After big seasons for Dove Creek and Mancos volleyball, it’s only fitting that both programs landed multiple all-state recognition to cap their seasons.
With both teams making waves in the postseason, Dove Creek picked up three 1A all-state honorable mention selections, and Mancos collected a pair of 2A honorable mention picks.
Seniors Trista Barnett, Lexi Gray and Shelby Jabour, along with juniors Teya Yeomans and Kalie Gatlin, played large roles in their teams’ success, and the Colorado High School Activities Association and the coaches who voted during the selection process took notice.
For Dove Creek, a school-best 27 wins, an unbeaten regular season, and San Juan Basin League title, along with a 2-2 record at the 1A state tournament, came as a result of strong leadership and consistent play. The Bulldogs only dropped five sets during the regular season, often overpowering their opposition with a wealth of attacking options.
At the middle of that attack, senior Gray earned recognition as the SJBL Player of the Year, catalyzing the Bulldogs offense while making life difficult on opposition kill attempts. Gray posted 180 kills to go along with 63 blocks for head coach Lacey Murphy’s squad. Gray landed on the all-state team for the second consecutive season.
Making all-state debuts, Bulldog outside hitter Barnett and setter Gatlin likewise enjoyed fantastic years. Barnett finished with over 200 kills, 250 digs and led the team in service receptions for the balanced Bulldogs.
Gatlin, meanwhile, put her teammates in great positions to be successful, providing over 700 assists from her sets. The junior also paced the team with 74 aces.
For Mancos, the Bluejays enjoyed their best season in over a decade, posting 18 wins, earning a regional round victory and a top-three finish in league play. Improvements over the past couple of seasons in every facet contributed to the emergence of Brianna Yeomans-Allison’s program as a regional force, culminating in a pair of all-state selections.
Graceland University-bound Jabour collected her first all-state selection after a strong year from her libero position. The senior paced the team in aces (96), while flying all over the court to stymie opposing attacks. She also led the team in digs and serves received, helping the young Bluejays offense get to work.
In the middle of the Mancos attack, Yeomans proved to be one of the most dominant hitters in Southwest Colorado, pounding over 400 kills and a tremendous .295 hitting percentage en route to earning her first all-state selection.
After earning nominations from their respective leagues, players earned all-state selection based off a coaches vote, naming the state’s highest honor roll across the five volleyball classifications.
