Newton Citizen

CONYERS - After winning the area title, the Heritage volleyball program is well represented on the All-Area 8-AAAA Team.

The Patriots have a total of five players on the first and second teams, which are voted on by the volleyball coaches in 8-AAAA.

Heritage coach David Buddenbaum is the Area 8-AAAA Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Patriots to a state playoff appearance, the 8-AAAA championship, the 8-AAAA South title and a 31-19 record.

Heritage junior outside hitter Mikayla Charles and junior middle hitter Taylor Bailey were first-team selections.

Bailey led the Lady Patriots in kills (330) and blocks (90), while Charles was second on the team in kills (282).

Heritage junior outside hitter Olivia Wasdin, junior setter Rachel Jubran and junior right-side hitter Mikala Flonnoy were second-team picks.

Wasdin paced the Lady Patriots in four statistical categories - digs (104), points (266), service percentage (93.12) and service reception (2.21). Jubran led Heritage with 519 assists, while Flonnoy was right behind with 507.

Rockdale had a total of four players honored on the first and second teams.

Junior setter Chelsea Nunn and junior right-side hitter Kelsey Girardot were first-team picks for the Lady Bulldogs.

Nunn set a single-season school record with 536 assists. Girardot tallied 153 kills and 71 aces.

Rockdale senior middle hitter Tayla Mitchell and sophomore Taylor Burdette were named to the second-team.

Mitchell, a senior, paced the Lady Bulldogs in kills (224) and blocks (39). Burdette recorded a team-high 150 digs.

Jeff Gillespie can be reached at jeff.gillespie@rockdalecitizen.com.

SideBar: All-Area Volleyball Team

FIRST TEAM

Outside hitter: Jaclynn Campbell, Habersham Central; Mikayla Charles, Heritage

Middle Hitter: Taylor Bailey, Heritage; Brittany Wolf, Monroe Area

Setter: Haley White, Habersham Central; Chelsea Nunn, Rockdale

Right-Side Hitter: Kelsey Girardot, Rockdale

Libero: Courtney Marker, Loganville

SECOND TEAM

Outside Hitter: Jennifer McGuffy, Monroe Area; Olivia Wasdin, Heritage

Middle Hitter: Julia Heimburger, Habersham Central; Tayla Mitchell, Rockdale

Setter: Rachel Jubran, Heritage; Kati Lane, Cedar Shoals

Right-Side Hitter: Mikala Flonnoy, Heritage

Libero: Taylor Burdette, Rockdale