Six girls from the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula have earned recognition for their athletic accomplishments at St. Margaret’s School. They were among the student-athletes who received awards at the school’s recent fall sports banquet.

Senior Allison Ryan of Tappahannock won a berth on the League of Independent Schools’ all-league volleyball team. She was selected for the honor by coaches at other LIS schools.

For cross-country, junior Taylor Miller of Warrenton was voted most valuable runner and junior Courtney Gibson of Glen Burnie, MD, was voted most improved. Coach Tracy Harter presented a coach’s award to junior Keri Straughan of Hague, a four-year team member who demonstrated a positive example of hard work and determination.

The field hockey team selected senior Eileen Tsai of Taiwan as most improved player. Senior Rebecca Dickinson of Loretto received most valuable player recognition by a vote of her teammates. Coach Cupper Dickinson presented senior awards for four years of varsity play to Jennie Lynne Leonard of Richmond and Rebecca Dickinson. Ashley Leake of Marietta, GA, and Sarah Reilly of Bruington were recognized for three years of varsity play.

Award winners for the varsity volleyball team were senior Brooke Shafer of Fredericksburg, most valuable player, and senior Kate Sednew of McLean, most improved. Coach Sue Ball recognized Laura Kelley of Baton Rouge, LA, with a coach’s award for her positive attitude and coachability. She presented senior awards for four years of varsity play to Allison Ryan and Katy Saunders, both of Tappahannock. Jackie Brunk of Sandy Point and Jackson Hole, WY, and Shafer received awards for three years on the varsity.

The junior varsity volleyball team selected sophomore Leandra Osei of Silver Spring, MD, as its most valuable player. Freshman Meghan Cooke of Tappahannock was voted most improved player. Coach Kay Carlton presented a coach’s award to Tetyana McCain of Chapel Hill, NC, for her team spirit and dedication to skill improvement.

The banquet marked the end of the fall athletic season. Swimming and basketball teams soon will be practicing in preparation for winter sports events. Varsity basketball, coached by Sue Ball, has its first home tip-off against Middlesex on Friday, December 2, as does JV basketball, coached by Leslie and Pete McBride. Swimming, coached by Kelli Austin, splashes into action the same day against St. Catherine’s in Richmond.