Twenty Athletes from thirteen 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 19th through September 24th.
Below is a look at each Athlete of the Week by sport:
Volleyball
Name: Carla Ramirez Ortiz
Grade: Junior
School: Campbell Memorial High School
Stats: 56 Assists, including her 1,000th career assist, 34 digs, 4 Kills, 4 Aces
Coaches Quote: “Junior, Setter, Carla Ramierez Ortiz led Campbell Memorial to a 1-1 record on the week, including a conference win in 3 straight sets vs. LaBrae,” according to coach Tyler Allen. “She led the team with 56 assists and recorded her 1,000th career assist. Carla is a very hard worker and has been developing her leadership throughout the season.”
Name: Avery Clay
Grade: Senior
School: Champion High School
Stats: 13 Kills, 18 Solo Blocks, 8 Assisted Blocks
Coaches Quote: “Avery is one of our strong middle hitters,” according to coach Kelly Henson. “She works hard and is a great contributor to our team..”
Name: Blake Thomas
Grade: Junior
School: Sebring McKinley High School
Stats: 33 kills, 32 Digs, 5 Aces 6 blocks
Coaches Quote: “Blake is a leader not just in stats, but with her energy, determination, and effort. Great athlete to coach, and is consistenly working with the younger players and cheering them on,” according to Susanne Neal. “She is willing to play any position that will help the team do better.”
Name: Emily Downey
Grade: Junior
School: Crestview High School
Stats: 4 aces, 13 digs, 17 serve receives, 4 assists, 94% serve receive accuracy
Coaches Quote: “Emily is a big part of our 12-0 record. She brings consistency and intensity to our defense. She is a very hard worker and a joy to coach,” according to coach Alisha Auer!
Name: Charlie Saunders
Grade: Freshmen
School: Jackson-Milton High School
Stats: 17 service points, 4 aces, 5 kills with a .276 hitting percentage, 13 digs, 14 assists.
Coaches Quote: “Charlie got her first start and significant time this week on varsity. She stepped up to fill in for an injured player and did a great job,” according to coach Stephen Mohr.
Name: Madison Leone
Grade: Senior
School: Western Reserve High School
Stats: For the week of Sept 19-sept 23, Madison has had a Total of 6 aces, 14 digs,and 36 assists in 3 games
Coaches Quote: “Madison is a great team player and works hard in practice and games,” according to Kristine Hughes. “She has never been a setter and has done an outstanding job of leading our team on and off the court especially with her calm demeanor. She is 2nd on our team with overall assists and I am very proud of the player she has become. Madison also has the highest percent of serves on our “
Name: Megan Zajack
Grade: Senior
School: McDonald High School
Stats: 4 Serving Aces, 7 Kills, 3 Blocks, 55 Digs
Coaches Quote: “Megan is one of our outstanding senior leaders this season,” according to coach Mike Klockner. “She is able to play at any position on the court and always gives maximum effort.”
Football
Name: Keegan Sell
Grade: Junior
School: James A. Garfield High School
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Stats: 6 Carries for 88 yds and 2 Tds (in one half), 12 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 int returned for a TD(in one half)
Coaches Quote: “Keegan led us in rushing and tackles and accumulated these stats in one half last week vs Newton Falls,” according to coach Mike Moser.
Name: Jordan Moore
Grade: Sophomore
School: Mineral Ridge High School
Stats: 90% efficiency blocking, 12 Tackles, 4 Tackles for a loss and 1 Sack.
Coaches Quote: “Jordan played a key role in all three phases of the 40-13 victory against Western Reserve,” according to coach Brian Shaner. “On offense he graded out over 90% efficiency to help the offense run 80 plays tallying 467 rushing yards and 527 total yards for the game. On Defense he racked up 12 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss and 1 sack. On special
teams Jordan had many key blocks that helped to set up multiple key returns at much needed times.”
Name: Gerald Ihrig
Grade: Senior
School: Jackson-Milton High School
Stats: No stats
Coaches Quote: “Gerald played extremely hard last week in the win versus Sebring and has been an outstanding leader throughout this year,” according to coach Nathan Borde. “Very proud of his effort week in and week out.”
