How do you separate for All County Volleyball Player of the Year for Clinton County when the three nominees: Demi Freeman (Rossville), Sydney Swan (Clinton Prairie), and Maicee Sterrett (Frankfort) are all their own team’s MVP? All three were team captains, all three were all conference, and all three were 6 rotation players. Between them they had 378 kills, 472 kills, and 385 kills; 479 digs, 335 digs, and 376 digs; along with 75 aces, 46 aces, and 33 aces. When given those stats without a name attached, even their own coaches had a hard time deciphering.
Those stats are just from their own senior season. When looking at career accomplishments, the waters get even muddier. Between Maicee, Demi, and Sydney such career accomplishments include All Conference multiple seasons, multi-season captains, multiple school records in offense, defense, and serving, sectional championships, Indiana Elite Showcase invitees, college recruitments, and over 1,000 career kills and digs.
Upon voting for the All County Volleyball Player of the Year, it was scored based on a first place and second place vote. Each county coach voted anonymously, with the scoring done by an objective party. Through it all, none of the coaches knew who would end up the winner and knowing that all could be deserving in any other season. Because these statistics and accolades aren’t enough, the scoring ended as a tie. How could one ever pick just one anyway? As we present our 3 Co-All County Volleyball Players of the Year, we let you, the reader, decide who should have come out on top:
Co-All County Volleyball Player of the Year: Sydney Swan
Sydney Swan amassed 472 kills, 335 digs, and 33 aces in her senior season as a Gopher. She had over 55 blocks between her junior and senior seasons, almost all of those being solo blocks. Sydney was an All Conference player starting her sophomore year and continuing through her senior season while also ending in the top 10 in kills in the state of Indiana. Throughout her career, she surpassed 1,200 kills and 1,000 digs. Sydney owns multiple school records including most kills in a match (39), highest kill percentage, most digs per set, and most kills in a season (500). She was a captain for her team for 2 years, was an Indiana Elite Showcase invitee, 2A All District, Team MVP, and was named to the 2022 IHSVCA North All Star Team.
“Sydney is an all the way around the court smart and versatile player,” states Clinton Central head coach Melissa Perry. “She is a true leader on the court and her aggressiveness is seen as she attacks the ball, passes the ball, and digs the ball.”
Co-All County Volleyball Player of the Year: Maicee Sterrett
Maicee Sterrett played in every set of volleyball this year compiling 385 kills, 479 digs, and 33 aces. Through her offensive play, Maicee was in the top 3 in the county and in the Sagamore Athletic Conference for kills. Maicee has been selected as captain and awarded All Conference honors, All District honors, and All Area honors. During her career, Maicee surpassed 1,000 digs and reached almost 700 kills. She is the Lady Hot Dog Volleyball Award winner and helped lead her team to 14 wins this season.
“Maicee went from a good, solid player in past seasons to a phenomenal player this year,” said Rossville Head Coach Kathy Martin. “Maicee would cover the entire back row and in the front row she was the difference maker for the Hot Dogs. Well earned season for her and she will do great at the collegiate level.”
Co-All County Volleyball Player of the Year: Demi Freeman
Demi Freeman’s senior season was filled with career and season milestones. Demi accumulated 378 kills, 376 digs, and 75 aces her senior season, which catapulted her to over 1,000 kills, 1,000 digs, and 200 aces. Demi broke multiple school records including most kills per set and most kills in a season. She was the Offensive Award winner and Serving Award winner for her senior season. Demi was a captain, an Indiana Elite Showcase invitee, 1A All District, selected for the IHSVCA North All Star Try Outs, All Conference, and All Area. She ended this season being in the top 1A in aces and kills across the state.
“Demi is a solid, 6 rotation player who is smart with shot-taking,” says Clinton Prairie Head Coach Stacey Swan. “She’s a phenomenal server and has been a major dominating factor when we play Rossville.”
1st Team All County:
This year, Clinton Prairie won the county with Rossville in second place. This allowed both teams to have two players for 1st Team All County. With Frankfort and Clinton Central coming in third and fourth in the county respectively, each of those teams were given one player for 1st Team All County. All schools were given two selections for 2nd Team All County.
Sydney Swan (Clinton Prairie)
Head Coach Stacey Swan says, “Sydney is a highly competitive player who plays with her heart.” Rossville Coach Kathy Martin agrees, “You have to know where Sydney is on the floor at all times. She is a force in the back row and the front row, and she is a great kid on and off the court.”
