Receiving special honors at Crothersville’s fall awards program were, front from left, Makenna Newberry, Dirk Crater, Elayna Ord and Kaylyn Holman; back row is Pearl Shirley, Kennadi Lakins, Ella Plasse, Haley Williams and Tori Reed.
Arv Koontz | The Tribune
CROTHERSVILLE — Members of Crothersville’s high school and middle school volleyball and cross-country teams were honored at an awards program at the school last week.
CHS athletic director Jacob Dunn said, “I do what I can for the athletic department” and thanked the coaches for the hard work they put in.
Dunn introduced the coaches who in turn presented letters and special awards to members of their teams.
Assistant volleyball coach Rita Cook said, “They (volleyball girls) put a lot of work in during the spring and summer.”
Cook said the Tigers attended the Munciana Volleyball camp at Muncie in the summer, and were able to purchase new uniforms from their fundraiser.
Varsity volleyball coach Carly Blevins said her team opened the season by playing four matches at Scottsburg on Aug. 14, then defeated Columbus Christian the following Monday.
The Tigers were then unable to play for two weeks (5 matches) because of being quarantined by COVID-19. Members of the junior varsity had further issues with COVID and were not able to play a full season.
Crothersville (4-14) lost in the first round of the sectional to Trinity Lutheran, who finished runner-up in the Class 1A state tournament.
Senior Ella Plasse received the Tiger Mental Attitude Award.
“The Tiger award goes to someone who shows exceptional sportsmanship,” Blevins said. “Ella improved throughout the year.”
Kennadi Lakins was named to the Southern Athletic all-conference first team, and received the hitting award, Haley Williams was named the most improved, and McKenna Newberry received the setting award.
Pearl Shirley received the serve reception trophy and Elayna Ord was the recipient of the serve award.
Tori Reed was named the most improved junior varsity player, Kaylee Caudill received the serve reception award and Plasse received the JV serving award.
Cross-country coach Carl Bowman introduced members of the boys’ and girls’ teams.
Dirk Crater was named the most outstanding runner for the boys with Andrew Stainbrook receiving the Tiger Award.
Crater qualified for the regional and Bowman said this is the second year in a row he has had a freshman boy qualify for the regional.
Plasse and Lakins played volleyball and ran cross-country.
Plasse received the Tiger award for the girls and was also named most improved.
“Ella was a great teammate and role model, and she advanced to the regional,” Bowman said.
He said Kaylyn Holman was again named the most outstanding runner. She was Southern Athletic Conference champion five straight years (including eighth grade).
Holman and Plasse finished 1-2 in the SAC race.
Holman was a state qualifier her freshman and junior years.
“I’m blessed to have her run for me,” Bowman said. “She made me look good. She won so many races for Crothersville. I’m sure she has a lot of trophies at home.”