ST. GEORGE — After Ridgeline won its second consecutive 4A state volleyball championship Oct. 29, coaches from around Region 10 got together and voted for their all-region team selections.
All seven teams in the region were well represented, led by Crimson Cliffs, Cedar and Desert Hills. Each of those three schools placed five players on the all-Region 10 squads.
Earning co-MVP honors were Crimson Cliffs senior Riann Gines and Cedar junior Emery Harrison.
Crimson Cliffs won Region 10 with an 11-1 league record. Coach Gabrielle Hasenbeck told St. George News that it was an easy decision to cast her MVP vote for Gines.
“She was a complete asset to our program,” Hasenbeck said. “I only had the privilege to coach her two years, but she was just a tremendous asset all the way around. Her serve/retrieve, being in the front and also being able to play different positions, we couldn’t afford not to have her on the court.”
Callie Finlinson and Ella Jones earned 1st team all-region honors.
“Ella outranked everyone in stats across the state,” Hasenbeck said. “Kids always have their down days but Ella made it her up day every day. And Callie really did have an awesome year. She was our leader in kills and she totally changed the dynamic with her energy. She was an absolute necessity.”
Daidy Hurst and Adah Elam were selected to the all-region 2nd team.
“It’s awesome to see two kids that were not true varsity players last year become starters in the senior year and show tons of growth,” Hasenbeck said. “Adah stepped up strong and hit and blocked and did all the things we needed her to do. And Daidy definitely excelled after we asked her to play a new position in the middle. She was our team leader in blocks and really took off and shined.”
The defending region champs could easily have had more players make the all-region team.
“My whole team is worthy,” Hasenbeck said. “We had a ton of athletes that no other team had. That makes it kind of sad to say my seniors are gone. It was just an awesome year for all of us.”
Desert Hills was second in Region 10 play with a 10-2 mark. The Thunder finished as 4A state runner-up for the second consecutive year after getting swept by the powerful Ridgeline program out of Region 11.
Leading the 1st team Thunder selections were Hallee Heath and and Brooke Wilson.
“Hallee ended up leading the state in efficiency – that was really exciting for her. She was definitely one of those players who when we set it up for her on the outside, she put it away every time,” Desert Hills coach Craig Allred said. “And with Brooke, her serve/receive led us. We tried to put her in spots where she could receive as many as possible and she did a really good job of that.”
Saidey Spencer and Tatum Gardner were chosen for the 2nd team.
“Both were our setters,” Allred said. “Saidey stayed in the whole time in matches and led us in kills as well. She’s so good at leading our setting and attacking in the front row, she just had an awesome senior season. Tatum also came out in the front row and led us in assists. She really did a good job.”
Rounding out the Thunder’s five all-region selections was senior Anna Jenson, who earned honorable mention.
“Anna Jenson was one of the hardest hitters we’ve ever had,” Allred said. “She can put the ball away. This year we moved her back and forth, blocking on the right side and she was always willing go outside and hit big swings. Just a great team player for us.”
2022 all-Region 10 volleyball selections:
Co-MVPs: Emery Harrison, Cedar, and Riann Gines, Crimson Cliffs
1st Team: Callie Finlinson (Crimson Cliffs), Angie Georgopoulou (Snow Canyon), Bird Allen (Cedar), Hallee Heath (Desert Hills), Brooke Wilson (Desert Hills), Aaliyah Alu Alu (Hurricane), Ella Jones (Crimson Cliffs)
2nd Team: Daidy Hurst (Crimson Cliffs), Saidey Spencer (Desert Hills), Annalyse Shimada (Cedar), Avery Thorkelson (Snow Canyon), Adah Elam (Crimson Cliffs), Tatum Gardner (Desert Hills), Lexus Ludlow (Cedar)
Honorable Mention: Abby Dye (Dixie), Leuma Lorentzen (Dixie), Khloe Wright (Hurricane), Anna Jenson (Desert Hills), Halle Wilkinson (Pine View), Sophie Jaster (Snow Canyon), Taislee Arehart (Cedar)
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