Raymundo Frasquillo File Photo/Gila Herald: Peyton Devlin (15) slams the ball past Safford junior defenders Jaidyn Mortensen (6) and Mia Abalos (4). The Thatcher junior outside hitter was named 3A South Region Co-Player of the Year and Region Offensive Player of the Year.
By Jon Johnson
THATCHER – With the Thatcher Eagles volleyball team set to take on the No. 1 Snowflake Lobos in the State Playoffs semifinals, a number of players have been given region accolades, including Player of the Year for junior outside hitter Peyton Devlin.
No. 4 Thatcher took out No. 13 Winslow 3-1 in the first round and No. 12 Scottsdale Christian 3-1 in the quarterfinals. The Eagles’ semifinals match against Snowflake will be held Friday, Nov. 11, at Marcos de Niza High School, starting at 5 p.m.
Peyton Devlin was named Co-Region Player of the Year with Jasmin Joseph of Tanque Verde. Devlin was also named the Region Offensive Player of the Year.
Thatcher also scored the Co-Region Defensive Player of the Year with Marley Motes sharing the award with Hannah Haggard of Tanque Verde. Region Coach of the Year went to Adam Shingler of Tanque Verde.
Peyton Devlin and Madden Bingham were also named to the All-Region 1st Team, and Ashlyn Thompson, Keyera Smith, Marley Motes, and Marli Lopeman were all named to the All-Region 2nd Team along with Mia Abalos from Safford.
Honorable Mentions included Macey Carter, of Thatcher, and Breanna Arbizo, Jaidyn Espinosa, Rene Holcomb, Marley Jurado, and Hannah Schade, of Safford.
