JESSIE WANG
Andover High Senior
Outside Hitter
Four-year starter for one of the region’s most consistent programs. Three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star. Three-time First-Team All-Merrimack Valley Conference choice. Racked up a whopping 291 kills on the year and had 174 digs. “Complete volleyball player whose impressive statistical achievements speak to only half the player she is. Gave us four great years and leaves AHS as one of the best to ever do it,” said coach Dan Young.
NAOMI VAJDA
Andover High Senior
Middle Hitter
Two-time First-Team All-Merrimack Valley Conference selection. Game-changer from the middle, who grew the other parts of her game to become dominant. Second on team with 210 kills. Had a monster hitting percentage of .403. Also served up 59 aces. “One of the top, if not the top, middle hitters in the state,” said coach Dan Young. Will play Division 1 volleyball and study government at Merrimack.
JULIE HALL
Central Catholic Junior
Outside Hitter
Two-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star and three-time First-Team All-Merrimack Valley Conference selection. MAVCA Division 1 All-State choice. Complete player. Piled up 442 kills, 409 digs and 54 aces. With one year left has 1,043 career kills and 1,088 career digs. “The engine of our team. Her great court sense allows her to not only be an offensive threat herself, but to put her teammates in a position to be successful as well,” said coach Josselyn Wilson.
MADISON BLANCHET
Central Catholic Junior
Setter
Three-year varsity performer. Selected to our team for first time after hitting Honorable Mention list as a sophomore. Two-time First-Team All-Merrimack Valley Conference choice. Recorded 747 assists this year with 1,372 for her career. Her 1,000th came in win over Billerica. Also served up 50 aces this season. “Worked very hard the last three seasons to make connections with each hitter so that she can distribute the ball effectively,” said coach Josselyn Wilson.
LUCY MARTINEZ
Haverhill High Junior
Outside Hitter
Three-year starter already. Will be a two-year captain. Two-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star. Also a two-time All-Merrimack Valley Conference First-Team choice. Excels in every facet of the game. Racked up 130 kills with 34 aces, 241 digs and 264 receptions. “The glue of our team. When the moments get big, Lucy wants the ball … She was the one to turn the tide or put the game away for us,” said coach Jeff Harris. Top-level student.
KATHRYN DRIEND
Methuen High Senior
Setter
Four-year program cornerstone player for the Rangers. Team captain. Two-time First-Team All-Merrimack Valley Conference. Made Second-Team as a junior. Also twice an Eagle-Tribune All-Star as well. Played club volleyball for Mill City. Major part of Northeast Team’s summer dominance at Bay State Games under Ranger coach Matt Twomey. Committed to play at Plymouth State.
LAILA YACOUBA-ISSA
North Andover High Junior
Outside Hitter
The Knights’ Most Valuable Player. First-Team All-Conference choice. Racked up 237 kills with 174 digs and 19 blocks. Lethal from the service line. Led the conference in aces with 85. “Extremely driven athlete, always looking for feedback and for ways to bring her game to a higher level. Leads by example and never seems to get rattled on the court,” said coach Mike Scammon. Plays club volleyball for SMASH.
MADDIE ANDRADE
Pinkerton Academy Senior
Outside Hitter
Team captain and leader. First-Team Division I All-State choice. Also played in the New Hampshire All-Star Game and the Vermont-New Hampshire All-Star Game. Swung it at a .205 clip from the outside, recording 190 kills for the history-making D-I state champs. Added 200 digs and served up 49 aces. “Extremely hard worker and has that special competitive spirit where she is not going to let you beat her,” said coach Todd Royce. National Honor Society student.
TAYLOR NASTASI
Pinkerton Academy Junior
Utility
Three-year varsity starter. Second-Team Division I All-State selection. Major weapon for the D-I state champs, first-ever in school history. Leaper with huge athleticism. Finished with 125 kills and 32 blocks to go with 220 assists. “Had never set a high school game. We asked her to pick up this new position and she was phenomenal as well as doing what she always does at the net,” said coach Todd Royce. Plays club volleyball for Mill City.
MIA CONTARINO
Salem High Senior
Outside Hitter
Four-year varsity starter. Repeats on our All-Star team. Co-captain. Second-Team Division I All-State choice. Made honorable mention as a junior. Led team in digs with 284. Added 40 aces and 96 kills. Finished career with 837 digs and 163 aces. Moved from libero to outside this year. “Selfless leader and teammate. Her leadership is a major reason our program went from six wins (in 2022) to 15 (this year). Committed to play at Franklin Pierce. Also a top returner for Blue Devils tennis team.
RILEY BLANCHET
Salem High Senior
Setter
Second-Team Division I All-State choice. Four-year starter. Co-captain. Played every position on the floor over her career with a “whatever is needed to win” attitude. Led state quarterfinalists in kills (132), aces (75) and assists (328). Also had 143 digs. “Her goal was to always help and support her team the best she can,” said coach Sean Stewart. Will play college volleyball at Rivier University.
ASHLEE SALAFIA
Timberlane Regional Senior
Middle Hitter
Four-year varsity starter and dominant force in the middle. First-Team Division I All-State selection. Was an Honorable Mention selection for our team in 2024. Major part of the revival of a program that won one match in her freshman year. They won 10 this year, earning a spot in the postseason. Top student. Earned “Honor with Distinction.” Big sister, Alexa, pitches at Saint Anselm. Ashlee will play volleyball at Rivier.
RILEY SAWYER
Windham High Senior
Outside Hitter/Right Side
Captain. Three-year varsity starter. First-Team Division I All-State performer, as voted on by the coaches. Athleticism personified from the position. Lethal weapon. Powered Jags to 11-7 regular season and trip to state quarterfinals. Was immense in playoff near-upset of eventual champ Pinkerton with 10 kills, three blocks and three aces. Had double-digit kills 11 other times in the season.