TSWA CLASS 3A All-State Volleyball Selections
    Lady Loboes Impress Texas Sports Writers in 2005
    by Randy Hogan, Staff Writer -- The Monahans News, December 23, 2005

The Monahans Lady Lobo volleyball team made history once again, placing a record five athletes on the 2005 Texas Sports Writers All-State team.

"Five girls are the most we have ever placed on the team at one time,"  Coach Patty Dominguez said.  "It is truly an honor for these girls to be recognized for their hard work."

Brittany Hughes and Candace Swarb were selected to the first team, while Alison Miller, Catherine Cutbirth, and Bailey Marcum were selected as honorable mention selections.

The team, which was released Tuesday, was selected by member sports writers from across the state.

Nominations were made by both sports writers and high school coaches.

Hughes, a senior middle blocker, added the TSWA First Team selection to a long list of awards that she continues to receive for her outstanding final season at Monahans High School.

She was recently named as the Texas Small School Player of the Year, and as Honorable Mention Outstanding Hitter by LoneStarVolleyball.Com.

In addition, Hughes was selected to the Texas Girls Coaches Association West All-Star volleyball team, the TGCA Class 3A First Team All-State team, and the Academic All-State team.

She was also named to the Class 3A All-Tournament team at the 2005 State Finals in San Marcos in November, and was presented with the first-ever, Region I-3A MVP award at the Region tournament in Lubbock .

The San Angelo Standard Times named Hughes as their All-West Texas MVP, and the District 3-3A coaches voted her the District MVP for the third consecutive season.

Candace Sward, a senior setter, competes her MHS career with the TSWA First Team All-State selection.

In addition, Swarb received a First Team selection on the TGCA All-State team, as well as Academic All-State for her hard work and dedication as a student-athlete.  She also received unanimous All-District Outstanding Setter honors by District3-3A coaches.

At the State Finals tournament in San Marcos, Swarb was selected to the Class 3A All-Tournament team.

Swarb was also selected to the Region I-3A All-Tournament team in Lubbock.

Alison Miller, a senior middle blocker -- outside hitter, was named to the All-State team as an Honorable Mention selection by the TSWA.

Miller was also selected to the Region I-3A All-Tournament team, and voted as the District 3-3A Outstanding Hitter by district coaches.

Catherine Cutbirth, a junior outside hitter, was also recognized as a TSWA All-State Honorable Mention selection.

In addition, Cutbirth was named to the Class 3A All-Tournament team at the State Finals in San Marcos, and a First Team All-District selection by District 3-3A coaches.

Bailey Marcum, a sophomore middle blocker -- outside hitter, received an All-State Honorable Mention selection by the TSWA.

Marcum also was named to the Region I-3A All-Tournament team at the Region tournament in Lubbock, and was selected as Second team All-District by District 3-3A coaches.

"Brittany, Candace, and Alison left a big legacy as seniors this season," Coach Dominguez said.  "We have some really big shoes to fill for next year, but this statewide recognition is a reflection of the work ethic of the kids we have, and a standard for those coming up in our system to achieve."

Coach Dominguez attended the NCAA Volleyball National Championship tournament last weekend, and noted that Dina Ortiz, Catherine and Camilla Cutbirth were also in attendance.

"I am excited that they were able to watch the national championship, and see first hand how important defense is in winning a title,"  Dominguez said.  "Washington dug everything that Nebraska hit at them, and it was a great example of what we want our kids to do."

Washington defeated number one ranked Nebraska in three straight games to win the 2005 NCAA title.