Wood River High School volleyball coaches Tim Richards and Gary Carr announced 2005 team awards and All-Conference picks during Wednesday's awards banquet in the high school commons area, Hailey.
Fourth-year coach Richards (93-63) said he was proud of his Wolverines who posted a fourth consecutive 20-win season. "It was a great group of girls and next year we'll have a lot of returning players," he said.
Wood River finished 22-18, good for second place in the Great Basin Conference West and fourth place in the entire conference.
Given the Bob Shay Most Inspirational Award was sophomore middle Lauren Morgenthaler.
Coaches Awards presented for outstanding attitudes and contributions went to Hannah Ward and defensive specialist Stefanie Yates.
Most Improved was sophomore Hannah Gove, who made the move from junior varsity to varsity. Junior Elissa Baker was the runner-up for Most Improved.
And the Most Valuable Players were seniors Hannah Richards and Jamie Stone.
Coach Richards announced the Great Basin Conference West picks.
"Coach of the Year" was first-year Jerome coach Rick Burke, whose Tigers went 18-9 and won the conference tournament title. The conference "Player of the Year" was Jerome 5-10 middle hitter Megan Parish.
Making the conference first team from Wood River were senior co-captains Hannah Richards (setter/outside/hitter/middle blocker) and Jamie Stone (OH).
Others on the first team were Minico senior Mary Fennell (MB); Jerome seniors Ali German (opposite) and Jenni Bingham (setter); and Burley senior Jayne Lyons (MB).
Wood River players on the second team were junior Leah McIlhenny (MB/S/OH) and sophomore Hannah Gove (S/OH).
Joining them on the second team were Jerome senior Lindzie Kulm (OH); Burley senior Jessica Gam (OH) and sophomore Katelin Robins (S); Minico senior Kendra Joyce (S).
Making honorable mention from Hailey was junior libero Casey Vegwert. Others were Minico senior Codie Smith (OH); Jerome senior Lindsey Williams (MH); and Burley senior Liz Sager (opposite).
Coach Richards announced that three of his Wolverines competed for spots on the Boise River National Travel Teams in tryouts held the first week of November for 75 to 100 girls at Capital High School in Boise.
Hannah Richards made the 18-year-old first team, and Elissa Baker grabbed a spot on the 17-year-old first team. Kelsey Lidstrom made the 18-year-old second team.
