All Area Volleyball Team
Ten Named to All Area Volleyball Team
By Kyle Dawson/Aiken Standard
Ten area volleyball players have been selected for the All-Aiken Standard Volleyball Team after yet another season of championships in the coverage area.
The team is lead by three finalists – South Aiken’s Christa Berry, Aiken High’s Natalie Bland, and Wagener-Salley’s Gracie Starnes – for the Player of the Year award.
Christa Berry, a Class AAAA All-State selection for the second year in a row, led the T-Breds to a second-place finish in Region 5-AAAA and another playoff appearance. The senior setter had 419 assists (7-3 per set), 144 digs, 37 aces and 51 kills.
Natalie Bland, also a two-time member of the Class AAAA All-State team, tormented opposing defenses with her big swings as the Hornets reclaimed the Region 5-AAAA championship and reached the Lower State title match. She is a sophomore outside hitter, had 289 kills on .307 hitting, 263 digs and 50 aces.
Gracie Starnes, a Class A All-State pick, was the Region 3-A Player of the Year as the War Eagles won their fourth Region title in a row. The Junior outside hitter has 176 kills and 92 aces.
They are joined on the All-Aiken Standard team by Ridge Spring-Monetta High’s Jaliyah Bussee and Mikala Middlebrooks, Silver Bluff High’s Rauri Key-Crawford and Laurie Lamar, North Augusta High’s Shelby Smith and Aiken High’s Caroline Tyler.
Jaliyah Bussee and Mikala Middlebrooks joined Gracie Starnes on the Class A All-State team after helping Ridge Spring-Monetta to a runner up finish in the Region.
Rauri Key-Crawford and Laurie Lamar are both on the Class AA All-State team after helping Silver Bluff to an unbeaten Region 5-AA title.
Shelby Smith joins Christa Berry and Natalie Bland on the Class AAAA All-State team.
Caroline Tyler was picked to the Class AAAAA/AAAA South All-Star team.
The Player of the Year award winner will be announced at the end of the school year.
All-Aiken Standard Volleyball Team
- Christa Berry, South Aiken
- Natalie Bland, Aiken
- Jaliyah Bussey, Ridge Spring-Monetta
- Rauri Key-Crawford, Silver Bluff
- Laurie Lamar, Silver Bluff
- Mikala Middlebrooks, Ridge Spring-Monetta
- Shelby Smith, North Augusta
- Gracie Starnes, Wagener-Salley
- Caroline Tyler, Aiken
- Camryn Ray, Fox Creek
Link to Aiken Standard: https://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/sports/localsports/10-named-to-all-area-volleyball-team/article_df140f26-2e9d-11eb-afba-078227968631.html