Here, as selected by The Times Sports staff, is The Times Spring 2021 Girls Volleyball All-Area Team:
FIRST TEAM
Madison Bromberek, Seneca, MH, sr.: The Tri-County Conference Player of the Year was the offensive centerpiece for the powerhouse Lady Irish. Bromberek recorded 162 kills, 19 stuff blocks and 17 ace serves with a 23.3% kill rate.
Brooklyn Giertz, Seneca, S, sr.: No player in the area was all over the court with electric energy quite the way Giertz was. The senior setter recorded 281 assists, 91 digs and 16 aces for the Tri-County champion Lady Irish.
Madi Malone, Newark, OH, sr.: The four-time Times Player of the Year was just as dominant — if not more so — her senior campaign, averaging 6.6 kills per set and 51.6% efficiency on her way to 164 kills. Malone also added 16 aces and 58 digs.
Addie McConnaughhay, Marquette, DS/OH, sr.: The Crusaders’ centerpiece notched 101 kills (3.5 per set), 106 digs (3.7 per set) and 33 aces (1.1 per set). McConnaughhay was a Tri-County First Team selection and is Marquette’s single-season (2019) digs leader.
Piper Nanouski, Ottawa, OH, sr.: The Pirates’ 5-8 outside hitter had a spectacular season for Ottawa, putting down 190 kills (4.4 per set) and earning All-Interstate Eight Conference honors. Nanouski also tacked on 29 aces and 101 digs.
Gracie Schultz, Fieldcrest, MH, sr.: The Knights’ Team MVP was a Heart of Illinois Conference First Team selection, and with good reason. Schultz averaged 3.6 kills per set, just under an ace (0.92) every set and .80 stuff blocks per set.
Megan Williams, Newark, OH, jr.: The Lady Norsemen’s second hitting option would have been the No. 1 attacker on almost any other team, pounding down 140 kills with 26 stuff blocks and a team-leading 27 ace serves. Williams is a three-time unanimous All-Little Ten performer.
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SECOND TEAM
Claire Allen, Sandwich, MH, so.
Reese Burgwald, Ottawa, L, fr.
Taylor Christian, Newark, S, sr.
Brynn Guelde, Earlville, OH, jr.
Audrey Jenkins, Woodland, OH, sr.
Lily Miller, Ottawa, S, sr.
Ella Sibert, Woodland, MH, jr.
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HONORABLE MENTION
Cassidy Adams, Newark, L, sr.
Emma Benson, Earlville, S, jr.
Cailyn Brumel, Sandwich, S, sr.
Jozie Cole, Streator, S, sr.
Sophia Datoli, Sandwich, OH, sr.
Jena Easton, Woodland, S, jr.
Bella Fortner, Fieldcrest, S, fr.
Halie Grace, Streator, MH, sr.
Kaylee Killelea, Marquette, S, so.
Paige Sexton, Serena, OH, so.
Katelynn Tripp, Somonauk, OH, sr.