Ten area athletes have been selected all-state in volleyball by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association, led by Baylor with three.
The Lady Red Raiders, who were runners-up in the Division II-AA state tournament, had hitter Gabby Gray, setter Sarah Sumida and libero Lilly Turner chosen on the Division II team.
Gray, who was unable to play in the championship match because of an ankle injury suffered in Baylor’s semifinal, had 396 kills and 216 digs. She recently signed with Western Carolina.
Sumida, a junior setter, had 1,149 assists for the season, along with 45 aces and 198 digs. Turner, a senior who signed with NCAA Division II Palm Beach Atlantic, had 358 digs and 29 aces for Baylor, which was the East/Middle Region champion in addition to being nationally ranked by MaxPreps.
The lone area representative in Class AAA is Cleveland junior hitter Emma Flowers. She had 779 kills, 388 digs, 256 assists and 94 aces for the Lady Raiders, who won the District 5 regular season and tournament and the Region 3 tournament and advanced to the state tournament for the first time in program history.
Class AA state runner-up Signal Mountain and Class A state-tournament participant Sale Creek each had two make all-state.
The Lady Eagles’ representatives are junior hitter Maia Rackel and senior middle blocker Aubrie Johnson. Rackel edged Johnson for the team lead in kills, 329-326, and they each had 80 blocks. They combined for 407 digs and 78 aces.
Ariana Smith’s all-around senior season for the Lady Panthers, who did not lose a set in District 6 regular-season or tournament play, included 448 kills, 758 digs, 82 aces and 49 blocks.
Gracie Janow, whose primary role was at the net, totaled 363 kills and 110 blocks. She also had 159 digs and 54 aces for Sale Creek, which won the Region 3 title on the way to 41 victories.
Also honored in Class A is Middle Tennessee State signee Alexandra Smith, who led District 5 champion Grace Academy with 503 kills and added 386 digs, 62 aces and 36 blocks.
The other selection is Berean Academy’s Lily Felts in Class A.
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfree press.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter @KelleySmiddie.