Commercial Appeal All-Metro girls volleyball team for 2019

Khari Thompson
Memphis Commercial Appeal

First team

All members of The Commercial Appeal All-Metro volleyball first team are nominees for the volleyball player of the year. The winner will be announced May 13 at the fourth annual Commercial Appeal sports awards presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans. 

Aziah Buckner is a senior at Briarcrest Christian School

Aziah Buckner

Briarcrest Christian, Sr. 

Position: Outside hitter

Why chosen: The San Diego State signee had 366 kills, 231 digs, 56 aces and 114 assists. She led Briarcrest to a second straight DII-AA state title. 

Kathleen Bula is a senior at St. Agnes

Kathleen Bula

St. Agnes, Sr. 

Position: Outside Hitter

Why chosen: The Citadel signee posted 371 kills, 64 aces, 20 blocks and 246 digs.

Rachel McCollum is a sophomore at Collierville High

Rachel McCollum

Collierville, So.

Position: Outside hitter

Why chosen: McCollum had 484 assists and 232 digs and led Collierville to the second round of the Class AAA state tournament. 

Jordan Jones is a senior at Houston High

Jordan Jones

Houston, Sr. 

Position: Middle blocker

Why chosen: The Jackson State signee was Region MVP, posted 379 kills, 120 blocks and 39 aces and led Houston to an appearance in the Class AAA state title match. 

Emma Perkins is a senior at Briarcrest Christian School

Emma Perkins

Briarcrest Christian, Sr. 

Position: Libero

Why chosen: The Chattanooga signee had 395 digs and 56 aces for DII-AA state champ Briarcrest. 

Loren Robertson is a senior at Briarcrest Christian School

Loren Robertson

Briarcrest Christian, Sr. 

Position: Setter

Why chosen: The Memphis signee had 1,202 assists and 241 digs for DII-AA state champ Briarcrest. 

Kennedy Shaw is a junior at Houston High

Kennedy Shaw

Houston, Jr. 

Position: Outside hitter

Why chosen: The all-region selection had 294 kills, 280 digs, 20 aces and 43 blocks and helped Houston reach the Class AAA championship match.

Annika Thompson is a senior at St. George's Independent School

Annika Thompson

St. George's, Sr. 

Position: Setter

Why chosen: The Charlotte signee tallied 88 aces, 72 blocks and 330 digs and led St. George's to the DII-A state title. 

Second team

Middle blocker: Chloe Bryan, Briarcrest Christian, Jr. 

Middle blocker: Morgan Price, Houston, Sr. 

Middle blocker: Adi Thrasher, St. George's, Sr. 

Setter: Kalin Duncan, Arlington, Jr. 

Setter: Lexi Pendleton, Houston, Fr. 

Outside hitter: Celia Watson, St. Agnes, Jr. 

Libero: Abby Hawkins, Arlington, Sr.

Libero: Ashley Stovall, Collierville, Sr. 

Coach of the Year

Samantha Gruse

St. George's

Why chosen: Gruse led the Gryphons (30-9) to the DII-A state title for the school's third volleyball championship.