Matthew Westman, Newton N.  SENIOR
		The question isn’t what has Matthew Westman done in four years of volleyball play at Newton North High School; the question is instead what hasn’t the 6-foot-2-inch, 165 pound Middlebury College-bound senior done? In response to the second question, there will be no more debate among his place among the state’s elite, as Westman has been crowned as the 2005 Globe Player of the Year. If there was any debate to begin with, Westman could point to his two previous Globe All-Scholastic nominations, or his three Bay State Conference all-star awards, or even his four years as a varsity starter for the Tigers. He also was the captain of the 26-1 Division 1 State basketball champions.

Elizabeth McClung, L-S  COACH
		Since McClung’s arrival at Lincoln-Sudbury in 2000, volleyball has become a winning tradition at the regional high school. She is 84-25 so far, and that success continued this year with a perfect 13-0 East Alliance campaign. Coaching a pair of seasoned veterans in Stephen Keller and John Letizi, McClung led the Warriors on a tournament run, including an appearance in the Central Division 1 Finals against Millis. The former Needham High School coach from 1992-1999 and a four-year varsity starter at Wellesley College, McClung will miss the dedicated and large group of seniors graduating this year.

Pardeep Thandi, Andover  SENIOR
		To earn a post-season honor in the ultra-competitive Merrimack Valley Conference, you’ve got to be good. So when Thandi was named the MVC Division 2 Player of the Year it was proof of the talented senior’s skills. Playing libero for the Golden Warriors, Thandi led his team to a 16-6 record that included a win over Haverhill in the MIAA tournament. He was the team captain this spring and last year he earned MVC All-Star honors. Also an excellent student, he completed four advance placement course. Thandi played for Andover’s 10-1 football team last fall and earned a Sportsmanship Award. This fall? He’ll attend UMass-Amherst.

Tyler Barbera, St. John’s Prep  SENIOR
		Barbera has been a force for St. John’s Prep throughout his career and he ended it on a high note this season. The libero was a league all-star during his sophomore and junior years and has been a three-year starter. This year for the 20-3 Division 1 North Finalists, Barbera worked off of his previous two seasons and in the process was named a finalist for All-Conference Player of the Year. His consistent presence on the court produced 185 digs and 31 service aces. He lists fly-fishing and beach volleyball as his favorite hobbies and will attend UMass-Amherst in the fall.

Christopher Chue, Newton South  SENIOR
		As a middle hitter, Chue carried a lot of weight on his shoulders for the 13-5 Lions this past season. The pressure didn’t seem to affect the Northeastern-bound honor roll student, as Chue was a Dual County League first team all-star, while taking on the role of team captain this year. Chue’s abilities carried him away from Newton, as he was also a silver medalist in the 2004 Bay State Games. On top of the Bay State games, Chue also fine-tuned his abilities as a member of the Beantown Volleyball Club. Living in Boston in the fall will suit Chue just fine, as his primary hobby lies in watching both the Celtics and Red Sox.

Daniel Coleman, Millis  SENIOR
		It’s a sad ritual for a proud volleyball program when a player of Coleman’s caliber departs. A Globe All-Scholastic his junior season as well, the two-year captain helped to spearhead another tournament drive for Millis this season, as the Mohawks made it all the way to the State Championship against Lawrence. Coleman’s contributions as a 5-foot-11-inch outside hitter extend back to his sophomore year, including his team’s undefeated championship season, the first of three straight state championship appearances. Coleman’s leadership abilities shined on the soccer field as a two-year captain, while he also captained Millis basketball. He will attend Endicott in the fall.

Matthew Cormier, G.N.B.  JUNIOR
		Cormier still has a year to go for Greater New Bedford, and after an appearance by the Bears in the State semifinals this past season, his role as an outsider hitter is looking even more valuable. The Bears breezed their way through the South sectionals as the number one seed, defeating Durfee, Brookline, and Catholic Memorial and gave Lawrence much trouble in their 3-2 State semifinal loss. At 6 feet, 3 inches and 170, Cormier is a tall, consistent presence for the Bears and looks to continue his success next season. Outside of his play with the Bears, Cormier won Bay State Gold last year. Like many of the chosen All-Scholastics, Cormier enjoys beach volleyball.

