PLAYER OF THE YEAR
* Heather Hutson, Glen Burnie -- There may not be a better all-around player in the state than Hutson, a senior outside hitter/setter who led Glen Burnie to the county championship and No. 3 ranking with 114 kills, 177 assists and 270-for-293 serving with 55 aces. She was the unquestioned leader of the Gophers, and someone coach Juanita Milani will sorely miss. "On top of being such a good player, she's like having another adult out there," Milani said. She's also an intelligent athlete, knowing when to rely on her power, when to use finesse and where to find the open spaces. "She's just phenomenal," Milani said. "If I were against her on the other team, it would never leave my mind that she has the ability to use me. She can just take advantage of you and you don't even see it coming. Whatever you play for, she does the opposite. And under pressure, she performs even better." Said Severna Park coach Tim Dunbar: "She has all the skills. She serves great, she plays great defense, she can pass and she's a great hitter. She's a very intelligent player, and a very confident player. She's a kid with an attitude, but the right attitude." Hutson said her primary responsibility was leadership. "Our team had a tendency to get in mental ruts, and they couldn't get themselves back out," she said. "My coaches always told me, 'If your composure breaks, all of theirs does, too.'"
COACH OF THE YEAR
* Tim Dunbar, Severna Park -- This was supposed to be a rebuilding year at Severna Park after graduation took all six starters, including three All-Metro selections, and left Dunbar with just one player -- junior hitter Julie Allen -- who saw significant time last fall. And Allen was being moved from the middle to the outside. Though the Falcons didn't claim a fourth consecutive 4A state title, they won 20 matches and made it to the region final. Their only losses were to some of the state's elite teams -- Broadneck, Glen Burnie and Northern-Calvert (twice). Five of their wins came against ranked squads. They didn't exhibit much of a drop-off from past years, despite the wealth of inexperience -- Dunbar used a sophomore setter and sophomore middle hitter -- and the pressure of maintaining the Falcons' tradition of excellence. Dunbar's brightest move was not forcing an old system on his players. "I just try to take the kids we've got and develop a system around them; what is going to be best for these kids in terms of how we run our offense and defense," he said. Severna Park ran fewer quick attacks because of inexperience at setter. Most sets were to the outside, making better use of Allen and junior Lauren Butler. "With no starters returning, the kids knew they had a shot at playing and it made practices and tryouts real competitive," Dunbar said. "That translates into kids being ready when the season comes around." In eight seasons, Dunbar is 157-13, including tournaments, 121-6 in match play.
FIRST TEAM AT A GLANCE
* Becky Adamarczyk, Chesapeake, Sr. -- Adamarczyk registered 105 kills, and 80 percent of her serves that were good were aces. She was the Cougars' most consistent hitter, leading them to the region semifinals. "Her overall expertise really helped us," said coach Donna Zemke. "Her improvement was great. She's certainly one of the top players in the county."
* Julie Allen, Severna Park, Jr. -- Coach Dunbar said Allen "carried the load" for the young Falcons. Moving to the outside, she led the team in kills with 277 on 635 attacks, averaging 4.2 a game. She also was 229-for-257 serving with 45 aces, made 22 blocks and played exceptional defense. "We worked her hard. There probably wasn't one aspect of our offense or defense where she wasn't involved," Dunbar said.
* Marybeth Duvall, South River, Jr. -- Duvall was South River's top hitter, averaging 2.1 kills a game. She also averaged one ace per game, and 90 percent of her serves were good. "Her hitting really improved as the season went on," said coach Maureen Carter. "She became much more consistent. Each game, she wanted to get better. She really hustled."
* Katie Forthofer, Broadneck, Sr. -- After spending her first three years as a middle blocker, Forthofer moved to the outside this year and led the Bruins with 175 kills. She also had 20 blocks and 60 digs (in 68 attempts), went 162-for-177 serving with 42 aces, and received 104 of 145 serves. When Broadneck needed a crucial point or side-out, Forthofer usually delivered. "She was the primary go-to girl," said coach Tom Cole.
* Amy Hutson, Glen Burnie, Soph. -- Like her sister, Heather, Amy was one of the county's most versatile players. She could serve (197-for-215, 29 aces), hit (117 kills) and pass (124 assists), and she was solid defensively. "She's such a good all-around player," said coach Milani. "Skill-wise, she really stands out across the county. And she's an explosive hitter."
1994 ALL-ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY VOLLEYBALL
Player of the Year: Heather Hutson, Glen Burnie
Coach of the Year: Tim Dunbar, Severna Park
First team
Name ... ... ... ... School ... ... ... Year
Becky Adamarczyk ... Chesapeake ... ... Senior
Julie Allen ... ... Severna Park ... .. Junior
Marybeth Duvall ... South River ... .. Junior
Katie Forthofer ... Broadneck ... ... Senior
Amy Hutson ... ... Glen Burnie ... .. Sophomore
Heather Hutson ... Glen Burnie ... .. Senior
Second team
Name ... ... ... ... School ... ... ... Year
Lauren Butler ... .. Severna Park .. .. Junior
Dana Dawson ... ... Old Mill ... ... .. Senior
Theresa Koester ... Broadneck ... .. .. Senior
Jamie Parsons .. .. Chesapeake ... ... Senior
Denise Warren .. .. Glen Burnie ... .. Senior
Andrea Williams ... Northeast ... ... Junior
PICKING THE TEAMS
The Baltimore Sun 1994 All-Anne Arundel County volleyball and field hockey teams were selected by Roch Eric Kubatko and Doug Brown, respectively.