THE SPORTS REPORTS: HORSEHEADS' MALONE VOLLEYBALL 'PLAYER OF YEAR;' SEVEN FROM VALLEY EARN ALL-REGION HONORS (December 17, 2021)

The Sports Reports
It was quite a season for area volleyball as 10 area teams qualified for postseason play.

From that group, five teams advanced to state playoff tournaments - with two making it to the semifinals.

Success on the court was also spurred on by numerous standouts, nine of whom earned all state honors, and we are honoring the top performers on The Sports Reports All-Region team.

Horseheads' Taylor Malone is the "Player of the Year." She led the Blue Raiders to an undefeated regular season, the Section IV Class AA championship and a spot in the regional final. Malone averaged 3.1 kills, 2.8 digs, 0.6 aces and 0.2 blocks per set in 85 sets. She was named to the New York Volleyball Coaches Association Class AA second team.

Candor's Shelby Swartz was a powerful middle hitter with 3.5 kills and 2.0 service points, including 0.8 aces per set. The "Offensive Player of the Year," she led the Indians to a 21-1 record and they repeated as the Section IV Class D champion and advanced to the state semifinals. Swartz was selected to the New York Volleyball Coaches Association Class D first team team

Wyalusing's Priscilla Newton is the "Defensive Player of the Year." A libero, she averaged 4.8 digs per set in 78 sets and surpassed 750 career digs during the season. She led the Rams to a District 4 title.

Wellsboro's Paige Logsdon is the "Newcomer of the Year." The freshman recorded a team-high 92 blocks, and had 125 kills and 30 aces.

"Coach of the Year" Pam Quinlan led Candor to a 21-1 record and its fourth consecutive IAC division and Small School championships. She also guided the Indians to their second straight Section IV Class D title as well as a second straight berth in the state semifinals.

The first team is comprised of Malone, Swartz, Canton's Aislyn Williams, Corning's Olivia Keegan, North Penn / Liberty's Darby Stetter, Owego's Sophia Palladino and Wyalusing's Emilee Otis.

On the second team are Athens' Jenn Ryan, Candor's Addie Aman, Corning's Jenna Dinardo, Horseheads' Madison Adams, Northeast Bradford's Emily Susanj, Towanda's Paige Manchester and Williamson's Grace Stephens.

The third team includes Elmira's Lindsay Sperduto, Horseheads' Macy Karpowich, North Penn / Liberty's Saige Lehman, Owego's Maggie Hamed, Tioga's Julia Bellis and Reese Howey, and Wyalusing's Priscilla Newton.

Making the fourth team list are Candor's Isabel Makie and Brooke Wilcox, Edison's Maren Lutz, Horseheads' Elana Perry, Horseheads' Lydia Schooley, Wellsboro's Emma Owlett and Tioga's Molly Bombard.

The All-Rookie Team includes Athens' Kassie Babcock and Ella Coyle, Canton's Kari Wesneski, Horseheads' Mia Foster, Horseheads' Macy Karpowich, Owego's Maggie Hamed, S-VE's Ajsa Zakova, Waverly's Brilynn Belles, Wellsboro's Paige Logsdon and Williamson's Joelie Stephens.

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Player of the Year: Taylor Malone, Horseheads
Offensive Player of the Year: Shelby Swartz, Candor
Defensive Player of the Year: Priscilla Newton, Wyalusing
Newcomer of the Year: Paige Logsdon, Wellsboro
Coach of the Year: Pam Quinlan, Candor

First Team
Shelby Swartz, Candor
Aislyn Williams, Canton
Olivia Keegan, Corning
Taylor Malone, Horseheads
Darby Stetter, North Penn / Liberty
Sophia Palladino, Owego
Emilee Otis, Wyalusing

Second Team
Jenn Ryan, Athens
Addie Aman, Candor
Jenna Dinardo, Corning
Madison Adams, Horseheads
Emily Susanj, Northeast Bradford
Paige Manchester, Towanda
Grace Stephens, Williamson

Third Team
Lindsay Sperduto, Elmira
Macy Karpowich, Horseheads
Saige Lehman, North Penn / Liberty
Maggie Hamed, Owego
Julia Bellis, Tioga
Reese Howey, Tioga
Priscilla Newton, Wyalusing

Fourth Team
Isabel Makie, Candor
Brooke Wilcox, Candor
Maren Lutz, Edison
Elana Perry, Horseheads
Lydia Schooley, Horseheads
Emma Owlett, Wellsboro
Molly Bombard, Tioga

All-Rookie Team
Kassie Babcock, Athens
Ella Coyle, Athens
Keri Wesneski, Canton
Mia Foster, Horseheads
Macy Karpowich, Horseheads
Maggie Hamed, Owego
Ajsa Zakova, S-VE
Brilynn Belles, Waverly
Paige Logsdon, Wellsboro
Joelie Stephens, Williamson