Matthew Crowley, New Bedford  JUNIOR
		At 6 feet, 2 inches and 180 pounds, Crowley fits the mold of many of the state’s top outside hitters. As a junior this season for the 12-7 Whalers, Crowley established himself as the key contributor to his team’s success and will have another year to help bring New Bedford further along in the Division 1 South tournament after a seventh-seeded first round appearance this year. Crowley played in the Bay State South Games and also is a member of the Newport Volleyball Club, playing beach volleyball. Crowley, who lists hanging out with his friend as one of his favorite hobbies, also plays basketball, using his height to his advantage on the court as well. In the classroom, Crowley was named to the Faculty Honor Roll.

Imad Elkatrib, North Quincy  JUNIOR
		Elkatrib took on his role as middle hitter this season during a satisfying North Quincy campaign and acted as a model of consistency for his teammates. Per game, he averaged 18 kills, 10 digs, and 4 blocks, as his role in the middle was one of the main reasons for the Red Raiders’ berth in the Division 1 South tournament and 10-6 final record. Elkatrib doesn’t limit his passion for athletic competition to just volleyball, however, as he plays club basketball and soccer, while he is also a participant in the Bay State Games. Elkatrib, who plans on attending a four-year college, enjoys music and reading off the court and field.

Matthew Gittens, Boston Latin  SENIOR
		Those who know Gittens as a teammate may speak of the 6-foot-3-inch, 185 pound middle hitter’s first-team Eastern Conference Alliance all-star nomination. They may also speak of his Team MVP award. His coaches, while appreciative of his role on the court, may tell a different story. After all, Gittens was the recipient of the sportsmanship award in volleyball, while also being honored with the Basketball Coaches award in the winter. Either way, Gittens, who shined in the classroom as well as he was named to the honor roll, had a lot to smile about during his final year at Boston Latin. He plans on attending a Catholic University.

Craig Harvey, St. John’s Prep  SOPHOMORE
		The resident underclassman of the 2005 All-Scholastic volleyball team, Harvey is literally in a class of his own. In just his first varsity season, Harvey ran the St. John’s Prep court as if he was a polished senior. The outside hitter had an impressive 223 kills while also compiling 18 aces in a league all-conference season. Harvey proved to be a key teammate of fellow Globe All-Scholastic and senior Tyler Barbera this season, as St. John’s Prep advanced their way to the Division 1 North final against state champion Lawrence. Harvey, a coach’s dream with a full two years left to play, also plays soccer and basketball.

Aaron Kaplan, Newton North  SENIOR
		Kaplan is used to undefeated regular seasons. At Newton North, as a member of both the indoor track and volleyball teams, Kaplan did not experience a loss in either Bay State Conference season. The success of the state champion Tigers in track certainly carried over to volleyball for Kaplan, who was a captain and first team Bay State Conference all-star. The Tigers’ Division 1 South tournament run was interrupted by Catholic Memorial, 3-2, in the semifinals but it certainly didn’t take away from the 15-4 season Kaplan and his teammates put together. Kaplan, who will attend the University of Rochester, enjoys poker, watching movies, and long walks on the beach.

Stephen Keller, Lincoln-Sudbury  SENIOR
		Team camaraderie is highly important to returning All-Scholastic Stephen Keller. Just look at what he and teammate/All-Scholastic John Letizi prioritize off the court: spending time with each other. That friendship translated to success this year as the Warriors finished at 18-2 and finalists in the Division 1 Central tournament. Keller’s accomplishments speak for themselves: team captain, Eastern Alliance MVP, first-team league all-star his final three seasons, league MVP as a junior, and his success even dates back to his freshman year, when he was the team rookie of the year. Keller will play club volleyball at Ithaca College.

Bora Keo, Lawrence  SENIOR
		The story of the 2005 State Champion and undefeated Lawrence boys’ volleyball season has certainly received its share of publicity, and rightly so. With the loss of top player Hector Paniagua before the season, who was paralyzed from the neck down after being shot early Easter morning, what Keo and his teammates achieved in winning their first ever state championship was a testament to a consistent, hard-working brand of volleyball all season long. Keo, who as an outside hitter and team captain alongside fellow 2005 All-Scholastic Dennis Lean recorded 180 kills, will attend Mount Ida College.

