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Volleyball: Hebron’s Baker wins 6-5A MVP
BY JUSTIN THOMAS, JThomas@acnpapers.com
In 2009, Hebron’s volleyball team ripped their way through District 6-5A, winning the title after dropping just one match on their way to reaching the Class 5A regional semifinals.
So it wasn’t surprising to see the Lady Hawks well-represented on the all-district team.
Leading the charge for Hebron was Tiffany Baker, a unanimous selection as the district’s Most Valuable Player.
“She is just a stud,” said Karin Keeney, Hebron coach. “I don’t think there is anyone who is more deserving. She plays hard, is smart and really excels not only on the court but in the classroom.”
Keeney said Baker garners attention because of her offense and power, but that Baker also possesses great finesse for her height.
Joining Baker as superlative winners were Keeney, the Coach of the Year, as well as Olivia Okoro and Nicole Hragyil. Okoro, a junior, was the Co-Blocker of the Year with Southlake Carroll’s Janelle Jenkins, while Hragyil, a senior, earned Setter of the Year honors.
“Nicole is just a very athletic player,” Keeney said. “She has quick hands and a great vertical jump. But she was also very smart and analytical on the court. I know Tiffany and Olivia loved playing with her because she did a great job of jump-setting them.”
Hragyil led the Lady Hawks with 1,369 sets and was second in digs (429) and third in blocks (148). Hebron’s next assist leader, Kate King, totaled 79.
Okoro, meanwhile, was described as a phenomenal athlete and a player with immense talent.
“She is just so powerful,” Keeney said. “But she is still learning how to harness her skills and get to that next level. She is amazing but hasn’t even tapped into her full potential yet.”
Okoro was second on the team with 366 kills and 163 blocks.
Junior Rachel Buckley represented Hebron on the first-team after a season that saw her finish third on the team in kills (250) and fourth in total attacks (787).
“She is our leader,” Keeney said. “She really did a great job coming off of knee surgery last season. She worked hard in her rehab and came back early. She is a determined player and is strong for an outside hitter but I think next season she will play more at right-side.”
Kate King and Taylor Cembalisty were second-team selections for the Lady Hawks.
King averaged nearly two digs per game, while Cembalisty was fourth in kills (214).
“Kate is an intense player,” Keeney said. “She is all business on the court but she is fun and goofy off of the court. She is a smooth and athletic player, and reads the play well. She digs the ball well and could step into a spot where she is setting more next season.”
Cembalisty, meanwhile, is a good-sized player that is “coming around.”
“She is an unselfish player,” Keeney said. “She picks up a lot of junk on the court and can take the other team’s best player out of the game.”
Honorable mention players for Hebron include Aubryn Hix and Andie Barron.
Hix led the team in aces (31) and was third in digs (296).
Barron, meanwhile, led in digs (434).
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