DLN ALL-AREA: Volleyball 1st, 2nd & honorable mention, and Coach of the Year
Coach of the Year
David Parrish, Downingtown West
First Team
Chloee Kleespies, Avon Grove
At 6-foot-3, Kleespies is one of the most dominant hitters to come out of Avon Grove. The four-year starter led the Devils, and was among the top-four in the county, with 286 kills. She added 31 service aces, 75 blocks and 296 digs. Kleespies was named to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association (PVCA) All-State team, as well as All-District and All-League. She has signed to play Division I volleyball at the University of Toledo. “She contacts the ball so high, no blocker in the state could stop her,” said Bishop Shanahan head coach Greg Ashman.
Renee Shultz, Bishop Shanahan
A junior, Shultz was the most versatile performer on the area’s top team. An All-League, All-District and All-State selection, Shultz led the Eagles in digs (281) and assists (448), and chipped in with 166 kills and 62 aces. “Renee has so much talent, we tried not to pigeon-hole her,” Ashman said. “She could be a setter in most programs and do a good job with it. But she is so valuable as a hitter, we didn’t want to waste that.”
Alli Lowe, Unionville
The senior outside hitter led the Indians in just about every statistical category, including kills (302), aces (66), blocks (43) and digs (243). Lowe was a first team All-Ches-Mont and All-District pick, and was named to the PVCA All-State team. “Alli truly is an amazing athlete, volleyball player, and person,” said Unionville head coach Clee Brun.
Julie Crabtree, Avon Grove
The Red Devils went 21-3 overall (12-2 in the Ches-Mont), and the 6-foot Crabtree was an integral weapon at the net and beyond. The senior collected 263 kills and 60 blocks to establish herself as one of the area’s top outside hitters. But she also led Avon Grove with 65 aces and 308 digs, bolstering her reputation for a well-rounded game. A four-year starter, Crabtree has signed to play at Division I Elon (N.C.) University. “Being a team captain her junior and senior year, Julia impacted our team in a positive way, always encouraging her teammates on and off the court,” said Red Devils head coach Ashley Focht, “Julia showed that she had a true passion for the sport.”
Allie DeAbrea, W.C. Henderson
A versatile performer, DeAbrea led the area with 604 assists as a setter, for an average of eight per set. But the senior also added 157 digs, 102 kills and 76 aces. She will continue her volleyball career at the University of Delaware. “Allie is a total volleyball player,” said Henderson head coach Greta Neff. “She has the height to go with her athletic ability, and the heart to make it all go. She has played everything from a middle to a setter for us, which shows her versatility. She is a student of the game, and works harder than majority of the athletes in the area.”
Alexa Marcum, Bishop Shanahan
A first teamer on the All-Ches-Mont team, the senior hitter amassed 153 kills, served up 43 aces, scored 224 points on her serve and added 193 digs. But more importantly, Marcum was a valuable leader for Shanahan, who went 24-1 and captured the District 1 crown. “Alexa was our MVP,” Ashman said. “She has great talent and is so good with her teammates. We noticed when we took her off the court, the team didn’t have the same cohesion.”
Gina Schetroma, Downingtown West
A senior libero, Schetroma was a first team All-League as well as a PVCA All-State selection for the Whippets, who advanced to the state tournament for the first time in school history. A 5-5 senior, Schetroma was one of the area’s top defensive specialists and finished with 418 digs and 38 service aces. “Gina is talented passer and fearless defender,” West head coach David Parrish said. “He has the ability to dominate a match from the libero position.”
Erin Zimmerman, Villa Maria
A senior middle hitter, Zimmerman was second in the county with 310 kills, and among the top blockers with 105. A multi-season All-League and All-District honoree, Zimmerman will be attending the Air Force Academy in 2017 and will play volleyball. Zimmerman is an outstanding slide-step hitter and technically very sound blocker. “Erin is an outstanding slide-step hitter and, technically, a very sound blocker,” said Villa Maria head coach Joe Boland.
Second team
Emma Nelson, W.C. Rustin, So., outside hitter
Mary Williams, Downingtown East, Sr. setter
Jenna Losito, Bishop Shanahan, Sr., libero
Mackenzie Farrelly, Great Valley, Sr. setter
Ali Reardon, Downingtown West, So., outside hitter
Aimee Christian, Great Valley, Sr., outside hitter
Lauren Harris, Conestoga, Sr. middle hitter
Shannon Thomas Villa Maria, Sr., setter
Honorable Mention
Jessica Homitz, Unionville; Alysa Wright, Bishop Shanahan; Jasmine Ferrence, Dowingtown East; Ali Ward, W.C. East; Abby Wilde, Octorara; Logan Wolfe, Oxford; Abby Daniels, Great Valley; Lauren Hayes, W.C. Rustin; Alessia Mattero, W.C. Rustin; Ashlynne Arvay, Coatesville; Ayanna Turner, Avon Grove; Kenzie Pincura, Downingtown West; Liz Hadley, Avon Grove; Zoe Nguyen, Kennett; Fiona Pyfer, W.C. Henderson’ Sydney Portale, Great Valley; Maxine Felker, Conestoga; Gabi Castro, Conestoga.
