In three years of varsity play, Brooklyn Snodgrass has proven she is one of the best defensive players in Indiana.
The Brownstown Central junior libero helped anchor the team’s defense again in 2017.
On the back line, Snodgrass recorded a strong 483 digs in 93 sets while also pushing across 54 aces.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallerySnodgrass, at 4-foot-11, now boasts 1,040 digs for her career.
This fall, the Braves finished 19-15 overall. They advanced to the Class 3A Sectional 30 championship, falling just short to host school Silver Creek in five sets.
With all of her accomplishments this season, The Tribune has named Snodgrass the 2017 Jackson County Volleyball Player of the Year.
Leading up to the summer preseason workouts, Snodgrass played club volleyball to prepare for the high school season.
“I played on a club team, which helped me a lot,” she said. “I learned a lot of things that I didn’t know prior to joining the team. My expectation was to have a great year attitude-wise. I wanted the team to come together as one.”
While Snodgrass is a two-time state qualifier in the 100-meter dash, she wasn’t satisfied with her physical skills going into the season.
With boundless energy on the court, she helped the team stay fired up during matches.
“Kids that have the desire to play so hard in the offseason, plus willing to do a lot of physical training on her own, you can see the difference,” Braves coach Jennifer Shade said. “She was a leader and spitfire. This year, our team won a lot of games with defense. I attribute a lot of that to her defensive play.”
As the season progressed, so did Snodgrass’ leadership on the court.
Shade said Snodgrass stepped up.
“I don’t think Brooklyn said two words last year,” Shade said. “She knew she had to get better at being more vocal on the court. She needed to be more of a leader. We saw some more of that this year.”
When the Braves exited the postseason, Snodgrass collected numerous awards.
She was named All-State for Class 3A for the second straight year with just 14 players from the class receiving the honor.
“Last year, she made All-State, but it was even tougher this year with the new guidelines,” Shade said. “When I went to the meeting and saw the people on the team with her, that’s a huge honor this year. New Castle and some of those other schools have some great players.”
Snodgrass, the Braves’ most valuable player, also was named All-Mid-Southern Conference and was invited to a pair of All-Star matches.
While the recognition is appreciated, Snodgrass credits the team for her individual successes.
“It’s definitely an honor, but it all goes back to my team,” Snodgrass said. “They are what help me improve as a player and person.”
While the team fell just short of a sectional title, Snodgrass said it was a season to remember.
“All of the friendships made it special,” Snodgrass said. “Everyone was positive all the time. There wasn’t a time where we were negative. We came together no matter what. There was always picking someone else up.”
Going into her senior year, the expectations will rise for Snodgrass.
“Her goal is to win a sectional, and that would be my hope for her,” Shade said. “Being a senior, it will be her turn to take on a new role. This year, we had two great seniors, and for her to step in and take that role would be phenomenal. To do that as a libero is a tough job, but she’s capable of doing it.”
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Claire Pace, Brownstown Central, senior
Key stats: 281 kills, 12 solo blocks, 211 digs, .223 hitting percentage.
Accomplishments: All-MSC, Academic All-State, BC leading hitter award, will try out for IHSVCA All-Star team, will compete in Don Shondell All-Star volleyball games.
Riley Nuss, Brownstown Central, sophomore
Key stats: 55 aces, 611 assists, 57 kills, .296 hitting percentage, 201 digs.
Accomplishments: Will compete in Don Shondell All-Star volleyball games.
Keeli Darlage, Brownstown Central, sophomore
Key stats: 265 kills, 39 aces, 15 blocks, 259 digs.
Accomplishments: All-MSC honorable mention, will compete in Don Shondell All-Star volleyball games.
Maddie Riley, Crothersville, junior
Key stats: 251 kills, 20 aces, 150 digs.
Accomplishments: All-Southern Athletic Conference.
Jessica Blevins, Seymour, sophomore
Key stats: 265 kills, 45 aces, 11 blocks, 251 digs.
Accomplishments: All-Hoosier Hills Conference, SHS co-MVP, SHS best hitting percentage.
Emily Corcoran, Seymour, junior
Key stats: 439 digs, 23 aces, 19 assists.
Accomplishments: HHC honorable mention, co-MVP, second in HHC for digs.
Hannah Sabotin, Trinity Lutheran, sophomore
Key stats: 115 blocks, 229 kills, 39 aces, 60 digs, .351 hitting percentage.
Accomplishments: No. 5 in Class A for blocking, No. 39 in the state for blocking, helped Trinity win a sectional championship, Trinity MVP.
Chloe Criswell, Trinity Lutheran, sophomore
Key stats: 144 kills, 31 assists, 13 blocks, 226 digs.
Accomplishments: Helped Trinity win a sectional championship.
Courtney Barker, Trinity Lutheran, senior
Key stats: 563 assists, 34 aces, 149 digs.
Accomplishments: Academic All-State, Helped Trinity win a sectional championship, Trinity most consistent player award, Trinity senior award.
Kailen Flynn, Medora, junior
Key stats: 73 aces, 127 kills.
Honorable mention
Abby Schmidt, Seymour, sophomore
Sophia Stahl, Seymour, sophomore
Addie Wilkerson, Brownstown Central, sophomore
Grace Jaynes, Brownstown Central, senior
Ashley Goecker, Trinity Lutheran, sophomore
Bailey Reynolds, Trinity Lutheran, freshman
Alli Carney, Medora, senior
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2017 Jackson County Volleyball Player of the Year
Brooklyn Snodgrass, Brownstown Central, junior
Key stats: 483 digs, 54 aces.
Accolades: Class 3A All-State team, All-Mid-Southern Conference, will try out for IHSVCA All-Star team, will compete in Don Shondell All-Star volleyball games, BC MVP/leading passer/outstanding defensive player.
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