3A-dominating Wolverine Kirstie Hillyer has been named to the 9th annual American Volleyball Coaches Association High School All-America Team.
Hillyer was one of 78 honorable mention players in the U.S.
"I was kind of shocked, honestly, when I found out," Hillyer said. "Coach told me that she'd entered me, like, just to see what would happen. And knowing that I actually got something out of it.that's amazing. That just showed how far I've come."
Hillyer, meanwhile, made her previous verbal commitment to Colorado State University official Wednesday afternoon at BHS, signing her name to a letter of intent.
"Well it doesn't get more special than this, you know. Coaches can coach teams all their lives and not have the privilege of coaching student-athletes of this caliber," BHS Head Coach Terene Foutz said. "I have no doubt that she's going to take her accolades and put them to work this time next year!"
"I'm super excited, simply said," stated Hillyer, who noted a potential interest in biomedical studies upon enrolling in Fort Collins. "I kind of know what to expect, but overall I'm just super excited."
Added Coach Foutz: "[CSU head coach] Tom Hilbert's going to make her better; he is a national-level coach-she will not find a better technician of the game or strategist in the game. She's in amazing hands."
"We're very proud, very excited. And very grateful, thankful for the opportunity," said father Rich Hillyer, with mother Laura alongside. "It's a blessing, and we've had a lot of help along the way from Kirstie's earlier coaches, her first couple years, and then Terene the last couple, and we're proud of her."
"They know it's a great school, we all researched it," Kirstie Hillyer said. "They've been behind me the whole time. It's definitely a weight lifted off my shoulders, because.all the years of anticipation are over. Now I'm officially going!"
BAYFIELD BUOYS ALL-LEAGUE ROSTER: Released following the elimination of both BHS and Pagosa Springs from the Class 3A state championships last Saturday, the Wolverines were well represented on the 2014 All-Intermountain League squad.
Hillyer was named Player-of-the-Year and obviously was a First Team All-IML choice. Joining her were teammates Maddi Foutz and Suzie Rhodes.
Bayfield seniors Caitlin Phelps and Jessie Roukema were named 2nd Team All-IML.
Coach-of-the-Year honors went to Bayfield's Foutz.
