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Warner's Ava Nilsson, a five-time pick, tops list along with Watertown's Thury, Aberdeen Central's Kuch

roger merriam, watertown public opinion
·9 min read

Thirteen Watertown and Aberdeen area players are being honored today as members of the South Dakota Volleyball Coaches Association's 2023 All-State volleyball teams.

The honorees include Emery Thury of Watertown and Grace Kuch of Aberdeen Central in Class AA; Tevan Erickson of Elkton-Lake Benton in Class A; and Ava Nilsson, Lauren Marcuson and Kyleigh Schopp of Warner, Ashley Haven of Northwestern, Presley Knecht of Castlewood, Katelyn Schroeder of Hitchcock-Tulare and Addison Melius of Faulkton Area in Class B.

Charley Henderson of Mobridge-Pollock and Kenzy Beare of Estelline-Hendricks (Class A) and Carley Cotton of Faulkton Area (Class B) each received honorable mention.

Here's a look at each of the honorees:

Watertown's Emery Thury makes a dig during an Eastern South Dakota Conference volleyball match against Mitchell on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in the Watertown Civic Arena.
Watertown's Emery Thury makes a dig during an Eastern South Dakota Conference volleyball match against Mitchell on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in the Watertown Civic Arena.

Emery Thury, Watertown

Honor Squad — Class AA First Team.

Tale of the Tape — 5-foot-8 junior outside hitter.

Season Stats, Highlights — Took over as the hitting leader for a Watertown team that went 27-7 and won the consolation championship in state Class AA tourney. Thury recorded 375 kills, 53 aces, 37 blocks and 303 digs.

Coach Rosemary Bellum — "Emery's great athlete to work with. She's very coachable and just has the will to win or the will to do her very best. She comes to practice early and stays late and is constant trying to work on her own game."

Grace Kuch, Aberdeen Central

Honor Squad — Class AA Second Team.

Tale of the Tape — 6-0 senior outside hitter.

Aberdeen Central's Grace Kuch attempts to hit the ball back over the net as teammate Lauryn Burckhard looks on during an Eastern South Dakota Conference volleyball match against Watertown on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 in the Watertown Civic Arena. Aberdeen Central won 3-1.
Aberdeen Central's Grace Kuch attempts to hit the ball back over the net as teammate Lauryn Burckhard looks on during an Eastern South Dakota Conference volleyball match against Watertown on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 in the Watertown Civic Arena. Aberdeen Central won 3-1.

Season Stats, Highlights — The four-year varsity starter for the Golden Eagles had her senior season cut short with a knee injury. Aberdeen Central was 12-6 before the injury and went 2-8 the rest of the way that included an eighth-place finish in the state AA tourney. Kuch still managed 206 kills, 24 aces and 183 digs. She finished her career with 853 kills, 302 digs and 146 blocks.

Coach Jackie Bindenagel — "It was difficult to see Grace's high school volleyball career end prematurely due to an injury but she's made a lasting impact on our program. As a freshman, she played with a large group of seniors and over the next three years, she evolved as a leader on and off the court. Her stats speak volumes for the type of volleyball player Grace was and it was a pleasure to coach her for the past few years."

Tevan Erickson, Elkton-Lake Benton

Honor Squad — Class A First Team.

Tale of the Tape — 5-9 senior setter.

Season Stats, Highlights — A second team All-Stater as a junior on a state runner-up team, she returned as the leader of an Elks' team that lost in a SoDak 16 state-qualifying match and finished 21-12. She tallied 847 assists, 443 digs, 56 aces, 79 blocks and 103 kills. In three years, she accumulated 2,965 assists and 1,345 digs.

Coach Melissa Erickson — "Tevan is the epicenter of the Elks' volleyball team. Whether she is block, setting, attacking or serving, she is a force to be reckoned with. On offense. Tevan exhibits remarkable court awareness, speed and play calling which sets the tempo for the entire team. On defense, she is a huge threat atbthe net thanks to her impressive vertical and powerful blocks."

Warner's Ava Nilsson reaches to keep the ball alive during a Class B first-round match against Gayville-Volin in the state high school volleyball tournament on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 in the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.
Warner's Ava Nilsson reaches to keep the ball alive during a Class B first-round match against Gayville-Volin in the state high school volleyball tournament on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 in the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.

Ava Nilsson, Warner

Honor Squad — Class B First Team.

Tale of the Tape — 6-0 senior setter.

Season Stats, Highlights — The Northern State University recruit and five-time Class B All-State first team honoree finished her prep career with 5,030 assists to go along with 437 kills, 281 aces, 212 blocks and 1,316 digs. This fall, she tallied 936 assists, 46 aces, 57 blocks, 208 digs and 78 kills for a Warner team that went 39-1 and finished second in the state B tourney.

Coach Kari Jung — "Ava has devoted extensive hours in the gym perfecting her setting skills. The remarkable dedication and leadership that Ava displayed on a daily basis set a standard that is truly exceptional.

Warner's Lauren Marcuson receives a swerve during a semifinal match against Burke in the state Class B volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.
Warner's Lauren Marcuson receives a swerve during a semifinal match against Burke in the state Class B volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.

