The Fall 2021 Providence Journal All-State Girls Volleyball First- and Second-Team selections are here
After a terrific fall season, here are the 2021 Providence Journal All-State Girls Volleyball first and second teams. The six players selected to the first team will be nominees for Player of the Year at this spring's Rhode Island High School Sports Awards. Three finalists will be named at the show, followed by the announcement of Player of the Year.
Nominees will be honored at the live show and all the nominees can receive a free ticket to the show. Check back later in the year for information on how to RSVP to the show.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the presenting sponsor of the Providence Journal All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards show — part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country.
First team
Ava Grace Dresback
Prout, Sophomore
Outside hitter
After a spectacular freshman season, there wasn’t anything close to a sophomore slump for Dresback. She followed her second-team All-State season by becoming one of the state’s premier hitters and her ability to take over games — whether it be from the front row or back — was instrumental in the Crusaders making their run to the state title game.
Abby Ryno
North Kingstown, Senior
Outside hitter
There were lofty expectations surrounding the Skippers’ star coming into the season and she didn’t disappoint. Ryno makes her second appearance as a first-team All-Stater after a dominant season for North Kingstown last fall. She earned the Gatorade Player of the Year honor and will take her talents to the University of Louisiana-Monroe, where she’ll play for the beach volleyball team.
Josie Gustavson
Prout, Senior
Outside hitter
Gustavson transferred from North Kingstown and the Crusaders immediately felt her impact on the floor. Her ability to control a match at the net or in the back row gave Prout a 1-2 punch with fellow All-Stater Ava Grace Dresback few teams could match. Gustavson’s play was a big reason why the Crusaders reached their first state title match since 2010.
Carly Tomlinson
South Kingstown, Senior
Middle blocker
One of the state’s most energetic players, Tomlinson doubles as Rhode Island’s top middle blocker. A first-team All-State selection last spring, she returns after being the driving force for South Kingstown all season long. Tomlinson’s play in the middle helped the Rebels end rival North Kingstown’s 90-match win streak, then got SK its first girls volleyball title.
Sophie Breitenbach
Rogers, Senior
Right side hitter
Perhaps the best player in Rogers history, Breitenbach started her career with a team title and a first-team All-State spot and ended it the same way. When the Vikings needed a big point, it usually went to Breitenbach. On the season’s biggest point — the fifth set of the D-II championship game — the senior came through with a kill that gave Rogers the title in its first year in the division.
Mackenzie Bessette
Cranston West, Senior
Setter
In their previous five seasons, the Falcons went 33-39. This year, Cranston West went 13-3 to finish atop the Division I-North standings and Bessette had a huge role in the turnaround. The senior's ability to see the court and disperse shots turned the Falcons into winners this season. A first-team All-State softball player, Bessette can add her spot as an All-State setter to her resumé.
More: Here are the 2021 RI Girls Volleyball Coaches' Association All-State and All-Division teams
More: The 2019 Providence Journal All-State Girls Volleyball First and Second Teams
Second team
OH — Cassidy Cole, North Kingstown, Senior
OH — Madison Lupino, Coventry, Senior
MB — Ava Wentworth, South Kingstown, Senior
MB — Sydney Rosciti, La Salle, Senior
RS — Mae D’Ambra, West Warwick, Senior
S — Natalia McNeal, South Kingstown, Junior
L — Taylor Stevenin, Coventry, Junior
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Fall 2021 ProJo All-State Girls Volleyball First and Second Teams
