GRAFTON — One would think that after all the honors Zoe Zwegat has gathered in the past two years that another one wouldn’t have come as a shock to her.

One would be wrong. Zwegat, a middle hitter from Elyria Catholic, seemed genuinely caught off-guard when it was announced Wednesday that she was 2009 Lorain County Miss Volleyball.

“I was completely surprised,” Zwegat said after getting a round of hugs from friends and family. “This is something you think about when you’re a freshman or a sophomore. I’m in amazing company with the girls who won it before. I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Scroll down to see more photos from Zoe Zwegat’s volleyball career.

Zwegat was presented with the award between matches of the Lorain County All-Stars. Lorain County Miss Volleyball is sponsored by Burger King.

The honor capped a season in which Zwegat was named Lorain County Division III Most Valuable Player. She was also chosen first team All-County, first team All-North Coast League and first team All-District for the second straight year and was a Division III honorable mention All-Ohio pick.

“The county MVP came out of nowhere,” Zwegat insisted. “I’m happy to represent my school and get Elyria Catholic’s name out there.”

EC was 16-9 this season. Zwegat finished with 266 kills, 3.5 kills per game, a 45.6 kill percentage, a 90.6 attack percentage, 91 blocks (81 solo) and 27 service aces. She was a team a captain for both her junior and senior seasons.

“I have to say something about my teammates,” Zwegat said. “They’re the reason I play. They’re the reason I do what I do.”

Zwegat is the third Elyria Catholic player to win Miss Volleyball. Rebecca Yarish won in 1987, and her sister, Kearsten Yarish, received the award in 1991.

“I’m ecstatic — absolutely ecstatic,” EC coach Kim Watson said. “I cannot think of a more deserving player I have ever coached. I’ll try not to cry.”

Zwegat was a three-year starter for the Panthers. She was the team’s MVP for the past two years.

“She is an all-around fantastic young lady, and I am absolutely thrilled,” Watson added. “Just to see (how) she has grown. The majority of coaches coach to see that maturity and the improvement in skills.”

Zwegat has a 3.95 grade point average. She has not decided on a college to attend, but said she is looking into some NCAA Division III schools.

A special mention was given to Brookside setter Kyleigh Whitsel, runner-up in the Miss Volleyball voting. Whitsel was Lorain County Division II MVP, first team All-County as a junior and senior and first team All-District this year.

Whitsel had 740 assists, an average of 10.3 assists per game, and served 42 aces in leading the Cardinals to a 16-6 regular season record. She also had 203 digs for the season.

Former Keystone head coach Dave Cross became the ninth inductee into the Lorain County Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Cross coached the Wildcats for 22 seasons and compiled a 365-166 record. His teams won 11 conference titles and four district championships.

Cross is also author of the instructional book “Volleyball Cybernetics” and continues to help at volleyball camps and clinics.

Contact Steve Byrne at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.

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