PLATTSBURGH — The Champlain Valley Athletic Conference volleyball all-star selections reflect the keen competition that marked its first season as a fall sport.
Beekmantown, Plattsburgh High and Saranac, who wound up tied for first in the conference, also earned most of the postseason accolades. Each had two first-team selections with Plattsburgh's Olivia Harrigan voted Most Valuable Player for the 2010 season.
Joining Harrigan on the elite team were Saranac's Emily Heath and Kim Plumadore, Beekmantown's Jenna Brault and Emily Wyand and Peru's Abby Higgins.
Saranac's Joanne Johnson was named Coach of the Year.
Three CVAC players earned All-State recognition from the New York State Volleyball Coaches Association.
Harrigan and Brault both were named to the Fourth Team for Class B while AuSable Valley's Kelly McBreairty received Fourth Team honors for Class C.
Olivia Harrigan
Olivia Harrigan was the workhorse of the PHS offense for the second year in a row with her hard-hitting swing and the big hands block. This year, however, the 5-foot-11 senior captain never came of the court, showing versatility in the backcourt and as well as at the net.
The middle blocker/middle hitter proved herself as the Most Valuable Player in the league by playing every aspect of the game. She once again dominated the net. As a three-year varsity player, she was the Hornets' "go-to" player, leading her team in blocks and kills, with a kill percentage of 56 per match. She collected more than 300 kills throughout the season.
When she wasn't at the net causing havoc, her serve was dangerous when she got a run going. She was asked to bring her A game every set she played and she did that and more.
The combination of Harrigan, Miller and McMahon gave Plattsburgh the upperhand in its 11-match winning streak as the Hornets went on to earn a piece of the CVAC Championship.
Emily Heath
An outside hitter for the Saranac Chiefs, Heath led the team in kills and kill efficiency. She combined an athletic jump with height and proved to be one of the most dominating hitters in the CVAC. When she was in the zone, opponents struggled to dig up her attack. Her attack skills were instrumental in leading the Chiefs to a share of the conference title.
Kim Plumadore
One of two starting setters for Saranac and a three-year starter, Plumadore brought experience and quiet leadership to the court. As a setter, she worked relentlessly to constantly better the ball. She served with pinpoint accuracy and led the team in both serving percentage and serve efficiency. She was a strong passer and anchored a three-person, serve-receive passing scheme.
She demonstrated her love of the game through relentless effort to improve her skills both in season and during the off season.
Hillary Miller
A dynamic athlete, Hillary Miller stepped into the crucial role of setter with very little experience and showed the league her talent on the court. She ran the Hornet floor like a veteran setter, impressing the opponent coaching staff in most matches.
She led her team in assists and had the highest serving percentage for her squad. Voted by her teammates as their MVP, Hillary never left the floor all season showing her athletic versatility every time she took the court.
Abigail Higgins
Higgins, only a junior, was a third-year starting middle hitter and team captain. She led the team offensively in kills and defensively in blocks and digs.
She was named to the Saranac Holiday All-Tournament Team in 2008 and 2009 as well as the 2010 Hannah's Hope/Volley for Cure all Tournament Team. She was named to the CVAC All-Star team for the 2009-2010 season.
Higgins is a member of the Varsity tennis team and is also involved in National Art Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Key club, Varsity club, and the Student Mentor Program at Peru High School.
Emily Wyand
Wyand's superb passing skills, defensive consistency and ability to handle pressure brought confidence to the Beekmantown team. In just one season as the starting libero she closed out her high-school career with remarkable defensive stats of 461 digs, including a game high of 47.
She did everything to not let the ball hit the floor and led the team with the highest dig percentages. Her defensive ability to read opponents attackers and anticipate where the ball would go gave the Eagles the ability to run a quick-tempo offense.
She will be a difficult individual to replace as she has proven to the league what a libero is and the importance of a strong defensive game in volleyball.
Taylor McMahon
Taylor McMahon's defensive play was the core of the Hornets backcourt play. A captain, she led the Hornets in digs, successful serve-receive passing as well as aces served.
When McMahon came to the net, opponents were concerned about her sharp-angle hits and attacks from any place on the court. A quiet leader on the court, she made her presence known whenever she handled the ball. One of three PHS players who never left the court throughout the season.
