Even though Cuba High School’s volleyball team lost to Salem in the quarterfinals of the Class 3 District 9 Tournament, one Lady Wildcat stood out as one of the best players in the district.

For the second consecutive year, Jaylen Haffer received first team All-District honors voted by the coaches in the district for her performance throughout the season.

Playing middle hitter, Haffer led Cuba in kills, blocks and receptions and was second on the team in service aces, showcasing the ability to dominate at the net and be a consistent all-around contributor. Gasconade Valley Conference (GVC) awards will not be released for another week or two but Haffer is expected to be on that list and should be in the running for Conference Player of the Year as well. She finished her senior season tallying 288 receptions, 222 kills, 124 blocks and 41 service aces following a junior year performance of 156 receptions, 192 kills, 140 blocks and 38 service aces.    

Haffer was the lone player to be named first team All-District who wasn’t a part of a team that won a match in the District Tournament. Sullivan won Districts with St. Clair placing second.

Other first team All-District selections included sophomore Reya Rochleau and senior Karlee Head from Sullivan, St. Clair seniors Kylie Barnard, Haylee Hartsook and Addy DeClue and Owensville senior Lily Sample.

Haffer may have some company in the GVC awards list from her teammates, who won the GVC Championship for the first time since 2018. They also won 19 matches for the second straight year, following 17 wins combined, in the previous two seasons. Junior Justice Evrard recorded team-highs of 202 digs and 50 service aces along with 172 receptions, 124 kills and 121 blocks.

Seniors Harley Pilkenton, Brooke Echols and Allison Heads also have cases for recognition. Pilkenton recorded 165 kills, 143 receptions, 140 digs and 62 blocks. Echols tallied a team-high 227 assists along with 132 digs and 39 service aces and Heads registered 205 assists and 141 digs.

Haffer, along with fellow Cuba volleyball players: seniors Leah Schmidt and Mya Garbo, junior Brooklyn Tate and sophomore Addison McGinnis will have limited time away from the court, as they prepare to lead the Cuba High School girls’ basketball team this winter.