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The All-Messenger Team

Goshen's Kaci Wilkes is the Troy Messenger/TB&T Volleyball Player of the Year. (Photo by Josh Boutwell)

Mikalah Griffin represents Pike County on the All-Messenger team.

Emma Baker, PLAS

Hannah Sparrow, CHHS

Urriya Berry, PCHS

Riley Bannin, ZCHS

Olivia Kirkpatrick, CHHS

The inaugural All-Messenger Volleyball Team, presented by Troy Bank and Trust, highlights area players that had exceptional seasons for their teams in The Messenger’s coverage area in 2022.

The All-Messenger team features seven of the top players from Charles Henderson High School, Pike County High School, Pike Liberal Arts School, Goshen High School and Zion Chapel High School, along with three more honorable mentions.

The All-Messenger Player of the Year is Goshen’s Kaci Wilkes, who posted a staggering 318 kills, 191 assists, 126 aces and 303 digs in her senior campaign.

Goshen’s Kaci Wilkes is the Troy Messenger/TB&T Volleyball Player of the Year. (Photo by Josh Boutwell)

“I think it wasn’t the season we were expecting and we had a few ups and downs,” Wilkes said of the 2022 season. “We kept on working and didn’t give up, though. We did our best and we tried our hardest out there.

“I think volleyball is one of the sports you kind of fall in love with. There have been so many people I’ve played with (at Goshen) and volleyball really helps you bond together.”

Joining Wilkes on the All-Messenger Team is Charles Henderson seniors Olivia Kirkpatrick and Hannah Sparrow. Sparrow finished the season with 104 kills, 26 aces, 78 digs and 25 assists, while Kirkpatrick tallied 197 assists, 22 aces, 88 digs and 25 kills on the season. The seniors led Charles Henderson to finish runner-up in Class 5A, Area 4 along with advancing to the Class 5A Super Regionals. Representing Zion Chapel on the All-Messenger Team is sophomore Riley Bannin, who averaged seven kills per game for the Lady Rebels.

Representing Pike County High School is another pair of seniors in Mikalah Griffin and Urriya Berry. Griffin finished the season leading all players in the area in kills with 357 kills, while she also earned 161 aces, 172 blocks and 174 digs on the season. Berry also had a stellar senior campaign with 170 aces, 185 blocks, 255 digs and 298 kills. Berry’s 170 aces and 185 blocks also led the area, as well.

Mikalah Griffin represents Pike County on the All-Messenger team.

Pike Liberal Arts had a successful first year in the Alabama High School Athletic Association, finishing as both Class 2A, Area 5 regular season and tournament champions. The Lady Patriots advanced all the way to the Super Regional Quarterfinals, as well. As a result, the All-Messenger Coach of the Year is Pike’s Lara Lea Jones. Junior Pike player Emma Baker is also represented on the All-Messenger team as she compiled 120 kills, 65 blocks and 36 aces on the season to lead the way for her team.

Also receiving honorable mention on the All-Messenger Team is PLAS senior Emily Bryan (50 kills, 17 aces), PLAS senior Addie Renfroe (353 assists and 22 aces) and Goshen junior Jaci Rushing (357 assists and 36 aces).

All-Messenger Team

Olivia Kirkpatrick, Sr., Charles Henderson High School

Hannah Sparrow, Sr., Charles Henderson High School

Mikalah Griffin, Sr., Pike County High School

Urriya Berry, Sr., Pike County High School

Emma Baker, Jr., Pike Liberal Arts School

Kaci Wilkes, Sr., Goshen High School

Riley Bannin, So., Zion Chapel High School

Volleyball Player of the Year: Kaci Wilkes, Goshen High School

Volleyball Coach of the Year: Lara Lea Jones, Pike Liberal Arts School

Honorable Mention: Emily Bryan, Sr., PLAS; Jaci Rushing, Jr., Goshen; and Addie Renfroe, Sr., PLAS.

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