Hiland’s Mast Named District 5 Player of the Year, Local Teams Shine

The District 5 Volleyball Coaches Association announced its All Star teams the week of November 7, 2025, recognizing standout performers across divisions. Leading the area honors, Hiland sophomore Addisyn Mast was named District 5 Division VI Player of the Year while Hiland coach Kelly Miller was named Division VI Coach of the Year. Hiland placed three players on the first team and added an honorable mention, and Garaway's program also produced multiple all district selections.

By school, the area nominations included the following confirmed selections. For Hiland, Addisyn Mast, Brianna Mishler and Olivia Williams earned first team honors, and Alayna Yoder received honorable mention. Hiland also collected the two top individual awards with Mast and Coach Kelly Miller. For Garaway, Audrey Miller and Charlee Yoder were first team picks and Quinn Schwartz was named to the second team. Additional local players from Holmes County programs received second team and honorable mention recognition according to the district release.

Those tallies represent a concentrated share of district recognition for a county with a modest population but active high school athletics. Hiland accounted for three first team selections and an honorable mention while Garaway contributed two first team selections and a second team selection. The timing of the announcement in early November fits the typical postseason cycle when coaches evaluate performance across the season and nominate peers for district voting.

For Holmes County residents, the selections carry several concrete implications. All district honors can raise the profile of players within college recruiting pipelines, particularly when an underclassman such as a sophomore receives player of the year recognition. Local schools and boosters may see renewed interest in attendance and fundraising, as community pride in successful teams often translates into ticket revenue for next season, stronger youth program enrollment and more active sponsorship opportunities for local businesses.

The awards also reflect coaching and program stability. Recognition of a coach at the division level tends to reinforce administrative support for program budgets and can influence how school boards and boosters prioritize off season resources, travel and training. For families and student athletes, the distinction provides tangible validation of season long effort and can shape decisions about summer leagues and collegiate exposure during the recruiting calendar.

Looking ahead, the district honors will be a reference point for next season as returning players aim to build on the recognition and underclassmen seek to join the all district ranks. For Holmes County communities, the immediate effect will be a boost in local pride and renewed attention on high school volleyball as players and coaches prepare for spring training, off season development and the next competitive cycle.