PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tara Stradling
Glenelg
It's not that everyone didn't realize how good the junior setter was throughout the season. But in her team's Class 2A state title match against undefeated Towson, Stradling lifted her game to another level, helping the Gladiators finalize a 20-0 season with 27 assists, five kills and six aces.
For the season, she had 467 assists (about 23.5 per match), perfectly orchestrating Glenelg's quick offensive sets and spreading the ball around to a handful of Gladiators with an unpredictable, yet consistent style.
Stradling, 5 feet 9, was second on the team in aces (42), fifth in kills (36) and digs (107) and accepted more and more of a leadership role as the season progressed.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Michael Moynihan
Mount Hebron
Moynihan's quest to mold a winner began last spring when he took the job after coaching the Vikings freshman team in 2001. He contacted each girl from the 2000 team, which went just 3-12 and was beset by bickering and late-match collapses, to help build confidence and get the team excited.
The results were immediate and long lasting. The Vikings beat eventual state champion Broadneck in their first match, a great beginning to a 16-4 season that included a berth in the county championship game -- where they became the first county team to take a game from Glenelg -- victories over five top 10 teams, a regional title and a spot in the 3A state title match.
"To be able to watch a group of young women come together and grow as a team is a rare honor," he said. "My only regret is that the season had to end."
FIRST TEAM
Stacey Carroll
Mount Hebron
Perhaps no player in the county meant more to her team than Carroll did. The junior thrived as the only setter in the Vikings' 5-1 rotation, averaging 6.4 assists per game. Carroll contributed plenty more, serving over 97 percent, finishing third on the team in blocks and second in digs. She led both vocally and by example, throwing her body all over the court, symbolizing the team's attitude.
Kate Feldmann
Centennial
Though talented offensively, Feldmann's biggest contributions were on the defensive end, where she was one of the Eagles' leaders in digs and serving return average. The senior's ability to pass and keep the ball alive was integral for Centennial. The athletic Feldmann, 5-7, also contributed 2.7 kills per game.
Allie Kupec
River Hill
The 6-1 Kupec moved from the middle to the outside this season and didn't miss a beat. The senior averaged 2.2 kills per game and was a threat every time she toed the line, serving 93 percent with 1.2 aces per game. Kupec, who has verbally committed to play at Virginia Tech, also improved her defense and passing.
Michelle Morgan
Glenelg
In only her second varsity season, Morgan emerged to become one of the best outside hitters in the county. A perfect complement to Sarah Tursell and yet another weapon at setter Tara Stradling's disposal, Morgan, a 5-10 junior with superb leaping ability, was second on the team with 94 kills and third in digs (118) and serving (94 percent).
Erika Swan
Centennial
The 5-10 junior hit in all three front-row positions, averaging 2.9 kills and 1.7 blocks per game. Her versatility allowed the Eagles to run their trademark quick offense. Defensively, Swan was one of the Eagles' steadiest serve receivers and passers, capable of making a big play with a block, or a dig in the back row.
Sarah Tursell
Glenelg
If the Gladiators needed a point, it was Tursell's number they usually called. One of the top offensive forces in the area, the mobile 6-1 senior middle hitter averaged over nine kills a match, and led the Gladiators in aces (52) and blocks (49). Hardly one-dimensional, Tursell was third on the team in digs and fired up her teammates with her emotional style. Tursell played her best in big matches. In the county championship against Mount Hebron, Tursell led the Gladiators with 20 kills, four blocks and three aces. In their Class 2A West region championship win over Centennial, Tursell fittingly had the match-clinching kill. She finished with 19 kills and five blocks.