Iola and Humboldt High School volleyball players were named to their respective district All-League teams.
Iola senior Aysha Houk was named a Pioneer League second-team player. Houk led the Mustangs in receptions this season with 381 and was second on the team with 3.8 digs per set, 254 digs and 20 assists.
“Aysha did a great job. She transitioned to the libero and took on the role very well,” said Iola head coach Amanda Holman. “She was our energy person, she reads the floor the best. She’s the type of kid that does whatever she can and her drive and want stood out to the coaches.”
The Mustangs (6-24; 2-5 in league play) didn’t end their season the way they hoped, but Houk provided much needed leadership on the floor for Iola as one of only three seniors on the squad.
“A lot of her leadership was through her play. She’s a competitive kid,” Holman said. “She has a laid back demeanor, is very encouraging and will help anybody that needs it. She was a great passer and she can read the other side of the net very well to put herself in position for the ball. She’s also a very reliable server.”
THREE HUMBOLDT volleyball players were named to the Tri-Valley League All-League team in senior Karley Wools, sophomore Shelby Shaughnessy and freshman Skylar Hottenstein.
“These three players were a huge part of our team,” said Humboldt head coach Terry Meadows. “Our offense ran through Shelby and Karley for the most part, and Skylar ran the back row for us, keeping us in the rallies most of the time.”
Shaughnessy finished as the team leader in a number of statistical categories, with 6.1 kills per set, 34 total blocks, 45 aces and 1.7 ace serve per set as well as 166 kills.
“For Shelby only being a sophomore, that is huge, she has so much potential the next two years, I am excited for her,” Meadows said. “Our league is tough and to go undefeated in league play is not easy.”
Wools was another dominant force on offense, averaging 5.9 kills per set, a .111 hitting percentage, 14 total blocks and 158 total kills.
“Karley has worked hard the last four years and being recognized the last two years is great,” said Meadows. “She will be hard to replace next year. I think as for the team, seeing that we had more first-team selections than any other team in our league, hopefully will bring some confidence into next season, with only losing two seniors.”
Hottenstein is only a freshman, but didn’t play like one as she showed both dedication and leadership. She finished averaging 10.8 digs per set, 1.5 ace serve per set for 40 aces total as well as finishing with 32 assists.
“For Skylar to be a freshman and get All League, is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport,” Meadows continued. “I can’t wait to see where she goes from here in the next three years.”
