South Ripley honors fall athletes at annual Fall Sports Banquet

Josh Barnett - Sports Editor

South Ripley honored their fall athletes at their annual Fall Sports Banquet held in the high school cafeteria on Tuesday, November 2. The teams honored were varsity and reserve volleyball, boys and girls varsity soccer and boys and girls varsity cross country. Each team gave away at least one award to an athlete who excelled in certain categories.

Reserve Volleyball

This year's reserve volleyball team was coached by Lindsey Payne. They had a record of 13-6 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The team was made up of Kellie Collier, Erica Burress, Amanda Cox, Lauren Lemon, Sally Adams, Erin Webster, Courtney Walker, Beth Stratton and Susannah Mann.

The reserve team gives away only one award, which is the Mental Attitude Award. This year the award went to two girls and they were Erica Burress and Beth Stratton.

Varsity Volleyball

Deb Jett was the coach of this years varsity volleyball team which finished the season as the ORVC Champions going 6-0 in the conference. Their regular season record was an outstanding 19-7. The team was made up of Casey Payne, Erica Burress, Erin Collier, Bridgette Adams, Sheena Braley, Ashley Thomas, Abbey Lemon, Beth Stratton, Kristen Huss, Tracy Keyes and Julie Lipperd. The managers of the team were Annette Sieverding, Stephanie Miller, Jeffrey Robinson, Kari and Kristi Moore.

Three individuals from SR were named to the All-Conference Team including Julie Lipperd, Casey Payne and Erin Collier. Collier was also named Academic All-State Volleyball First Team. Two individuals set new school records this past season including Julie Lipperd- hitting % and blocks, Casey Payne- defensive digs. The award winners were Erin Collier- academic and top server, Kristen Huss- most improved, Casey Payne- best defense and Julie Lipperd- best offense and mental attitude.

Boys Varsity Soccer

The boys' varsity soccer team finished the season with an overall record of 4-9-3 and conference record of 2-7-3 under coach Ken Myers. The team was made up of Nathan Hensley, Darren Speer, Josh Auger, Isaac Everage, Willy Kieltyk, Mitch Krall, Dakota Walker, Tim Burcham, Russ Steinhauer, Randall Boles, Travis Tapp, Ryan Underwood, Tyler Ballmer, Michael Fancher, Jared May, Brad Demaree, Justin Kieltyk, Trent Tucker, Paul Swango, Jeremy May, Izzy Burkett, Jake McConnell and Corey McNeelan.

Two individuals off SR's soccer team were named to the All-Conference Team, including Dakota Walker and Ryan Underwood. Award winners were Izzy Burkett- most improved, Darren Speer- mental attitude, Ryan Underwood- best defense, Dakota Walker- best offense and Michael Fancher- academic.

Girls Varsity Soccer

Jill Groves was the coach of this years girls' varsity soccer team who finished the season with a record of 2-9. The team was made up of Sierra Groves, Jenny Roberts, Sarah Bauman, Sarah Hartman, Sarah Overshiner, Courtney Fancher, Kelsey Steinhauer, Danielle Davis, Brittany Boles, Michele Hensley, Hannah Althoff, Myranda Cole and Amanda Collins.
Award winners were Courtney Fancher- most improved, Kelsey Steinhauer- best defense, Danielle Davis- best offense, Sarah Overshiner- senior academic and Jenny Roberts- mental attitude.

Girls Varsity Cross Country

Joyce Druba was the coach of this years girls varsity cross country team. The team finished fourth in the Ripley County Meet and sixth in the ORVC Meet. This year's squad included Amber Thompson, Bernadette Gorman, Molly Walls, Sarah McCrory, Alisha Simon and Amy Hobbs. Tyler Hensley was the manager of the team.
Award winners were Amber Thompson- most valuable runner and Bernadette Gorman- most improved.

Boys Varsity Cross Country

This year's boys varsity cross country team was coached by Nathan Baurley. They finished fourth in the Ripley County Meet and sixth in the ORVC Meet. The team was made up of Erik Demaree, B.J. Sieverding, Nick Grider, Ryan Kohlmeier, Ariel Lawburgh, Michael Mathews and Cody Myers.

Award winners were Erik Demaree- most valuable runner and Ariel Lawburgh- most improved.

Volleyball Award Winners

The award winners from the varsity and reserve volleyball teams were, front row: Kristen Huss, Casey Payne, Julie Lipperd and Erin Collier. Back row: Erica Burress and Beth Stratton.