Wave volleyball players selected to all-region

The Greenwave varsity volleyball team had six players that stood out this year.

The all-Northern Division 1-A team of 2015 hosts a significant presence from members of the Lady Wave, including Whitney Skabelund who placed as the outside hitter for the first team. She was also named to all-state second team.

Skabelund led the Wave this year in kills at 119 with a kill percentage of 37.3 percent.

“She (Skabelund) is solid all around player,” said Fallon coach Patty Daum. “You can put Whitney in any position and she will play up to it and look at it as a challenge. She prefers to play the outside but with her setting, she can get the offense what it needs such as with their quickness.”

Representing Fallon on the second team were Megan McCormick and Haylee Paladini, two leaders on their team alongside Skabelund, who played as a middle-blocker and an outside hitter respectively.

While middle was not Paladini’s favorite position, Daum said she developed during the year and became a force to be reckoned.

McCormick, Daum also said, missed first place by one vote.

“Megan gets everything on the outside (and is the) first line of defense because she blocks so well,” Daum said. “She also played back row. Megan was the voice of the team, the glue that held everyone together. She will be missed.”

Players from Fallon who did not make either the first or second team but received honorable mention included libero Kyla Kincaid, setter Zoey Swisher and middle LeAnn Stands.

“She was the heart of the back row,” Daum said of Kincaid. “She ran that back row and the libero position was highly competitive. She was right in the middle of them,” she said. “I also put her in the front row on the right side and she played that very well.”

While Kincaid and McCormick are both graduating next spring, Swisher will be returning to the Lady Wave, along with Stands and Paladini. Daum said that Swisher is already the voice of the program next year.

“Swisher was a notable ball handler for the team, leading the Lady Wave in assists at 234 and tied with four players for serve receiving at 62.

“She is one of the kids I look up to,” Daum said. “I expect a lot from Zooey next year, not only from her setting but also (in her role) as a leader. She will be the heart and soul of next year’s team.”

Daum also expects great things from Stands whom she commended for her spike in performance this year. Stands was second for Fallon in solo blocks at 31 and had several eight-block matches this year.

“From the first day of practice to our last day at the playoffs, she wasn’t the same player,” Daum said. “She evolved into a volleyball player, and I am proud of her. In the beginning Leann knew what she needed to do for her team and coach and worked hard to become a critical part of the front row’s success.”