Nineteen Athletes from ten different schools have been named the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Athletes of the Week.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from September 12th through September 17th.
Below is a look at each Athlete of the Week by sport:
Volleyball
Name: Lainy Auer
Grade: Freshman
School: Crestview High School
Stats: 46 assists, 37 digs, 17 kills and 6 aces in our 3-0 week
Coaches Quote: “Lainy is a freshman playing full rotation like a veteran player,” according to coach Alisha Auer. “Her ball control and court awareness is amazing. She is a big part of our 9-0 start.”
Name: Kennedy Caldwell
Grade: Sophomore
School: Champion High School
Stats: Hitting- 90-103 30A, Service- 19-24 4A 18pts, Digs- 16-20, Serve Receive- 44-47
Coaches Quote: “Kennedy is one of our Outside hitters, but is also used as a utility player for us,” according to coach Kelly Henson. “She sees the floor well and is able to place her hits. Kennedy also has the knowledge and understanding of the game that helps her team in many ways.”
Name: Mallory Harshman
Grade: Senior
School: Sebring High School
Stats: 13 blocks, 13 aces, 94% serves, 211 assists, 16 kills
Coaches Quote: “Mallory is a great determined setter that takes pride in getting to every second ball and has worked diligently in the off season to make herself a stronger all around player,” according to coach Susanne Neal.
Name: Demi Watson
Grade: Senior
School: Liberty High School
Stats: 17 Kills and 1 Block
Coaches Quote: “Demi is a dynamic player for our team,” according to coach Kelly Barley. “She always seems to be one to make the big play when needed. Her athletic ability also speaks for herself. As a senior, her leadership and calmness during a game is impeccable and a key part of our team.”
Name: Emily Fultz
Grade: Senior
School: Jackson-Milton High School
Stats: 43 service points, 15 aces, 26 kills with a .276 hitting percentage, 34 digs
Coaches Quote: No Quote
Name: Angelina Cappabianca
Grade: Junior
School: Western Reserve High School
Stats: 12 kills 3 blocks 3 aces. 3 digs. 13 service
Coaches Quote: “Angelina is a big part of our volleyball team playing middle blocker and hitter,” according to coach Kristine Hughes. “She is always enthusiastic, bringing great positive energy to the team during games. She is willing to do anything she’s asked and a terrific team player who any coach would love to have in their team. She is third on our team in kills with a total of 55, 2nd on our team with 25 service aces and also 2nd on our team with 21 total blocks. As you can see she is a great contributor to our team’s successes.”
Name: Lauren Sierra
Grade: Junior
School: McDonald High School
Stats: 5 Serving Aces, 15 kills, 5 Blocks
Coaches Quote: “Lauren is one of our outstanding middle hitters,” according to coach Mike Klockner. “She leads our team in both serving aces and blocks.”
Name: Faith Schneider
Grade: Junior
School: Mineral Ridge High School
Stats: 39 Kills, 40 Digs, and 9 Aces
Coaches Quote: “Faith’s ability to earn points for the team with her aggressive attacks and backrow play both as a defender and passer in serve receive was a big part of the team’s success this week,” according to coach Ron Lesko.
Football
Name: Scott Boston
Grade: Senior
School: Sebring McKinley High School
Stats: 6 Receptions for 86 yards and a TD/7 Tackles & 2 Assists, Caused Fumble and a QB Hurry
Coaches Quote: “Scott has given a tremendous effort on both sides of the ball all season,” according to coach Anthony Agresta. “He is our leading receiver and tackler.”
Name: Mason Hughes
Grade: Junior
School: Jackson-Milton High School
Stats: No stats
Coaches Quote: “Mason earned his highest grade out of the year on offense against Lowellville,” according to coach Nathan Borde. “He has been working to get better every day at practice and has been seeing the results on the playing field on Fridays.”
