Championship game opponents Sioux Falls Christian and Dakota Valley combined to claim four of the six first team selections as the South Dakota Volleyball Coaches Association announced its Class A All-State Team.
Champion Sioux Falls Christian was represented by Emily Strasser and Ellie Voss, while Dakota Valley was represented by twins Elizabeth and Meredith Lammers. Belle Fourche’s Sierra Ward and Miller’s Kadye Fernholz round out the elite list. All but Fernholz, a sophomore, are seniors.
Strasser and Voss have been key members of the Chargers’ dynasty for four seasons. In their time on varsity, SFC went 125-20 with three state titles and a consolation championship last year. The team lost just five matches to South Dakota opponents during that stretch, including four last year.
Last season’s first-round stumble to eventual state runner-up Madison helped drive the duo, said Chargers head coach Darci Wassenaar.
“Both girls — the whole team, for that matter — had extra push and drive,” she said. “They worked hard all year to be the best they could be.”
Voss was a dominant force up front. The 6-foot, 2-inch middle posted 360 kills at an impressive .415 hitting efficiency, and added 68 blocks and 48 ace serves.
“Ellie is very aggressive,” Wassenaar said of Voss, who has committed to NCAA Division II California Baptist. “She has a quick arm swing, can hit from anywhere on the court and hits from a high point of contact.”
Strasser played a key role in helping get the Charger offense started, posting 233 digs and 57 ace serves on the season. She is currently undecided on a college, but hopes to continue her playing career at the next level.
“Emily is a phenomenal passer,” Wassenaar said of Strasser. “She reads the play well, and makes some amazing plays.”
Elizabeth Lammers and Meredith Lammers have been a part of a great run for Dakota Valley, posting a 115-17 record in their four seasons on varsity. The Panthers were state champions in 2016, fourth in 2015 and third in 2014. Of Dakota Valley’s 17 losses in four seasons, 10 were to SFC, and a 2015 loss to Spearfish is the only other setback against a South Dakota opponent.
Both players finished their careers with more than 1,000 kills and more than 1,000 digs.
“They definitely helped smooth the transition,” said Dakota Valley head coach Amy Wiseman, who was in her first year at the helm of the Panthers. “With those two as leaders, you could throw anything at them. They are both great at ball control and have great aggressiveness, even in defense and serve receive.”
For this season, Meredith Lammers had 312 kills, 254 digs, 36 ace serves and 25 blocks. Elizabeth Lammers had 297 kills, 26 ace serves and 248 digs.
“Meredith was more of a go-to hitter, but they are both great hitters,” Wiseman said. “Elizabeth brought energy and a lot of fun to the team.”
Meredith Lammers has applied to the Naval Academy, and does not plan to play volleyball collegiately. Elizabeth Lammers also does not plan to play collegiately, but may consider it if the right opportunity comes along, according to Wiseman.
A key contributor to Belle Fourche’s 25-5 run this season, Ward pounded out 510 kills with a .332 hitting efficiency. She also had 37 ace serves, 24 blocks and 276 digs for the Broncs, who placed fourth in the state tournament.
“Sierra is the perfect example of what hard work can do for someone,” said Belle Fourche head coach Loree Schlichtemeier. “She made her entire team better by her work ethic and presence on the court.”
Ward has also excelled in the classroom, posting a grade-point average of better than 4.0. She hopes to continue her playing career at the next level, but has not decided on a destination, Schlichtemeier noted.
“Sierra has improved by leaps and bounds,” she said. “Even at the end of this season, I didn’t think she had reached her full potential. I think she will continue to get better.”
Photo:
Miller’s sophomore outside hitter Kadye Fernholz pounds home a kill in a first-round game at last month’s Class “A” State Volleyball Tournament in Rapid City. On Wednesday, Fernholz was named to the Class “A” All-State Volleyball first team.
Photo courtesy South Dakota Public Broadcasting