Newton repeats, claims 1A Southern League co-MVP honors with teammate

After claiming the Class 1A Southern League Most Valuable Player award and leading her team to a state title as a sophomore, Lake Mead junior outside hitter Ashley Newton appears on her way to repeating in this season.

Newton was selected as the 2009 1A Southern League co-MVP, along with senior teammate Amanda Wellman.

“It’s exciting,” Newton said of the selection. “I think this year was even better, because I shared it with Amanda. It makes it a little more fun, gives  you more goals to work toward, keeping your mentality straight, even in easy games. You realize you can’t just goof off, even in easy games.”

Eagles teammate and setter Jocelyn Cox was named to the all-league first team, while coach Diana Lewis earned Southern League Coach of the Year honors.

Lewis said the selection was a surprise to her more than to anyone else.

“Honestly, I don’t think about it,” the ninth-year Lake Mead coach said. “There have been a couple of things said to me lately, and I never really thought of it.”

Newton leads her team with 384 kills to go along with 254 digs and 83 aces.

“Her serving has improved a lot; her aces came up this year,” Lewis said of Newton. “She’s a great passer, a great digger and she has great instincts at the net. She’s an awesome all-around player.”

Wellman provides an efficient complement to Newton as league co-MVP. The senior outside hitter averages 2.4 kills, 2.8 digs and 2.4 aces per game. Her 225 aces makes her the No. 1 server in the nation in that category, according to MaxPreps.com, with a second-best ace percentage of 36.6 percent.

“(Wellman) knows where the holes are; she knows where to place the balls,” Lewis said. “She’s another all-around terrific player.”

Other members of the all-league first team were Round Mountain’s Kattrena Akers; Pahranagat Valley’s Dakota Day, Roxie Lasike and Addie Canning; Lund’s Ale Vega; Tonopah’s Sam Kimber; and Henderson International’s Fabioa Pachas.