CHARLESTON — For the third time in as many seasons it was Oak Glen and Philip Barbour battling it out for statewide bragging rights in Class AA.

However, James Monroe senior Ava Pitzer, whose Mavericks fell in the semifinals to the eventual champion Golden Bears, was honored as captain of the double-A all-state first team by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

“Ava being named captain of the AA first team all-state is a dream come true and a testament to her hard work and determination,” admitted JMHS head coach Julie Bradley. “I can remember watching her in middle school when both feeder programs would play each other. I knew this senior class had girls that could play and that they would be a strong team at the next level. They have accomplished so many firsts for our program here at James Monroe.

“This is another first. As her coach, I feel immense pride and satisfaction seeing Ava’s dedication pay off. I am so proud of this team, and I know Ava and her teammates are proud of their accomplishments. AA is loaded with talent and to have a player named captain on the first team is an honor. I know she is proud. She wants to inspire and motivate others like the young ladies before her.”

The four-year stalwart for the Mavericks continued to get better each season in the program.

Her continued attention on fine tuning her all around game has afforded her the chance to continue playing at Charleston Southern.

“When the day came and she committed to Charleston Southern, you could see the weight of the world lift off her shoulders,” added coach Bradley, who watched Pitzer serve at 93% with 74 aces, produce 490 kills with a .242 efficiency and 41% kill rate along with posting 23 blocks, 67 assists, 385 digs and 386 serve receptions. “I could also see that confidence in her senior season on the court. Her swing was more powerful, and I could feel her strength and energy as she took her approach from the sideline. Standing on that sideline in the coaching box is the best.

“Watching these girls hit that ball through blocks and cutting those shots is amazing. Ava’s hard work with her attack definitely shows her power, and her cuts are difficult to defend. She loves to hit and get those kills. It’s her mic drop moment. It gets her fired up, and her team gets fired up too. I am looking forward to watching Ava at the next level. I know she is stubborn and determined enough to face the challenges that will come. We have talked about the next level, and she says she is ready. James Monroe High School and I are proud of Ava and wish her nothing but the best.”

Oak Glen with senior Averi Martin and Philip Barbour with junior Finley Carpenter were the only repeat selections on the all-state first team.

Martin, who was a key cog on this year’s and the 2023 state title squad versus the Colts, served at 94% and had 44 aces. The Golden Bear registered 396 kills with a .261 efficiency and had 58 blocks and 121 digs.

Carpenter amassed 80 aces as a 93% server. She hit .246 with a 40% kill rate and had 299 downed spikes to go with 56 blocks, 432 digs and 750 assists.

Fellow Philip Barbour junior teammate Izzy Knotts also secured a nod on the top unit after she hit .392 with a 50% kill rate and 644 successful attacks. The 92% server had 60 aces, 492 digs, 476 serve receives and was a force defensively at the net with 163 blocks, which included 87 solo.

Little Kanawha Conference Player of the Year Sophie Bailey of Poca grabbed a spot on the first team. The senior led the Dots to the big show before falling in five sets to James Monroe in the quarterfinals.

Bailey was a 90% server who had 66 aces and 552 kills. Her kill rate was 48% and she hit .335 with 77 blocks, 66 solo, and finished with 332 digs, 537 serve receives and 69 assists.

The lone sophomore on the first team was Nora Aliff of Charleston Catholic. The Irish were upset by Wheeling Central in the quarterfinals, but Aliff produced 46 aces at 84% with 501 kills. She hit .434 with a 55% kill rate and added 36 solo blocks and 148 digs.

Martin’s senior teammate and fellow Golden Bear Brooklyn Six along with Ravenswood junior Anna Casto, James Monroe senior Aaliyah Clarkson and Buffalo senior Jocie Harris also earned first team honors.

Six, who had 347 kills and hit .212 with 14 blocks and 201 digs, had 77 aces and was a 94% server while taking in 352 serve receives.

Casto’s final numbers saw her finish with 617 kills and a 46% kill rate while hitting .429. The Red Devil, whose season came to a close in regional play at the hand of Wheeling Central, added 82 aces as a 96% server. She also had 34 blocks and 911 passes on target.

Clarkson also did it all for the Mavericks evidenced by her 80 aces at 84% and 361 downed spikes. She hit .236, had a 39% kill rate and finished with 32 blocks, 255 digs and 368 serve receives.

The Bison Harris was a 93% server and had 46 aces to go along with 272 kills, 40 blocks, 267 digs, 39 assists and 394 serve receives.

Wheeling Central senior Lainey Peters, whose career came to a close after falling to the Colts in the semifinals, was named captain of the all-state second team.

The Maroon Knight was a 91% server who had 32 aces and 144 kills. She had a .328 efficiency and a 49% kill rate to go along with 31 blocks, 141 digs and 362 assists.

Joining Peters on the second team were Ravenswood senior Annie Starcher, Charleston Catholic sophomore Ali Wilcox as well as Irish senior teammate Ilyauana Evans, Wyoming East senior Carli Raye, Williamstown senior Keatyn Haynes, South Harrison sophomore Kennedy Southern and three other 12th-graders in Oak Glen’s Brayley Lash, Philip Barbour’s Kayla Baker and Liberty’s Emily Williams.

Wooden plaques in the shape of West Virginia that include the high school name, player’s name, licensed WVSWA logo, and year of the honoree, are available to all-state first team, second team, and honorable mentions and can be purchased from the Bear Wood Company through WVSWA.org or Bearwoodcompany.com

FIRST TEAM

Ava Pitzer, James Monroe, SR (Captain)

Izzy Knotts, Philip Barbour, JR

Averi Martin, Oak Glen, SR

Sophie Bailey, Poca, SR

Nora Aliff, Charleston Catholic, SO

Finley Carpenter, Philip Barbour, JR

Brooklyn Six, Oak Glen, SR

Anna Casto, Ravenswood, JR

Aaliyah Clarkson, James Monroe, SR

Jocie Harris, Buffalo, SR

SECOND TEAM

Lainey Peters, Wheeling Central, SR (Captain)

Annie Starcher, Ravenswood, SR

Ali Wilcox, Charleston Catholic, SO

Carli Raye, Wyoming East, SR

Keatyn Haynes, Williamstown, SR

Ilyauana Evans, Charleston Catholic, SR

Kennedy Southern, South Harrison, SO

Brayley Lash, Oak Glen, SR

Kayla Baker, Philip Barbour, SR

Emily Williams, Liberty, SR

HONORABLE MENTION

Mikalyn Balch, Oak Glen; Remy Peters, Wheeling Central; Abby Barnett, Poca; Paula Ganoe, Frankfort; Katie Grimm, Tyler Consolidated; Amya Bias, Buffalo; Courtney Thompson, Wayne; Jaycee Lipscomb, Doddridge County; Miley Tingler, Petersburg; Raya Justice, Scott; Karlee Lusk, Wyoming East, Kayli West, Tyler Consolidated; Jaycelyn Sammons, Wayne; Anna Boggess, Buffalo; Mya Dunlap, James Monroe; Abby Louk, South Harrison; Amalia Kirlangitis, Weir; Kamryn Wooten, Independence; Gracie Wolfe, Philip Barbour; Bree Gruse, Charleston Catholic; Ashlinn Sullivan, Poca; Emma Simpson, Independence; Sadie Mann, James Monroe; Addi Kerby, Williamstown; Sadie Adams, Lincoln; Madie Estepp, Mingo Central; Saigan Sims, Summers County