A pair of Lake Region Conference players landed spots on the South Dakota Volleyball Coaches Association Class B first team All-State squad.
Northwestern’s Ashley Haven and Warner’s Jaycee Jung both made the honor unit.
Second team members include Jordyn Rossow of Herreid-Selby Area, Gracyn Bixler of Hitchcock-Tulare, and Kendal Uttecht of Wolsey-Wessington. Ipswich’s Marley Guthmiller was selected as Honorable Mention.
Here is a look at each area player on the all-state squads:
FIRST TEAM
Ashley Haven, Northwestern: 6-0, Sr., Middle-Outside Hitter (591 kills, 326 digs, 107 blocks, 33 aces)
“Ashley has grown in our program from the younger sister who got easily frustrated to the experienced team captain who keeps everyone else calm on the court,” said Northwestern coach Nora Groft. “Her volleyball IQ is so high. In true farm-kid fashion, she knows what needs to be done and just does it.”
Jaycee Jung, Warner: 5-9, So., Outside Hitter (355 kills, 42 aces, 466 digs)
“Jaycee is a powerful and dynamic hitter whose presence at the net consistently elevates her team’s offense,” said Warner coach Kari Jung. “Equally impressive is her defensive instinct in the back row, where her athleticism and hustle allow her to play many challenging balls. Her all-around skill and competitiveness make her a huge asset on the court.”
SECOND TEAM
Jordyn Rossow, Herreid-Selby Area: 6-0, Sr., Middle Hitter (495 kills, 67 aces, 101 blocks, 385 digs)
“She has some impressive stats she ended her senior year with. She was that power hitter and leader for our team,” said Wolverines coach Maria Sandmeier. Rossow was also a key member of the back row. “This year she took that role on. She knew we needed some maturity on the floor all the way around and she could bring that aspect to the game.”
Gracyn Bixler, Hitchcock-Tulare: 5-5, Sr., Setter (789 assists, 57 aces, 93 kills, 299 digs)
“Gracyn is quick and can get to every ball while still putting the sets in a spot for our hitters to attack,” said Hitchcock-Tulare coach Jordan Opp. “She did an excellent job of running our 5-1 offense and was a big reason for our success this season. Gracyn also has a dynamic serve and could take a match over in a hurry.”
Kendal Uttecht, Wolsey-Wessington: 5-7, Sr., Setter (790 assists, 320 digs, 115 kills)
“Kendal was the leader on the court and did an excellent job controlling the temp of our offense,” said Wolsey-Wessington coach Lindy Uttecht. “She achieved two major milestones, getting 2,000 assists and 1,000 digs during the regular season. Kendal is an outstanding student athlete and has been a huge part of the success of our volleyball program.”
HONORABLE MENTION
Marley Guthmiller, Ipswich: 5-10, Sr., Outside Hitter (450 kills, 37 blocks, 272 digs, 50 aces)
“Marley has been a cornerstone of this program as a four-year starter,” said Ipswich Trent Osborne. “She’s the kind of player you trust in every situation. Marley played all six rotations, defending at a high level, blocked with purpose, and was our go-to attacker whether she was in the front row or the back row.”
First Team
Reagan O’Neill, Bennett County, 5-11, So., Middle Hitter (589 kills, 62 aces, 64 blocks, 281 digs)
Lily Van Hal, Chester, 5-8, Sr., Setter-Outside Hitter (348 kills, 95 aces, 293 digs, 547 assists)
Jacy Wolf, Chester, 5-6, Jr., Outside Hitter-Setter (362 kills, 40 aces, 385 digs)
Brynlee Landis, Colman-Egan, 5-8, Sr., Outside Hitter (376 kills, 45 blocks, 274 digs, 44 aces)
Ashley Haven, Northwestern, 6-0, Sr., Middle-Outside Hitter (591 kills, 326 digs, 107 blocks, 33 aces)
Jaycee Jung, Warner, 5-9, So., Outside Hitter (355 kills, 42 aces, 466 digs)
Second Team
Emmie Hausmann, Burke, 5-11, Sr., Outside Hitter (498 kills, 300 digs, 34 aces)
Taylor Hoxeng, Gayville-Volin, 5-4, Sr., Libero (397 digs, 54 aces)
Jordyn Rossow, Herreid-Selby Area, 6-0, Sr., Middle Hitter (495 kills, 67 aces, 101 blocks, 385 digs)
Gracyn Bixler, Hitchcock-Tulare, 5-5, Sr., Setter (789 assists, 57 aces, 93 kills, 299 digs)
Keeara Oakley, Parkston, 5-9, Jr., Middle Hitter (45 aces, 635 kills, 377 digs, 63 blocks)
Kendal Uttecht, Wolsey-Wessington, 5-7, Sr., Setter (790 assists, 320 digs, 115 kills)
Honorable Mention
Peyson O’Neill, Bennett County, 6-0, Fr., Middle Hitter (393 kills, 369 digs, 64 blocks)
Oakley Weber, Bridgewater-Emery, 5-6, jr., Setter-Outside Hitter (298 kills, 383 assists, 324 digs, 54 aces)
Hazel Luethmers, De Smet, 6-0, Sr., Middle Hitter (481 kills, 84 blocks, 246 digs, 33 aces)
Maia Achen, Gayville-Volin, 5-8, Jr., Outside Hitter (392 kills, 258 digs)
Kamry Padden, Harding County, 5-9, So., Middle Hitter-Setter (429 assists, 311 kills, 41 blocks)
Marley Guthmiller, Ipswich, 5-10, Sr., Outside Hitter (450 kills, 37 blocks, 272 digs, 50 aces)
Repeat Selections — 2024: Van Hal, Haven, Wolf and Hoxeng, first team; Landis and Uttecht, second team; and Guthmiller, honorable mention. 2023: Van Hal and Haven, first team. 2022: Van Hal, first team.
