Siegel's Sophia Bossong is DNJ all-area volleyball player of the year for 2018
Cecil Joyce
With two teams reaching the state tournament — including one in the state final — and another earning a sectional berth, it was a big year for area volleyball teams.
The Daily News Journal's all-area volleyball team reflects that success.
After leading her team to the Class AAA championship match and breaking records along the way, Siegel junior setter Sophia Bossong has been named the DNJ's all-area volleyball player of the year.
It's the second consecutive season Bossong has netted the area's top award.
Bossong finished with 1,327 assists, 239 digs, 114 kills, 46 aces and 27 blocks. Her 67 assists in a state tournament match against Dobyns-Bennett were second-most in a TSSAA postseason match.
DNJ all-area volleyball team
First team
Mackenzie Harris
MTCS, Sr.
Position: Outside hitter
Why chosen: The district MVP and Abilene Christian signee had 776 kills, 707 digs, 80 aces, 37 blocks and 12 assists in leading the Lady Cougars to the DII-A state tournament.
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Ashllyn King
Blackman, So.
Position: Outside hitter
Why chosen: The first-team all-district performer had 321 kills, 73 aces, 39 blocks and 183 digs.
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Julia Wheeler
Siegel, Sr.
Position: Outside hitter
Why chosen: The Tennessee Tech signee had 516 kills, 31 aces, 125 blocks and 301 digs for the AAA state runner-up.
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Maggie Wilds
Smyrna, Jr.
Position: Outside hitter
Why chosen: Collected 451 kills, 28 blocks, 81 aces and 294 digs, leading the Lady Bulldogs to more than 20 wins.
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Grace Reidmiller
Siegel, Jr.
Position: Middle hitter
Why chosen: The all-district performer had 281 kills, 52 aces, 74 blocks and 61 digs.
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Sophia Bossong
Siegel, Jr.
Position: Setter
Why chosen: The district MVP had 1,327 assists, 239 digs, 114 kills, 46 aces and 27 blocks.
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Julia Poarch
Siegel, Sr.
Position: Libero
Why chosen: The all-district performer had 926 digs, 51 aces and 41 assists.
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McKenna Young
Stewarts Creek, Jr.
Position: Utility
Why chosen: Led Stewarts Creek to the Class AAA sectional with 668 digs and 53 aces, earning all-district and all-region honors.
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Second team
Outside hitter: Sam Clark, Stewarts Creek, Sr.
Outside hitter: Akasia Patterson, La Vergne, Jr.
Outside hitter: Laiklyn Boone, Oakland, Jr.
Middle hitter: Sade Korbieh, Blackman, Jr.
Setter: Janvier Buggs, Smyrna, Jr.
Setter: Ellie Shirley, MTCS, Fr.
Libero: Mackenzie Cummins, Stewarts Creek, Sr.
Utility: Kylie Hussain, MTCS, Sr.
Coach of the year
Shawn Robinson
Siegel
Why chosen: Robinson led the team to its best finish as a program, going 30-15 and taking state runner-up in Class AAA. He resigned following the season. He landed a job with Rutherford County Schools' central office prior to the beginning of the season but was allowed to coach one final season.