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Kellams names Player of the Year
PORTAGEVILLE -- The Portageville Lady Bulldog volleyball team had a strong season this year and the coaches didn't forget that when voting for all-
conference performers.
The Lady Bulldogs had three players selected first team all-conference in the Bootheel Conference led by Player of the Year Lauren Kellams.
The senior led Portageville in nearly every statistical category with 2.5 blocks per set, 1.25 digs and 2.63 kills. She was second in aces with 1.67 per set.
"She was our middle hitter and led us in kills, blocks and basically all the main categories," said first-year Portageville coach Michael Lewis. "We weren't a one-girl team, however she was really a standout. She's just an incredible player, but also an incredible person behind the athlete."
Joining Kellams on the all-conference team were senior Hannah Rone and junior Mary Hannah Fisher.
Junior Kellye Penn was selected as an honorable mention all-conference performer.
Portageville finished its season 23-9-2 and took second in the Bootheel Conference regular season, but won the Bootheel Conference Tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs were eliminated in the district tournament championship match.
Kellams was selected first team all-district while Rone and Fisher were picked for second team.
Kellams, Rone and fellow senior Deanna Deere were the leaders of the team according to Lewis.
"Those three seniors go above and beyond and they set the example in every single thing you can think of, whether it be classwork or running hard -- and Lauren is the leader of those leaders," said Lewis. "That's kind of the perfect way to describe her. She led us in her game on the court and she led us in helping the freshmen, sophomores and juniors in getting them to do what they were supposed to be doing."
Fisher led the Lady Bulldogs in assists per set at 4.5 and aces at 1.75. Rone and Penn followed close behind Kellams and Fisher in all statistical categories.
Portageville lost out to Caruthersville for the regular season conference title, but topped the Lady Tigers in the conference tournament. Caruthersville, however, was able to avenge the loss in the district final.
Despite the loss, Kellams' dominance throughout the season made her the coaches' choice for the player of the year.
"Lauren is not only the type of volleyball player you want on your team in every way imaginable, but she is the type of person you want in your school," said Lewis. "I tell my girls from J.V. all the way down to Junior High to model themselves after Lauren Kellams and this group of seniors we had this year."