Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Arcata’s Bella Campbell has been named MVP of the Big 5.

By Ray Hamill — The season may not have ended the way they wanted it to, but the Arcata girls enjoyed a memorable fall in volleyball and one player in particular played a key role in that success.

The Tigers were the best team in the H-DNL and were crowned Big 5 champions after going 7-1 in conference play.

That gave them the No. 2 seed for the North Coast Section Division-4 playoffs and an opening round bye.

And even though the Tigers would lose their playoff quarterfinal to Encinal last weekend, they have plenty of reason to feel proud of their accomplishments, which included a dominating victory over two-time defending Big 5 champion Del Norte on a night that will live long in the memory of the Arcata fans and players.

One player in particular led the way for the Tigers.

This week, the H-DNL announced the Big 5 all-league team and MVP and seven Arcata players were honored, including conference MVP Bella Campbell.

The senior libero was hugely influential in her team’s success this fall and she closed out her high school career in style, leading the way for her teammates both on and off the court. 

“Bella was the heart of our team,” Arcata head coach Laurie Griffith said. “She made it her mission to motivate her teammates as well as to improve every day.”

Most notably, Campbell made her presence felt on defense, as well as serving.

“She is an amazing server and a defensive force,” Griffith added. “We will miss Bella on and off the court tremendously.”

Campbell was one of four Arcata players included on the 11-player all-league first team.

Teammates Quincy Collins, Harper Appy and Pearl Smith each also were included after outstanding and consistent seasons for all of them.

Harper Appy

Arcata’s Quincy Collins (12) and Pearl Smith (right).

Arcata’s Nora Brumbaugh, Kyla Kinyon and Addie Day each also received an all-league honorable mention.

Del Norte, Eureka, Fortuna and McKinleyville were also all represented on the all-league team.

The Warriors, who also enjoyed an outstanding season on their way to placing second in the Big 5, had three players included.

Bliss Blackburn, Carlee Harper and Tsinte Steinruck all made the grade, as did Eureka’s Tiarah Maualuga and Samara Gaither.

Fortuna’s Jayden Dalton and McKinleyville’s Jessie Driggs each also were named to the all-league first team.

Tsinte Steinruck

Bliss Blackburn (8)

HONORABLE MENTIONS 

Arcata — Nora Brumbaugh, Kyla Kinyon, Addie Day

Del Norte — Lauren Stutes, Ariana Stansbury, Melody Brennan, Kansas Coulson

Eureka — Alena Battle, Aimee Rogers, Baylie Battle

Fortuna — Piper Murray, Evalynn Little

McKinleyville — Hannah McCullough, Liana Stumpf

Tiarah Maualuga

McKinleyville’s Jessie Driggs (4)