Staff photo by Mike Buhler Cassy Woolverton (left) and Laura Watson are the Daily Dunklin Democrat Players of the Year in volleyball. [Click to enlarge]

Holcomb and Gideon were arguably two of the best volleyball teams in the Bootheel in 2007, so it is not surprising that both teams' best players -- Holcomb's Laura Watson and Cassy Woolverton of Gideon -- are named as the Daily Dunklin Democrat Players of the Year.

What might surprise some is that the pair are also friends off the court. Watson and Woolverton bonded while playing AAU volleyball last winter, and that friendship has continued from there.

"I really enjoy being around her," Watson said.

Added Woolverton: "It was an honor to be selected Player of the Year with Laura because we did become friends last year playing winter ball together."

Not even the intensity of perhaps the area's best rivalry -- both schools have played each other for the district title three years in a row and for the conference title in back-to-back years -- could dampen that friendship.

"It was just competitive again, just because we were just big rivals with Holcomb," said Woolverton. "But we knew that in the end we were still going to be friends whatever happened."

Earning Player of the Year honors is nothing new for Watson, who was named as the Daily Dunklin Democrat Player of the Year (alongside Kennett's Christina Daily) last year after leading Holcomb to its first district title since 2001.

This season, Watson continued her dominance, earning first-team All-Tri County Conference honors for the third year in a row and helping the Lady Hornets make it to the district finals, where they lost in a memorable three-set battle to Gideon.

"Laura's an exceptional player -- just a lot of raw talent there," said Gideon coach Carol Woolverton. "She's an exciting player and definitely a team leader. Laura improved a lot this year and we definitely knew she was going to be someone to watch for this year."

Still, winning Player of the Year again was unexpected for Watson.

"I was really surprised to get it two years in a row," Watson said. "It's a big honor to get it with one of my archrivals."

While Watson was well-known for her abilities on the court entering this season, Cassy Woolverton came into her own in 2007.

An All-Tri County and All-DDD selection last season, Woolverton became one of the area's elite this year, becoming a force not only as a hitter but also as a blocker.

"I think this year that she gained more confidence and just seemed to step up and be one of our team leaders," coach Woolverton, who is also Cassy's mother, said. "She grew as a player and did some of the things that we needed her to do this year."

Alongside teammate Lindsey Wilson, Cassy helped the Lady Bulldogs sweep through Tri-County play, going undefeated against the league while losing just three games overall and advancing to the state quarterfinals.

"I was really excited about this year with it being my senior year," said Cassy Woolverton. "I was hoping everything would go well and it seemed like it did."

Joining Watson and Woolverton on as part of this year's Dandy Dozen are Chelsea Bledsoe, Campbell; Megan Crawford, Holcomb; Ciara Dewrock, Kennett; Lauren Dollins, Kennett; Brett Higgins, Southland; Brea Riddle, Kennett; Erin Richardson, Gideon; Leanna Siebenhurner, Kennett; Tiffani Weaver, Holcomb; and Lindsey Wilson, Gideon.

Honorable mentions: With so many talented players in the Daily Dunklin Democrat coverage area, it is not easy to pick the top 12. Here are some others who stood out on the court this fall:
Katelyn Gibson, Senath-Hornersville; Kasey Mara, Senath-Hornersville; Leigha Blankenship, Delta C7; Mallori Jones, Holcomb; Meagan Clark, Holcomb; Jena McKuin, Holcomb; Tori Graham, Gideon; Megan Parker, Gideon; and Heather Brown, Clarkton.