Blue Devils with 175 digs.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Johanna Banks, Bethel Christian
The sophomore was the Trojans’ primary setter, leading the team with 170 assists.
Abby Burress, Greene Central
The junior led the Rams in service aces while also finishing second in kills and digs.
Holly Cannon, Ayden-Grifton
The sophomore was the team’s primary setter with 845 assists, and was second on the team in aces (43).
Jessi Dawson, Bethel Christian
The senior provided versatility, leading the team in blocks (18) and third in aces (22).
Mallory Dawson, South Lenoir
The senior led the Blue Devils in service aces (45) while also finishing second in digs (144).
Michaela Elmore, South Lenoir
The senior played great defense for the Blue Devils, while also adding 38 service aces.
Laura Fulcher, Bethel Christian
The junior stepped up to led the Trojans in kills (108) and service aces (47) as the team had its best year since 2015.
Tanayja Green, Jones Senior
The lone senior on the roster, Green provided plenty of leadership for the Trojans.
Jessica Harris, South Lenoir
The senior was the Blue Devils’ primary setup player with 285 assists on the season.
Alyssa Kopanski, South Lenoir
The senior made a stronger impact as the season went on, picking up 40 kills in the process.
Abby Langemann, Ayden-Grifton
The junior finished third in service aces (39) and fourth in kills (71) for the Chargers.
Logan Lucas, South Lenoir
The senior defensive specialist was tied for the highest serving percentage on the team with 93 percent.
Quiaira Powell, Kinston
The senior was the Vikings’ leading hitter and server this season, providing great intensity.
Lauren Richardson, Arendell Parrott
The future is bright for this eighth-grader, who led the team in aces (57) and had 180 digs.
Kelly Suggs, Bethel Christian
The sophomore led the Trojans in digs (153), while also finishing second in aces (38) and kills (37).
Lesley Sutton, Kinston
The senior was a leader for the Vikings, while also working as the team’s defensive ace.
Kanijah Taylor, North Lenoir
The senior led the Hawks in blocks (44), while also finishing third in kills (111).
Jorja Tuten, Arendell Parrott
The junior was fourth on the team in kills with 40 and also had 27 service aces.
Ashley Vause, Bethel Christian
The sophomore finished second in kills (37) and blocks (15) for the Trojans.
Abby Vendemia, Greene Central
The junior finished third in kills and service aces for the Rams, giving the team another solid hitter.
Meredith Warren-Lane, Greene Central
The junior led the Rams in digs on the back row, while also finishing second in service aces.
Lindsay Williams, South Lenoir
The sophomore finished third on the team in kills (98) and service aces (41).
Nikylah Williams, Kinston
The senior did a bit of everything for the Vikings, and was a consistent presence throughout.
