When Alexa Borgman was a high school volleyball player, her height, power and athleticism loaded her with potential.

But at West Ottawa, she was never the best player on the court, leaving her a little uncertain about her abilities – but they were there.

Borgman just needed the right college situation to grow her confidence.

Fast forward four years and Borgman was NCCAA Regional Player of the Year and second-team All-American at Grace University.

“I felt like I left everything on the court this year and I dominated, and that showed in my stats quite a bit,” she said. “I just wanted to play with a passion this year. When I was first-team all-region I just broke into tears because I never expected it, then the bigger awards came, and I was just in shock.”

For a second straight season Manitowoc Lutheran’s Ava Stuebs is the Lakeshore Elite volleyball player of the year.

The junior helped guide the Lancers to their second-straight WIAA state championship, this time in Division 3 after winning the Division 4 title in 2024.

She was first team all-Big East Red and unanimous first team all-state in Division 3 by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association.

The 2025 high school volleyball season across the Enquirer coverage area was defined by consistency, toughness, and elite-level production at the net and on the back line. From deep postseason runs to record-setting individual performances, the area’s top programs were powered by athletes who delivered night after night. The Hartselle Enquirer All-Area Volleyball Team recognizes the players and coaches whose performances set the standard throughout the fall.  

Coaches of the Year 

Lyndsey Crumpton, Hartselle 

Crumpton guided Hartselle to a 48-15 record and a return trip to the State Tournament. The Tigers captured the 6A Area 15 title and followed it up with a third-place finish at the North Super Regional, continuing the program’s tradition of postseason success under her leadership. 

Jill Faulkner, Brewer 

Brewer head coach Jill Faulkner. Enquirer photo by Jim Meadows

Faulkner led Brewer to a 42-19 record and a State Tournament berth after the Patriots claimed the 5A North Super Regional championship. Brewer’s postseason surge was fueled by balanced play, defensive toughness, and timely offense throughout the year. 

Player of the Year 

Brewer’s Blakely Faulkner. Enquirer photo by Jim Meadows

Blakely Faulkner, Brewer, Sr. 

Faulkner put together one of the most dominant all-around seasons in the state, finishing with 653 digs, 557 kills, and an eye-popping 319 aces. Her ability to impact the match in every phase made her the centerpiece of Brewer’s run and the clear choice for Player of the Year. 

All-Area team 

Brenna McReath, Hartselle, Jr. 

McReath turned in a monster season with 520 kills, 395 digs, 112 aces, and 63 blocks. Her versatility and power at the net made her one of the most difficult matchups in the area. 

Abby Langlois, Priceville, Sr. 

Langlois anchored Priceville’s attack with 435 kills while adding 325 digs, 96 blocks, and 43 aces. Her presence at the net and consistency in transition play were key for the Bulldogs. 

Maddy Johnson, Hartselle, Sr. 

One of the area’s top setters, Johnson dished out 1,520 assists to go with 416 digs, 192 kills, 66 aces, and 22 blocks. Her court vision and tempo control fueled Hartselle’s offense all season long. 

Makenzie Irmen, Brewer, Sr. 

Irmen was a steady force for Brewer, finishing with 621 digs and 482 kills. Her two-way play gave the Patriots a reliable option in both serve receive and attack. 

Abigail Preuitt, Hartselle, Sr. 

Preuitt delivered 453 kills and 84 digs, providing a consistent scoring threat on the outside as Hartselle navigated a demanding schedule and postseason run. 

Alley Emerson, Brewer, Soph. 

A defensive standout, Emerson piled up 802 digs and added 40 aces. Her ability to extend rallies and control the back row made her one of the area’s premier defensive players. 

Lyndie Springer, Hartselle, Sr. 

Springer filled the stat sheet with 546 digs, 326 kills, and 90 aces. Her all-around production and leadership were vital to the Tigers’ success. 

Josi Langlois, Priceville, Soph. 

Langlois emerged as a dynamic young talent, finishing with 336 digs, 305 kills, and 59 aces. Her growth throughout the season was instrumental for Priceville. 

Adily Alberti, Danville, Sr. 

Alberti capped her senior season with 358 kills and 332 digs, leading Danville with steady offense and defensive consistency on the court. 

