Gators’ Drost leads R-J award winners

As the owner of a powerful spike, a consistent jump serve and solid defensive instincts, Nikki Drost has a complete skill set for Green Valley's girls volleyball team.

Especially for a player at the midway point of her high school career.

Drost, a sophomore outside hitter, has been named the Class 4A Girls Volleyball Player of the Year as part of the Review-Journal's Fall Athletes of the Year.

"She is, in my opinion, the best all-around player in the state of Nevada right now, as a sophomore," Green Valley coach Erin Hill said of Drost. "I'm glad she's playing for us."

Green Valley had a long list of stars in 2011, but Drost was the driving force behind the Gators' historic season.

Drost averaged a team-high 4.0 kills per set for 382 kills on the year in leading Green Valley (32-6) to its first state title since 2001. She also paced the Gators with 88 aces and was third on the team with 114 digs.

"I think what makes her fun is she doesn't even realize how good she is," Hill said. "She just plays. She doesn't let a lot of things bother her.

"She's such a smart player. She knows when to put the ball down and where to put the ball down."

The 5-foot-10-inch Drost played beyond her years when it mattered most, coming up with 16 kills, eight digs and four aces in a 3-0 sweep of Reed in the state final. She also put down 16 kills in a 3-0 win over Centennial in a state semifinal, and supplied 17 kills and six aces in a 3-0 victory over Las Vegas for the Sunrise Region title.

Green Valley finished the season on a 17-match win streak, including the final nine without losing a set.

Hill said the Gators had extra motivation to win the state title this year the moment the 2010 season ended with a 3-0 loss to Douglas in the state final in Reno.

"On the ride home, we said, 'We're going to be that good,' " Hill said of Douglas. "We were going to be that good all the way around."

Drost said she stepped up her workout schedule with personal trainer Jason Jones to six days a week as a sophomore, and used guidance from Hill to become a better player.

"I think I got a lot smarter with my shots," Drost said. "I wasn't hitting it to the same spot. And my defensive skills and depth perception got a lot better."

Green Valley had a balanced offense that also featured outside hitters Carly Schiess, the Southeast League Most Valuable Player as a junior, and Sommer King, a UNR signee.

The dynamic front row, along with junior setter Jenna Swaffer, kept opponents guessing all season. The Gators' defense was keyed by Nikki Drost's older sister, senior libero Alexa Drost.

"We wouldn't have done it without Coach Hill, and if we weren't such a family," Nikki Drost said of winning a state title. "We had so much fun."

As the Gators' state championship rings arrive this month, the focus for Nikki Drost will shift to becoming even more of a leader as a junior.

Green Valley doesn't figure to enter rebuilding mode anytime soon.

"It was by far the best team we've had at Green Valley," said Hill, who finished her 21st year as coach. "But the future looks bright, and they get along so well."

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.

FALL ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

Following is a list of the Review-Journal's other Fall Athletes of the Year:

FOOTBALL

4A: Shaquille Powell, Bishop Gorman
The senior running back and defensive back rushed for 2,458 yards and 40 touchdowns, leading Gorman (16-1) to its third straight state title. Committed to Duke.

3A/2A/1A: Conner Mortensen, Moapa Valley
The junior running back and linebacker ran for 1,431 yards and 23 TDs, and made 57 tackles to lead the Pirates (10-3) to their sixth straight berth in the Class 3A state final.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

3A/2A/1A: Avalon Frantz, Boulder City

The junior setter dished out 756 assists as the Eagles advanced to the Class 3A state final. Frantz added 153 aces and 151 digs.

BOYS SOCCER

4A: Ruben Duran, Eldorado

The senior midfielder/forward returned from the U.S. youth national team's residency program in Bradenton, Fla., to lead the Sundevils to their first region/zone title since 1994 and a state semifinal berth.

Duran had 27 goals and 16 assists on the season, including four postseason scores. Committed to Cal Poly.

3A: Danny Medina, Virgin Valley

The senior midfielder notched 21 goals and 14 assists, having a hand in 51 percent of the Bulldogs' goals, in winning the Class 3A Southern League tournament and advancing to the state semifinals.

GIRLS SOCCER

3A: Jeanette McQuillan, Boulder City
The senior forward had 10 goals and four assists, including four goals in the playoffs, to help the Eagles claim the Class 3A Southern League title and advance to the state semifinals.

GIRLS GOLF

4A: Alex Kaui, Green Valley

The junior shot a two-day total of 2-over-par 146 at Bear's Best to win her second straight state title and lead the Gators to their third consecutive team crown.

3A/2A: Randi Lewis, Virgin Valley

The junior carded a two-day total of 7-over 150 at Falcon Ridge in Mesquite to repeat as the Class 3A state champion.

BOYS TENNIS

Kris Yee, Clark

The senior won 6-2, 6-1 in the state singles final to earn his second straight state title. Committed to Vanderbilt.

GIRLS TENNIS

Tiffany Tavares, Spring Valley

The senior won 6-0, 6-1 in the state singles final to claim her first state championship.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

4A: Nick Hartle, Centennial

The senior finished the 3.1-mile course at Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno in 16 minutes, 41 seconds to win his second straight individual state title and lead the Bulldogs to a second-place finish at state.

3A/2A: Evan Klouse, Boulder City

The sophomore led the Eagles to the 3A Southern League title with a winning time of 18:22.

He also was the top Southern Nevada runner at the 3A state meet, placing 14th with a time of 19:18.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

4A: Sydney Badger, Centennial

The sophomore led the Bulldogs to the Sunset Region title with a winning time of 18:57.4. She also finished sixth at the state meet with a time of 20:24.

3A/2A: Jessica Tobler, Boulder City.

The junior won the 3A Southern League individual title with a time of 20:44. She also finished in 21:10 to place eighth at state.