Most Valuable Player: Mariah Armstrong, Sonora, 12th, OH.
First team: Shannon Friend, Sonora, 10th, OH; Bailey Henington, Sonora, 10th, L; Cassidy Knowles, Sonora, 12th, RSH; Kaitlin Van Ryn, Oakdale, 11th, OH; Madison Ault, Oakdale, 12th, L; Hayley McIntyre, Oakdale, 12th, MB; Kelsey McIntyre, Oakdale, 12th, MB; Julia Martinez, Manteca, 12th, RSH; Candisse Griffin, Weston Ranch, 12th, OH; Courtney Lewis, Kimball, 11th, MB; Iris Nelson, Kimball, 11th, OH.
Second team: Beth Aschenbrenner, Manteca, 10th, DS; Loreal Taylor, Lathrop, 11th, MB; Kellie Gratigny, Oakdale, 12th, S; Alexis Steele, East Union, 12th, OH; Monica King, East Union, 11th, OH; Aoloni Etu, Weston Ranch, 12th, S; Melanie Amen, Weston Ranch, 11th, MB; ZaNaih Bradshaw, Kimball, 11th, L; Bella Bergamaschi, Sonora, 10th, S; Gabby Olmo, Sierra, 12th, S.
Two Manteca area volleyball players were voted to the All-Valley Oak League first team.
Senior outside hitters Julia Martinez and Candisse Griffin were among the top 12 players recognized by conference coaches. Mariah Armstrong of co-champion Sonora was named Most Valuable Player and was one of four Wildcats to make the first team. Co-titlist Oakdale also had four players honored.
Griffin was the kill leader for Weston Ranch (6-8, 7-9 overall), which finished in fourth place. The Cougars were a win shy of advancing to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the first time. Setter Aoloni Etu and middle hitter Melanie Amen are second-team selections.
Manteca (2-12, 9-21) was awarded a first-team spot despite finishing last, though four of its losses went to the maximum fifth game. Martinez was the area’s hardest hitter and averaged 2.1 kills per set for the Buffaloes. Joining her from the second team is sophomore defensive specialist Beth Aschenbrenner (1.3 digs per set). She is one of four underclassmen to earn VOL postseason honors.
East Union (5-9, 9-15) had two outside hitters make the second team — senior Alexis Steele and junior Monica King. Third-year setter Gabby Olmo of Sierra (4-10, 5-12) and Lathrop junior middle blocker Loreal Taylor round out second-team selections from the area.
