The Lake Region Conference is well represented on this year’s Class B all-state volleyball teams.

There are three LRC players on the first team, two more on the second team, and another on the third team. The 281 Conference has three members on the honor units.

LRC first-team selections include Ava Nilsson and Lauren Marcuson of Warner, and Ashley Haven of Northwestern. Faulkton’s Addison Melius and Warner’s Kyleigh Schopp are second-team selections, and Carley Cotton of Faulkton landed on the third team. The 281 is represented by Katelyn Schroeder of Hitchcock-Tulare and Lainey Uttecht of Wolsey-Wessington on the second team, and Kailyn Dorris of Wolsey-Wessington on the third team. Castlewood’s Presley Knecht was also a second-team selection.

Ava Nilsson, Warner. This five-time first-team all-stater had 936 set assists to run her career total to more than 5,000. She also had 36 aces, 78 kills, 5 solo blocks and 52 assisted blocks this past season in helping lead the Monarchs to a runner-up finish at the State B tourney. “Ava has devoted extensive hours in the gym perfecting her setting skills,” said Warner coach Kari Jung. “The remarkable dedication and leadership that Ava displayed on a daily basis set a standard that is truly exceptional.”

Lauren Marcuson, Warner. Marcuson did a little bit of everything for the Monarchs. The senior had 372 kills, 369 digs and 40 ace serves this past season as Warner finished 39-1 and finished-up at the State B tournament. “Lauren’s defensive skills proved to be a vital asset for the team,” said Warner coach Kari Jung. “On the offensive front, her skill in ball placement and her ability to perform under pressure set her apart from other players.”

Ashley Haven, Northwestern. Only a sophomore, Haven was a dominant force for the Wildcats, leading the team in both kills and blocks. She had 441 kills, 60 ace serves, 353 digs, and 70 blocks, and scored 362 points. She already has 917 career digs and 875 career kills. “Ashley possesses a high volleyball IQ,” said Northwestern coach Nora Groft. “She understands the value of working hard toward an important goal and loves to compete.”

Presley Knecht, Castlewood. This senior played a key role in Castlewood’s run to the state tournament this past season, leading the team in both kills and aces. She capped her final season with 519 kills, 39 ace serves, 347 digs, 2 solo blocks and 16 assisted blocks. Knecht had 38 kills during the state tourney to help lead the Warriors to a fourth-place finish.

Addison Melius, Faulkton. Teams quickly found out where Melius was located on the court. The senior capped her final season with 50 aces, 382 kills, 49 set assists, 514 digs (including her 1,000^th), 5 blocks and 18 block assists. “Addison is our ringleader on the court. She controls everything from our attitudes to our play,” said Faulkton coach Mallory Schlechter. “Addison plays all six rotations for us, and her back row presence is just as strong as her front. She is our main go-to hitter and has the ability to see the court and make good shot selections.”

Katelyn Schroeder, Hitchcock-Tulare. This junior filled up the stat sheet this past season. She had 38 aces, 380 kills, 18 set assists, 412 digs, six solo blocks and 27 block assists. “Katelyn knew when we needed a hard hit or when she needed to place the ball to score,” said Patriots coach Jordan Opp. “She is one of the smartest players I have coached and plays at a high intensity. Her consistency in her passing and defense was also evident.”

Lainey Uttecht, Wolsey-Wessington. Uttecht played a key role in helping the Warbirds get back to the state tournament. The senior capped of her final season with 50 ace serves, 251 kills, 28 set assists, and 579 digs, including 77 in the state tourney. “Lainey had been our starting libero for the last three years and was moved to the outside hitter position this season,'” said Wolsey-Wessington coach Lindy Uttecht. “She is very smart on the court and does a great job anticipating where the ball is going, covering tips, and adjusting to any set.”

Kyleigh Schopp, Warner. Just a junior, Schopp led the Monarchs in both hitting and blocks this past season. She collected 424 kills, 10 solo blocks and 82 assisted blocks, 21 ace serves and 76 digs to help lead the team to second place at the state tournament. “Kyleigh’s offensive dominance, marked by explosive hits, spearheaded our offense,” said Warner coach Kari Jung. “Her exceptional blocking skills significantly strengthened our defense.”

Carley Cotton, Faulkton. This senior did a bit of everything in helping to lead the Trojans to the State B tourney. She had 57 aces, 374 kills, 54 set assists, 581 digs (including her 1,000^th), and nine assisted blocks this year. “Carley is the workhorse of our team. She is a very athletic girl who has a natural ability/instinct as well as a no-quit attitude,” said Faulkton coach Mallory Schlechter. “It is not uncommon for her to touch the ball at least once almost every time it comes to our side of the net, whether it is for serve receive, a defensive play, a set or a swing.”

Kailyn Dorris, Wolsey-Wessington. This senior was a major force along the net for the Warbirds this past season. Dorris capped off her final prep season with 57 ace serves, 465 kills (including 67 in the state tourney) and also collected 277 digs. “Kailynn was moved from a middle to outside hitter and her powerful swing made her a threat from that position,” said Wolsey-Wessington coach Lindy Uttecht. “Her hard serving also gave many teams problems this year as she led our team in aces.”

Here is a look at each of the Class B all-state selections:

First Team

Ava Nilsson, Warner, 6-0, sr., S (936 assists, 57 blocks, 208 digs)

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

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

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

Ashley Haven, Northwestern, 5-11, so., MH (441 kills, 60 aces, 353 digs, 70 blocks)

Second Team

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)

Addison Melius, Faulkton Area, 5-10, sr. OH (382 kills, 50 aces, 514 digs)

Katelyn Schroeder, Hitchcock-Tulare, 6-0, jr., OH (380 kills, 412 digs)

Addison Bates, Chester, 6-0, sr. MH-MB (241 kills, 75 blocks)

Lainey Uttecht, Wolsey-Wessington, 5-6, sr., OH (251 kills, 579 digs, 50 aces)

Kyleigh Schopp, Warner, 5-11, jr., MH (424 kills, 92 blocks)

Honorable Mention

TyAnn Mortenson, Faith, 5-10, jr., MH

Carley Cotton, Faulkton Area, 5-7, jr., OH (374 kills, 574 digs, 57 aces)

Courtney Sees, Avon, 5-6, sr., OH (422 kills, 513 digs)

Kailynn Dorris, Wolsey-Wessington, 5-11, sr., OH-MH (465 kills, 277 digs, 57 aces)

Elle Johnson, Burke, 5-4, sr., L (607 digs, 82 assists)

Alyn Spry, Philip, 5-4, sr., L

Tatum Beckman, SF Lutheran, 5-10, fr., S-OH (337 assists, 370 kills, 224 digs, 81 aces)

Repeat Selections

• 2022 (Nilsson, Lee and Van Hal, first team; Melius, Marcuson and Mortenson, second team; and Schroeder, Frank and Spry, honorable mention).

• 2021 (Nilsson, first team and Schroeder, honorable mention).

• 2020 (Nilsson, first team).

• 2019 (Nilsson, first team).