Aptos High freshman Ella Dueck was a stalwart on the court in her first year with the Mariners girls’ volleyball team.
The standout outside hitter finished with a team-best 262 kills to go along with 220 digs, 43 serving aces and 12 blocks in 82 sets played in 2023.
Dueck was recognized for her efforts as she was named this year’s Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League’s Freshman of the Year by the coaches within the league.
Dueck is right in line with her older sisters, Peyton and Madison, on becoming one of the top players for the Mariners in upcoming years.
Fellow teammate sophomore Kenzie Smith earned All-SCCAL Second Team honors following her strong performance this season.
Smith finished with a team-best 24 blocked shots, 113 kills and 71 digs for the Mariners, who went 5-7 in league play and finished with a 12-16 overall record.
Aptos senior Peyton Westjohn and junior Claire Willoughby both earned a spot on the honorable mention list.
Soquel High junior Jessie Dueck—Ella’s cousin—was earned All-SCCAL First Team honors. The Knights outside hitter finished with a team-best 265 kills to go along with 277 digs, 30 serving aces and 29 assists this season.
Individual Awards
Most Valuable Player: Gwen Grigsby (Sr.), Harbor
Freshman of the Year: Ella Dueck (Fr.), Aptos
Coach of the Year: Matt Schutz, Harbor
First Team
Gwen Grigsby (Sr.), Harbor
Maren O’Farrell (Jr.), Harbor
Kayla Rhee-Pizano (Sr.), Soquel
Sabine Kemos (Jr.), Harbor
Daisey Manako (Sr.), Santa Cruz
Isla Johnson (Jr.), Harbor
Jesse Dueck (Jr.), Soquel
Summer Pederson (Sr.), Santa Cruz
Second Team
Antonia Wilson (Sr.), Santa Cruz
Kenzie Smith (So.), Aptos
Hayden Smith (So.), Scotts Valley
Natalie Monroe (So.), Santa Cruz
Grace Emanuelson (Sr.), Scotts Valley
Eden Fisher (So.), Mount Madonna
Ali Reger (Sr.), San Lorenzo Valley
Honorable Mention
Claire Willoughby (Jr.), Aptos
Peyton Westjohn (Sr.), Aptos
Dakotah Johnson (Sr.), Harbor
Holly Pendergraft (Sr.), Harbor
Cy Harris (Sr.), Mount Madonna
Emma Monclus (Sr.), Mount Madonna
Janie Reynolds (Sr.), SLV
Ari Ballard (Jr.), SLV
Lily Pederson (Sr.), Santa Cruz
Kelaiah Wynn (Jr.), Santa Cruz
Natalia Cash (Sr.), Scotts Valley
Ava Morrison (Jr.), Scotts Valley
Claire Peterson (Jr.), Soquel
Lily Juarez-Sapone (Jr.), Soquel
