Phillip Barber’s McKenna Halfin rises to attack in the Class AA state quarterfinals. Halfin was named captain of the Class AA All-State first team. (Photo by Tyler Kennett/Exponent Telegram)
CHARLESTON – After winning her third state title in four seasons and recording 2,058 kills and 1,590 digs in her high school career, coach Philip Barber’s McKenna Halfin was named to the Class AA All-State Volleyball First Team by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. was appointed captain. Halfin is currently a three-time first-team selection, was named state player of the year in 2023 and was captain of the second-team unit as a freshman.
She totaled 614 kills in 1,094 attempts, averaging over six kills per set from October through the end of the season.
Her defensive efforts led to a total of 115 blocks and 443 digs, both of which were team-leading.
“I think she’s one of the best.” Philip Barber coach Heather Halfin said. “I’ve seen some really good players come through my program, and some incredibly solid players. When I evaluate players, I try to look at the whole player. It’s not just how hard he hits the ball. McKenna is truly a total player.”
The second-seeded Colts defeated No. 1 seed Oak Glen in five sets to win their seventh state title in their 23rd straight state tournament appearance. McKenna Halfin finished with 67 kills and 41 digs in 11 sets at the state tournament. She had 25 kills and 14 digs in the state title match.
“I feel like she’s never been nervous.” Coach Halfin said so. “She wants to win and plays hard, but she’s never afraid of the opponent. She thrives on competition. She didn’t get off to a very good start in the championship, but after that, It clicked. She started going wild. The fact that she had almost 70 kills in three matches there, two of which were three sets.”
Coach Halfin said this team was one of the best at not taking anything for granted. Philippi community rallies in support of Keaton’s loss “beef” McDermott was a two-sport athlete who lost her life shortly after graduating this summer. Keaton’s younger sister, Kinsley, is a sophomore who plays volleyball.
“I really feel like one of the things this team learned, and we learned the hard way by comforting Kinsley, was that we lost a brother, a friend and a teammate. They lost a brother, a friend and a teammate. I learned that nothing is guaranteed.” Coach Halfin said so. “This group has learned to make the most of each day because there may not be another tomorrow. This team has done a good job of leading each other through it.”
Colts sophomore Finley Carpenter was named to the first team for the first time after recording 123 kills, 70 service aces, 302 digs, and 822 assists as the Colts’ primary setter. In 2023, he was selected for the second army.
You may recognize her last name. She became the fifth member of the Carpenter family to win a state title in volleyball at Phillip Barber. Carpenter has been to the state championship game in nine of the past 10 seasons.
“She was the kid who always showed up to the games her sisters were playing, but you never saw her.” Coach Halfin said so. “She would be passing the ball in the old gym. I’m proud of her this year. She came back more mature and helped calm people down. That’s a big role for a sophomore. That speaks volumes about her character. She will continue to grow as a player.”
Oak Glen, a state runner-up, was named to the first team twice.
Mackenzie Martin is a first-team member in 2023 and is currently a two-time selection. She finished her senior season with 360 kills, 36 aces, 37 blocks, 316 digs, and 414 serve receives.
Averi Martin became the second of three Golden Bears players to record 300 or more kills in 2024. Averi, who was named to the first team for the first time as a junior, finished with 324 kills, 37 aces, 94 blocks and 45 assists.
The rest of the first team is made up of players who moved from Class A to Class AA in 2024.
Buffalo secured two first-team selections after the fifth-seeded Bison advanced to the state semifinals.
Zoe Hoffman was one of the state’s most prolific setters with 1,349 assists. In 2024, she finished her career with only seven errors and 3,751 assists. Hoffman is a three-time first-team selection, including two in Class A.
Natalie Baisden was often on the receiving end. She joined her first team teammates with 634 kills. She also had 115 aces, 70 total blocks, and 532 digs. Bisden was a two-time first-team selection and was named to Class A in 2023.
Charleston Catholic did not disappoint in reaching the semifinals. Junior Ilyauna Evans was named to the first team after leading the Irish squad with 495 kills. She also had 54 aces, 23 blocks and 430 digs. Evans was selected for the first team for the first time.
Williamstown’s Kyndra Johnson was a standout player for the Yellow Jackets, finishing the season with over 1,000 assists. She had 94 aces, 116 digs and 31 blocks to qualify for the state tournament. She was the driving force behind Williamstown’s offense, racking up more than 3,300 assists during her career. Johnson was named to the first team for the first time after leading the Yellow Jackets to three straight Class A state titles.
Ravenswood’s Macy Kast had a record-breaking season for the school with 585 kills, 100 aces and 36 blocks. She twice had 32 kills in a game in 2024, both school records, and became the Red Devils’ all-time leader in aces and kills. Cust is a two-time Class A and three-time first-team selection. She was selected to the second team as a freshman.
James Monroe’s Maggie Borowski finished her senior season with 345 kills, 75 aces, 28 blocks, 278 digs, and 342 serve-receives, rounding out the top unit. Borowski is a first-team member for the first time after being a two-time second-team selection in Class A.
The second team captain is Poka’s Sophia Bailey. She had 545 kills and a batting average of .359. Bailey also had 390 digs, 355 serve receptions, 57 blocks, and 72 aces. The Dots finished 32-13-2, falling just short of qualifying for the state tournament in a region that had two state semifinalists.
The rest of the second team includes Buffalo junior Josie Harris, Oak Glen senior Jersey Smith, James Monroe juniors Eva Pitzer and Aliyah Clarkson, Wyoming East junior Carly Ray, and Ravenswood sophomore Anna. – Includes Kast, Phillip Barber sophomore Izzy Knotts, Williamstown senior Becca Shamblin and South. Harrison freshman Kennedy Southern;
All state honorees will receive a wooden plaque in the shape of West Virginia with their school name, player name, WVSWA logo, award and year. These can be purchased from Bear Wood Company through WVSWA.org or bearwoodcompany.com.
