Union’s Avery Knoop (4) pictured during the Class 3A state quarterfinal against Des Moines Christian in Coralville on Nov. 1. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Union volleyball players, senior outside hitter Aubrey Gates and sophomore setter Avery Knoop were recently named to this season’s Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association’s all-state teams.

Gates was promoted to the first team for the first time this year, capping off a stellar high school career, while Knoop was a third-team pick. The Union Knights made it to the state quarterfinals this season, falling to the No. 1 Des Moines Christian Lions, 3-1, after four intense sets.

Both athletes were top-performing players in the state of Iowa this season with Gates ranked first in 3A with 599 kills and Knoop ranked first in assists with 1,172.

The Union Knights finished the season 42-10 – a school record for number of victories in a single season – and were ranked eighth in Class 3A.