Princeton sophomore libero Kinlee Ratliff (10) has been honored on the All-District 6-6A first team. Photo by Victor Tapia / C&S Media

By David Wolman

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Volleyball coaches in District 6-6A recently held a meeting to cast their votes for the all-district team, and six players from Princeton were honored on that list.

Soph. libero Kinlee Ratliff was placed on the first team. Jr. outside hitter/middle blocker Tito Abiba was honored on the second team. Sr. outside hitter Grace Vrba, sr. opposite hitter/setter Storie Wilson, sr. setter/defensive specialist Meghan Gilbert and sr. middle blocker Katelyn Crosby were named to the honorable mention team.

Ratliff was the tone-setter on defense for the Lady Panthers. She posted a season-high 12 digs against Plano East on Aug. 26 and later in the season recorded double digits in digs against Prosper (11), McKinney Boyd (10) and Prosper Rock Hill (11). She had five assists in a 2-1 loss to Texarkana-Pleasant Grove on Aug. 14.

Abiba provided a powerful arm in the middle of Princeton’s front-row attack. In her first season playing for the Lady Panthers’ top team, Abiba notched a season-high 10 kills against Plano on Sept. 5. Less than a week later, she racked up nine kills against McKinney.

Meanwhile, Vrba provided much-needed experience for a Princeton offense that had just three varsity returners. Vrba, a four-year varsity player, tallied a season-high 12 kills against Prosper Rock Hill on Sept. 2.

Crosby also brought another proven arm to the Lady Panthers’ offense. She notched four kills in a match against Prosper Rock Hill on Oct. 3.

A varsity newcomer who helped add to Princeton’s offensive depth was Wilson. She finished with a season-high seven kills in a match against Corsicana on Aug. 29.

Defensively, Princeton received rock-solid play all season from Gilbert, who logged a season-high 10 digs against the McKinney Boyd Lady Broncos on Sept. 26. She also helped set up the offense. Gilbert posted a season-high 11 assists in a victory against Rowlett on Aug. 23.

Princeton was also rewarded for its efforts in the classroom, as a total of 15 Lady Panthers earned their way onto the All-6-6A academic team: Abiba, Crosby, Gilbert, Ratliff, Vrba, Wilson, soph. setter/defensive specialist Carlee Dutler, sr. utility Jennifer Cipollini, jr. utility Sucely Smith, jr. outside hitter Klaudia Crane, jr. defensive specialist Mariela De Alba Reyes, jr. defensive specialist Samantha Phillips, soph. middle blocker Favour Akubuogo, soph. setter Juliyana Adams and soph. middle blocker/opposite hitter Damera Owens.

Plano East sr. outside hitter Simone Heard was named the district’s Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row. Her teammate, jr. Dakota Huynh, garnered Defensive Player of the Year.

McKinney Boyd frosh libero Ashley Ruschill was tabbed the 6-6A Newcomer of the Year.

Allen soph. outside hitter Maya Ogbogu won Offensive Player of the Year, while her sr. teammate, Emily Capangpangan, was named the district’s Setter of the Year.

Plano sr. Djay Seaward won Blocker of the Year, and the Lady Wildcats also had the Coaching Staff of the Year.

Jr. setter Lola Peters, from District 6-6A champion Plano West, was named the Utility Player of the Year.