Science Hill's O'Daniel, Dau and D-B's Helvey earn superlatives on All Tri-Cities volleyball team

She might have been only a sophomore, but Science Hill setter Lucy O'Daniel did her part to ensure the Lady Hilltoppers didn't skip a beat. O'Daniel helped lead Science Hill to its third-ever berth in the TSSAA state tournament. And for only the second time, the Lady Hilltoppers won a match at the big dance. Having garnered District 1-AAA Player of the Year honors, as well as being honored as the AVCA/MaxPreps National Player of the Week in Week 9, O'Daniel has been chosen as Player of the Year on the 2025 Johnson City Press/Kingsport Times News All Tri-Cities volleyball team. O'Daniel tallied 1,175 assists for the 2025 season, averaging 9.2 per set and ranking third in the state on MaxPreps. Additionally, she served 55 aces with a 91.8 serve percentage, blocked 19 attacks, slammed 137 kills and recorded 322 digs (2.5 per set). With two seasons remaining, O'Daniel already has 1,263 assists to her name. DEFENSIVE FORCE Science Hill teammate Isa Dau, a junior, was tabbed this year's All Tri-Cities Defensive Force for her efforts. Her 620 digs ranked No. 1 in the state, according to MaxPreps. And she finished the year with a 95% serve receive rate, 70 aces and 99 assists. Not surprisingly, she garnered District 1-AAA Defensive Player of the Year honors. COACH OF THE YEAR Not since 2020 had Dobyns-Bennett made it out of the District 1-AAA tournament entering this fall. The Lady Indians did that and then some in their first year under head coach Katie Helvey. Not only did the Tribe win the District 1-AAA and Region 1-AAA titles, but they never lost a set on their home court at the Buck Van Huss Dome. (Yes, you read that right … never lost a SET at home this year.) As a result, Helvey is the 2025 All Tri-Cities Volleyball Coach of the Year. FIRST TEAM Setter — Mela Brice (Dobyns-Bennett): Brice dished out 1,016 assists and served 47 aces her senior year, recording 150 digs with 53 kills, 10 blocks and 12 block kills. She shared District 1-AAA Co-Setter of the Year honors. Middle blocker — Adah Snodgrass (Volunteer): The District 2-AA Player of the Year and tournament MVP, Snodgrass slammed 311 kills and blocked 93 attacks to go with 115 digs, 52 aces and nine assists. She earned her 1,000th kill on senior night. Opposite hitter — Sophie Johnson (Sullivan East): Johnson slammed 367 kills and served a team-high 61 aces to help the Lady Patriots return to the state tournament. She finished with 225 digs, five blocks and seven assists. Defensive specialist — Makiyah Blye (Dobyns-Bennett): While she was named District 1-AAA Hitter of the Year, Blye was just as effective on defense with her 212 digs, six blocks and 19 block kills. She tallied 280 kills, 52 aces and two assists. Serving specialist — Kayla Capson (Volunteer): Capson served 75 aces and was named District 2-AA Hitter of the Year as a junior. She totaled 291 kills, 219 digs, seven assists and 37 blocks. SECOND TEAM Setter — Bree Adams (Tennessee High): The District 1-AAA Co-Setter of the Year, Adams handed out 526 helpers and recorded 258 digs. She also served 42 aces with 43 kills and 20 blocks. Outside hitter — Makayla Moore (Sullivan East): The freshman, who was tabbed MVP of the District 1-AA tournament, led East with her 431 kills while serving 34 aces with 242 digs, 31 blocks and 11 assists. Middle blocker — Bryleigh Scott (Science Hill): Scott blocked 97 attacks, good for ninth in the state on MaxPreps, on top of her 0.321 hitting percentage. She totaled 258 kills and 99 digs her junior year. Opposite hitter — Jalynn Rogers (Rye Cove): Rogers led the Lady War Eagles in kills with 432 her senior season. She blocked 47 attacks and served 34 aces with 14 assists and 159 digs. Defensive specialist — Lucy Roberts (Dobyns-Bennett): As a senior, Roberts finished with 58 block kills with an additional 34 blocks. She slammed 167 kills and served 28 aces with 31 digs and seven assists. Libero — Ainsley Wampler (Elizabethton): Plenty of thought went into this one, since Wampler had a team-high 334 kills and 35 assists. But on defense, she recorded 382 digs and 20 blocks while serving a team-best 61 aces. Serving specialist — Kenzie Gillenwater (Twin Springs): As a senior, Gillenwater led the Lady Titans with her 89 blocks. She slammed 189 kills with 137 digs while serving 51 aces.