By CONOR NICHOLL

cnicholl@dailynews.net

Phillipsburg senior outside hitter/middle blocker Makenzie Weinman combined elite talent and a perpetual enthusiasm for volleyball. The all-around ability led the Panthers to a state runner-up finish in Class 3A and helped Weinman receive the top individual honor when she was recently named Class 3A Player of the Year by the Kansas Volleyball Association.

Weinman, a four-year starter, helped Phillipsburg finish third in 2008 and second this fall. The red-haired senior played through every rotation and was strong at every position.

"I think what was kind of the deciding factor in her getting that player of the year award over some of the other talented players across the state is she is just a very well-rounded athlete," Phillipsburg head coach Terra Keeten said. "She may not have been the best hitter that was at the state tournament, but as far as playing all positions and all stat categories; She is very good on the front row. She can angle the ball and move the ball very well and has a good cut on her hit. Then, rotating in the back row, she is an outstanding server. She has a very high ace percentage with her jump serve. She was outstanding on defense as well."

Weinman, a Fort Hays State University signee, was one of multiple players named to the all-state teams. In addition, Phillipsburg junior outside hitter Melissa Blair picked up second-team Class 3A honors and junior libero Samantha Voorhees was honorable mention. Keeten, with more than 300 wins in 11 years, was Class 3A Coach of the Year.

"I kind of give that credit to my players, my players of the past. I have been very fortunate to have a lot of talent come through here in the past 11 years," Keeten said. "...It goes into the paper as coach of the year, but it is more of a team award. That's kind of how I looked at that."

This year's squad was paced by Weinman, who replaced 2008 all-state hitter Lindsay Dusin as the Panthers' top player. Weinman, who earned second team all-state as a junior, led Phillipsburg through a tough 3A sub-state at Thomas More Prep-Marian.

"That energy definitely helps the team and when we are down, I definitely want to keep it going," Weinman said earlier this fall. "I like to be happy."

In the semifinals against the Monarchs, Phillipsburg faced two match points before winning in three sets. In the finals, the Panthers picked up a big win against rival Smith Center.

At state, Weinman, the team leader in digs, attracted praise and attention from multiple opposing coaches and college coaches at state. The Panthers defeated Hillsboro and Eureka and lost to Wichita Collegiate in pool play.

"I know talking to people at the state tournament that we either played against or were there watching, people tried to keep the ball away from her and they made the comment they couldn't," Keeten said. "They were trying to serve to different positions on the court, but she just played very well on the back row, too, so I think people could recognize that she was outstanding in all areas of the game."

The Panthers, one of the most undersized teams at state, beat Richmond-Central Heights in the semifinals, 25-23, 25-16 before they fell to Collegiate in the championship. Phillipsburg finished 39-4 after a 38-3 record in 2008. At state, Keeten thought Weinman had a strong chance at the Player of the Year award.

"I think everyone just kind of fell in love with our team in general and with Makenzie," Keeten said. "She just has a real charisma to her ability and her attitude. Anyone who walks in the gym, you notice her. She is just a fun player to watch and always smiling, happy and a good team player and she also has the skills to be an outstanding volleyball player."

The 6-foot-1 Blair is the tallest player that Keeten has ever coached. Blair, who delivered several critical kills late in the third set against TMP-Marian, picked up her first all-state honor.

"She is also a good jumper, so she is able to get up high on the ball and is able to get a lot of velocity coming down on it," Blair said.

Voorhees, a two-year starter, was one of two liberos named on the all-state team, joining junior Konner Davison from Sedgwick.

"The thing with being a libero and Sam is a perfect example of this. You have to have that desire to do it, that no fear aspect of I am going to dive on the floor and go after every ball and hustle after every ball," Keeten said. "Sam just has that personality."

Oberlin has two first -eam selections

Most of the season, the Oberlin volleyball was ranked No. 1 in Class 2A.

The Red Devils eventually advanced to the Class 2A state tournament and finished fourth. Junior middle blocker/setter Jordan Dreher and senior middle blocker Adrienne Pauls picked up first team all-state honors. Dreher was the lone junior named first team.

"Jordan had an all-around player on the court," head coach Sherri Ruf said. "She is a very good competitor. She can serve, she can set, she can block and she can hit the ball. She is just an all-around player. She is a very aggressive player and very competitive."

Pauls, who earned honorable mention honors in 2008, picked up 214 blocks this season en route to her second all-state award. State champion Moundridge and Oberlin were the lone 2A teams with two first team selections.

"She did a very nice year of blocking," Ruf said. "She hits well. She has a passion for our game. She really loves volleyball."

Other selections

Smith Center senior middle blocker/setter Taylor Arnold earned Class 3A honorable mention honors. In Class 1A, Almena-Northern Valley senior outside hitter/middle blocker Alison Cole was second team. Weskan senior middle blocker Payton Walker picked up Class 1A honorable mention.