HONORS: Versatile Wolfenbarger earns Southeast League MVP
Zoe Wolfenbarger didn’t have to be convinced to play multiple positions for Foothill’s girls volleyball team this season.
The senior setter and outside hitter embraced the challenge.
“She has a passion and a drive a lot of kids don’t have for competition,” Falcons coach Krysta Ortiz said. “She was willing to do whatever we asked her to.”
Wolfenbarger was rewarded for her efforts when coaches recently voted her the Southeast League Most Valuable Player.
Wolfenbarger was the driving force behind Foothill’s first postseason appearance since 2005.
The Falcons (21-14) wound up reaching the Division I Sunrise Region semifinals, eventually bowing out with a 25-19, 25-12, 25-16 loss to Green Valley.
Wolfenbarger was a factor in every facet of the game for the Falcons, compiling 389 assists, 304 kills, 150 digs, 43 aces and 37 blocks as a senior.
Wolfenbarger’s role at outside hitter expanded midway through the season, including a 108-kill effort over a six-match stretch.
“Without Zoe, we’re not able to do a lot of the things we can do as a team because she can pass and set,” Ortiz said. “As far as an impact, we’re able to put her at any position on the court and she’s able to perform. If we needed something, she could do it for us. We moved her into a hitting role because she is our best attacker.”
Southeast coach of the year went to Ortiz, who guided the Falcons to second place in the league behind Coronado.
Green Valley swept the top awards in the Northeast, with senior outside hitter Carly Schiess being named MVP and Erin Hill the coach of the year.
In the Southwest, Bishop Gorman junior setter Emma Filosi was named MVP, and Bonanza’s Dan Savage took coach of the year.
Palo Verde junior outside hitter/middle blocker McCall Phillips was named Northwest MVP, and Palo Verde’s Greg Siqueiros and Shadow Ridge’s Karissa Guthrie shared coach of the year.
Chaparral senior outside hitter Jaeda Allen was named Division I-A Southern Region MVP, and Faith Lutheran’s Amy Fisher took region coach of the year.
In the I-A Sunrise League, Allen was named MVP, and Boulder City’s Cherise Hinman took coach of the year.
Faith Lutheran senior outside hitter Taylor Richards was named I-A Sunset League MVP, and coach of the year went to Clark’s Linda Silver.