The 2009 First Financial Bank All-County volleyball team was announced Wednesday.

The team was selected by the Times-Review, coaches’ nominations and all-district selections.

This year’s most valuable player was senior Isabella Shaver of Godley.

Shaver led the entire Metroplex in every classification in kills last year, and this year she averaged 4.66 kills per set while being named 15-2A’s MVP.

Shaver was a key element of Godley’s most successful run in the volleyball program’s eighth year, and she had to overcome personal tragedy to help the Lady Cats go further than ever before.

Shaver’s father, Jim, passed away during the second round of district play, Shaver said, but he was able to watch Godley’s biggest game of the year before his death.

“He did get to see me play the biggest game at Grandview,” Shaver said. “It was great for him to see me play one last time. I came back and played even harder.”

Godley head coach Todd Weese, who won coach of the year honors both in 15-2A and for the all-county team, said Shaver has helped guide the Lady Cat volleyball program into uncharted territory.

“She’s done so much for our program,” Weese said. “She came here as a freshman and had played a lot of club ball, and she was such a good leader for us. Her knowledge and love of the game really spread throughout our program and had a lot to do with our success.”

Weese said that since the regional quarterfinal loss to Quitman has faded, the historic season has revealed itself in more clarity.

“Now that it’s been a while since we lost, we did a lot of things we’ve never done before,” Weese said. “It was the first time we’ve beaten Grandview twice and we’d never beaten Maypearl. We won 37 matches and only lost six. We’d never won the district and we’d never gone past the bidistrict round of the playoffs.”

Grandview’s Vanecia Spencer was named the county’s best hitter after helping lead the Lady Zebras to the regional quarterfinals of the playoffs.

Spencer teamed up with standout Marissa Cooksey in 2008, but got to play more of a lead role as Grandview’s key hitter in 2009.

“It was pretty intense,” Spencer said. “We felt like all the pressure was on our shoulders, but I live for that kind of stuff.”

Cleburne senior Shelby Contrarez was named the county’s top libero after returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined her for most of the district schedule in 2008.

Contrarez said it was good to be back.

“It was awesome,” Contrarez said. “Actually playing all the district games and not having to worry about my hamstring.”

Contrarez said that while she intends for softball to be her main sport in college, she said she won’t rule out volleyball just yet.

“I’m going to miss it,” Contrarez said. I’m actually considering trying to walk on wherever I end up going.”

Lady Jacket sophomore Lacy Stinebaugh was named co-setter of the year alongside Grandview senior Haley Goldwater.

Stinebaugh said she’s ready to go even further in her final two years after having a big impact during her first two.

“It’d be nice to maybe win state,” Stinebaugh said. “That’d be good.”

Goldwater said she’s been exposed to volleyball from an early age because of her mom, who used to coach it.

“I started when I was young,” Goldwater said. “I’ve grown up around it.”

Goldwater said she feels she improved in her leadership role in her final year as a Lady Zebra.

She expressed gratitude to her teammates and family for winning the award.

“I would definitely thank [head coach Stacy] Bartosh,” Goldwater added.

Joshua’s Jordan Neal took home defensive player of the year honors, and will look to add to her trophy case as she continues her volleyball career at Texas A&M; Commerce.

“It feels good, but I had no idea,” Neal said. “I’m going to A&M; Commerce with a 90 percent scholarship so I’m pretty excited.”

Neal said she credits her mom who has played a pivotal role for her.

“She’s been there for me my whole life,” Neal said.

Godley junior Ashley Allen was named the county’s offensive player of the year, and said she likes to keep herself busy with numerous sports.

“I also play basketball, track and softball,” Allen said. “I don’t really have a favorite, I just love playing them all.”

She said she credits coach Weese for pushing her onward.

“He always made me go 100 percent,” Allen said. “If I was slacking, he would always bring me up.”

Fellow Lady Cat Anna Perez took home newcomer of the year accolades as a sophomore.

Perez says she’s honored to win the award after having played volleyball since seventh grade, but said basketball is still her forte.

“Oh yeah, I’m going to play college basketball,” Perez said.



Taylor Short

contributed to this story