Meet SBLive's 2020 Mississippi High School Volleyball All-State Team
With the 2020 Mississippi high school girls volleyball season wrapped up, it’s time to hand out some awards.
SBLive reporter Tyler Cleveland has compiled our 2020 All-State Team for Mississippi high school volleyball, featuring three full teams — first team, second team and third team. The teams span all levels of competition.
Here are all three teams:
FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE
Parker Bracken - Senior - Jackson Academy
It should come as no surprise that the 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year made our list. Bracken holds MAIS records for kills in a season (618), career kills (1,373), career digs (773), and career aces (369). She helped JA to a 29-4 overall record and a State Championship as a senior before signing with LSU to play beach volleyball.
Lakin Laurendine - Sophomore - Clinton
Clinton’s two-time all-state honoree averaged 21.4 kills and 16.9 digs over 20 matches as a sophomore. She helped the Arrows to a 13-7 overall record and a berth in the 6A playoffs. She's considered among the top high school sophomores in the country.
Amonie Silas - Senior - DeSoto Central
DeSoto Central’s most valuable player averaged 11.5 kills over 35 matches, but was at her best when her team needed her the most. She averaged 19.8 kills a match in post-season play and led the Jaguars to a 30-5 overall record and the 2020 6A Championship. She remains committed to Mississippi University for Women.
(Feature photo by Keith Warren)
Julia Dyess - Senior - Hartfield Academy
One of the state's top seniors was named All-MAIS for the third year in a row after tallying a whopping 390 kills and 121 serving aces to go along with 219 digs in 33 matches. She set the career record at Hartfield with more than 1,200 kills over four years and led the Hawks to a 29-4 record this season before signing with Ole Miss in November.
Alaijiah Rose - Senior - Lake Cormorant
Lake Cormorant’s splendid hitter averaged 13 kills over 28 matches with 69 serving aces and 143 digs. She led Lake Cormorant to a 16-19 overall record and the 5A State Championship and was the MVP in the title match with 22 kills, 17 digs, seven aces and two blocks against Long Beach. She signed with Austin Peay in early November.
Gracie Tacker - Senior - DeSoto Central
The Jaguars’ splendid setter tallied a remarkable 889 assists in 100 sets to go along with 51 serving aces, 33 blocks and 189 digs. She was a big reason why the Jaguars went 30-5 this season and captured the 6A Championship. She committed to Union University in July.
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SECOND TEAM ALL-STATE
Sunni Sheppard - Sophomore - Brandon
Brandon’s sophomore star averaged 11.4 kills per match to go along with 52 serving aces and 356 digs. She helped the Lady Bulldogs to a 23-7 overall record and a berth in the 6A State Championship match.
Natalie DeRusso, Senior, Jackson Academy
If Parker Bracken is Batman, her fellow senior Natalie DeRusso is Robin. The Raiders’ outstanding setter contributed an amazing 911 assists (an average of 9.5 in 96 sets played) to go along with 68 kills, 86 serving aces and 123 digs. She helped JA to a 29-4 overall record and a State Championship.
Julianah Overstreet - Senior - Vancleave
Vancleave’s talented setter recorded a whopping 600 assists in 31 matches as a senior, with 81 serving aces and 171 digs. She helped the Bulldogs to a 29-6 overall record as a senior and was a part of four state championship teams in her high school career.
Eve Mixon - Senior - Vancleave
Vancleave’s top hitter recorded a team-high 288 kills and 219 digs for the 5A powerhouse, adding 56 serving aces. She helped the Bulldogs to a 29-6 overall record and was a part of four state championship teams in her high school career.
Megan Harris - Junior - DeSoto Central
The Jaguars' libero was one of the best in the state, recording a whopping 437 digs in 100 sets with 58 serving aces and 103 assists. She helped DeSoto Central to a 30-5 overall record and the 6A State Championship.
Ashley Bulot - Junior - Our Lady Academy
OLA’s top attacker racked up 378 kills, 379 assists, 68 serving aces and 132 digs. She helped the Crescents to a 25-9 overall record and the third round of the 3A playoffs.
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THIRD TEAM ALL-STATE
Sydney Mitchell - Sophomore - Gulfport
Gulfport’s outstanding sophomore hitter averaged better than 10.4 kills per match to go along with 29 serving aces, 20 blocks and 135 digs. She helped the Admirals to a 23-6 overall record and the second round of the 6A playoffs.
Emma Robertson - Freshman - Jackson Academy
The Raiders’ freshman outside hitter had a remarkable season for such a young player, recording 187 kills, 66 serving aces and 209 blocks. She helped Jackson Academy to a 29-4 overall record and a MAIS State Championship.
Kate Funk - Senior - Our Lady Academy
OLA’s top setter averaged a remarkable 14.1 assists per match and recorded 72 serving aces with 108 total digs and 38 kills. She helped the Crescents to a 25-9 overall record and the third round of the 3A playoffs.
Jakailyn Brown - Senior - Starkville
Starkville’s top senior recorded 87 kills with a 40.1 hit percentage and contributed 33 serving aces, 110 total blocks and 50 digs over 20 matches as a senior. She helped the Yellow Jackets to a 15-5 overall record and a 6A playoff berth.
Allison Hazelwood - Sophomore - Madison Central
Madison Central's sophomore star averaged 7.5 kills and 20.5 assists over 18 matches, with 82 serving aces and 122 digs. She helped Madison Central to a 15-3 record and the third round of the 6A playoffs.
Mallory Morris - Junior - Clinton
Clinton’s outstanding setter averaged 11.1 assists per set over 20 matches, with a team high 48 total serving aces. She helped the Arrows to a 13-7 overall record and a berth in the 6A playoffs.
