By Scott Nickerson

Elmore Autauga News

Fresh off a Class 4A state championship, the Prattville Christian Academy Panthers earned several post-season awards from al.com, to include Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, and Setter of the Year. Two other Panthers were named to the Class 4A All-State team, and two were named Honorable Mention All-State.

Kaylon Cantrell was named Class 4A Coach of the Year.

“It’s truly an honor to be named the 4A Coach of the Year. I am so thankful for the opportunities this sport has given me, and especially the relationships with my players that I’ve been able to form. This season was really special, and I am just so grateful for each of these girls and how hard they worked, how dedicated they were all season long, and the ways they honored God throughout it all! They make me really proud, and I am blessed to be their coach.”

Emma Cate Carter (Senior, Outside Hitter) was named Class 4A Player of the Year.

Carter was also named Super All-State by al.com, an award that is only given to the 25 top players in the state, regardless of class.

“Your sport does not define you and you succeed so much more when you learn to separate your personal life from sports life,” said Carter.

For the season, Carter had 561 kills, 361 digs, 85 aces, 17 blocks, and 19 assists.

Baylee Rogers (Junior, Setter) was named Class 4A Setter Most Valuable Player.

Rogers was also named Honorable Mention Super All-State by al.com.

For the season, Rogers set the school record for aces and assists in a single season. She had 153 aces and 1,410 assists. Also, Rogers had 68 kills, 12 blocks, and 312 digs.

Maren Diefenderfer (Sophomore, Middle) was named Class 4A All-State

Diefenderfer led the team in blocks with 95. She was third on the team with 358 kills, and she also had 36 digs, 12 assists, and 12 aces.

Leah Cate Wilson (Junior, Middle) was named Class 4A All-State

Wilson had 394 kills, 11 assists, 51 digs, 18 aces, and 50 blocks.

Natalee Wheeler (Senior, Libero) was named Honorable Mention Class 4A All-State

Wheeler had 15 kills, 81 assists, 426 digs, and 71 aces.

Morgan Fowler (Junior, Athlete) was named Honorable Mention Class 4A All-State

Fowler had 277 digs, 101 assists, 68 aces, and 8 kills.