Mount Pulaski trio earn volleyball honors

[December 26, 2014]  MOUNT PULASKI - Mount Pulaski seniors Maggie Olson and Whitney Nichols, along with junior Maddy Davis were recently named to The News-Gazette All-State Team and The Pantagraph All-Area Team. The trio have all had much success as part of Coach Donna Dulle's volleyball program.

Maggie Olson, the setter of the team, was chosen an honorable mention selection by The News-Gazette and she made the second all-area team for The Pantagraph. Olson averaged 8.3 assists for the Lady Toppers, who managed to reach the Sweet Sixteen this year. She was a member of both the 2011 and 2012 state runner-up MountPulaski volleyball teams. After graduation, she plans to attend a university and become a pediatric oncologist.

Whitney Nichols, an outside hitter, was chosen an honorable mention selection by The News-Gazette and she also made the second all-area team for The Pantagraph. Nichols averaged 3.6 kills and 3.8 digs for the Lady Toppers. Not only was Nichols a member of both runner-up state volleyball teams, but she was also a starter for the girls basketball team that placed second in 2013. Nichols' future plans include playing volleyball for Illinois Central College and majoring in computer arts and graphic design.

Maddy Davis received a special mention honor from The News-Gazette and she made the first team all-area for The Pantagraph. Davis, a middle hitter, averaged 4.6 kills for the 26-13 Lady Toppers this season. Davis considers UNC at Charlotte and Bradley University in Peoria as her two top volleyball choices. She hopes to know by President's Day which university she will be attending.

Davis has come a long way from her bench-warming days as a freshman on the 2012 state runner-up Lady Topper volleyball team. "By the time Maddy was a sophomore she was just dominating. She just kind of grew into her body I guess," said Coach Donna Dulle of her 6'3" junior.

Coach Dulle continued, "I am so proud of these three girls. They have really worked to become players that are noticed in the state of Illinois. They've been fun to work with. They've been a challenge you know to see how good they could become over the last six to eight years. It's just been fun to watch them as fifth graders and see how they've matured. I wish them all the best of luck in the whole wide world."

Nichols summed it up nicely, "It's been a fun ride, I gotta say, and I've had an excellent coach." I am sure many in the MPVB program would agree.

LDN congratulates these three fine young ladies; we know as young women who excel in sports, they will do well in all their future endeavors as well.

[Teena Lowery]