CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Two of the Scioto Valley’s most familiar volleyball names topped the District 14 honors list released Monday, Oct. 26, by the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association. Chillicothe outside hitter Evelyn Hamman was named District Player of the Year in Division III/IV, and Adena’s Kimmy Dalton earned the same honor in Division V, headlining a long list of Ross County and area players recognized for their seasons.
Hamman powered Chillicothe at the net all season, guiding the Cavaliers to a district semifinal appearance with 556 kills, 36 aces, 82 blocks and 199 digs. Dalton anchored Adena from the back row, leading the Warriors to a district semifinal of their own with 501 digs and 453 service receptions, plus 29 aces. Dalton’s award adds to a decorated career — she is also a three-time Scioto Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Chillicothe’s coaching honor stayed in the family and at the top of the list as well. Leslie Hamman was named the Division III/IV District Coach of the Year after leading the Cavaliers to a share of the Frontier Athletic Conference championship, with a district semifinal match set for Tuesday, Oct. 27. In Division V, Zane Trace’s Ashton Ward was named Coach of the Year after leading the Pioneers to a 15-8 mark.
Joining Hamman on the Division III/IV first team were Unioto’s Kinzli Batson and Waverly’s Taryn Gillott. Batson, who was also honored as the Scioto Valley Conference Player of the Year, passed out 785 assists during her junior season alongside 200 digs and 43 aces. Gillott totaled 228 kills, 29 aces, 224 digs and 363 assists for Waverly. Second-team honors went to Chillicothe’s Isabella Witte, Unioto’s Charlotte Dennis and Waverly’s Calli Knight, while Chillicothe’s Campbell McAllister was an honorable mention selection.
Division V’s first team, alongside Dalton, featured Adena’s Jacey Jones, Piketon’s Ryanne Moore, Zane Trace’s Karlee Snavely and Huntington’s Brailee Hauswirth. Jones led the Warriors with 415 kills, Moore finished her senior season with 358 kills — including the 1,000th kill of her career — Snavely posted 435 kills and Hauswirth ended her season with 329 kills. Second-team honors went to Westfall’s Jill Butcher, Zane Trace’s Lydia Jarrell, Piketon’s Aubrey Heath and Huntington’s Kinzee Mills, with Piketon’s Addy Blakeman and Adena’s Allie Bossert earning honorable mention.
Southeastern was represented in Division VI, where junior Kylee Dunn earned first-team honors after posting 378 kills and 35 blocks while leading the Panthers to a district semifinal. Two of Dunn’s teammates, Macy Stanley and Jade Turner, were named to the second team, and Southeastern’s Calley Stauffer was an honorable mention selection.
For the players and programs recognized, the honors cap seasons built on both individual production and team success, with Chillicothe, Adena and Southeastern all still alive in the district tournament when the awards were announced. Chillicothe’s semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 27, is the next test for the Cavaliers, as the area’s honored players look to turn a decorated regular season into a deeper postseason run.
Photo: Todd Ryburn, CC BY