Banquet celebrates 20-win season

The Monticello High School volleyball team held its annual awards banquet Nov. 19 in the MHS Commons. Voted for team awards, from left: DeLainy Fellinger, Beka Prull, Jordan Kuper, Gabrielle Steiner, Rylee Bauer, Sophie Hodge and Tori McDonald. (Photos by Pete Temple)
Earning All-Conference awards, from left: Emma Hynick, Jordan Kuper, DeLainy Fellinger and Tori McDonald.
Academic All-Conference awards went to, first row from left: Tori McDonald, DeLainy Fellinger, Emma Sperfslage, Leah Holub, Emily Schlarmann and Sophie Hodge. Second row: Beka Prull, Jordan Kuper, Bronwyn Hodge, Carly Hayen, Gabrielle Steiner and Kristen Roher.
A season that included 20 victories, including one in the regional tournament, was celebrated as the Monticello High School volleyball team held its annual awards banquet Nov. 19 in the MHS Commons.
The Panthers finished 20-14. Head coach Stacie Breitbach listed some of the team’s highlights, including the narrow win over Anamosa in five sets in the regional quarterfinals, the first victory over North Cedar in six years, a key win over Tipton, and a runner-up finish in the Midland Tournament.
“We kept improving as the season went on,” Breitbach said. “We just kept making better decisions. I really enjoyed the kids.”
A list of award-winners follows. All-District and All-State selections had not been announced by the time the banquet was held.
ALL-RIVER VALLEY
CONFERENCE
Elite Team: Jordan Kuper, senior.
North Division Team: DeLainy Fellinger, junior; Tori McDonald, junior.
Honorable mention: Emma Hynick, sophomore.
VARSITY TEAM AWARDS
Most Valuable: Jordan Kuper, senior.
Most Improved: Gabrielle Steiner, senior.
Best Offensive Player: Tori McDonald, junior.
Best Defensive Player: DeLainy Fellinger, junior.
Coaches’ Award: Beka Prull, junior.
Panther Pride Award: Rylee Bauer, senior.
Best Teammate Award: Sophie Hodge, senior.
Captains’ Awards: Carly Hayen, senior; Sophie Hodge, senior; Jordan Kuper, senior; Tori McDonald, junior.
JUNIOR VARSITY AWARDS
Most Valuable: Mallory Steiner, sophomore.
Most Improved: Emily Schlarmann, senior.
Best Offensive Player: Rylee Bauer, senior.
Best Defensive Player: Allison Barnhart, junior.
Panther Pride Award: Adele Hogan, junior.
FRESH-SOPH AWARDS
Most Valuable: Piper Hansen, sophomore.
Most Improved: Aleasha Schilling, freshman.
Best Offensive Player: Madison Butterworth, freshman.
Best Defensive Player: Jaelyn Aitchison, freshman.
Panther Pride Award: Reagan Schneiter, freshman.
FRESHMAN AWARDS
Most Improved: Becky Lang.
Best Offensive Player: Bella Mullen.
Best Defensive Player: Serena Brokaw.
Coaches’ Award: Marisa Grant.
Panther Pride Award: Mia Jaeger.