Locals make W.Va. All-State volleyball lists
The West Virginia All-State volleyball teams were announced this week and several local players were among those recognized.
Leading the way was Class AA state champion Oak Glen with two first team selections and a second team pick, while Weir High and Madonna were also represented in their respective classes.
CLASS AA
The Golden Bears after a 28-10-3 season and the program’s ninth state title, were recognized with two first team picks in seniors Averi Martin and Brooklyn Six.
Martin led the team with 396 kills and was second on the team with 44 aces and 58 blocks.
Six was second on the team with 347 kills and 352 serve receptions while she led the team with 77 aces and was third with 201 digs.
Brayley Lash, another senior, was a second team pick. She had the state-championship-clinching ace and was third on the team with 270 kills, led the team in blocks with 64 and was fourth on team with 29 aces.
Honorable mentions went to Oak Glen junior Mikalyn Balch , who led the state with 1,097 assists.
Also receiving an honorable mention was Weir High senior Amalia Kirlangitis, who finished with 463 assists, 196 digs, 14 blocks, 27 aces and 52 kills.
CLASS A
Madonna’s first state tournament trip and 27-11-1 season landed a couple of players recognition at the state level.
Rylee Birkhimer, a senior, was a second team all-state selection after finishing second on the team with 307 kills, third with 56 aces, fourth on the team with 287 digs and second on the team with 364 serve receptions.
Earning honorable mention was a pair of Blue Dons in junior Madison Owens and sophomore Sophie Brady.
Owens led the Dons with 344 kills and 380 digs while Brady was the team’s leader in assists with 913 and aces with 95 and was third on the team with 304 digs.




