BRADLEY CENTRAL junior Brooke Copeland (9) was named to the TSWA All-State volleyball team today. Banner photo, JOE CANNON
The Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association’s all-state volleyball teams were released today with Copeland as one of only three southeast Tennessee representatives on the class AAA squad.
Ooltewah standouts Leondra Barrett and Kelsey Chernak were also selected to the honor squad.
Named as a middle hitter on the all-state list, Copeland helped lead the Bearettes to the TSSAA substate playoffs this past season, finishing 30-15 and just one win shy of a state tournament berth.
Although at 6-foot-2, she dominated at the net with 608 kills and 95 blocks this past season, the junior showed off her skills as an all-around player with 388 digs, 36 aces and nine assists.
A three-year starter for coach Christie McElhaney, Copeland has shown marked improvement each season and developed her game to the point that she rarely leaves the court due to her back row abilities as well as her front line play.
She was named the co-Most Valuable Player in District 5-AAA this past season, plus earned All-District and All-Region tournament honors for her post-season play.
The versatile athlete is currently the leading scorer on the Bearette basketball squad that has won its first 10 games of the hoop season, the best start for the program since legendary coach Jim Smiddy’s 1992-93 squad went 28-0 before tasting defeat.
TSWA Class AAA All-State Volleyball team
Outside hitter
Kate Hudson, Ravenwood
Rylee Milhorn, Sullivan South
Kristin Randolph, Bearden
Maya Horner, Columbia Central
Sarah Tuttle, Brentwood High
Payton Logan, Ravenwood
Fanise Cannon, Columbia Central
Samantha Cotton, Brentwood
Middle hitter
Brooke Copeland, Bradley Central
Kaitlyn Cupples, Anderson County
Sarah Richardson, Houston
Ryann Amity, Mt. Juliet
Leondra Barett, Ooltewah
Setter
Hunter Thompson, Brentwood High
Kelsey Chernak, Ooltewah
Carrie McGinnis, Bearden
Lexi Duncan, Columbia Central
Libero
Reagan Petty, Centennial
Lexi Hartscok, Dobyns-Bennett
Alexi Spahn, Brentwood High
Utility
Renzie Rice, Science Hill
Kenzie Fields, Bartlett
Emma Milstead, Farragut
Coach of the Year: Tracey Berry, Ravenwood
