In her circle at Hawaii Baptist, Sarah Palmer blends in.

She shines, but only as one star in a universe of hundreds, and that's just the way she likes it.

On the volleyball court, though, Palmer was the brightest star. The 5-foot-10 junior squared up against foes large and small, and brought the most consistent, most relentless attack of all Hawaii's players. That's why coaches and media voted Palmer the Star-Bulletin Player of the Year.

Palmer outpointed smooth Kamehameha setter Caitlin Andrade and Punahou multi-position standout Anuhea Keanini in the closest balloting ever for the girls volleyball honor. The trio topped the Star-Bulletin All-State/Fab 15 selections.

Among the 15, five players from Division I state champion Kamehameha were voted in.

Palmer led Hawaii Baptist, with an enrollment of about 400, to its second Division II state crown in a row. She was at her best in the final with an enduring 34-kill performance against rival Word of Life. In addition to 95 swings, she had 17 digs against the Firebrands.

During the New City Nissan State Championships, she amassed 63 kills in three matches (11 sets).

“;I'm surprised. I don't really expect to get any honors or awards. I just love to play the game,”; Palmer said. “;I shouldn't be getting the credit because it was a team effort. Everybody made a contribution to get where we were.”;

Palmer also excelled against the state's elite D-I teams. She pounded 14 kills in a three-set upset of Iolani, and had 13 kills in two sets (.571) against Kamehameha. As a go-to hitter, she was at ease using power and finesse, hitting over blockers or off the block when necessary.

Becoming a team captain as a junior was another step forward.

“;She'll ask, 'What can I do to be better?' I told her once she could be a little more vocal, louder at practice, and that's what she did,”; HBA coach Myles Shioji said.

“;She's real grounded, real humble. For her, winning the state title was better than anything else. She wanted to win it for the seniors last year, and again for the seniors this year. She did a great job as a captain, always one of the first ones out there for drills, and never complained.”;

Palmer has already made an oral commitment to play at the University of Texas, spurning offers from Cal Poly, Hofstra, Illinois, Nevada and TCU.

The panel also voted Kamehameha's Chris Blake to Coach of the Year honors for a fourth year in a row. The Warriors won their fourth straight state championship two weeks ago.

HBA's Shioji and Word of Life's Lee Ann Satele were tied for second in the voting. Despite their D-II status, HBA was voted No. 4 in the final Star-Bulletin Top 10 and WLA closed at No. 6.

Other coaches who received votes for the top honor were Charles “;Bala”; Spencer of Kamehameha-Maui, Jim Iams of Punahou, Jenic Tumaneng of Iolani, Naidah Gamurot of Kapolei, Uila Fotu Vendiola of Kahuku, Lee Ann Maikui of Waiakea, Matthew Helm of Molokai and Mani Yamaguchi-Taufaasau of Kailua.

Chris Blake
Led Kamehameha to its fourth straight state championship

Caitlin Andrade
82 assists as the Warriors swept three state-tourney foes

Anuhea Keanini
45 kills, 56 assists, 19 digs at D-I state tourney

Nile Te'o
The leading hitter for the OIA champions

Whitney Viveiros
25 kills, 18 digs at Division I state tourney

Alex Akana
Clutch finisher in the middle for D-I state champions

Taylor Akana
25 kills,18 digs at Division I state tourney

Crystal Powell
76 kills in four D-II state-tourney matches

Candace Soares
54 kills, 28 digs in four D-I state-tourney matches

Chelsea Hardin
A threat as a hitter and blocker for Raiders

Kelly Chang
82 digs in three D-II state-tourney matches

I'isha Keliikoa
Best match: 17 kills vs. eventual D-I champ Kamehameha

Carsen Mata
Superb setter, server and hitter for OIA runner-up

Lesli Akeo
Led back-row defense for state champs

Tai Manu-Olevao
40 kills at the Division I state tournament