PLAYER OF THE YEAR
MCKENZIE IMPERO
School: Nooksack Valley
Year: Senior
Position: Outside hitter
What she did: Thanks to a tireless work ethic, developed into one of the top hitters in the Northwest Conference. ... A four-year varsity hitter who helped transform the Pioneers into a winning product once again. ... Led Nooksack Valley in kills. ... Helped the Pioneers to a Class 1A State Tournament berth, a 7-5 Northwest Conference record - the top mark in the 1As - and an 11-9 overall record. ... An All-NWC first-team selection.
FIRST TEAM
KATIE BECKER
School: Sehome
Year: Senior
Position: Middle blocker
What she did: A reliable force in the middle all season for the Mariners and has a strong skill set in a number of areas. ... A key piece that helped Sehome make a return trip to the Class 2A State Tournament, where the Mariners went 1-2. ... Helped Sehome post the best Northwest Conference record in Whatcom County with a 10-3 mark, finish third at the Class 2A Northwest District Tournament and finish with a 15-6 overall record. ... An All-NWC first-team selection.
BROOKE BONSEN
School: Lynden
Year: Senior
Position: Outside hitter/middle blocker
What she did: Bonsen contributed in all facets for the Lions. ... She has an unmatched work ethic, led the Lions in kills, lead and anchored Lynden's defense, which played without a true libero. ... Helped Lynden to a 9-3 conference record, a fourth-place finish at the Class 2A Northwest District Tournament and an overall mark of 12-6. ... An All-NWC first-team selection. ... Also a standout pitcher for the Lions' softball team.
MIKAYLA CHANG
School: Squalicum
Year: Junior
Position: Libero
What she did: A gritty defender and a key reason Squalicum transformed from a 3-11 team in 2011 to a 10-4 team this year. ... With a number of players returning, should be an integral piece to a Storm group capable of earning a district tournament berth next year. ... Helped Squalicum finish with an 8-4 Northwest Conference record - the third-best mark in Whatcom County - and win eight of its last nine games. ... An All-NWC second-team selection.
OLIVIA HALVERSON
School: Bellingham
Year: Senior
Position: Opposite
What she did: An extremely gifted left-handed athlete with incredible leaping ability - perfect for the opposite position. ... Served as one of Bellingham's kills leaders. ... A major reason the Red Raiders were much more competitive. ... Helped Bellingham improve on last year's 1-12 league record to a 4-9 mark this year. ... An All-NWC second-team selection.
MADDI HOMMES
School: Lynden
Year: Senior
Position: Middle blocker
What she did: A hustle player with a high motor willing to put her body on the line to keep a play going. ... One of Lynden's kills leaders. ... Helped the Lions to a 9-3 conference mark, a fourth-place finish at the Class 2A Northwest District Tournament and an overall record of 12-6. ... An All-NWC second-team selection.
MCKINNA LARSON
School: Nooksack Valley
Year: Senior
Position: Setter
What she did: A four-year varsity setter who created a strong rapport with fellow four-year varsity hitter McKenzie Impero and a number of other Pioneer hitters. ... A consistent and reliable setter, who helped turn around the Nooksack Valley volleyball program. ... Helped the Pioneers earn a 7-5 conference record, reach the Class 1A State Tournament and finish 11-9 overall.
TAYLOR LYALL
School: Sehome
Year: Junior
Position: Outside hitter
What she did: Blossomed into one of the strongest outside hitters in the Northwest Conference in her second year of varsity action. ... Coupled with teammate Dani Johnson to help the Mariners replace the lost production of Megan Johnson. ... One of Sehome's kills leaders. ... Helped the Mariners reach the Class 2A State Tournament for the second straight year, earn a 10-2 league record and a 15-6 overall mark. ... An All-NWC first-team selection.
CASSIE MULDER
School: Lynden Christian
Year: Senior
Position: Outside hitter
What she did: One of the most physically imposing presences in the Northwest Conference. ... Used her height and strong swing to hit balls at a difficult angle for defenses to handle. ... Filled in admirably for the loss of Jasmine Hommes and was one of LC's kills leaders. ... Helped the Lyncs to a Class 1A State Tournament berth, a 5-7 league record and a 10-11 overall mark. ... An All-NWC second-team selection.
COACH OF THE YEAR
KRISTY WHITE
School: Sehome
What she did: Guided the Mariners to back-to-back Class 2A State Tournament appearances and is beginning to create a consistent, winning product. ... Coached Sehome to a Whatcom County-best 10-2 Northwest Conference record and a 15-6 overall mark. ... Instructed All-NWC players Katie Becker, Taylor Lyall, Dani Johnson and Kendra Thomas.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Player, school, Pos.
Lindsay Hayes, NV MB
Dani Johnson, Seh. OH
Elise Larson, Fern. OH
Meghan Lowry. Sq. OH
Cari Pearsall, Bell. S
Tirsa Randall Grutter, Sq. S
Taylor Reid, Fern. DS
Lindy Swanson, NV MB
Kayla Tiemersma, LC MH
Kendra Thomas, Seh. L
Taylor VanDalen, Lyn. S
Sydney Wasilewski, Mer. Opp.
Abby Winterburn, MB. MB
Reach ANDREW LANG at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call ext. 862.
