Fall 2007 All-Scholastic Selections
The Republican has chosen high school all-star teams since 1919, beginning with "All-City" teams. All-Western Massachusetts teams were first published in 1933, and Fall 2007 marks the 19th publication of All-scholastic and All-Academic teams. The Republican All-Scholastic teams, published after the end of each season, recognize outstanding acheivement in each sport. Players were chosen by staff writers after season-long observations and input from coaches.
Fall 2007: One to Remember (Recap)
Fall 2007: One to Remember
With exciting games, outstanding performances, expected and unexpected championships, sportsmanship and camaraderie, the Fall 2007 high school season was just like any other season in the Pioneer Valley. But while any season reminds us in so many ways of previous ones, each season is special. The thrilling highs, disappointing lows, and everything in between all add up to memories that will last a lifetime. Yes, like all seasons, Fall 2007 was one we will remember. Here's a look back:
For this year's Western Massachusetts volleyball champions, hoisting th winner's hardware was a new experience for one and old hat for the other.
Longmeadow was expected to be much improved in 2007 under new coach George Mulry. "Improved" turned into "pretty darn good," as the Lancers went 16-0 in Eastern Division play and 18-2 overall before capturing their first Division II tournament title.
Frontier seemingly ho-hummed its way to a fourth straight Northern League crown and third consecutive Division III tournament crown. The Red Hawks' quest for a third straight state title, however, was denied by North Reading in the championship match.
Frontier juniors Alyssa Stankowski and Francene Cicia were named to the Division III all-state team - Stankowski for the second year in a row and Cicia for the first time.
Amherst, which graduated several key contributors from its 2006 Western Massachusetts title team, surprised many by reaching the sectional final - losing to Longmeadow. Mahar Regional placed second behind Frontier in the Northern League and made a great tournament run before losing to Frontier in the final.
The Volleyball Hall of Fame hosted its inagural spalding Showcase of champions at Holyoke Community College in October. Twenty-five teams, including state champs from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York, took part in the three day event.
Fall 2007: One to Remember (Recap)
First Team Selections
SAMANTHA BURTON, Longmeadow: Senior was one of the top liberos in Western Massachusetts and helped lead the Lancers to their first Eastern Division and Division II sectional titles; notched 423 digs for the season, including 27 in Western Massachusetts final win over Amherst; four-year varsity player was team captain as a senior; named team's defensive player of the year; NHS; plans to attend four-year college.
ANDREA DAVIS, Longmeadow: Junior outside hitter had a breakout season for Western Massachusetts Division II champions; named team's offensive player of the year; most outstanding player of match at inaugural Volleyball Hall of Fame Showcase of Champions; recorded 18 kills in regular season win over Agawam; member of Western Mass. Junior Olympic Elite 18's; also runs indoor and outdoor track; NHS.
KELLEY DICKSON, West Springfield: Senior outside hitter closed her varsity career by taking the Terriers to the sectional tournament semifinals; racked up 143 kills, a .291 hitting average, 28 aces and 109 digs; team captain also earned the Coach's Award; 14 kills n win over Westfield; three-year member of Junior Olympic Elite team; earned John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; hopes to major in athletic training.
BRITTANY DUSSAULT, Chicopee Comp: Junior middle hitter led the Colts to the Southern B Division championship and the No. 2 seed in the Western Massachusetts Division II tournament; two-time team most valuable player; three-year varsity member; eight kills in quarterfinal win over archrival Chicopee; honor roll student also players softball; student council member.
KATEY FIGELLA, Agawam: Senior outside hitter provided one of the bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season for the Brownies; six kills in season-ending win over Ludlow; member of Western Mass. Junior Olympic Elite squad last two seasons; also plays softball; participates in peer leadership group; plans to attend a four-year college.
