Wando's Glover finds a reason to smile

It was only an exhibition, but it helped ease Christina Glover's emotions.

A week after her team came up short in the state championship match against Byrnes, Glover was able to smile after being named the MVP of the North-South game.

"After losing at the state, that all-star game was a good way to finish my high school career," Glover said. "It was fun. It made me smile."

The MVP award capped her high school career. The icing on the cake is Glover repeats as The Post and Courier's volleyball player of the year and heads up the All-Lowcountry team. She edged out Ashley Hall's Rachel Ellyn, a two-time All-Lowcountry selection, for the top honor.

Glover had a memorable career, which includes being named the Coaches Association of Women's Sports (CAWS) state player of the year for the second straight season. She also helped Wando reach the state championship match two straight times.

This year, the Warriors pretty much had a completely different cast other than Glover and Larz Chabra, another two-time All-Lowcountry selection.

"My favorite high school volleyball memory has to be winning the Lower State against Lexington and going to the state championship match," Glover said. "At the beginning of the year, who would have thought it? We lost seven players so it was like starting all over again. We ended up just fine."

Joining Glover, Ellyn and Chabra on the first team are Katie Cummings of Bishop England, Ashton Brandt of Northwood Academy and Meredith Mutispaugh of Summerville.

Ellyn helped lead Ashley Hall to the SCISA state championship and was the MVP of the West Ashley, Wando and Tournament of Champions (Dorman) invitationals. She also was the SCISA player of the year.

Cummings helped Bishop England to its ninth straight Class AA state title. Bishop England coach Cindy Baggott, who is in her second year at the school, is coach of the year.

Glover will attend South Carolina and will play for the Gamecocks.

"They had a new coach two years ago and they were 20-8 this year," Glover said. "It's a program that is only going to get better."

All-Lowcountry Volleyball

FIRST TEAM

Christina Glover, Wando, Senior

Rachel Ellyn, Ashley Hall, Senior

Larz Chabra, Wando, Senior

Katie Cummings, Bishop England, Junior

Meredith Mutispaugh, Summerville, Senior

Ashton Brandt, Northwood Academy, Senior

SECOND TEAM

Elizabeth Miler, Summerville, Sophomore

Litsa Darby, Ashley Hall, Freshman

Mary Crawford James, Bishop England

Katherine Morrison, Ashley Hall, Senior

Tory Shepherd, Berkeley, Senior

Suzanne Long, West Ashley, Senior

HONORABLE MENTION

Kyle Novak, Porter-Gaud; Gabrielle Gunter, James Island; Alicia Green, Stratford; Jordan Hancock, Wando

Nicole Cooper, Hanahan; Rebecca Kerrison, Bishop England; Jessica Graham, Northwood Academy; Arden Hare, Ashley Hall; Nicole Ufkes, Academic Magnet; Rachel Hawes, Porter-Gaud

Reach Philip M. Bowman at pbowman@postandcourier.com or 937-5592.