Local Volleyball Players Named to Hall of Fame's All-Star Teams

HOLYOKE, Mass. -- Thirteen local volleyball players have been invited to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame’s fifth annual Western Massachusetts Girls High School Volleyball All-Star Teams.

 

The baker’s dozen is invited to compete in the Spalding All-Star Game on Monday, Nov. 21, at West Springfield High School.

 

Five players from the area made the first team: Mount Greylock’s Dagny Albano and Jenna Benzinger, Lee’s Kendra Williams and Shenna Tyer and Pittsfield’s Riley Nichols. All five of the county selections to the first team are seniors.

 

Eight more Berkshire County players were named to the second-team: Lenox’s Anna Lynch and BomBee Lahart, Lee’s Anna Wang and Haleigh Richardson, Pittsfield’s Danielle Leblanc, Wahconah’s Emma Parkington and Mount Greylock’s Maddie Albert and Serena Chow.

 

Lahart was one of just two freshmen among the 56 players named to the two squads.

 

The all-star teams were chosen by a committee that included coaches, officials and media.

 

“It’s important we take time to recognize the wealth of volleyball talent right here in Western Massachusetts, the sport’s birthplace,” International Volleyball Hall of Fame Exeutive Director George Mulry said in a news release. “It has become increasingly difficult for the committee to select such a limited number of players for first and second team honors when there are so many deserving athletes in our area.”

 

The format for the all-star game event splits the first- and second-team all-stars into four teams. The two second-team squads will face off at 6:30 in a three-set match. The two first-team squads will play a three-set match at about 7:30.

 

Tickets to the event are $10, $5 for students and seniors, and include a free admission pass to the hall of fame in Holyoke.