MARIA JAROSZEWICZ, East Longmeadow: Senior middle blocker/hitter captained the Spartans to another Western Massachusetts tournament appearance; 90 kills, 40 aces and 24 blocks for season; eight aces and six blocks in match against Amherst; member of Junior Olympic team; MIAA Sportsmanship Award winner in track; NHS member and class president hopes to attend Quinnipiac, Tufts or Boston College.
DANIELLE LAZARZ, Amherst: Senior outside hitter was a big reason the Hurricanes were a surprise Division II finalist; tri-captain was team's co-offensive player of the year; 113 kills, 54 aces and 165 digs for season; all-league selection; had stellar outings in three victories over East Longmeadow; two-year member of Junior Olympic Elite team; also plays softball; honor roll student.
HEATHER MEARS, Amherst: Senior setter shared team's offensive player of the year award with fellow first-teamer Danielle Lazarz; most outstanding player of match at Volleyball Hall of Fame Showcase of Champions; team-high 412 assists and 78 aces; big contributor to team's three wins over East Longmeadow; served well in 3-0 win over Agawam; varsity basketball and softball; honor roll student.
TYLER PROTANO-GOODWIN, Amherst: Senior middle blocker was an integral part of the Hurricanes' run to the Western Massachusetts Division II final; served eight straight points to key game-2 run in quarterfinal win over East Longmeadow; 80 kills and 67 blocks for season; Western Mass. Junior Olympic Elite member; all-league selection; honor roll student is member of Esperanza Club and Women's rights club.
JESSIE SCHNEPP, East Longmeadow: Junior outside hitter is one of the best all-around athletes in Western Massachusetts volleyball; team captain and MVP notched 215 kills, 105 aces and 173 digs for the season; two-time first teamer; 19 kills and eight aces against Longmeadlw; member of Junior Olympic Elite team and gold-medal winning Bay State Games squad; three-year basketball starter; NHS member.
INNA SERGEYCHIK, West Springfield: Senior middle hitter played a big role as the Terriers reached the Division II semifinals; recorded 151 kills for a .332 hitting percentage, 95 blocks and 39 aces for season; 14 kills against Longmeadow; won Coach's Award and Most Improved Player award; National Honor Society member earned John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Sunday school teacher.
NATALIE ZUCKER, Longmeadow: Junior setter controlled the offense for the Western Massachusetts Division II champion Lancers; team MVP dished out 351 assists for the season, including 28 in a big win over Agawam; memver of Western Mass. Junior Olympic Elite team; also plays softball; member of National Honor Society, Key Club, Yearbook Club and Loaves & Fishes.
CAROLINE BITTERS, Greenfield: Senior outside hitter was the Green Wave's offensive MVP all four years; recorded 29 kills in Western Massachusetts semifinal loss to Mahar; four-year varsity starter; also starts on basketball team and is No. 1 singles player on tennis team; 4.025 GPA; only female student as MIAA ambassador; hopes to continue volleyball career in college.
FRANCENE CICIA, Frontier: Junior was named to Division III all-state team despite splitting setter duties with Amanda Koldy; 299 assists, 52 aces and 83 digs for season; 24 assists in state final loss to North Reading; Northern League all-star; starter on two state finalist teams; Western Mass. Junior Olympic Elite and Bay State Games member; honor roll student with 4.4 GPA; member of school band.
SAMANTHA CLAIREMONT, Frontier: Junior middle hitter recorded 53 blocks, 103 kills and 55 aces for three-time Western Massachusetts champions; 15 aces, six blocks, 10 kills and four assists in win over Mahar; Bay State Games gold medalist and Junior Olympic player; high honors since eighth grade; volunteers at Dakin Animal Shelter and at Festival of the Hills.
JENNA DESCHAINE, Pioneer Christian: Junior setter sparked the Eagles to the Southern A Division title; first-team selection as a freshman; four-year varsity starter has 53-7 record last three seasons; best match came in regular-season win over Lee; varsity basketball point guard since eighth grade; National Honor Society nominee is on honor roll.
