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Player of the Year
Jordan Miller, Millennium — Three players stood out this season, and of those three, Miller was the healthiest and most consistent. She hit 478 kills and made 229 digs, at times carrying the Tigers back to the 5A finals while new or young players settled into larger roles. Despite having nearly triple the attack opportunities this year, her hit and kill percentages increased significantly as well. Millennium does not come close to another state title if this Boise State-bound junior does not raise her game this much. Runner-up:
Savannah Davis, Deer Valley — The senior was the most dominant force at the net this season. She posted 90 solo blocks and 134 total blocks, despite missing a few matches and some sets in other matches. Beyond that, it is impossible to quantify how much her presence altered opposing offenses. The Skyhawks clearly were the best team in 4A when she was on the court. And if Davis was at full strength in November, we likely are discussing Deer Valley's state title.
Second runner-up:
,Ashley Lifgren, Centennial — The two-time defending player of the year lost her crown more due to injury than anything regarding her play. She missed nearly a third of the season and gutted out the final month of play on a badly sprained ankle. When healthy, future GCU Antelope Lifgren again was the most complete volleyball player in the West Valley. And as fans we were robbed of a full strength Lifgren and Centennial battling Millennium in what would have been a memorable semifinal.
Coach of the Year
Jennifer Gonzalez, Estrella Foothills: Two years after missing the playoffs, the Wolves came within six points of knocking off defending champion Greenway for the 4A state title. Estrella Mountain Ranch is isolated from the rest of the Valley and only one of the Estrella Foothills players is from outside the community. This meteoric risre was home grown and while the local youth sports club gave this team their start, Gonzalez polished their skills and opened a new level of strategy and tactical knowledge to an athletic group that caught up in their volleyball IQ seemingly by the match.
Runner-up:
Cari Bauer, Centennial: Judging only on the three All WVP teams, Bauer's team would be expected to reach the semifinal, at least. But when you consider the Coyotes played most of the season with only seven true rotation players a trip to the final four is impressive. Add in late season injuries that severely hampered Lifgren and Marcelin and the Coyotes' two five-set playoff wins are downright heroic. Bauer juggled things as well as could be expected in her final year as Centennial coach.
Second Runner-up:
Julie Vastine, Millennium: The Tigers are going through an unusual wellsping of talent in the last couple of years. Once again, Millennium was 10-11 players deep. Yet it was almost an entirely new team that Vastine figured out and got back to the 5A finals. And it was a team that won its games differently than the dominant 2018 Tigers. That gives Vastine a slight edge for third over Northwest Christian's Jenna Hope, Ironwood's Lisa Lopez and Sunrise Mountain's Brandi Jans.
