Nine Creston seniors honored

Creston volleyball team members and coaches gathered Tuesday in the high school commons for the postseason awards program and one final meal together to cap the 2022 season.

Senior middle hitter Doryn Paup was announced as the varsity team’s most valuable player. She led the team in four of five major statistical categories with 246 digs, 37 blocks, 24 service aces and 210 of the team’s 472 total kills. She had 100 career blocks.

Freshman setter Kadley Bailey was the other statistical leader with 177 assists.

Paup also shared the varsity Panther Award (sportsmanship and character on and off the court) with senior Caitlin Bruce. Bruce was also announced as the varsity’s most improved player.

Paup was named to the All-Hawkeye Ten Conference second team and was chosen to play in KMA’s All-Star Volleyball Classic last weekend. Paup was also named to KMA Radio’s Hawkeye Ten Elite Team and Kadley Bailey was on KMA’s All-Freshmen team.

Seniors honored along with Paup and Bruce were Aleah Calvin, Keely Coen, Jacy Kralik, Brooklyn McKinney, Hayden Ray, Kenna Tomas, Haylee Gillam and managers MaKenzie Baker and Keegan Bailey.

Head coach Teresa Arkfeld said all of the Panther seniors were named to the Hawkeye Ten All-Academic team for volleyball.

The Panthers ended a 2-23 season in a regional tournament loss at Winterset, and finished 1-9 in Hawkeye Ten play. Both regular season victories came against Denison-Schleswig in a 3-0 conference match at home on Sept. 25 and a 2-0 sweep at the Griswold Tournament.

Tuesday’s program began with groups of players at various tables coming up with goals for the next season and off-season period on a sign that Arkfeld will hang on a wall in the dressing room as a regular reminder.

The goals listed are: “Better team atmosphere,” “Focus more on the off-season,” “Consistency and effort,” “Better summer attendance,” “Be coachable” and “Grit.”

Despite the win-loss record, Arkfeld said it was a rewarding year with the players.

“Now is the time to start the prep work for next year,” she said. “If you’re not out for a winter sport, you need to be in the weight room, going to camps and working on your skills on your own or with teammates.”

Letterwinners

(Letters won)

Seniors — Caitlin Bruce (2), Aleah Calvin (2), Keely Coen (2), Jacy Kralik (2), Brooklyn McKinney (2), Doryn Paup (3), Hayden Ray (2), Kenna Tomas (2), Haylee Gillam (1), MaKenzie Baker (manager).

Juniors — Kolbey Bailey (1).

Sophomores — Aubrie Mohr (1), Zoey Vandevender (1).

Freshmen — Jaycee Hanson (1), Hollyn Rieck (1), Kadley Bailey (1).

Participation Awards

Seniors — Keegan Bailey (manager).

Juniors — Halli Abildtrup, Ashlyn Baker, Makenna Brown, Keyana Peterson, Danica Pokorny, Bailee Schmitt, Grace Travis, Morgan VanGelder.

Sophomores — Emma Bolton, Abbie Bruce, Olivia Burwell, Alyssa Gerdes, Josie Johnston, Mila Kuhns, Kylie Metheny, Adyson Morrison, Taylor Smith, Sasha Wurster, Hannah Schmitt, Anna Bolinger, Brenda Rameriz, Jana Peavler, Carly Sheil.

Freshmen — Brynn Tussey, Ella Turner, Nevaeh Chesnut, Braylee Pokorny, Abby Freeman, Maylee Riley, Avery Lovely, Lilly James, Kaylynn Smolk, Chaylee Needham, Emily Engdahl, Jaibre Stolk, Ally Villanueva, Morgan Hoyle.

Team awards

Most improved player — Caitlin Bruce, varsity; Adyson Morrison, JV 1; Kaylynn Smolk, JV 2.

Panther Award (sportsmanship) — Doryn Paup and Caitlin Bruce, varsity; Morgan VanGelder, JV 1; Anna Bolinger, JV 2.

Most valuable player — Doryn Paup, varsity; Morgan Van Gelder, JV 1; Nevaeh Chesnut and Sasha Wurster, JV 2.

All-Hawkeye Ten — Doryn Paup, second team.

Statistical leaders

Assists — Kadley Bailey 177, Brooklyn McKinney 137, Hollynn Rieck 52, Jaycee Hanson 17, Jacy Kralik 13.

Kills — Doryn Paup 210, Jaycee Hanson 69, Aleah Calvin 58, Kolbey Bailey 40, Jacy Kralik 39.

Blocks — Doryn Paup 37, Aleah Calvin 11, Jacy Kralik 11, Jaycee Hanson 6, Kolbey Bailey 4.0.

Digs — Doryn Paup 246, Keely Coen 157, Kadley Bailey 104, Jacy Kralik 90, Brooklyn McKinney 74.

Service aces — Doryn Paup 24, Kadley Bailey 23, Brooklyn McKinney 12, Jaycee Hanson 10, Aleah Calvin 8.