Malad and Bear Lake both reached consecutive state championship games this season.
So it’s no wonder the two programs were well-represented on this year’s all-state teams with four selections apiece.
The Dragons had the most Class 3A first-team selections with three following a 30-11 season that ended with a third straight appearance in the state title match. While they fell in the final for a third straight year, opposing coaches were still impressed with their depth.
Senior setter Izzy Haycock, who was last year’s Player of the Year, senior outside hitter Brynnlee Jones and junior libero Paityn Ward all made the first team. Senior middle blocker Olivia Nelson rounded it out with an honorable mention selection. Haycock and Nelson both made all-state for three consecutive years.
“They were all so well-deserving of the selections,” Malad head coach Camie Tripp said. “All four of them, Izzy, Brynlee, Liv and Paityn, were major contributors to our success this season. They are a great representation of Malad Dragon Volleyball both on and off the court. I’m proud of them!”
Bear Lake tied Cole Valley Christian with three Class 4A first-teamers after finishing 38-5 and reaching the state championship game for the second consecutive year. Junior outside hitter Halle Wells and senior outside hitter KortLyn Skinner made the first team along with sophomore middle blocker Avery Hunter, while senior setter Emmie Sharp landed on the second team. Wells made all-state for a third consecutive season.
“Having that many says a lot about our program and the commitment these girls have to putting in the work to get better,” Bear Lake head coach Stephanie Birch said. “They are never satisfied.”
Rockland also landed four selections in Class 1A after finishing 28-11-2 and taking second at state for the third time in five years. Freshman middle blocker Mahana Hatch made the first team, while the Bulldogs placed three more on the second team with senior libero Harmony Boyer, sophomore outside hitter Gracie Freeman and senior setter Trin Wiese.
“We were a very young team but also very talented,” Rockland head coach Suzanne Wilson said. “Mahana Hatch was an All-State First Team selection as a freshman — certainly an award she earned. Gracie is another great young player — an All-State selection as only a sophomore.”
Pocatello senior outside hitter Abby Lusk headlined the Class 5A selections after making the first team. Despite being better known for basketball, the Gonzaga basketball commit came within one vote of capturing 5A Player of the Year and claimed all-state volleyball honors for three years running. The Thunder added Addison Gregory on the second team for two total selections.
"I'm super grateful to get that honor. It's stings a little to know that you were that close to something bigger, but at the end of the day we didn't make it as far as we wanted and that make a difference," Lusk said. "I want everyone to know that (head coach) Paige (Leatham) played the biggest role in putting me in a position to achieve that from a sport that isn't my No. 1. I'm super grateful and proud of myself for achieving this for the past three years."
Snake River rounded out the area’s honorees with senior opposite/setter Aydyn Anderson receiving honorable mention in Class 4A. Anderson extended her all-state streak to three years.
“Aydyn’s selection to the Idaho All-State Volleyball Team for three consecutive years is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to her dedication, consistency, and competitive excellence,” said Snake River head coach and mom Sydney Anderson said. “Doing it three years in a row reflects sustained leadership, resilience, and a relentless work ethic.”
The full teams are listed below. They are selected by the state’s coaches in a voting system hosted by Brandon Walton of the Idaho State Journal. Corwin Ford sponsors the teams.
