The Ripon High volleyball team spent the majority of the 2025 season ranked in the top 10 of the MaxPreps Sac-Joaquin Section rankings. The team came back to reverse sweep Pitman High in a highly anticipated five-set, top-10 thriller and then, weeks later, secured a third consecutive undefeated Trans-Valley League season, three-peating as league champions.

But none of that was senior Adriana Dorn’s favorite part of the season.

Asked about her favorite memory from the season, the decorated leader thought back to a loss.

Dorn and the Indians were trailing two sets to zero in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship match against Christian Brothers (Ripon was moved up after winning the 2024 title in D-IV).

They rallied back to produce arguably the most exciting match of the championship day slate at Cosumnes River College, winning the next two sets and forcing a winner-take-all fifth set. Though they lost 15-8, the team showed the hundreds of attendees what Dorn knew about her team all along.

“Even though we didn’t win, we played with so much grit and so much fight,” she said. “Every single point, we gave it our all. Even if we didn’t come out on top, that was just a really important game and one of my last as a Ripon High volleyball player.”

Dorn grew into a leadership role for the Stanislaus District’s top-ranked team, according to MaxPreps. She guided the Indians to a fourth straight section championship appearance and a fourth straight CIF Northern California Regional playoff berth.

Dorn was one of the top hitters in California, finishing ninth in hitting percentage (.408), and eighth in kills (544). Those numbers rank second and fourth in the section, respectively.

In her final high school season, Dorn finished with career highs in not only kills and hit percentage but kills per set (5.3) and kill percentage (51.9%). Dorn this season also was named the TVL’s Most Valuable Player for the second straight year.

For her efforts, Dorn is The Bee’s Volleyball Player of the Year for a second straight season.

“I’m just honored,” she said of winning the award for a second straight season. “I’m blessed to play with such a really good group of girls two years in a row and they helped me achieve this. I couldn’t have done any of it without them.”

A successful senior season

Dorn, a four-year varsity player, saw her skills improve and her role change every year she played. As a freshman, she tallied 254 assists and just 76 kills. As a senior, her 544 kills were a team high.

She also grew as a leader.

“This program has taught me so many lessons and given me so many memories that I’ll cherish forever.”

As a senior, she reached the milestone of 1,000 career kills, was one of the driving forces in Ripon’s third straight season with over 25 overall wins and led the team through one of toughest volleyball leagues in California, beating multiple state qualifiers and a state champion twice in a 12-0 TVL season.

“Our first goal was always to win league,” Dorn said. “I think (head coach) Greg (Soliz) did a good job preparing us for that. Those games are always really fun because you have rivalries like RC and Escalon. They’re super fun to compete in.”

While her ability to put the ball away as an outside hitter earned her back-to-back Bee Player of the Year honors, Dorn’s versatility has made her a coveted recruit across the West Coast.

According to recruiting website prepdig.com, she is the No. 13 overall player in California and the state’s No. 4 ranked setter/right side.

“I’m willing to do anything to help the team,” she said. “I love to set and I love to hit. I’m good with doing whatever one.”

Fourth title game caps decorated career

In addition to over 1,300 kills, Dorn’s career was defined by winning. The most she lost in a season was 11 games as a freshman. In her final three high school seasons, Ripon never lost more than seven games in a season.

Dorn has never missed a section title match. Each varsity season, her teams played for a blue banner. They won titles during her freshman and junior seasons, 2022 and 2024, and lost in her sophomore and senior seasons, 2023 and 2025. In her four-year varsity career, Dorn and the Indians went 110-27 overall and 44-2 in league matches.

She still remembers her first section title match as a wide-eyed 14-year-old under the brightest lights the SJS offers. She jokingly said she had “no idea what I was doing playing in front of a crowd that big.”

As a senior, she became one of the team’s steady voices, talking the players through tough stretches in a match and guiding them to a near comeback in front of a rowdy crowd in a college gym.

“This was my fourth section championship and I was just able to kind of drown out the noise and just focus on the team,” she said. “My time (at Ripon) has really taught me that.”

2025 Modesto Bee All District Teams

COACH OF THE YEAR

Coming into the season, Pitman head coach Ariah Amini knew his team would be young in key areas. The girls lost their starting middle and second-leading hitter, their leader in service aces, blocks and their starting setter.

He also knew they would be returning some talent, like kills leader and Portland State signee Maryn Hall and key players like Kayliyah Williams, Aila Reich and Alyssa Moreno.

It was just about how everyone would fit together.

Amini asked players to step into bigger roles than they had last season. He had some returners play out of position, coaching them through tough nonleague matchups as they prepared to defend their three-time undefeated run as Central California Athletic League champions.

Though the Pride fell in the Division I quarterfinals, it did not mark the end of their season.

As the season progressed, the Pride only got better. They ended the season with 27 wins and just 11 losses and finished as undefeated CCAL champions for the fourth straight season. The Pride have now won 40 straight league games.

For his efforts, Amini was named CCAL Coach of the Year for the second time and is The Bee’s 2025 Volleyball Coach of the Year.

Pitman, a top 15 team in the section all season, advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs, competing against the best schools the area offers. As the No. 5 seed, they beat Franklin of Elk Grove in a competitive five-set match.

Despite not advancing to the section semifinals and earning an automatic bid into the CIF Northern California Regional playoffs, they did receive an at-large bid granted by the seeding committee. The Pride hosted a first round match in the Division III NorCal tournament as the No. 3 seed, but fell in a competitive five-set thriller to Shasta.

Pitman secured its fourth straight season with at least 25 wins and the third straight under Amini. The league champions had the CCAL MVP, co-Defensive Player of the Year and Setter of the Year.

FIRST TEAM

OH: Zaniyah Corneille, Sophomore, Downey

OH: Faye Dobson, Sophomore, Big Valley Christian

OH: Maryn Hall, Senior, Pitman

OH: Amelia Spaulding, Junior, Turlock

OH/OPP: Olivia Piazza, Junior, Hughson

MB/MH: Brynn Bohn, Senior, Ripon Christian

MH/MB: Emma Gomes, Senior, Hilmar

L: Audrey Mensonides, Senior, Turlock

L: Aila Reich, Senior, Pitman

S: Stella Pires, Senior, Hilmar

S: Jaedyn Riley, Senior, Oakdale

S: Alayna Sprinkle, Junior, Ripon

S: Izabella Ziencina, Sophomore, Pitman

SECOND TEAM

OH: Alyssa Colston, Senior, Hilmar

OH: Jorie Eskes, Junior, Ripon

OH/OPP: Ashlyn Malone, Sophomore, Ripon

OH/OPP: Alyssa Thomas, Senior, Central Catholic

OH/OPP: Addison Yarbrough, Freshman, Hughson

MH/MB: Reese Ahlem, Junior, Hilmar

MB/MH: Haley Kootstra, Senior, Ripon Christian

DS/L: Caitlin Echegoyen, Freshman, Big Valley Christian

DS/L: Izzy Piazza, Sophomore, Hughson

S: Ella Alavezos, Senior, Big Valley Christian

S: Alanna Blanco, Senior, Ripon Christian

S: Aniston Hunt, Junior, Escalon

S: Alyssa Vasquez, Senior, Davis

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.