
Gopher Conference Player of Year Delaney Donahue
The Gopher Conference Volleyball Player of the Year is Waterville-Elysian-Morristown senior Delaney Donahue. The Conference coaches voted on the All-Conference performers and other award winners which were announced today.
Donahue was one of three seniors on the Gopher Conference Champion Buccaneers and played all around. The other seniors were Trista Hering and student manager Megan Schmitz. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown went on to win the Section 2A Championship and advanced all the way to the title match. They were defeated by Minneota last Saturday.
In the Semifinal match the Bucs faced fellow Gopher Conference member Medford and swept them in three competitive sets. Medford went on to win the third place match against the Fosston Greyhounds.
That means the Gopher Conference got the state runner-up (WEM) and third place (Medford) trophies and individual medals.
Donahue was named to the Class A State All-Tournament Team and was named a member of the 2019 Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association Class A All-State first team. She was Gopher All-Conference in 2016, 2017 and 2019. Her 2019 statistics are impressive with a hitting percentage for the season of .316 while accumulating 316 kills, 330 digs, 56 ace serves.
The Buccaneers captured their third and second consecutive Gopher Conference title by going undefeated in conference competition. Medford finished second with their only loss to WEM.
In addition to Donahue the remaining members of the Gopher Conference 1st team All-Conference squad are:
- Toryn Richards Junior WEM
- Kylie Pittman Junior WEM
- Maryx Young Junior Hayfield
- Jenna Jacobsen Junior Hayfield
- Kiley Nihart Senior Medford
- Emma Kniefel Senior Medford
2nd Team All-Conference:
- Sophie Stork Sophomore NRHEG
- Lexi Boyd Senior Bethlehem Academy
- Julia Worke Senior Blooming Prairie
- Morgan Langeslag Senior Medford
- Kinsey Cronin Junior Medford
- Cela Carney Senior Hayfield
- Ellie Ready Junior WEM
Honorable Mention All-Conference
- Haley Lang Senior Bethlehem Academy
- Trista Hering Senior WEM
- Izzy Reuvers Senior Medford
- Rachel Pack Senior Hayfield
- Grace Tufte Junior NRHEG
- Jose Schumann Junior United South Central
- Halie MacGregor Junior Maple River
- Micalyn Trihus Junior Blooming Prairie
Sportsmanship Recipients were a member of the varsity roster during the season or at the end of the regular season, they did not have to be on the postseason roster. They were chosen for exemplifying good sportsmanship qualities.
- Grace Ashley Senior Bethlehem Academy
- Autumn Taylor Junior WEM
- Clara Kniefel Sophomore Medford
- Lexi Roberts Senior United South Central
- Madi Lubbert Senior Hayfield
- Ally Bruegger Senior Maple River
- Megan Oswald Junior Blooming Prairie