Five Lady Cavs make all-state
Published 9:32 pm Tuesday, December 17, 2013
![Five key figures in Lakeland High School’s 2013 success recently received first team all-state recognition. From left: Summer Parker, Kristen Vick, Kasey Smith, Alexis Albright and Erin Bradshaw.](https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2013/12/DSCN3116.jpg)
Five key figures in Lakeland High School’s 2013 success recently received first team all-state recognition. From left: Summer Parker, Kristen Vick, Kasey Smith, Alexis Albright and Erin Bradshaw.
The 2013 Lakeland High School field hockey team’s trip to the Virginia High School League Group 4A championship helped the team net five players on the Group 4A all-state team.
The Lady Cavaliers (22-1) were represented at every position, with seniors Summer Parker and Alexis Albright at forward, senior Kristen Vick at midfielder, senior Kasey Smith as a defender and junior Erin Bradshaw as the lone goalkeeper chosen.
Parker and Vick had been named to the second team before, but this was the first time any of the players had made the all-state first team.
“I’m proud that they all got it,” team head coach Tara Worley said, “I think that they’re some of the best in the state.”
Smith summed up the general reaction of the Lakeland group for being selected by a committee including coaches from other teams.
“I just think it’s a big honor for all of our hard work to be recognized by other teams,” she said.
While Smith helped lead the Lady Cavaliers’ defensive efforts, she also participated on offense, with 18 goals and 15 assists this year.
Bradshaw said she was so excited by the honor she was initially in a state of disbelief. She recorded 14 shutouts out of 23 games this year. Though dominant field play kept her from seeing an abundance of shots throughout the year, Worley was pleased to see her named.
“I think Erin’s worked really hard to be where she is, and she is receiving the accolades to show it,” Worley said.
Parker set career highs this year with 58 goals and 22 assists, and Worley praised her for stepping up her game all-around this year, both defensively and offensively.
Alexis Albright produced 17 goals and 17 assists this year. She was grateful for the selection, but also disappointed that the team did not include her twin sister, Jamee Albright.
“I think that she deserved it just as much as all of us did,” Alexis Albright said.
Vick moved into more of a solidly midfield role this year and continued to grow, registering 12 goals and a team-high 28 assists, but she deflected the credit.
“I personally wouldn’t have gotten this recognition without all the other girls on the team,” she said.