Thanks to the dramatic turnaround the Emporia High volleyball team experienced this season, EHS volleyball coach Kendra Bloomquist was named the All-Centennial League Coach of the Year at the league meeting last Friday.
In her 11th season at EHS, Bloomquist guided the Lady Spartans to a 27-16 record and a berth in the Class 5A State tournament — the first State tournament appearance for EHS since 1997 — after Emporia High went just 13-25 a season ago.
Four EHS players also received honors from the Centennial League.
Senior right-side hitter Sadie Webb was named a first-team selection, junior middle hitter Hilary Heinrichs earned second-team honors, senior middle hitter Ashley Lake was chosen as a third-teamer and senior outside hitter Jessica Decker earned honorable-mention status.
The Lady Spartans finished fifth in the Centennial League, which featured Class 6A State champion Washburn Rural and Class 4A State champion Hayden, as well as State qualifiers Manhattan (6A) and Seaman (5A).
Hayden senior Corrinne Stringer was named the All-Centennial League MVP.