ROANOKE, Va. – The Virginia High School League has announced its 2025 Class 3 All-State volleyball team, highlighted by Christiansburg’s Ela Shepherd as Player of the Year and head coach Morgan Taylor as Coach of the Year.
Shepherd, a 5-foot-10 senior setter and right-side hitter, earned her third straight first-team all-state selection. The Radford University signee finished the season with 365 kills, 525 assists, 11 solo blocks, 50 assisted blocks, 289 digs and 54 service aces. She helped lead Christiansburg to 28 consecutive wins before a 3-1 loss to Abingdon in the state championship match, where she recorded 19 kills and 20 assists.
Taylor guided Christiansburg to a 28-1 record and the program’s first appearance in a state final. The Blue Demons had reached the state semifinals in each of the previous two seasons. Taylor, who spent three years as an assistant before taking over the program, owns a 51-5 overall record and a Region 3D championship.
The all-state volleyball team includes nine position players and one libero. Only players selected to their all-region first teams were eligible. The all-state committee consists of eight coaches, with two representing each region.
A full look at the full Class 3 state accolades:
Major Awards
| Award | Name | School | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player of the Year | Ela Shepherd | Christiansburg | 12 |
| Coach of the Year | Morgan Taylor | Christiansburg | — |
First Team All-State
| Position | First Name | Last Name | School | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Ela | Shepherd | Christiansburg | 12 |
| Player | Gracie | Statzer | Abingdon | 12 |
| Player | Kendra | Dressler | Alleghany | 11 |
| Player | Ava | Ewald | Kettle Run | 10 |
| Player | Kenstin | Phelps | Liberty Christian | 12 |
| Player | Blair | Self | Christiansburg | 11 |
| Player | Annsley | Trivette | Abingdon | 12 |
| Player | Leah | Rounds | New Kent | 12 |
| Player | Emily | Cook | Liberty Christian | 12 |
| Libero | Reese | Hall | Christiansburg | 12 |
Second Team All-State
| Position | First Name | Last Name | School | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Molly | McCall | Fluvanna County | 12 |
| Player | Brooke | DeAtley | Kettle Run | 12 |
| Player | Carly | Sachs | New Kent | 10 |
| Player | Abigail | Bishop | Hidden Valley | 12 |
| Player | Hannah | Hensley | Alleghany | 12 |
| Player | Madilyn | Pratt | Tabb | 12 |
| Player | Gracelyn | Clark | Lord Botetourt | 12 |
| Player | Ellie | Eddleton | Christiansburg | 12 |
| Player | Bella | Schultz | Turner Ashby | 12 |
| Libero | Kenlee | Washington | York | 12 |