Meet the 2022 Providence Journal All State Girls Volleyball teams

2022 Providence Journal All-State Girls Volleyball first team

The Providence Journal is pleased to announce the nominees for Girls Volleyball Athlete of the Year at the All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards, which will be back with an exciting live event on June 27 at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

The nine-month student-athlete recognition program will culminate in an in-person show, featuring the top student-athletes from the state of Rhode Island. The event’s time, date and venue are still to be determined and will be announced soon.

During the live show, these nominees will be honored, along with the player of the year for each sport. The awards showcase will also feature other premier awards for both on- and off-the-field accomplishments of student-athletes, coaches and teams, including a courage award and coach of the year, team of the year, and the boys and girls athlete of the year awards.

All official nominees who RSVP can attend this event at no charge thanks to sponsors. Check regularly at the show's website for updated information on how to attend.

The All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, which is the largest high school sports recognition program in the country. Last year’s show can be viewed online at this link

This year, one school from the area will win a $1,000 donation to its school’s athletic department. More details on that are coming soon.

Annie Draper

North Kingstown, Junior

Rightside Hitter

Draper would have fit in just fine on the outside, but the left-hander’s ability to play opposite changed the dynamic of how the Skippers worked and made a good team even better. Draper was a big swinger as well as a smart one and her ability to stay on the court – front or back – made her an invaluable piece in North Kingstown’s return to the mountaintop this fall.

Melis Kocak

East Greenwich, Senior

Outside hitter

Perhaps the comeback story of the season, Kocak returned after missing last year with a torn ACL and closed her career in style. The senior was one of the hardest hitters in all of Rhode Island and when the Avengers need a big kill, the ball was usually sent in her direction. After going 5-11 last year, Kocak’s play helped EG go 10-6 this fall and earn a spot in the playoffs.

Mackenzie Lonergan

North Kingstown, Senior

Outside Hitter

Lonergan was the piece that put together the Skippers’ championship puzzle this season. Her leadership qualities were above and beyond and Lonergan let her play do the talking for her. When North Kingstown needed a big swing she could come up and make it and Lonergan saved her finest performance for her last game, putting together a show in NK’s state championship win over South Kingstown.

Morgan Casey

Portsmouth, Senior

Middle blocker

It wasn’t hard to find the key to the Patriots’ incredible turnaround this season. Casey, an All-State track performer, had a dominant fall in the middle. Her height and athleticism made her a feared hitter and Casey’s wingspan and athleticism made her a ferocious blocker as well. Casey helped guide the Patriots to the D-I semifinals and earned her Gatorade Player of the Year honors.

Katja Nelson

Chariho, Senior

Middle blocker

An undefeated championship season doesn’t happen without a few special players and Nelson was certainly one of them. Nelson drew plenty of attention from opposing blockers, freeing up her hitters on the outside and when the ball was set her way, she had no problem putting it down either. Nelson was a force in Chariho’s D-II final sweep of East Providence, the program’s first title since 1994.

Ella Maack

North Kingstown, Junior

Setter

It’s tough to win state titles without a magnificent setter and Maack couldn’t have been better this season. The junior ran the Skippers’ offense with precision, having a knack for when and where to set the ball on every point. Up against the state’s top hitters she was a strong blocker and doubled as a terrific back-row player when needed. With Maack back next season, expect North Kingstown to be a favorite to win the state title again.

Taylor Stevenin

Coventry, Senior

Libero

While hitters get the headlines, it was hard to argue about Stevenin’s important on the court. The Oakers’ libero covered the court like no other, keeping points alive and keeping Coventry in matches all season long. Stevenin’s talent and leadership was instrumental in the young Oakers reach the D-I semifinals. For that, she more than deserved her spot as a First Team All-Stater.

2022 Providence Journal All-State Girls Volleyball Second Team

OH – Sarina Marines, Cranston East, Senior

OH – Abigail Spadoni, Coventry, Senior

RS – Natalia McNeal, South Kingstown, Senior

MB – Eve Sweeney, La Salle, Senior

MB – Sierra Thompson, South Kingstown, Junior

S – Caitlin Mediate, Portsmouth, Sophomore

L – Syndey Henson, North Kingstown, Sophomore

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The 2022 Providence Journal All-State Girls Volleyball Teams