COACH OF THE YEAR
* Carol McPherson, Loch Raven -- McPherson guided Loch Raven to an 18-0 record and the Class 2A state title. This was Loch Raven's third state title since 1987, and the Raiders are 108-8 in that time. McPherson had four starters coming back this season, but didn't know much past that. She was able to help the team finish with a strong group of starters and a good bench to make the Raiders unbeatable. By the end of the year, Loch Raven boasted five players who could hit the ball well in addition to being able to play excellent defense. McPherson raised her 14-year Loch Raven record to 166-38.
CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
* Kelly Powell and Shannon Towner, Loch Raven -- The seniors formed a powerful one-two punch as the No. 2 Raiders went 18-0 and captured the Class 2A state title. Towner, an All-Metro pick last year as well as last year's Baltimore City/County Player of the Year, sparked the Raider offense with her slick passing and setting. She averaged over eight assists per game and posted 26 assists in the state title victory on Saturday over Atholton. The setter's serving also was strong, as her serving percentage was 90 percent. Powell, the 6-foot middle hitter, often dominated play at the net, as she averaged 2.75 kills per game during the regular season. She helped the Raiders with seven kill blocks per game during the postseason and a strong serve-receive percentage of 91 percent. Powell also played well all over the court, including the back row. The combination of Towner's passing and Powell's play at the net turned out to be too tough for Loch Raven opponents.
FIRST TEAM AT A GLANCE
* Kristie Dieckman, Catonsville, strong-side hitter, sr. -- Averaging 16-20 kills per match, Dieckman had a big year for the Comets. Her average of kills was one of the top in the area, and she often controlled play at the net. The 5-foot-11 three-year varsity player also had a serve percentage of 94 percent and finished second on the team in blocks.
* Rachael Grob, Mercy, outside hitter, sr. -- The three-year varsity player literally carried the team to victory in the Catholic League tournament championship against Catholic with a tremendous all-around performance. Her strong serving went a long way, as she ended seven matches on serve. She set several school records for a career -- total points on serve, kills, aces -- and had a season-record 56 aces this year. Grob led the team in passing and digging and simply did it all.
* Jessica Pataki, Perry Hall, setter/outside hitter, sr. -- This strong all-around player had 66 aces and 51 kills in 47 games. She played effectively in the front and back row, and her strong serving sparked the Gators' offense time and time again. Coach Pam Wilt said that Pataki also proved to be a real leader on the court.
* Melissa Rao, Dundalk, outside hitter, sr. -- The three-year varsity player is a strong all-around player. She led the Owls in aces (60), kills (89) and blocks (28). She keyed the Dundalk offense all season in a variety of ways. Rao can set, block and kill. She has started for most of her three years on the varsity.
* Trisha Uttenreither, Catonsville, setter, sr. -- This four-year varsity player teamed with Dieckman to make life tough for Catonsville opponents. Her amazing ability to set from anywhere on the court sparked the Catonsville of fense all season. She finished with the team's highest serving percentage (95) and ran the team's offense.
* Chanel Wright, Western, outside hitter, sr. -- The player best known for her basketball skills -- and heading to North Carolina next fall -- led the Doves to their second straight region title. Wright averaged over two kills per game and led the team in
blocks. She turned in a strong performance in Western's loss to Quince Orchard in the Class 4A state semifinal. Her great leaping ability proved too much at the net for most opponents, XTC such as Dulaney, as she made several key blocks against the Lions in the region final.
1994 ALL-CITY/COUNTY VOLLEYBALL
Co-Players of the Year: Kelly Powell and Shannon Towner, Loch Raven
Coach of the Year: Carol McPherson, Loch Raven
First team
Name ... ... ... ... School ... ... .Year ... ..Position
Kristie Dieckman ... Catonsville ... Senior ... Hitter
Rachel Grob ... ... Mercy ... ... .. Senior ... Hitter
Jessica Pataki ... Perry Hall ... .. Senior ... Setter/hitter
Kelly Powell ... ..Loch Raven ... ...Senior ... Hitter
Melissa Rao ... .. Dundalk ... ... ..Senior ... Hitter
Shannon Towner ... Loch Raven ... ...Senior ... Setter
Trisha Uttenreither. Catonsville ... Senior .. .Setter
Chanel Wright ... .. Western ... ... Senior ... Hitter
Second team
E;Name ... ... ... ... School ... ... ... Class ... Position
Melissa Cofield ... Franklin ... ... .. Senior ... Hitter
Katherine Cook ... Dulaney ... ... ... Senior ... Hitter
Liz Hoogenboom ... Oldfields ... .. .. Senior ... Hitter
Sun Kang ... ... Loch Raven ... .. .. Junior ... Hitter
Erica King .. .. Perry Hall ... .. .. Junior ... Hitter
Katie Loovis ... Seton Keough ... .. Senior ... Hitter
Emily Meise ... Loch Raven ... .. .. Senior ... Hitter
Becky Sowden .. Dundalk ... ... ... Senior .. Setter/hitter
Honorable mention: Jennifer Brown, McDonogh, Sr., setter; Michelle Chilcote, Catholic, Jr., setter/hitter; Tricia Henry, Mercy, hitter; Shannon Rexrode, Catonsville, Jr., hitter; Page Scully, Oldfields, Sr., setter/hitter.
PICKING THE TEAMS
The Baltimore Dun 1994 All-Baltimore City/COUNTY volleyball and field hockey teams were selected by Jeff Seidel and Katherine Dunn, respectively.