Sean Lauro, Catholic Memorial  SENIOR
		In a West Roxbury location most known for its hockey program, Lauro has brought some needed attention to volleyball at Catholic Memorial. The 6-foot-2-inch, 185 pound outside hitter led the team to a conference championship season and an exciting set of tournament games that saw the Knights beat North Quincy, 3-1, and Newton North, 3-2, before falling to Greater New Bedford, 3-0. Lauro carried on the success of the 2004 season when CM was 19-3 and in the state semifinals. He was also on the second-place Bay State Games team and is a member of the Beantown Volleyball Club. Johnson & Wales will be his next destination in the fall.

Dennis Lean, Lawrence  SENIOR
		Lean never once let his smaller frame (5 feet, 3 inches, 135 pounds) affect him on the volleyball court. In fact, he just may have been one of the most proficient accumulators of assists in the state. Lean compiled 490 through the regular season and then added another 55 to lead all players in Lawrence’s 3-1 State Championship win over Millis. When he wasn’t raising eyebrows on the court alongside tri-captains Bora Keo and Henry Shulterbrandt during the Lancers’ emotional and undefeated 2005 run, the setter could be seen playing his two other favorite sports, football and basketball. He also performed in the Bay States.

John Letizi, Lincoln-Sudbury  SENIOR
		If any coach is looking for a heads-up player, particularly 2005 Globe Coach of the Year Elizabeth McClung, middle hitter John Letizi is that type of player. Letizi had the intelligent classroom background (National Merit Finalist, Boston College Presidential Scholar) that he carried onto the court, where he was a captain and Dual County League first-team all-star, while playing with close friend Steve Keller. This was Letizi’s second time being honored as a DCL first team all-star. Meanwhile, his team made it to the Sectional Finals. Letizi, who will attend Boston College, enjoys the cello and weight lifting.

Steven Micucci, Millis  SENIOR
		Micucci has the all-around background any coach or teacher would enjoy. Academically, he is a member of the National Honor Society, is a high honor roll student, and received the Gold Presidential Award for academic excellence, enough to secure a spot in the Vassar College Class of 2009. That might be enough for the average high school student. Micucci, however, was the middle hitter in a State finalist Millis squad, while winning the Team MVP award. On top of that, he played soccer and was a member of the team sportsmanship award winning basketball team. Not enough? Fine. He plays the guitar too.

BAY STATE: Brian Ellis, Braintree; Boris Vragovic, Brandon Haverberg, Sam Dahlstedt and Yin Wang, Brookline; Greg Lee and Ken Magarie, Natick; Steve Bowe and Max Parker, Needham; Matt Westman, Aaron Kaplan and Gray Visco, Newton North; Ian Johnston, Norwood.

BIG THREE: Matt Crowley, Ben Kaeterie and Matt Provencher; Sean Sweeney and Andrew Bellany, Brockton; George Yau and Alex Burrell, Brockton.

BOSTON CITY: Onue Duru and Jonah Blustein, Latin Academy; Francis Castillo, Brighton; Adam Choi and Maurice Marshall.

EAST ALLIANCE: Steve Keller, John Letizi, Adam Siskin and Robby Landry, Lincoln-Sudbury; Matt Gittens, Cornelius Taabazuing and Jim Luo, Boston Latin; Christopher Chue, Wesley Ancheta and Innwoong Seol, Newton South; Mike Prince and Tedi Kujofsa, Cambridge; Onye Duru, Latin Academy; Adam Choi, O’Bryant.

MERRIMACK VALLEY: Bora Keo, Dennis Lean, Joe Burgos and Francis Mayi, Lawrence; Tom Milachewski, Craig Harvey and Tyler Barbara, St. John’s Prep; Pardeep Thandi and Jerry Mohan, Andover; Doug Reiddy, Westford; Jeff Stanley, Haverhill; Scott Corey, Methuen; Josh Wood, Central Catholic.