Rachel Leitsch
A three-year starter and an outside hitter for the Saranac Chiefs, Leitsch ranked second on the team in kills and kill efficiency. She anchored a strong passing team on serve receive and played left side defense.
She could be counted on for a strong, consistent serve. She demonstrated outstanding leadership both on and off the court. Her warrior mentality and her work ethic both in season and out of season provided a catalyst that helped propel the Chiefs to a CVAC tri-championship.
Nicole Durnin
The strongest hitter on the Northern Adirondack team, she was also an excellent blocker and a great leaper. A well-rounded middle hitter, her serves were consistent.
Only a junior with two years of varsity experience, the Bobcats are lookin to introduce Durnin to the back row next season.
Kelly McBreairty
McBreairty provided the heart and soul of the Class C and Regional 7-10 champion AuSable Valley Patriots. A senior, her positive attitude and diligent work ethic demonstrated strong leadership as well as her encouraging words on the court.
She was a three-year starter and a very versatile player. This year she stepped up to run the offense as the setter. McBreairty finished the year leading the Patriots in assists, points, and aces. She will be sorely missed next year.
Vada Loya
Loya was the Northeastern Clinton captain and defensive specialist. She averaged 8.5 digs this season. When she wasn't digging, Loya was the Cougars' main passer in the offensive system.
She was also a very dependable server in tough situations with only six service errors all season.
Samantha Banker
Banker was a third-year starting setter and team captain for Peru. This season, the junior led the team offensively in assists. She was named to the Saranac Fall All Tournament Team and achieved CVAC honorable mention for the 2009-2010 season.
Banker is a member of the Varsity tennis team and is involved in the National Art Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Key club, Varsity club, and the Student Mentor Program at Peru High School.
Jenna Brault
Brault brought three years of experience and leadership to the court. The senior captain started in every game as a middle hitter this season. She brought much confidence behind the service line, recording 132 service points and 42 aces this season. Her consistent tough serves challenged many of our opponents service receive. Offensively, Jenna was ranked with the highest kills (194) and was one of the leading blockers in the CVAC.
Her ability to read the block and find holes in the defense opened up numerous offensive options for BCS. Jenna's determination to improve and leadership has brought her great success in this sport. She has spent numerous extra hours in the weight room, attending middle hitter training sessions and watching film. These extras helped her become on of the top players in the CVAC and lead BCS to a championship season.
Champlain Valley
Athletic Conference
Volleyball All-Star Team
Most Valuable Player — Olivia Harrigan, Plattsburgh High School
Coach of the Year — Joanne Johnson, Saranac
Ray Holmes Sportsmanship Award — Peru Central School
First Team
Emily Heath, Saranac
Jenna Brault, Saranac
Kim Plumadore, Saranac
Hillary Miller, Plattsburgh High School
Abby Higgins, Peru
Emily Wyand, Beekmantown
Second Team
Rachel Leitsch, Saranac
Taylor McMahon, Plattsburgh High School
Nicole Durnin, Northern Adirondack
Kelly McBreairty, AuSable Valley
Vada Loya, Northeastern Clinton
Samantha Banker, Peru
Honorable Mention
Paige Moore, Peru
Karissa Fuller, AuSable Valley
Colleen Bradley, Beekmantown
Mariah LaBrake, Saranac Lake
Chrystine Ellis, Lake Placid
Emily Garrand, Northern Adirondack
Elena Sanchez-Freeman, Northeastern Clinton
Police: 5-time Champ Johnny Tapia Found Dead
Native Americans' Olympic Medals Displayed in DC
Manning on Target at First Practice
Raw Video: Olympic Torch Relay Begins in England
Raw Video: Olympic Torch Passed to London
Selig: Oakland Move Might Be Considered
McNamee: Clemens, Canseco Had Steroids Talk
Laurie Fine: My Life Has Been Destroyed
MLB: Mets Get 2013 All Star Game
Bernie Fine's Wife to Sue ESPN
Kyrie Irving Named NBA's Top Rookie
McNamee Says He Gave Clemens Steroids in 1998
Phelps Looks to Add to Medal Haul in London
Raw Video: McNamee Arrives at Clemens Trial
Bulls Bounced From Playoffs
Former NFL Star Junior Seau Found Dead
NFL Suspends 4 Players for Saints' Bounties
Reigning U.S. Champ Eying Olympic Gold in London
Knicks Fans Disappointed in Stoudemire
