The Guyer Lady Wildcats won their second straight District 5-4A title in 2008, and it’s no coincidence a Lady Wildcat was named the district’s MVP for the second straight year.

A year after running away with the district behind Erin Garvey, setter Kaylee Fifer was given the district’s top honor on the 5-4A All-District Team after a stellar year where the junior played as both a hitter and a setter.

Fifer finished the year with 727 assists and 274 kills, a year after playing entirely at setter.

“What I like the most about her is that she’s such a great competitor,” said Guyer head coach Jennifer Bramlett. “She does what she needs to do to make the team better. We moved her to hitter this year, which hurt her setting stats a little bit, but I feel like she did a great job for us.”

Fifer wasn’t the only Lady Wildcat to receive a superlative. Senior Kristi Hager received Libero of the Year after registering 657 digs on the year. Fellow senior Alyssa Hanley got Hitter of the Year after putting down 342 kills in 2008.

Coming off another third-place finish in 5-4A, Ryan had two players receive superlatives — middle blocker Kayla Bond and setter Maddy Taylor. Bond received Blocker of the Year after missing most of 2007 due to injury. Tay-lor received Setter of the Year.

Bond led Ryan this season in kills with 344 despite being hampered by injury late in the year. She was the Lady Raiders’ most consistent front-line defender as well, registering a team-high 188 blocks.

After coming off the bench in 2007, Taylor excelled as Ryan’s primary setter with 742 assists. She was also an apt back row defender with 167 digs.

“Kayla was a big influence on our team this year other than the injury,” said Ryan head coach Cindy Williams.  “Being a big block for us was definitely an impact on our defense. As the setter of the district, she displayed what a setter needs to do for a team in leadership and her ability to run the offense. Her role as a setter was definitely a reason we were as successful as we were. She’s not only a leader, she’s smart.”

Denton missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005, but that wasn’t because of outside hitter Amanda Hall. A year after receiving Hitter of the Year in 5-4A, she was named Defensive Specialist of the Year in 2008.

“She’s been one of the backbones of our program for the last two years,” said Denton head coach Heather Stewart. “She got hitter of the year last year. It speaks highly of her dedication to the sport.”

Kelsey Cheatum and Mandy Muncy made the first team for Denton. Guyer’s Alyssa Keim made the top group as well as Ryan’s Chloe Tate and Michelle Fiala of Lake Dallas.

Denton’s Makenna Wiedo-wer, Guyer’s Kimmy Seiler and Ashley McEntire, and Ryan’s Stephanie Routh made the second team.

JEFF ANDREWS can be reached at 940-566-6873. His e-mail address is jandrews@dentonrc.com .

Most Valuable Player

Kaylee Fifer, Guyer, Jr.

Blocker of the Year

Kayla Bond, Ryan, Jr.

Setter of the Year

Maddy Taylor, Ryan, Sr.

Libero of the Year

Kristi Hager, Guyer, Sr.

Defensive Specialist

Amanda Hall, Denton, Sr.

Hitter of the Year

Alyssa Hanley, Guyer, Sr.

Server of the Year

Patty Diaz, The Colony, Sr.

Newcomer

Alex Hicks, The Colony, So.

First Team

Kelsey Cheatum, Denton, Sr.; Mandy Muncy, Denton, Sr.; Alyssa Keim, Guyer, Jr.; Michelle Fiala, Lake Dallas, Sr.; Chloe’ Tate, Ryan, Jr.; Allie Brak, The Colony, So.; Madison Huth, The Colony, Jr.; Kaylee Edgecombe, Little Elm, So.; Sam Smith, Wichita Falls Rider, Sr.; Hannah Eakin, Wichita Falls, Jr.

Second Team

Makenna Wiedower, Denton, So.; Kimmy Seiler, Guyer, Sr.; Ashley McEntire, Guyer, Jr.; Stephanie Routh, Ryan, Sr.; Corny Pritt, Rider, So.; Sarah Swanson, The Colony, So.; Kris Addudell, The Colony, So.; Heather Thompson, Wichita Falls, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Brooke Walford, Guyer, Sr.; Emily Arledge, Guyer, Sr.; Kailey McEntire, Guyer, Jr.; Laurel McDonald, Denton, Sr.; Vanesa Flores, Denton, Jr.; Macy Koontz, Denton, Sr.; Emily McCollum, Ryan, Jr.; Sarah Proctor, Ryan, Sr.; Jenna Brown, Ryan, Sr.; Katie Taylor, Ryan, Jr.; Ragan Forson, Lake Dallas, So.; Brandi Mayo, Lake Dallas, Jr.; Audry Glavin, Lake Dallas, Sr.