Three Bobcats Named To All-State Volleyball Team (12/07/2017)

(Updated 12/11/2017 with quotes from Coach Campbell)

(By CSZ Sports Writer Kenn Staub)  Alexis Contantino, Maya Thornton, and Brenna Campbell were recently named to the 2017 Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association (PVCA) Class A All-State Team.

Alexis Constantino

Alexis Constantino, a senior libero, served for 205 points (40 aces) during the 2017 season.  She wasn’t afraid to get dirty, coming up with 400 digs over the course of her 87 sets played this season (a 4.60 per set average).  Her statistical resume was rounded out with 18 assists and 2 kills.  Constantino, who recently signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, previously earned first team All-KSAC and All-District 9 honors.  Quote from Head Coach Shari Campbell via email: “Alexis has been a three year starter at the varsity level and has contributed so much to this program over that time.  It is great to see her be honored by the Pennsylvania Coaches Association this year.  I have watched her grow as a player and think she is playing the best she has ever played now.  She’s ready to move to the next level and I look for her to achieve in the same way at Pitt-Bradford.  We have a lot of work to do to fill her shoes.”

Maya Thornton

Maya Thornton, a senior outside hitter, served for 207 points (50 aces) over the course of this past season. She was outstanding at the net, slamming home 270 kills in 88 sets played (an average of 3.07 per set).  Thornton also played big defensively, scooping up 283 digs (a 3.22 per set average), while notching 3 solo blocks and assisting on 13 others.  She tallied 3 assists.  Like Constantino, Thorton was named first team All-KSAC and All-district. Quote from Head Coach Shari Campbell via email: “I am so pleased to see that Maya has received All-State recognition.  Maya has been such a great offensive force for us for the past two season’s.  After a late season MCL injury last year, it is truly gratifying to see her end her senior season in such a positive way.  Several college programs are interested in her joining their teams and I feel she too has a  lot of great play to give at the next level.  Maya has been such a great leader for Clarion Volleyball at every level she has played at since junior high, we will miss that the most.” 

Brenna Campbell

Brenna Campbell, a freshman setter, tallied 189 points (24 aces) from the service line.  She excelled at helping her teammates score, putting up 690 assists during her 89 sets played (a 7.75 per set average).  Defensively, Campbell recorded 173 digs (an average of 1.94 per set) and assisted on 2 blocks.  She drove home 11 kills.   Prior to receiving this honor, Campbell had been named both second team All-KSAC and All-District. Quote from Head Coach Shari Campbell via email: “As a freshman, it is a true honor to be recognized as All-State by the coaches association.  This is a testament to Brenna’s work ethic.  She contributed consistently to this year’s success from the serving line and running the offense. Brenna’s poise on the court is strong and and I look for it to grow each year.  I look for her to set high goals for herself and the team in the coming season’s and to strive for them.”

As head volleyball coach Shari Campbell so cogently noted at the team’s recently held banquet, accolades come about as part of team success.  And this team was successful, reaching the PIAA Class A Semifinals and being ranked #2 at the end of the season by the PVCA.

This is the twelfth consecutive season members of the Clarion volleyball team have earned All-State honors.  Twenty-eight Bobcats have previously been named All-State, six earning this distinction twice and two receiving the honor three times.

Seven other District 9 players were named to the PVCA Class A All-State team.  These included senior Josey Terwilliger and junior Olivia Brooks of AC Valley; senior Joplin Osgood of Coudersport; senior Tori Obenrader of North Clarion; and seniors Allison Cousins, Emily Smith, and Camryn Thomas of Otto-Eldred.  Senior Trinity Clark of Kane was the sole District 9 player to make the Class AA All-State team.

(photographs courtesy of Kim Constantino)

(Congratulations Alexis, Maya, and Brenna!!)