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What a memorable season in South Dakota volleyball! All three defending champs spent most of the season at number one in the polls. They all came into the state touranment as #1 seeds. Harrisburg completed an unlikely undefeated season without a single senior. Sioux Falls Christian won their 7th straight state title and nine of the last ten in Class A. And Warner went five sets with Chester in a classic match for the B title. Chester found a way to do something that no other team had done this season, beat Warner.

Now it's time for Midco Sports to pay homage to the individuals who lifted up their teams. There is quite an array of positions and classes represented here!. 

Class B

Player of the year: Ava Nilsson

The Warner senior Ava Nilsson started out the year on the bench injured. She worked her way back into the lineup and dominated. The senior all-world setter did so much more than set, she was also one of the best net defenders, servers, and overall players around! She’s also a coach on the court and led her team to a 39-1 record. Along the way they beat several teams in bigger classes. Ava finishes her career with five first team all-state selections and as one of the best Class B setters we’ve ever seen.

Ava Nilsson: 86 sets, 78 kills, .351 Hit%, 46 aces, 57 blocks, 2.4 d/s, 10.9 a/s

Honorable Mentions:

Kailee Frank, Burke, 5-9, jr. OH (437 kills, 388 digs)

Presley Knecht, Castlewood, 5-10, sr., OGH (519 kills, 347 digs)

Daniela Lee, Colman-Egan, 5-6, sr., MH-RS (361 kills, 83 blocks, 565 digs)

Lauren Marcuson, Warner, 5-7, sr., OH (372 kills), 362 digs)

Lily Van Hal, Chester, 5-8, so., S-OH (260 kills, 97 aces, 275 digs, 825 assists)

 

Class A

The junior setter for Sioux Falls Christian spread the kills out for the 7x Class A champs. Addisen Barber was consistent as usual. She was able to feed several attackers and keep the defense off balance. She averaged 10.6 assists per set at the state tournament and 9.4 a/s during the season!

Addisen Barber: 1,053 sets, 51 aces, 43 blocks, 195 digs

Honorable Mentions:

Tevin Erickson, Elkton-Lake Benton, 5-9, sr., S (847 assists, 56 aces, 443 digs)

Madelynn Henry, Dell Rapids, 5-11, fr., OH (445 kills, 46 aces, 214 digs)

Macy Koupal, Wagner, 5-9, sr., S (946 assists, 67 aces, 282 digs)

Audrey Nelson, Madison, 6-1, sr., ME (465 kills, 104 blocks, 284 digs)

Sidney Oostra, SF Christian, 5-11, sr., OH (364 kills, 45 blocks, 303 digs)

Sophi Randall, Dell Rapids, 5-11, jr. S (922 assists, 219 digs, 53 aces, 57 blocks. 126 kills)

Mataya Ward, Belle Fourche, 5-10, sr., OH (498 kills, 86 aces, 359 digs)

 

Class  AA

Gabi Zachariasen of Harrisburg was a team captain as a sophomore. She played an integral role as their leading attacker and set a school record for kills with 529. Her killer instinct and fierce competition helped her lead the way to the Tigers perfect season and back-to-back titles!

 

Honorable Mentions:

Taryn Kirsch, SF Washington, 5-10, jr. L (522 digs, 68 aces, 104 assists)

Macie Malchow, SF Washington, 5-10 sr., S (925 assists, 245 digs, 62 aces)

Maggie Meister, Harrisburg, 5-7, jr., L (530 digs, 40 aces)

Linnea Nesheim, SF Lincoln, 5-10, sr. OH (248 kills, 45 aces, 223 digs)

Presly Pastian, SF Jefferson, 5-6, sr., S (798 assists, 217 digs)

Josalyn Samuels, Harrisburg, 6-0, 8th S (1,054 assists, 191 digs)