LATHAM, N.Y. – Juniors Savannah Owens (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) and Jillian Zukley (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s indoor track & field team claimed the United East Conference Women’s Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week awards as released by the league office Tuesday (Dec. 9).

Owens was named the United East Track Athlete of the Week for the first time in her career while Zukley garnered United East Field Athlete of the Week honors for the fifth time during her indoor career.

St. Mary’s College opened the 2025-26 campaign at the Christopher Newport University Holiday Open on Dec. 6.

Owens broke a school record in her return following a year away from the Seahawks indoor and outdoor track & field teams. The 5-5 sprinter took second in the 600m with a program record of 1:44.22, breaking the previous school record of 1:49.93 set by teammate Avery Arizzi ’27 on Dec. 2, 2023. She also placed third in the 800m in 2:35.81 while leading off the fourth-place 4x400m.

Following her performance, Owens leads the conference in the 800m while ranking 18th in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Zukley qualified for the 2026 All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference (AARTFC) Championships (Mar. 6-7) in the weight throw in the first indoor meet of the season. The 6-3 thrower opened her junior campaign with a bang as she captured the shot put with 11.67m. She then came in second in the weight throw with a school record 15.11m, knocking off her own record of 13.79m set on Jan. 31, 2025, at the Marlin Invitational.

Zukley currently leads the league in both events while ranking fourth in the Mid-Atlantic region in weight throw and sixth in shot put.

SMCM will be idle until the new year when St. Mary’s College travels to the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, N.Y. to compete in the Spartan Invitational hosted by St. Thomas Aquinas College. Action is slated to begin at 12 pm on Friday, January 9.

Purdue has added a young star to its 2026 roster via the transfer portal. The Boilermakers landed a commitment from former Georgia Tech outside hitter Mimi Mambu. She comes to West Lafayette with three years of eligibility remaining.

Mambu spent her freshman season with the Yellow Jackets and was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team. She averaged 2.923 kills per set and hit .155 for the year. The 6-foot outside hitter also totaled 48 blocks and averaged 1.067 digs per set.

“What a wonderful Christmas gift to get the commitment from a smart and dynamic student-athlete,” coach Dave Shondell said in a statement. “We’re excited to have this hard-hitting high-flyer join our team after such a strong first season at Georgia Tech where she helped lead them to an NCAA tournament appearance. We watched Mimi play in high school and knew she would be a special player. Mimi learned so much about our program from Kash [Akasha Anderson] and Isabelle Bardin who are good friends from the D.C. area.”

Shondell saw Mambu up close during the 2025 season. On Sept. 3, the Boilermakers hosted Georgia Tech in the Stacey Clark Classic. The Yellow Jackets won the match 3-1, and the freshman hitter ended the evening with 10 digs and seven kills.

Georgia Tech ended the year with a 16-14 record.

Mambu will likely fill a void left by Purdue senior Akasha Anderson, who proved to be one of the top hitters last season. After transferring in from Michigan State, the senior averaged 2.911 kills per set and had a .282 hitting percentage. She only got better as the season progressed.

Mambu will join a talented and experienced roster in West Lafayette. She joins All-Big Ten selections Kenna Wollard and Grace Heaney at the pin-hitter spots. She will also be playing alongside All-Big Ten setter Taylor Anderson and All-Big Ten honorable mention libero Ryan McAleer.

Purdue closed out the 2025 season with a 27-7 record and a trip to the Regional Final round of the NCAA Tournament.

Mambu had ups and downs

As any freshman might, Mambu had some highs and lows throughout her freshman campaign. She reached a double-digit kill total in 13 of Georgia Tech’s 30 matches.

Mambu also had some off days, though. On five occasions, she ended a match with a negative hit percentage. Three of those came against Louisville, Pitt, and Purdue, all of which made deep runs into the NCAA Tournament.

Mambu is a tremendous athlete with high-flying ability and a strong arm. The biggest focus for Shondell and the Boilermakers will be to develop some consistency, but Purdue’s coaching staff has proven it can correct some of those issues.

Plus, with a full year of college volleyball now under her belt, Mambu is likely to show major improvement from her freshman to sophomore season.

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PURDUE FRESHMAN HITS TRANSFER PORTAL: One of Purdue’s freshmen from the 2025 recruiting class entered the NCAA transfer portal and has already found a new home. CLICK HERE