Coach Wasson talks All-Conference athletes

The North Country Mavericks Volleyball had four athletes listed in the 2021 District 1C All-Conference and All-State list a couple of weeks ago.

In a crowded 11 team conference, the team was able to land two All-State placements, Paige Wasson and Jaycee Erickson. Both were also listed with first-team honors. Zandora Longtree was also named to the first team, while Teagan Erickson earned second-team honors.

P. Wasson, a sophomore, led the Mavericks with 273 kills. Wasson also served 45 aces with a serve efficiency of 84%. She had 193 digs and 159 assists.

Wasson showed her versatility in the game, proving to her coach to be a reliable setter in the back row, while also playing hitter.

"I really saw her improve in her decision-making skills on who to set and what kind of set was needed at the moment," Coach Charlene Wasson told the PCN. "Her hitting skills became very strong this season. She became one of our constants to go to when we needed a kill and her ability to hit around and over the top of the block improved making her hard to block."

J. Erickson, a senior who was also a first-team selection in 2020, led the Mavericks in assists with 296. Erickson also had 120 kills, 70 aces, and 13 blocks. 87% of her serves were put in play.

Erickson served as a setter for the team, but also played one rotation as a hitter.

"She did a great job this season of getting the ball to the hitters and running some different tempo sets with hitters as well," Coach Wasson said. "She was also very good at blocking on the right side."

Coach Wasson said that Jaycee's talents at the net, great timing and jumping skills really shined in her final season with the team.

"There were many times she would be the front row setter on serve-receive and the pass would be tight and she would just go up and attack the ball," Coach Wasson said.

Longtree, a senior, served 94 aces, with a serving efficiency of 825. Longtree had 251 digs, 127 assists, and six blocks.

"Zandora had a great season. She was our backup setter and did a lot of setting on serve-receive for us," Coach Wasson said. "She has great hands her confidence was what really grew this season and she had the ability to shine for us from the service line."

Though Longtree played Libero in 2020, Coach Wasson felt that the move from the defensive spot was the best move for the team this year, given her ability to pass the ball.

"She was someone who could always get us a pass so we could attack the ball," Coach Wasson said. "She also could touch just about any ball anywhere on the floor."

T. Erickson, a sophomore, had a team-leading 64 blocks. She also was second in kills with 230, and had the team's highest serving percentage of 89. T.Erickson had 46 aces, 123 digs, and four assists.

"Teagan was our middle hitter and number one blocker," Coach Wasson said. "She improved her attacking skills this season changing tempo and speed and became a very important consistent server for us. She provided our defense the opportunity to be in a better position in the back row because she could block so much at the net."