Mikayla Butzke and Grace Matthews ran the show for their respective volleyball teams, but they did it from different positions on the court.
Butzke pulled the levers for Dos Pueblos as the setter while Matthews kept San Marcos organized as a libero. Their stellar play led the Chargers and Royals to a co-Channel League championship and CIF-SS playoff berths.
The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table is honoring Butzke and Matthews as the High School Girls Volleyball Players of the Year.
Due to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, the SBART is presenting its athletes of the year in high school and college sports as well as its scholarship winners and special community leader awards in a virtual format. An award winner will be presented each day on the Round Table’s social media platforms of Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and in Noozhawk Sports.
Butzke, a three-sport all-league athlete, ran the Dos Pueblos attack since her freshman year. The 6-foot standout not only was a superb setter, she had an all-around game.
“All of our success this year is due to the incredible leadership and example set by this player,” DP coach Megan O’Carroll said. “She is the hardest worker I have ever coached and willed our team to a championship. “She has never taken a shortcut in her life and truly set the bar for work ethic high because she knew that’s what it takes to be great. Not only is she an incredible setter but she is a great server, excellent defender, and averages about 5.5 kills per match.”
Friday’s Award: Boys Cross Country
Butzke is taking her game to Cal State San Marcos.
“She will be one of the great Chargers in girls volleyball history,” said O’Carroll.
Matthews was the fuse of the explosive San Marcos attack with her pin-point passing, incredible defense and tough serving.
Time after time she would keep rallies alive by making unbelievable digs on crushing spikes.
In a second-round CIF playoff match against South Torrance, she picked up a whopping 47 digs to help the Royals rally from a 2-0 deficit and win the match in five sets.
“She is unreal,” teammate Taylor Wilson said after the match. “I’m lost for words; I’ll be blocking and I’ll turn around and think the ball is not up and it’s up every time from Grace.”
Matthews, who earned All-CIF Division 3 honors, was absolutely brilliant during San Marcos’ run to the division quarterfinals. In the three playoff matches, she had 32, 47 and 45 digs.
Her passing also was key to the team’s success as the Royals entered the season with two untested setters due to a season-ending injury suffered by the senior starter.
Matthews and Butzke also shared the Channel League MVP honor.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
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