BIDDEFORD — When Biddeford volleyball player Mariah Hebert sustained a concussion during the state title game against Greely in October, it changed the complexion of the game.
The Tigers felt her absence in the middle of the court as Greely took advantage by beating Biddeford for the state crown. It marked Biddeford’s only loss of the season after rolling to the state title game at 15-0.
“Not having her there to set made a big difference,” said Biddeford coach Ruth Shaw. “She was so important to us and it showed during that game.”
Hebert’s absence proved her value to the Tigers and for that she has been named the Journal Tribune 2012 Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.
“Mariah is an amazing leader in every aspect,” Shaw said. “It was clear that without her, a championship win would be a monumental task. A concussion would, and ultimately was, the only thing that could possibly stop this driven young lady.”
Hebert led the team in service accuracy at 96 percent and served the most serves at 256, only missing 10 serves all year. She also had 48 service aces.
It was her ability to kill and set for kills, however, that truly made her dangerous to opponents, Shaw said.
She had 47 kills as a setter, “which is huge given the fact that she has to set others up for the kill,” Shaw said.
She had 350 assists out of 418 total for the team.
Hebert was named to the Senior All-State Class A team, earning MVP honors. She was also named to the Maine State Volleyball Association Class A first team, along with teammate Katelyn Lebreux.
Biddeford junior Bailey Cote earned second team honors and teammate Autumn Dube earned honorable mention.
Shaw earned coach of the year honors.
The awards kept coming for Hebert and her teammates as she, Lebreux and Cote earned first team SMAA honors, Dube and Jocelyn Moody made the second team and Olivia Hennedy earned honorable mention.
Still, Shaw said, Hebert stood out just a little bit above the rest.
“She was our leading team captain who pushed everyone to be better,” Shaw said. “Better in skill, better in attitude, better in motivation – just better. They all responded in a positive way. She is more than talented. She made a family out of this team in her calm, motivating loving spirit.”
— Contact Al Edwards at 282-1535, Ext. 323.
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