Cross Country
Name: Dominic Pappagallo
Grade: Sophomore
School: Mineral Ridge High School
Stats: Finished 3rd of 355 runners at the Boardman XC Invitational
Coaches Quote: “At this weekend’s prestigious meet, the Boardman Spartan Invitational, Dom placed among the top 1% (3rd of 335 runners) of an elite field of Division 3 cross country athletes,” according to coach Ron Toth.
Name: Serenity Perrine
Grade: Junior
School: Jackson-Milton High School
Stats: Overall placer at Boardman Spartan Invitational (48th place). Overall placer at Suburban League Championship (38th place). Current 5k personal record – 23:11
Coaches Quote: “Serenity has been working hard at practices and has been pushing herself to reach her goals,” according to coach Kayla Morrison. “She is currently in her 2nd year of cross country with JM and is competing with times 3-4 minutes faster than where she was last year! Serenity is a driven and motivated athlete and she is always fighting to give her best both at practices and during competitions.”
Soccer
Name: Xavier Newell
Grade: Senior
School: Champion High School
Stats: 2 Goals and 2 assists
Coaches Quote: “This past week, Xavier helped lead the team in two separate victores,” according to coach Jamie Futchko. “A home win on Senior Night, he scored and assisted. To follow that up versus a very sound Girard squad, he initiated the scoring on a set piece header and then assisted on the winning goal late in the 2nd half. Xaviers ability to be dangerous everytime he touches the ball is a vital piece to our puzzle. “
Name: Carter Graham
Grade: Junior
School: Jackson-Milton High School
Stats: Solid and consistent defensive play.
Coaches Quote: “Carter is in his second year of soccer. He was last year’s Rookie of the Year, because of his work ethic and energy on the field,” according to coach Craig Fetkovich. “He plays a defensive position and makes his presence felt everywhere on the field. We appreciate his positive attitude, encouraging team spirit, speed and endurance. He’s the type of player coaches are grateful to have on their team!”
Name: Alexander Stinson
Grade: Junior
School: Newton Falls High School
Stats: Hat trick against Campbell Memorial
Coaches Quote: “Alex has proven to be an incredible leader again this year,” according to Kassi Gant. “He is a very versatile player and has played every position on the field this season. He routinely plays sweeper and can certainly be credited with a lot of saves for the team, but is very involved in our offensive drive as well.”
Name: Arlene Adam
Grade: Senior
School: Newton Falls High School
Stats: Had the only goal against Garfield.
Coaches Quote: “Arlene is a captain and is a great leader in and off of the field,” according to coach Frank Tatarka.
Golf
Name: Caleb Domitrovich
Grade: Senior
School: McDonald High School
Stats: 18 hole score of a 79 (4th Place) and 9 hole score of a 37, medalist twice.
Coaches Quote: “Caleb has battled back from injury to look like the dominant player everyone knows he can be on the golf course,” according to coach Matt Vuckovic. “His dedication to the game of golf is nearly unmatched.”
Name: Keaton Kucera
Grade: Junior
School: Mineral Ridge High School
Stats: Average 44.1 for the week, shot 43 in the 6th spot in victory for the Rams over Waterloo and McDonald at Mahoning Golf Course
Coaches Quote: “Keaton had a vital role this past week for Rams to go 4-0 for the week. Keaton’s performance helped lead the Rams to victories over Jackson-Milton, Lowellville, and MVAC champ Waterloo and McDonald,” according to coach Shawn Brown. His hard work and dedication has paid off and his game has shown tremendous improvements. Keaton broke his personal record by shooting a 43 in our tri-match with McDonald and Waterloo.”
Name: Liam Mielcarek
Grade: Senior
School: James A. Garfield High School
Stats: Tuesday, Sept. 13th – Sugar Bush Back Nine – 47 – Thursday, Sept. 15th – Pleasant Hills Back Nine – 39
Coaches Quote: “Liam birdied the last hole at Pleasant Hills by draining a putt from about 8 feet out to finish with a score of 39,” according to Doug Engelhart. “This was his 4th one putt of the round (15 putts, 5 fairways, 3 greens) and his was his career best score.”
