Prep volleyball: Dragons receive accolades
Ste. Genevieve’s Abby Moore (green jersey) was one of the best defensive-minded hitters in the Mineral Area Activities Association this season. (PHOTO BY ERIC VICCARO/Herald staff)
By ERIC VICCARO
eviccaro@stegenherald.com
Several Ste. Genevieve High School volleyball players earned both all-conference and all-district honors.
The Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association released all-district choices while the Mineral Area Activities Association distributed all-conference selections last week.
Ste. Genevieve libero Maya Watts and outside hitter Abby Moore were both named first-team Class 3 all-district choices, while teammates Dru Koetting, Tessa Grass and Devyn Basler found spots on the second team.
Moore and Koetting were both first-team, all-conference honorees, with Grass on the second team.
“Abby is a fierce competitor,” said Ste. Genevieve head coach Carla Basler said. “She was an extremely strong offensive weapon for us this season.”
Moore played middle hitter; but, also showed a strong defensive acumen. Abby was looked upon as a senior leader.
The Dragons put together another solid season under Basler, finishing with a record of 18-10-1. Ste. Genevieve was both district and conference tournament runner-up to cross-town rival Valle Catholic.
Moore, a senior standing 5-foot-9, was an efficient outside hitter, recording a .297 attack percentage with 194 kills. She also had 44 total blocks (solos and assists).
Watts replaced graduated Maci Reynolds as the Dragons’ libero this season. Maya finished the season with a team-leading 251 digs to go with 339 service receptions (tops in this category as well) and 31 aces.
“Maya played with intensity during the season,” Coach Basler said, “but, during the final district game against Valle, she played lights out, and didn’t let anything hit the floor without sacrificing her body.”
Koetting was the Dragons’ most dynamic hitter with 269 kills and .181 hitting efficiency. She also served up 44 aces, scooped 172 digs and had 34 total blocks.
“Dru always found ways to put the ball down,” Coach Basler said.
Grass pounded down 179 kills with a .179 attack efficiency. Tessa also registered 25 total blocks and served 11 aces.
Basler replaced the highly decorated Brittney Kreitler as Ste. Genevieve’s primary setter, and she handled it with aplomb. Devyn distributed 633 assists to go with 144 digs and 25 ace serves. That stats is even more amplified when realizing the Dragons ran a 5-1 offense for just roughly half the season.
“Tessa and Devyn both worked extremely hard this season, so it is nice for other teams to recognize their accomplishments,” Coach Basler said. “Tessa can give the team a great swing from any position, and she’s a versatile player. Devyn moved the ball well.”
(Editor’s Note: For the complete story and statistics, subscribe to either the print or electronic editions of the Ste. Genevieve Herald. Subscribe: 1-573-883-2222.)
