Caleb Atwood, Scarborough junior outside hitter: Atwood guided Scarborough to the top seed in Class A. She had 162 kills and 62 digs, and was exceptional at the line with a 92.3 service percentage and 39 aces. “She’s someone we tried to gameplan against,” Thornton coach Corey Huot said.
Maya Babcock, York senior libero: With Babcock in back, the Wildcats had someone who made a habit of turning kills into game-turning rallies. She totaled 363 digs, and also dished out 36 assists while adding 34 aces. “(She was) the best defensive player I saw this year,” Washington Academy coach Corey Schwinn said.
Liana Edwards, Gorham junior setter: Our choice for Varsity Maine Player of the Year for the second straight season was the versatile centerpiece for the three-time Class A champion Rams. Her precise passing helped Gorham hit an extra gear, but she was also a strong defender and hitter. The University of Rhode Island commit totaled 337 assists, 171 digs and 90 kills.
Lily Hennessey, Washington Academy senior setter: The Raiders’ attack featured options from all angles, and setting them up was Hennessey, who ran everything with what coach Corey Schwinn called “pinpoint accuracy.” She handed out 460 assists and also totaled 43 aces for the season.
Grace Keaney, Yarmouth senior middle hitter/outside hitter: A dominant middle hitter, the 6-foot-3 Keaney also had the versatility to affect the game elsewhere on the line. The University of Rhode Island commit, a three-time Varsity Maine All-State selection, totaled 149 kills with what Washington Academy coach Corey Schwinn called a “terminating swing,” as well as 87 digs and 41 aces.
Bella Parrotta, York senior setter: With Parrotta at the center of the operation, the Wildcats overpowered most of their opponents en route to a second Class B final appearance. She totaled the 1,000th assist of her career and finished with a whopping 425 for the season, and she added 130 digs, 64 aces and 43 kills.
Addie Petit, Thornton Academy junior setter: Petit was a game-changer for the Golden Trojans and guided them to their first Class A final. The SMAA first-team pick had 369 assists, 98 digs and 40 aces. “She’s amazing,” Gorham coach Emma Tirrell said.
Kellan Schwinn, Washington Academy senior outside hitter: A three-time All-State selection, Schwinn did everything well for the Class B champions. Her powerful, consistent and accurate hits allowed her to take over matches, and she led the Raiders with 199 kills, 107 digs, and 75 aces.
Anabelle Talley, Greely junior outside hitter: Talley was the big hitter that helped the Rangers reach the Class B semifinals. The two-time Varsity Maine selection totaled 193 kills, 158 digs and 30 aces this fall, and was credited with a .479 hitting percentage. “If she got swinging, we were in trouble,” Yarmouth coach Erin Hancock said.
Quinn Wherley, Kennebunk senior libero: While setter Charlotte MacDonald ran the offense, Whirley was the full-tilt defender whose anticipation and hustle allowed her to get to hit after hit, even those she seemingly wouldn’t be able to reach. She piled up 264 digs, handed out 20 assists and was an excellent server with 61 aces.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Corey Huot, Thornton Academy: Huot, the SMAA Coach of the Year, guided the Golden Trojans to their first state championship match. To get there, the fourth-seeded Trojans had to take down No. 1 Scarborough. He also led the Trojans to a victory over eventual state champion Gorham during the regular season.
