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Maldonado nabs first-unit all-state From staff and wire reports PORTLAND � Like a quarterback in football, a setter in volleyball must run the offense and get her teammates involved. Kaci Maldonado did a masterful job of distributing the ball to a talented group of Black Tornado hitters this season, and Tuesday she was rewarded for her excellence by being named first-team all-state. Tornado middle Kendra Mitchell was selected to the third team. Maldonado, a senior, led North Medford to the Southern Oregon Conference championship, a 24-4 record and a No. 4 state ranking for most of the season. She finished the season with 864 assists, second only to Mandie Horn on the school�s all-time single-season list. Maldonado also had 173 digs. "Kaci did a great job of getting the ball to the right hitter at the right time," North Medford coach Ron Beick said. "We had several girls who could pound the ball, and Kaci got each of them involved. "She always knew where the weaknesses were on the other team and got the ball to the appropriate hitter." Mitchell, also a senior, enjoyed one of the greatest matches in school history when North Medford beat Roseburg 14-16 15-2, 15-9 to clinch the SOC title on Oct. 26. Mitchell set a school record with 10 stuff blocks and tied another with eight aces. Mitchell tied another school record in a match against Grants Pass when she registered 14 kills without a hitting error. "Kendra was a key attacker during critical points of matches," Beick said. "She was very solid offensively and defensively." Mitchell, who is being recruited by the University of Portland, Boise State, Kent State, Western Oregon and Western Baptist, led North Medford with 84 blocks and was second in kills (226) and aces (46). Meanwhile, junior setter Jodi Bell of Barlow was voted the Class 4A player of the year by coaches from around the state. Bell joins former teammate Courtney Bush, player of the year on the All-State team in 1999, and Angela Knopf, who earned the honor in 1997. Led by the 5-foot-8 Bell, the Bruins were ranked No. 1 most of this season. Central Catholic won the state title earlier this month but had to beat Bell and the Bruins to do it. "She�s an extremely talented individual," Barlow coach Terry Folen said. "She works hard, puts a lot of time and effort into her volleyball. I�m excited that she got this (award) as a junior. I don�t think we�ve seen all her potential." Joining Bell and Maldonado on the first team were Julie Grauert of Jesuit and Whitney Arena of West Linn, both repeats from last year. Other first-team picks were Kristin Purscelley of Springfield, Kaki McLean of Crook County and Katelyn Healy of Central Catholic. The All-State volleyball teams were selected by a ballot of the state�s coaches and compiled by The Oregonian. Nominations were made by league representatives. Rosie Honl, who guided Crook County to its first state tournament since 1981, was voted Class 4A coach of the year. Honl said playing against Bell is a challenge. "She can really mix it up," Honl said. "Barlow has great hitters, but she makes them look even better." As for her coach of the year honor, Honl said she expected someone else to get the nod. "I�ve always looked to the other coaches; they�re people I can go to for answers," Honl said. When the Cowboys were getting ready for their trip to the state tournament, Honl e-mailed Folen and called Central Catholic�s coach for advice. "That�s just Rosie," Folen said. "She�ll do whatever she has to do to give her team the best possible chance." In Class 3A, Lakeview, which won the state championship, swept the awards. Jamie Ruda, a 5-foot-5 senior, was named player of the year. Her coach, Barry Shullanberger, was named coach of the year. Lakeview sophomore Megan Albertson also was named to the first team, along with Katie Jo Kelley of Rainier, Lyndsay Johnson of The Dalles, Megan Kitterman of Marist, Krista Gardinier of Sisters and Kellie Kettles of Philomath. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.