6A All-State Volleyball Team
Player of the Year: Bellamie Beus, Skyview
Coach of the Year: Carol Klein, Timberline
First team
Aspen Boyce, Madison
Lizzy Bower, Skyview
Rachel Bower, Skyview
Brinley Bybee, Rigby
Chloe Hansen, Rocky Mountain
Reese Meier, Owyhee
Mia Walsh, Madison
Second team
London Armstrong, Rocky Mountain
Gianna Callari, Coeur d’Alene
Jill Deatherage, Skyview
Johnny Folson, Madison
Mary Irwin, Owyhee
Madison Jensen, Rigby
McKenna Satterfield, Timberline
Honorable mention
Camri Call, Madison
Hazel Goetz, Timberline
Reese Hone, Thunder Ridge
Madison Jones, Eagle
Torrey Parker, Madison
Kaylee Paulson, Coeur d’Alene
Breleigh Youngstrom, Rigby
5A All-State Volleyball Team
Player of the Year: Mallory Higham, Shelley
Coach of the Year: Dallas Gines, Hillcrest
First team
Shayla Belnap, Bonneville
Addy Bowen, Idaho Falls
Jaida Cook, Shelley
Jenna Jensen, Hillcrest
Abby Lusk, Pocatello
Ellie Sandoz, Wood River
Leah Thomas, Idaho Falls
Second team
Zoey Blackwell, Middleton
Kindell Day, Lakeland
Addison Gregory, Pocatello
Ali Maddox, Hillcrest
Mya Weatherly, Hillcrest
Cambria Western, Bonneville
Macie Winder, Shelley
Honorable mention
Avery Balmer, Lewiston
Ashtyn Davis, Shelley
Tycee Gines, Hillcrest
Jaeli Hoffman, Lakeland
Josslyn Ivie, Shelley
Daja Jensen, Shelley
Alexa Weatherly, Hillcrest
4A All-State Volleyball Team
Player of the Year: Brooke Hardy, Fruitland
Coach of the Year: Rena Sitz, Fruitland
First team
Emerson Cilley, OH, Cole Valley Christian
Avery Hunter, MB, Bear Lake
Neva Kuhns, S, Cole Valley Christian
KortLyn Skinner, OH, Bear Lake
Eva Wall, OH, Fruitland
Halle Wells, OH, Bear Lake
Greta Wilde, MB, Cole Valley Christian
Second team
Mel Branstiter, Fruitland
Emily Capps, Fruitland
Evie Dolton, Weiser
Emily Hedegaard, Cole Valley Christian
Tasha Larsen, Sugar Salem
Taya Plew, Kimberly
Emmie Sharp, Bear Lake
Honorable mention
Aydyn Anderson, Snake River
Addie Archer, Timberlake
Avery Beard, Kimberly
Brekk Bowman, Filer
Adalyn Brush, Weiser
Kennedy Fitch, Fruitland
Alyssa Hedegaard, Cole Valley Christian
3A All-State Volleyball Team
Player of the Year: Anna Campbell, Ambrose
Coach of the Year: Jeff Campbell, Ambrose
First team
Kate Clausen, Ambrose
Ali Dillbeck, Melba
Izzy Haycock, Malad
Ellie Johnson, Melba
Brynnlee Jones, Malad
Avery Reece, Nampa Christian
Paityn Ward, Malad
Second team
Hadley Compton, Nampa Christian
Lucianna Curran, Ambrose
Abi Gregory, Nampa Christian
Dani Henrikson, Kellogg
Shelbie Perry, Firth
Gretah Angle, Kellogg
Paige Yrjana, Kellogg
Honorable mention
Shelby Dean, Melba
Scarlett Fernandez, Ambrose
Baylie Mecham, Firth
Olivia Nelson, Malad
Eva Pinney, Ambrose
Nyah Richardson, Melba
Jayda Storro, Priest River
2A All-State Volleyball Team
Player of the Year: Cambree Lyon, Butte County
Coach of the Year: Gretchen Simpson, Butte County
First team
Madison Blazzard, Troy
Sophia Crumrine, Valley
Madi Gamett, Butte County
Emma Krogh, Kamiah
Addison Pancheri, Butte County
Kolee Simpson, Butte County
Tessa Stoner, Troy
Second team
Hali Anderson, Kendrick
Taylin Beck, Oakley
Livee Berlinguet, Oakley
Ava Chizum, Hagerman
Autumn Gamett, Butte County
Bristyl Perkins, Murtaugh
Emma Wells, Troy
Honorable mention
Jaida Andres, Potlatch
Clara Chamberlin, Troy
Addi Chizum, Hagerman
Natalie Escutia, Wilder
Aveyah Flores, Liberty Charter
Abbie Knight, Butte County
Paige Williams, Butte County
1A All-State Volleyball Team
Player of the Year: Brooklyn Hess, Horseshoe Bend
Coach of the Year: Sharsti Moore, Horseshoe Bend
First team
Malia Goff, Horseshoe Bend
Chloe Grieser, Genesee
Poppy Harper, Salmon River
Mahana Hatch, Rockland
Kimber Jones, Horseshoe Bend
Andie Simpson, Carey
Rylee Walters, Salmon River
Second team
Sydney Banks, Genesee
Lexi Bird, Leadore
Harmony Boyer, Rockland
Trinity Catherman, Horseshoe Bend
Gracie Freeman, Rockland
Trin Wiese, Rockland
Celeste Wilson, Horseshoe Bend
Honorable mention
Haylee Bird, Leadore
Emma Mitton, Castleford
Lacey Tucker, Garden Valley
Alia Wareham, Genesee
Reiny Whittaker, Leadore
Kennedy Wilson, Salmon River
Aspyn York, Hansen