In addition, Tumwater's Alex Sele and Katrina McClaflin were both named first-team all-state.

"It was such a huge team effort to win a state title, but at the same time it's great to see the individual awards," Croft said. "These three players are the first to say that the ones who didn't get mentioned are the ones who helped us win a state title."

Warner is a three-year starter and was a dominant outside hitter. She finished the season with 134 kills and 23 errors.

"Amanda has been the rock of our team for the last three years," Croft said. "Even with the big guns that's come through, she's been our leader. She's been a great all around player."

Sele, a two-year starer, led the team in kill percentage with 104 and only 12 errors. She also had 27 solo blocks.

"Alex really blossomed and peaked this year," Croft said. "At district and state, she just let loose."

Sele has signed to play volleyball at the University of Idaho.

McClaflin, while only a junior, is a repeat first-team selection as a libero.

"She's pretty unbelievable," Croft said. "She's an amazing passer and digger. I've never seen anyone read the ball as well as she does."

With only two starters returning from last year's state runner-up team, Tumwater was supposed to be in a rebuilding mode.

"Everyone figured we had lost our big guns," Croft said. "People didn't realize the talent we had coming back. It was their time to shine."

Three other South Sound players received first-team all-state recognition.

In 4A, Olympia's Brigit Miller was first-team as a setter. A three-year starter, Miller set school records in career assists and assists for a season.

In 3A, Capital's Brittany Lawrence was named first-team libero. In 1A volleyball, Montesano's Aubree Pockington was named first-team as a hitter.

"As our setter, Brigit ran the show," Olympia coach Laurie Creighton said. "We pretty much ran every play went through Brigit. She developed into a leader. She's a person of high character."

Miller was a key in Olympia's sixth-place finish at state and 28-5 record.

As part of another honor, Creighton was inducted into the state's hall of fame as a coach.

"These were great kids," Creighton said. "They genuinely enjoyed each other. They worked their tails off and we reached our potential as a team."

Olympia's Megan Triggs finished second-team all-state as a libero after setting school match and season records for digs. She had 32 digs against Mead at state to set a single-match record.

"She's a tough, tough competitor," Creighton said. "She'll do anything she has to get a ball."

In soccer, three South Sound players received first-team all-state honors.

In 3A soccer, Timberline's Marikka Benson was first-team all-state goalkeeper. Capital forward Kari Flaatrud and Yelm midfielder Kaycee Davis were second-team all-state.

In 2A soccer, Black Hills' midfielder Lexy Francher was first-team all-state. Tumwater forward Katie Bergquist and defender Ashley Villm, and Black Hills defender Michelle Phillips were second-team.

In 1A, Montesano midfielder Ali Ohashi and defender Becca Lane were first-team all-state.

In 4A soccer, midfielder Kelsey Fuik was named second-team all-state and midfielder Marina Austin was honorable mention.

By Gail Wood | The Olympian • Published December 21, 2008