Abbey Swan (Clinton Prairie)
Swan collected 163 kills, 83 aces, 19 blocks, 286 digs, and 449 assists in her sophomore season. Those numbers alone should speak for themselves on why Abbey is receiving 1st Team All County Honors. Beyond that, Abbey holds the school record for highest serving percentage and most aces in a match. “There needs to be at least one of those level-headed and focused players on the court for every volleyball team and Abbey exemplifies that for Clinton Prairie,” says Coach Stacey Swan.
Demi Freeman (Rossville)
Head Coach Kathy Martin shares, “Demi stepped into her role this year and just dominated. We could depend on her no matter where she was on the court and is such a smart player in seeing and reading the court from across the net.” Coach Kia Rushton added, “Demi is a strong hitter whose team clearly follows her lead. She is a very dynamic player who has a bright future ahead of her.”
Marley Roberts (Rossville)
Marley set the ball to her hitters 2,383 times, which equated to 774 assists. She was also third on the team in digs with 226. Marley received the Setter Award for the 4th year in a row, was a captain for the Hornets, Indiana Elite Showcase invitee, Mental Attitude Award winner, reached almost 2,500 assists in her career, and broke school records for most assists in a game, most assists per set, and most assists in a season. “We have been blessed to have such a consistent, levelheaded leader to set the ball for us for four seasons. Being able to call plays during a rally and know exactly where the ball needed to go was huge for us in accomplished all that we did. She is leaving big shoes to fill,” states Head Coach Kathy Martin.
Maicee Sterrett (Frankfort)
Head Coach Kia Rushton says about Maicee, “Why would anyone think of her as an offensive threat at only 5’3”? Most people underestimate Maicee, but her stats scream otherwise! Her dedication to the game over the last decade and the patience with her growing teammates this season will set her up for success at North Park University next fall.” Clinton Prairie Coach Stacey Swan says, “Maicee is a consistent and all around great player who provides versatile skills across the floor from her defense to serving to backrow attack and hitting.”
Samantha Adams (Clinton Central)
Sam Adams may have only gotten 88 kills on the season, but she was bigger than life at the net combining for 95 total blocks on the year. Clinton Prairie Coach Stacey Swan says of Sam, “She is such an athletic and tenacious player that takes the most aggressive swings at all her attacks.” Rossville Coach Kathy Martin says, “Sam could not be underestimated at the net. You thought you had an open shot, and then Sam seemed to come out of nowhere.”
2nd Team All County:
Haven Wilson (Clinton Prairie)
With 274 digs and 23 aces on the season, Haven Wilson really came into her junior season. Haven is only going to improve in the back row and be able to propel Clinton Prairie in future seasons.
Kaitlyn Beck (Clinton Prairie)
Kaitlyn Beck more than doubled the amount of kills she accumulated last season, ending her senior season with 110 kills and 31 blocks. Kaitlyn helped the Gophers in their front line of defense at the net when they needed it the most.
Brooklyn Edmonds (Rossville)
Brooklyn returned for her junior season after her sophomore season ended early with a shoulder surgery. Returning with a vengeance, she had 247 kills, 46 blocks, 110 digs, and 23 aces. Brooklyn is going to be someone to watch in her senior campaign.
Meilee Thorp (Rossville)
As the Hornets libero for a second season, Meilee seemed to come out of nowhere for a dig, or so it seemed to the opponents. Meilee secured 392 digs this season, which more than doubled her sophomore year. Meilee returns for the Hornets next season to continue to run the back row.
Jalen Smith (Frankfort)
The Hot Dogs have been excited for upcoming Freshmen Jalen Smith for the last few years. Throughout the season, Jalen collected a cool 588 assists and started to lead her team on the court. Jalen will be one to watch in coming years.
Brooklyn Perry (Frankfort)
Brooklyn Perry found her stride mid-season and finished leading the team in blocks at 33 and was second only to Sterrett in kills for Frankfort. Brooklyn will be a dominant middle hitter in the county and conference in the near future.
Bridgette Royer (Clinton Central)
Bridgette Royer stepped into her senior season and went from 30 kills in her junior season to over 160 her senior season. She also led the Bulldogs in blocks with 116 and had a total of 30 aces.
Carly Davison (Clinton Central)
As a freshman, Carly Davison received the ball 343 times with only 40 errors and amassed 260 digs for Clinton Central. Carly is going to be a big difference maker for the Bulldogs as she continues her volleyball career.