Name: Quaias Patterson
Grade: Junior
School: Liberty High School
Stats: Patterson returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown and had a 72-yard punt return against Campbell. He also had six tackles defensively with 2 interceptions and a 5-yard reception on offense.
Coaches Quote: “Quaias had one of the best games of his young career, but it wasn’t a surprise,” according to coach Joe Simon. “He’s one of the more talented players I’ve been around since taking this job. His instincts are something you can’t coach, and his athleticism is outstanding. He’s had a few really good weeks of practice, and that’s what led to this performance.”
Cross Country
Name: Megan Hipple
Grade: Senior
School: McDonald High School
Stats: Megan won the Youngstown Suburban League Championship meet Tues, Sept. 20th at the Canfield Fairgrounds. Megan ran the 5K course in a time of 17:45.0. This was a new course record and also lowered her McDonald school record.
Coaches Quote: No Quote
Name: Kathlene McMayon
Grade: Freshmen
School: James A. Garfield High School
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Stats: PR’ed by nearly a minute and ran 21:17.89.
Coaches Quote: “We are extremely fortunate to have such a great group of freshmen females on our team and Kat is definitely starting to show just how talented she can be,” according to coach Matt Pfleger. “The determination that Kat showed on Saturday at the Cardinal Invitational helped lead her team to a third place finish against some very good teams. Kat’s 21:17.89 was good enough to place her 18th overall. I am looking forward to seeing what she is able to do during the championship meets coming up.”
Name: Alex Lipp
Grade: Sophomore
School: Jackson-Milton High School
Stats: Lordstown Invitational: 15th place – 19:33
Coaches Quote: “Alex has been putting in the work all season to bring his 5k time,” according to coach Kayla Morrison. ” He has been highly motivated at practices and has been pushing himself as the end of the season quickly approaches. Alex’s hard work paid off this past weekend when he ran an all time personal record of 19:33, breaking into the 19s for the first time ever!”
Soccer
Name: Olivia Boyle
Grade: Junior
School: Waterloo High School
Stats: 2 Goals and 2 assists
Coaches Quote: “Olivia scored 2 goals and had 2 assists this week,” according to coach Bill Jackson. “Olivia has worked hard on her shot and field vision this season. She has done a great job transitioning to the offensive side of the ball this season and has made a big impact on our attack.“
Name: Keagan Beck
Grade: Junior
School: Jackson-Milton High School
Stats: Solid and consistent defensive play.
Coaches Quote: “Keagan is one of our Team Captains because he leads with a positive attitude and strong work ethic,” according to coach Craig Fetkovich! “He was last season’s “Defensive Player of the Year”, because he works hard on the field and is often offering advice and encouragement to his teammates. He is an extremely impactful part of our team.”
Name: Mac Haidet
Grade: Senior
School: Newton Falls High School
Stats: He had 33 saves against Crestview.
Coaches Quote: “Not only has Mac has been a great asset in the goal but also on the field. He is a tremendous leader as well,” according to coach Kassi Gant.
Name: Ashley Harvey
Grade: Senior
School: Newton Falls High School
Stats: She had 35 saves against Waterloo.
Coaches Quote: ““Ashley has been the pillar of our defense all year long. She has kept us competitive and in some games,” according to coach Frank Tatarka.
Golf
Name: Jackson Ensley
Grade: Freshmen
School: Springfield Local High School
Stats: Jackson was the medalist at the MVAC Championship (9/21/22) with a round of 76. As a freshman, Jackson has led the Tigers in scoring in each of their matches.
Coaches Quote: “Jackson’s hard work and dedication to the sport of golf is evidenced by the success he has achieved this season,” according to coach Dom Daltorio. “I am excited to watch Jackson play and improve his game over the next few years. Jackson is a great kid and teammate and is deserving of any and all honors he receives.”
Name: Savannah Davison
Grade: Senior
School: Mineral Ridge High School
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Stats: Savannah played very well through rainy , windy, and cold conditions. She had the lowest team average over the course of the last week and four matches averaging a 54.
Coaches Quote: “The improvements Savannah made this season have been a true joy to watch,” according to coach Nick Flaviano. “She picked up clubs for the first time last year, and has only been golfing for a little over a year. She has shot in the 40’s this year and was almost consistently in the 50’s. She has a great work ethic and is very dedicated! “
