CHARLESTON Ƶ After winning a third state title in four seasons and amassing 2,058 kills and 1,590 digs in her high school career, Philip BarbourƵs MacKenna Halfin was named captain of the Class AA all-state volleyball first team by the West Virginia Sports Writers Ƶsociation.
Halfin is now a three-time first-team selection. She was named state player of the year in 2023 and was captain of the second-team unit as a freshman.
She totaled 614 kills on 1,094 attempts, averaging more than six per set from October to the end of the season. Her defensive efforts led to 115 total blocks and 443 digs, both leading her team.
ƵI think that sheƵs one of the best,Ƶ Philip Barbour coach Heather Halfin said. ƵIƵve seen some really good players come through my program and others that are incredibly solid. When I evaluate a player, I try to look at the total player. ItƵs not just how hard they hit the ball. MacKenna is truly a total player.Ƶ
The No. 2-seeded Colts won their seventh state title in their 23rd straight trip to the state tournament, downing No. 1-seeded Oak Glen in five sets. In 11 state tournament sets, MacKenna Halfin finished with 67 kills and 41 digs. She had 25 kills and 14 digs in the state title match.
ƵI donƵt feel like she ever gets nervous,Ƶ coach Halfin said. ƵShe wants to win and plays hard, but she is never scared of an opponent. She thrives on competition. She didnƵt start out that well in the championship, but then something just clicked. She went on a rampage. The fact that she had almost 70 kills in three matches down there is insane Ƶ two of them were three sets.Ƶ
Coach Halfin said this Colts team was one of the best at knowing to take nothing for granted. The Philippi community rallied behind the death of Keaton ƵBeefƵ McDermott, a two-sport athlete who lost his life shortly after graduation this past summer. KeatonƵs sister Kinsley is a sophomore who plays volleyball.
ƵI really feel like the one thing this team learned Ƶ and they learned it the hard way by comforting Kinsley Ƶ was the loss of a brother, a friend and a teammate. They learned that nothing is guaranteed,Ƶ coach Halfin said. ƵThis group learned to make the most of every day, because there may not be tomorrow. This team did a good job of leading each other through that.Ƶ
Colts sophomore Finley Carpenter was named to the first team for the first time after finishing with 123 kills, 70 service aces, 302 digs and 822 assists as the ColtsƵ primary setter. She was a second-team selection in 2023.
You may recognize her last name. She became the fifth member of the Carpenter family to win a volleyball state title at Philip Barbour. A Carpenter has played in a state championship match in nine of the last 10 seasons.
ƵShe was always the kid that would show up to games that her sisters were playing in, but you would never see her,Ƶ coach Halfin said. ƵShe would be in the old gym passing a ball. I am proud of her this year. She came back more mature, and she helped keep people calm. ThatƵs a big role for a sophomore, and it speaks volumes to her character. SheƵs going to continue to grow as a player in future years, as well.Ƶ
State runner-up Oak Glen received two first-team selections.
Mckenzi Martin was a first-team member in 2023 and has now been selected twice. She finished her senior season with 360 kills, 36 aces, 37 blocks, 316 digs and 414 serve receives.
Averi Martin was the second of three players to record 300 or more kills for the Golden Bears in 2024. Named to the first team for the first time as a junior, she finished with 324 kills, 37 aces, 94 blocks and 45 assists.
The rest of the first team comprises players who moved from Class A to Class AA in 2024.
Buffalo secured two first-team selections after the No. 5-seeded Bison reached the state semifinals.
Zoey Hoffman was one of the stateƵs most prolific setters, finishing with 1,349 assists. She had only seven errors in 2024 and finished her career with 3,751 assists. Hoffman has been a first-team name three times, receiving two in Class A.
Natalie Baisden was often on the receiving end. She joins her teammate on the first team with 634 kills. She also had 115 aces, 70 total blocks and 532 digs. Baisden is a two-time first-team selection, picked in Class A in 2023.
Charleston Catholic did not disappoint with a semifinal appearance. Junior Ilyauna Evans was chosen for the first team after leading the Irish with 495 kills. She also had 54 aces, 23 blocks and 430 digs. Evans is a first-time selection to the first team.
WilliamstownƵs Kyndra Johnson was the YellowjacketsƵ representative, finishing her season with more than 1,000 assists. She had 94 aces entering the state tournament along with 116 digs and 31 blocks. In her career, she had more than 3,300 assists as the engine of WilliamstownƵs offense. Johnson is a first-time selection for the first team after helping lead the Yellowjackets to three straight Class A state titles.
RavenswoodƵs Macy Casto had a record-breaking season for her school with 585 kills, 100 aces and 36 blocks. She had 32 kills in a single match twice in 2024, both school records, and became the Red DevilsƵ all-time leader in aces and kills. Casto is a three-time first-team selection, twice in Class A. She was a second-team selection as a freshman.
James MonroeƵs Maggie Boroski rounds out the top unit as she finished her senior season with 345 kills, 75 aces, 28 blocks, 278 digs and 342 serve receives. Boroski is a first-team member for the first time after two second-team selections in Class A.
Captaining the second team is PocaƵs Sophia Bailey. She finished with 545 kills, hitting .359. Bailey also had 390 digs, 355 serve receives, 57 blocks and 72 aces. The Dots finished at 32-13-2, falling just short of the state tournament in a region with two state semifinalists.
The rest of the second team includes Buffalo junior Jocie Harris, Oak Glen senior Addison Smith, James Monroe juniors Ava Pitzer and Aliyah Clarkson, Wyoming East junior Carli Raye, Ravenswood sophomore Anna Casto, Philip Barbour sophomore Izzy Knotts, Williamstown senior Becca Shamblin and South Harrison freshman Kennedy Southern.
Wooden plaques shaped as West Virginia that include the school name, player name, the ƵSWA logo, award and year are available for all-state honorees. They can be purchased from the Bear Wood Company through or .
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