Polson Volleyball lands two on all-state, six on all-conference

A standout season for Polson volleyball has produced one of the program’s biggest postseason hauls in recent memory, with six players receiving Northwestern A all-conference recognition and two earning all-state honors. Head coach Lizzy Cox was also named Northwestern A Coach of the Year, underscoring the Lady Pirates’ rise as one of Montana’s top Class A programs. 

The official conference listings include McKenna Corley and Embree Bird on the all-state and first-team all-conference rosters, Aleysia Black on the second team, and Rylee Taylor-Jefferson, Eliza Todd and Zailee Hewankorn as honorable mentions. Ronan standout Sierra Blood was also named to the first team. 

Junior outside hitter McKenna Corley put together a season that places her among the most productive hitters in Polson history. She recorded 198 kills in 14 regular-season matches, then hammered 68 more during the state tournament, including a career-best 30 in the opening round against Havre. 

With divisional stats unavailable, estimates based on her four-kills-per-set average place her beyond the 330-kill mark for regulation matches, and once the Tip-Off and Blocktober tournaments are included, she finished within a few dozen of 500 kills—a number rarely approached in a high school season. 

Corley’s all-around contributions were just as substantial: roughly 40 aces, over 50 total blocks, and more than 150 digs. The award marks her second all-state honor and third all-conference selection. 

Sophomore Embree Bird made a major leap in her second season, earning her first all-state nod while joining Corley on the first-team all-conference list. She finished the regular season with 109 kills and, based on postseason extrapolations, easily surpassed the 200-kill range when combining tournaments and state play. 

Bird added more than 50 service aces and totaled well over 300 digs, emerging as one of Northwestern A’s best six-rotation athletes. 

Junior Aleysia Black delivered one of the strongest serving seasons in the conference. She tallied 45 aces during regular play and, with postseason and tournament estimates included, produced roughly 70 total aces—one of the highest totals in the league. 

Defensively, Black intercepted nearly 400 digs across all competition phases, ranking among the best back-row players in the conference. 

Junior setter Rylee Taylor-Jefferson, named honorable mention, ran a high-efficiency offense throughout the year. She posted 249 assists in the regular season and 66 more at state. With divisional estimates included, she finished in the high-300s for regulation assists and surpassed 500 total assists once tournament matches were added. She also contributed more than 30 aces and over 100 digs. 

Sophomore Eliza Todd earned honorable mention after emerging as a key scoring option, finishing near 100 regulation kills and more than 150 total when tournament data is included. She also provided more than 30 blocks, strengthening Polson’s front-row presence. 

Junior Zailee Hewankorn delivered valuable setting depth, topping the 200-assist range in regulation matches and reaching the 300-assist range cumulatively. She also approached the 100-kill mark, adding offense from the right side.