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Phoenix's Russell makes all-star team By FRANK SILOW Mail Tribune Phoenix junior setter Kelsey Russell elevated her play with consistency and confidence this season and was rewarded as a first-team selection on the all-Skyline Conference volleyball team. Lakeview's Megan Albertson was chosen the conference player of the year, and Chuck Shannon of 2001 Class 3A state champion Henley was picked coach of the year. "All the setters in our league are measured by Megan Albertson," Phoenix coach Tom Murphy said, "so it was quite an honor for Kelsey to be a first-team selection." Russell was a second-team pick as a sophomore. She was the only first-teamer to not come from either Henley or Lakeview. "As the setter, she's the pivotal part that makes the rest of our engine go," said Murphy. "She has very good court sense. She's very knowledgeable. We asked her to make all the sets and she does that very precisely." Albertson, also a junior setter, is a 5-foot-11 left-hander. Albertson gave the Honkers an added dimension by providing 160 kills in 306 attempts. "She's the prototype of the new setter - a tall girl that can attack from the front row and block well," said Murphy. "She's a very well-rounded setter, a very good defensive player and is a team leader." The remainder of the all-conference first team was composed of the Henley trio of Sam Young, Staci Maupin and Erika Clements along with Lakeview's Frances Hartman and Jess Childress. Phoenix junior middle Tiffany Ross and senior outside hitter April Darby were chosen to the second team. Ross picked up her performance during the second half of the Skyline season and led the Pirates in kills and blocks. "She's a big, strong girl," said Murphy. "She blocks very well and hits with authority." Darby was the first four-year letterman coached by Murphy, who's in his fourth year guiding the Pirates in volleyball but was also a longtime Phoenix boys basketball coach. "She's one of those gifted all-around athletes," said Murphy. "'She played both back row and front row. She has quick feet and great hands." North Valley sophomore middle Elaina Renius and Rogue River junior Katie Glasscock also received second-team recognition. Renius impressed Murphy with her aggressiveness, while Glasscock was the Chieftains "go-to girl," according to the Phoenix coach. All Skyline Conference FIRST TEAM Sam Young, Henley.............................Sr. Staci Maupin, Henley...........................Jr. Erika Clements, Henley........................Sr. Megan Albertson, Lakeview...................Jr. Frances Hartman, Lakeview..................Sr. Jess Childress, Lakeview......................Jr. Kelsey Russell, Phoenix.......................Jr. SECOND TEAM Jennifer Klaja, Henley............................Sr. Katherine Stock, Henley........................Jr. Elaina Renius, North Valley....................So. Tiffany Ross, Phoenix.............................Jr. April Darby, Phoenix..............................Sr. Katie Glasscock, Rogue River.................Jr. THIRD TEAM Krista Hudson, Hidden Valley..................Sr. Kim Hamilton, Illinois Valley....................So. Megan Flynn, Lakeview...........................Sr. Megan Britton, Mazama..........................Sr. Krystal Lawrence, Mazama......................Jr. Nicole Roberts, North Valley....................Sr. HONORABLE MENTION Tiffany Mack, Henley, Sr.; Keely Gill, Hidden Valley, Jr.; Tannis Kearney, Hidden Valley, Jr.; Sydney Derda, Illinois Valley, Sr.; Ricci Coultas, Illinois Valley, Fr.; Jenna Kiely, Lakeview, So.; Lindsey English, Mazama, Sr.; Whitney Coston, North Valley, Sr.; Kelly Meredith, Phoenix, Jr.; Matiko Biggs, Rogue River, Jr.; Kristi Frederick, Rogue River, Jr.; Ashley Artoff, Rogue River, Jr. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.