JODI HALLETT, Turners Falls: Junior setter helped the Indians reach Division III semifinals; voted most valuable player of team; 16 assists, 14 digs and three kills in defeating eventual sectional runner-up Mahar; co-captain; five-year member of Western Mass. Junior Olympic program; also plays varsity softball; honor roll student is member of school dance team.
ANGELA MARGUET, Turners Falls: Junior outside hitter was voted team's top offensive player; co-captain notched 13 kills and three aces in key late-season win over Mahar; three-year member of Western Mass. Junior Olympic program; plays varsity softball, which won state final in 2006 and was runner-up last year; honor roll student.
STACEY MINER, Greenfield: Senior was one of the top liberos in Div. III; was named team's defensive MVP last three seasons; played stellar defense with 29 digs and served seven aces in Western Massachusetts semifinal loss to Mahar; Rochester Kodak Award, Wellesley Book Award, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Wendy's High School Heisman nominee.
MORGAN MURPHY, Mahar: Senior middle blocker was a stalwart at the net for the Senators, who lost to Frontier in Western Massachusetts Division III final; posted 21 kills in 3-2, come-from-behind victory over Greenfield in sectional semifinal; nine kills in championship match loss to Frontier.
MARY SPADOLA, Frontier: Lone senior on Div. III state runner-up; recorded 135 kills and 341 digs for the season; four-year varsity starter has a career record of 91-7; two state titles, three WMass. championships and four Northern Division titles; 10 kills in sectional final victory over Mahar; National Honor Society secretary and class treasurer; plans to attend Emmanuel College and study education.
ALYSSA STANKOWSKI, Frontier: Junior outside hitter is arguably the best player in Western Mass.; three-time first-team selection and two-time Div. III all-state pick; led state runners-up with 239 kills, 407 digs, 55 aces; two-year team captain; 28 kills and five aces in state final loss to North Reading; member of WMass Junior Olympic Elite team; two-time Bay State Games gold medalist; honor roll.
BRITTANY STODDARD, Mahar: Senior setter was the on-court quarterback for the Western Massachusetts Division III runner-up Senators; provided an excellent one-two punch with hitter Morgan Murphy; 32 assists and four aces in sectional semifinal victory over Greenfield; 18 assists and five kills in an early-season win over Greenfield.
CHELSEA TYLER, Pioneer: Senior middle hitter turned heads of opposing players and coaches, even on an 8-11 team; named Panthers' team MVP; 19 kills in an intense, five-game victory over Belchertown; Wellesley College Book Award; John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; scholar athlete for three years; member of National Honor Society, Model Congress and SADD.
Fall 2007: One to Remember (Recap)
Second Team Selections
Stacy Croteau - Agawam
Alissa Danalis - Longmeadow
Caroline Galiatsos - West Springfield
Gabrielle Irizarry - Holyoke
Sarah Janes - Longmeadow
Emily Laliberte - Agawam
Amanda Major - Chicopee Comp
Christina Martin - Chicopee Comp
Jennifer Mears - Amherst
Sulamita Mosijchuk - West Springfield
Jessica Peck - Agawam
Nicole Sawyer - Minnechaug
Carmen Semidey - Holyoke
Stephanie Swanson - Sci-Tech
Becky Tenczar - Chicopee
Andrea Walsh - Agawam
Donna Lee Bettencourt - Turners Falls
Alexis Chappell - Sabis
Tessa Goodhind - Frontier
Joanne Grenier - Mahar
Amanda Koldy - Frontier
Stephanie Mauer - South Hadley
Alysia Morissette - Ware
Rebecca Parent - Easthampton
Morgan Powell - Mahar
Devon Rabtor - Greenfield
Cassidy Stankowski - Frontier
Kaitlyn Swarts - Ware
Krista Wertman - Pioneer Christian
Fall 2007: One to Remember (Recap)
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