Layfield, McCunney appear among the elite again
In addition to Daily Times Player of the Year Jenna Hostetler of Garnet Valley, the rest of the 2014 All-Delco vollebyall team includes:
Elise Cummings, Garnet Valley: The senior setter, one of a key group of seniors led by Hostetler and second-team selection Briana Plush, was the lynchpin on Garnet Valley’s potent and efficient offense. The setter was at her best in the Jaguars’ run to the Central League championship. In the regular-season finale against a stout Strath Haven team, Cummings dished out 25 assists. She nearly doubled that mark a week later in a title game rematch with the Panthers. Cummings contributed a stunning 48 assists as Garnet Valley claimed its second straight league championship in five games.
Diana Balta, Penncrest: Balta, a sophomore outside hitter, emerged as the offensive star on a resurgent Penncrest team that earned a place in the District One Class AAA playoffs. The outside hitter finished her sophomore season with 311 kills and 59 aces. Balta wasn’t just a one trick pony, though. Her athleticism helped her total 387 digs and 45 blocks on the defensive side of the ball. A dominant player at the net, Balta was named first team All-Central League and third team All-District in District One AAA. The Lions, who will graduate just two seniors off the 2014 squad, will be a team to watch in 2015 with Balta heading a talented group of returnees.
Briana Fisher, Strath Haven: Another youngster who dominated county volleyball this season, The sophomore outside hitter was all but unstoppable when she got her shot: A ruthless spike from the left side of the net. The sophomore finished with 380 kills, which averages out to nearly 15 a game, and 58 aces. For her efforts, Fisher was named first team All-Central, first team All-District in District One-AAA, and All-State. She’s one of the reasons the Panthers won 20 matches for the sixth straight season in what was considered by some a rebuilding year for the program. Fisher has a great chance to break 2011 Daily Times Player of the Year, and fellow Panther, Jess Keller’s county record for career kills.
Rachel Vresilovic, Strath Haven: Vresilovic handled the middle of the net, while teammate Fisher took care of the outside of the court. The athletic junior middle hitter was a stalwart on both sides of the ball. On offense, Vresilovic contributed 198 kills. On defense, she was nothing short of outstanding, finishing with 153 digs and 58 solo blocks. When her and Fisher were on, Strath Haven posed the greatest threat to Garnet Valley’s unbeaten play in the Central League. Vresilovic earned a spot on the All-Central League first team and was named third team All-District.
Sarah Layfield, Archbishop Carroll: Layfield returns to the All-Delco team after a one-year absence. She earned the distinction as a senior with a standout performance for Archbishop Carroll. Layfield, whose versatility saw her line up all over the court, sparked the Patriots to an eight-game winning streak during the season that included a 3-2 victory over Strath Haven. The senior outside hitter torched the Panthers to the tune of 24 kills and four aces. She carried Carroll to the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals where the Patriots bowed out to Archbishop Wood in three games. Layfield was even good in defeat — she closed her career with a typical 11 kills.
Madison McCunney, Sun Valley: The senior setter/middle hitter continued where she left off in 2013 when she was named to the All-Delco team as a junior. McCunney crossed the 1.000-kill plateau for her career, a tremendous achievement in an otherwise forgettable Vanguards campaign. The setter/middle hitter was one of the most feared players in the county, often dealing with the opponents’ best defensive efforts. Rarely, however, did it slow McCunney down. McCunney was named to the Chest-Mont American Division first team for her efforts.
