(Editor's note: Volleyball is featured today in the first in a series of All-Carson Country teams for the fall season. The selections are made by the Nevada Appeal sports staff, comprised of players from the six schools within the circulation area: Carson, Douglas, Galena, Dayton, Fernley and Yerington. The All-Carson Country boys and girls soccer teams and football team will be published the next two days.)
Setter
Kate Wallace, 5-8, sr., Galena: A three-year starter who was known for her competitive spirit and intelligence on the court. She had 616 assists (10.2-per game average) and led the team with 26 blocks. Wallace plans to go on to college and major in education, but has no further plans to play competitive volleyball. A first-team all-league setter and repeat All-Carson Country pick.
Outside hitter
Julia Mailander, 6-0, jr., Galena: Her successful season included selection to the first-team all-league and to the High Sierra Invitation all-tournament teams, and of course, Galena won its first state volleyball championship. On a team that always featured balanced statistics, she finished the season with a team-high 196 kills for the season overall. An academic all-state honors student.
Lydia Mailander, 5-11, jr., Galena: Though a second-team all-league, very little separated her from twin sister Julia. Lydia finished with 195 kills (2.9 per game), plus she led the team in digs with 179 and aces with 39. Lydia was an All-Carson Country selection last year. Also an academic all-state student.
Middle blocker:
Amanda Sbragia, 5-11, sr., Dayton: A force at the net who was generally acknowledged as one of the North's best players at any level. She was the Northern 3A MVP and 3A State Tournament MVP this season, capped by 51 kills as the Dust Devils won two matches to take the 3A state tournament championship in school history.
Jenny Burrows, 6-0, sr., Galena: High Desert League co-Player of the Year was described as an emotional leader for the 4A state champion Grizzlies, a sparkplug who always played with confidence and made good decisions in clutch situations. She had 173 kills and led the team in hitting efficiency with a .438 season percentage. A repeat All-Carson Country pick, she has signed with Seattle University.
Whitney Estes, 6-0, jr., Douglas: A first-team all-league selection who was one of the most consistent players for a. Sported a devastating serve and a tough demeanor at the net. Outstanding blocker and dependable hitter.
Nicole Scott, 6-2, jr., Carson: Among the tallest players in the North, Scott was consistently good for six to seven blocks in every match while helping the Senators to a third-place finish in the Sierra League and berth in the regional tournament. She had eight kills in Carson's playoff-clinching win over Wooster and 11 kills in an early-season match at Douglas. Scott was named first-team all-league.
Defensive specialist
Kayla Dunn, 5-8, sr., Douglas: A two-year captain for the Tigers who earned first-team all-league honors this season. She was able to play anywhere on the floor and often did for the two-time Sierra League champions. Now headed to Georgia Tech, where she was recruited as a softball shortstop.
Utility
Michelle Bowman, 5-7, jr., Dayton: Played as a setter and middle blocker for 3A state champion Dust Devils. Earned first-team all-league honors and named second-team all-state. An academic all-state student. She had 21 assists, 11 digs, four kills and three blocks in the state tournament final against Incline.
Honorable mention: Chelsea Appelbaum, Galena; Monica Knight, Douglas; Katy Marsh, Douglas; Cayla Knapp, Douglas; Dawson Joyce-Mendive, Douglas; Lindsay Ford, Carson; Catherine Brekken, Carson (academic all-state); Lindsey Kern, Carson; Yesenia Escalante, Yerington.
