Severna Park's Julie Allen (left) and Glen Burnie's Heather Hutson were identified incorrectly in photos that appeared in Monday's editions.
COACH OF THE YEAR:
* Carol McPherson, Loch Raven -- McPherson guided the Raiders to an 18-0 record, a 2A state championship and No. 2 ranking. She had four starters back from a team that went 16-2 and lost in the state semifinals, but there were many questions beyond that group. With improvement expected from rivals Perry Hall and Catonsville, the Raiders weren't assured of another Baltimore County title, but they won their third in a row. McPherson knew early that it could be a good year, once the Raiders began "playing well together and really supporting each other," she said. "Team unity has carried us through to the championship. We've had excellent hitting from a lot of different kids that I didn't expect, and excellent defense, which I did expect, and real good passing." Her players had to deal with the added pressure of being ranked No. 4 in the preseason. "The pressure was unbelievable. It's a lot easier when you sort of sneak in," said McPherson, who is 108-8 with three state championships since 1987, and 165-38 in 14 seasons. She had to instill additional confidence in her players, especially when they were matched against Atholton in the state final, and lost the first game, 15-2. "Kids always have a fear of the unknown; going into the state championship and you haven't been there and you think everybody is better than you are," she said. The only other time Loch Raven went undefeated and won a state title was 1988.
* Sheri Kujawa, Centennial -- The Eagles won their fourth consecutive Class 3A state championship, and Kujawa was a vital component. As the team's setter, she made everyone around her better with an uncanny ability to read blocks and put the ball where her hitters needed it. She always aspired to help the team play better volleyball. "It's not even that we have to just win -- it's we have to look good," said Kujawa. "We've gone beyond the point where we know we're probably going to beat the other team. We have to take ourselves up to another level." Kujawa totaled 597 assists, averaging 8.18 per game, but that wasn't the entire story. The 5-foot-9 standout also had 47 kills (31.4 percent accuracy) and 82 blocks (34 block points), and she served at 92 percent efficiency with 56 aces. She had 15 assists in a 3-0 win over South Carroll in the state final, and 41 assists and nine kills in a 3-2 victory over Mount Hebron in the East Region final, the Eagles' only five-game match of the season. With her leadership, the Eagles (24-1) held the No. 1 ranking in the metro area all season. "She's come a long way since last year," said Eagles coach Mike Bossom. "This year, she tried to get her hands on everything. That makes a big difference because it's so much more accurate than bumping it. She'd go to her knees and risk the call of double contact to make the set." During the regular season, the Eagles dropped just one game to Howard County competition. Their only loss came in a best-of-three match against eventual state Class 4A champ Northern, of Calvert County, at the North Caroline Bulldog Tournament in October. The Eagles have won five state titles in the last six years. "I think I would be a little bit ashamed of myself if we didn't carry on the tradition," Kujawa said. * Elisa Davidson, Glenelg, Jr., H -- A junior hitter, Davidson recorded 195 kills in 410 attempts with 63 errors, leading the Gladiators to the regional semifinals. But there was much more. She could handle the setting duties, finishing with 149 assists, and she served at 91 percent efficiency with 58 aces.
* Julie Allen, Severna Park, Jr., H -- As the only returning player who saw significant time the previous season, Allen "carried the load," said Falcons coach Tim Dunbar. Switching from middle to outside hitter, Allen recorded 277 kills, an average of 4.2 a game. She also was 229-for-257 serving with 45 aces, and she made 22 blocks.
* Heather Hutson, Glen Burnie, Sr., H/S -- The Player of the Year in Anne Arundel County, Hutson did everything for Glen Burnie. She registered 114 kills and 177 assists, was 270-for-293 serving with 55 aces, played excellent defense and provided invaluable leadership. "She's just phenomenal," said Gophers coach Juanita Milani.
* Krisha Svehla, Centennial, Sr., H -- Howard County's most powerful hitter, Svehla had 293 kills, with a kill-accuracy rate of 39.54 percent and an average of 4.3 kills per game. At 6-foot-1, she was a force at the net and contributed 47 point blocks. Ninety-two percent of her serves were good, and she had 51 aces. Svehla also was a reliable passer from the back row.
* Shannon Towner, Loch Raven, Sr., S -- Towner returns to the All-Metro first team after another superb year, when she led the Raiders to the Baltimore County championship and 2A state title. A tremendous leaper, she totaled 455 assists (including 125 postseason), 97 saves (42 postseason), 46 kills (26 postseason) and 26 blocks. She also served at 90 percent efficiency.
PICKING THE TEAMS
The Baltimore Sun 1994 All-Metro volleyball teams were selected by Roch Eric Kubatko after consultation with staff and area coaches.