For their sizzling spikes, diving digs, accurate assists and big blocks throughout the District 12-6A and 16-5A seasons, dozens of Killeen ISD volleyball players earned all-district recognition, including three superlative honors.
Harker Heights’ Mileyana Hopkins was voted 12-6A’s middle blocker of the year, and in 16-5A, Chaparral’s Mikayla Cromwell and Ellison’s Ja’Lya Swiney were the defensive player of the year and utility player of the year, respectively.
Hopkins, a junior, landed 131 kills, to go with 13 solo blocks, 35 digs, 15 assists and 10 aces during 12 league matches, helping the Lady Knights finish fourth and advance to the Class 6A Division II playoffs.
Cromwell, a senior tallied 141 digs in district play from her libero position and the Lady Bobcats placed third and qualified for the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
Swiney, a junior, contributed 62 Digs, 61 kills, 37 aces, 36 assist and 21 blocks for the Lady Eagles, who rallied for a playoff berth and then secured the program’s first postseason victory since 1985.
In all, seven players were named first team, including Harker Heights’ Sanau Falaniko, Tiarra Harris, Killeen’s Mackenna Dempsey, Shoemaker’s Nathaliah Nanai, Chaparral’s Bailey Thompson, Caoimhe Gormley and Ellison’s Kiara Knight-Thompson.
The five teams also combined to receive 41 academic all-district designations.
District 12-6A
Superlatives
MVP: Jordan Mitchell, Waco Midway
Hitter of the year: Maria Herron, Midway
Middle blocker of the year: Mileyana Hopkins, Harker Heights
Setter of the year: Kendall Tate, Temple
Defensive specialist of the year: Taylor Wright, Copperas Cove
Newcomer of the year: Kamryn Fox, Copperas Cove
First Team
Harker Heights: Sanau Falaniko, Tiarra Harris
Killeen: Mackenna Dempsey
Shoemaker: Nathaliah Nanai
Bryan: Laila Nutall
Copperas Cove: Kaitlyn Urquidez, Tracey Martin, Taylor Mossman
Midway: Piper Starling, Rylie Ordones, Marcala McCune
Temple: Kylie Rayas, Kylie Dixon
Second Team
Harker Heights: LaDaejah Edwards Tatinna Graves
Killeen: K’Liyah Triplett
Shoemaker: Danae Dawson
Bryan: Kyndahl Boatcallie
Copperas Cove: Ann-Marie Akindayom, Breanna Buckram, Erinn Sewell
Midway: Raina Janek, Payton Davis, Addison Schnautz
Temple: Madison Bond, Jaidyn Henry
Honorable Mention
Harker Heights: Makinna Smith, Promise Rollins, Mareli Gonzalez
Killeen: Dianelis Williams, Olivia Harris
Shoemaker: Alaya Exford, Ariana Denley
Bryan: Trinity Rice, Chambree Hoffman
Copperas Cove: Ava Casson, Avery Robinson
Midway: Madalann Viloria, McLaine Harris
Temple: Madison Sapp, Willow Pratt, Gabriella Barbosa
Academic All-District
Harker Heights: Alexis Mull, Alvianna McGoley, Aryanna Caro, Mareli Gonzalez, Lillian Shrepee, Makinna Smith, Tiarra Harris, LaDaejah Edwards, Annabelle Boyes
Killeen: Nevaeh Hamilton, Mackenna Dempsey, Ariana Zannotti, Olivia Harris, Dianelis Williams, Yanelis Williams, Precious Tauiliili, Aaliyah Abdeen
Shoemaker: Madison Sherman, Nittaya Hasadinratana, Aniya Douchand
District 16-5A
Superlatives
MVP: Kaitlyn Hutchins, Lake Belton
Offensive player of the year: Kaitlyn McCracken, Belton
Defensive player of the year: Mikayla Cromwell, Chaparral
Setter of the year: Madison Bingham, Lake Belton
Blocker of the year: Kamari Greenleaf, Waco University
Utility player of the year: Ja’Lya Swiney, Ellison
Newcomer of the year: Brylee Renegar, Belton
Coach of the year: Haleigh Johnson, Belton
First Team
Chaparral: Bailey Thompson, Caoimhe Gormley
Ellison: Kiara Knight-Thompson
Belton: CJ Stites, Miley Davilla, Landry Duggan
Lake Belton: Natalia Partida, Keileigh Krueger, Ava Wood, Kruz Smith
University: Dameris Griggs
Waco: Ka’Mauri Jones
Second Team
Chaparral: Joy Beaver, Jeishanice Reyes
Ellison: Jada Hood, Aaliyah Lee
Belton: Lyza LeBlanc, Ella Tucek
Lake Belton: Madilyn Jackman, Makinzi Johnson
University: Kimberly Hernandez, Jordyn Ward
Waco: Annie Uecker, Jackie Trevino
Honorable Mention
Chaparral: Sariyah Wilson, Da’nieyah Adkinson
Ellison: Elise Taimasa, Maribel Ruiz
Belton: Taylor Collins, Kelsey Morrow, Emma Harvey
Lake Belton: Abbi Jones, Haylee Kasner, Thia Allison, Morgan Kukulski
University: Yadhira Salinas, Aliveyah Thomas
Waco: Imian Johnson, Amari Harris
Academic All-District
Chaparral: Penelope Groover, Khloe Jones, Sariyah Wilson, Caoimhe Gormley, Dainah Millett, Da’Nieyah Adkinson, Mikayla Cromwell, Jeishanice Reyes, Bailey Thompson, Jada Jean, Bianca Duprey
Ellison: Sabra Cannie, Jaila Carter, Kiara Knight-Thompson, Chariah Graham, Eveta Madere, Serenity Ramirez, Maribel Ruiz, Saniya Standform, Ja’Lya Swiney, Nyah Sanders