PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Laura Shand
Liberty
Was there anything the senior setter didn't do for the Lions this year? Shand, last year's Player of the Year, anchored a young Liberty team as it made a surprising run to the Class 3A state semifinals.
Coach Dave Trumbo said Shand carried the Lions (14-4) in the early going as they found their way. Shand had 415 assists (finishing her career with a school-record 1,429) plus 72 kills, 48 blocks and 44 aces.
For good measure, Shand added 178 service points and had a 94.4 serving percentage (288-for-305). "She took on a lot of extra responsibility," Trumbo said.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Dave Trumbo
Liberty
The Lions always have talent, but they were young this season and Trumbo molded them into a region champion once more.
Liberty lost nearly all of its starters from last year's Class 3A state semifinalists, and Trumbo had to push several younger players like Stacey Krebs and Meghan McConville and make them contribute right away.
Trumbo also used several different combinations to help teach the Lions how to win. The Lions came away with the Carroll County regular-season and tournament titles, plus the Class 3A West region crown. They'll lose Player of the Year Laura Shand, but Liberty could be even better next year - and Trumbo won't have as much to worry about.
FIRST TEAM
Stacey Krebs
Liberty
A bit of a surprise for the Lions, Krebs quickly came on at the start of the season and became a force as Liberty made it back to the Class 3A state semifinals. The sophomore hitter finished with 138 kills and 32 blocks and should be one of the county's top hitters next year.
Meghan McConville
Liberty
McConville, a sophomore hitter, is an aggressive player who led the team with 155 kills from her position as outside hitter. She added 29 blocks and will combine with Krebs for a strong combination next year as the young Liberty squad grows.
Katie Seibel
Westminster
The junior hitter was a strong player at the net - she averaged 2.8 kills per game - and also helped in other areas with 91 digs and 14 blocks. Her versatility helped the Owls this year, and she'll be a strong player for Westminster to build around next fall.
Jen Stambaugh
Francis Scott Key
One of the county's top hitters, Stambaugh, a junior, dominated at the net throughout the season. Her county-high 220 kills in 62 games, 64 blocks, 125 service points with 37 aces and 107 digs showed Stambaugh's all-around versatility. She'll probably be the county's most feared player next year.
Jen Summerhill
North Carroll
The senior is one of the county's top blockers and hitters and was the team's go-to player. She came through and did a little bit of everything for the Panthers. Summerhill finished with 107 blocks and 102 kills and often dominated play at the net. In addition, she was the fourth-highest scorer on the team. Eighty-six percent of her touches were good, and Summerhill also had 111 points while serving.
Erika Swanson
South Carroll
The senior hitter did it all for the Cavaliers. Swanson was the team leader in aces (73), service points (195), kills (157), blocks (54) and tips (49). Swanson was the team captain, and coach Debbie Eaton said she'll "leave a huge spot to fill."
Terra Harman
Francis Scott Key
She had to step into the setter's role early and quickly took charge, averaging seven assists per game and making the offense run. Harman, a senior, finished with 1,175 good sets this year and sparked the Eagles. She also pitched in with 124 points and 36 aces.