Lauren Marcuson, Warner

Honor Squad — Class B First Team.

Tale of the Tape — 5-7 senior outside hitter.

Season Stats, Highlights — Marcuson moved up to the first team after earning second team Class B All-State honors as a junior. This fall, she tallied 372 kills, 40 aces and 369 digs for the state runner-up Monarchs (39-1). Also a five-year regular, she ended her career with 1,014 kills, 105 aces and 1,519 digs.

Coach Kari Jung — "Lauren's defensive kills, proved to be a vital asset for the team. On the offensive front, her still in ball placement and her ability to perform under pressure set her apart from other players.

Northwestern's Ashley Haven spikes the ball during the Class B consolation championship in the 2022 state volleyball tournament at Sioux Falls.
Northwestern's Ashley Haven spikes the ball during the Class B consolation championship in the 2022 state volleyball tournament at Sioux Falls.

Ashley Haven, Northwestern

Honor Squad — Class B First Team.

Tale of the Tape — 5-11 sophomore middle hitter.

Season Stats, Highlights — One of the leaders of another strong Northwestern team that enjoyed a 27-8 season that ended with a loss in the Region 1B semifinals, Haven recorded 441 kills, 60 aces, 353 digs and 70 blocks. She already has compiled 917 career digs and 875 career kills.

Coach Nora Groft — "Ashley possesses a high volleyball IQ, understands the value of working hard toward an important goal and loves to compete. We are excited to see her continue to develop over the next two years of high school as she and her teammates transition to upperclassmen.

Presley Knecht and the Castlewood Warriors suffered a 3-0 loss to No. 2 Chester in the semifinals of the state Class B volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.
Presley Knecht and the Castlewood Warriors suffered a 3-0 loss to No. 2 Chester in the semifinals of the state Class B volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.

Presley Knecht, Castlewood

Honor Squad — Class B Second Team.

Tale of the Tape — 5-10 senior outside hitter.

Season Stats, Highlights — A big reason why Castlewood went 22-10 and finished fourth in its second-straight trip to the State B tourney (the program's only other trip to state came in 1997). Knecht racked up 519 kills, 39 aces and 347 digs for the Warriors this fall.

Coach Breanna DeKam — "Presley has put in a lot of hard work throughout the years. I am proud of her, not only for being selected to the All-State team, but for being a great player and teammate."

Warner's Kyleigh Schopp tips the ball in front of referee Jesse Stricherz during a Class B first-round match against Gayville-Volin in the state high school volleyball tournament on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 in the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.
Warner's Kyleigh Schopp tips the ball in front of referee Jesse Stricherz during a Class B first-round match against Gayville-Volin in the state high school volleyball tournament on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 in the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.

Kyleigh Schopp, Warner

Honor Squad — Class B Second Team.

Tale of the Tape — 5-11 junior middle hitter.

Season Stats, Highlights — Another key performer for a Warner team that fell just short of its third-straight state Class B title, Schopp recorded 414 kills, 92 blocks, 21 aces and 76 digs. In three years on the varsity, she has compiled 885 kills and 200 blocks.

Coach Kari Jung — "Kyleigh's offensive dominance, marked by explosive hits, spearheaded our offense. Her exceptional blocking skills significantly strengthened our defense.

Faulkton Area's Addison Melius (7) leaps to hit the ball while teammates Micah Martinmaas (4) and Tegan Baloun (6) watch during a Class B first-round match against Chester in the state high school volleyball tournament on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 in the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.
Faulkton Area's Addison Melius (7) leaps to hit the ball while teammates Micah Martinmaas (4) and Tegan Baloun (6) watch during a Class B first-round match against Chester in the state high school volleyball tournament on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 in the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.

Addison Melius, Faulkton Area

Honor Squad — Class B Second Team.

Tale of the Tape — 5-10 senior outside hitter.

Season Stats, Highlights — Melius capped her career with another strong season for a Trojans' team that went 25-11 and finished seventh in the state B tournament.

Coach Mallory Schlechter — Addison is our ring leader on the court. She controls everything from our attitudes to our play and she does a good job of handling all of the responsibility. She has been a big role model for all of our underclassmen and is someone we as coaches want younger girls to look up to. She is kind, hardworking and simply wants everyone to be successful so our team can be successful."

2023 All-State Volleyball Teams: Coaches select honor squads for Class AA, A and B volleyball

Katelyn Schroeder, Hitchcock-Tulare

Honor Squad — Class B Second Team.

Tale of the Tape — 6-0 junior outside hitter.

Season Stats, Highlights — A two-time honorable mention All-Stater, Schroeder moved up to the second team after a season in which she led the Patriots to a 24-8 record and a berth in the SoDak 16. Schroeder tallied 380 kills, 412 digs, 38 aces and 33 blocks. Already a four-year regular, she now has 1,049 kills, 113 aces, 134 blocks and 1,232 digs in her career.

Coach Jordan Opp — "Katelyn made the switch to outside hitter this season and she knew when we needed a hard hit or when she needed to place the ball to score. She is one of the smartest players I have coached and plays at a high intensity. Her leadership is second to none and her presence in the lineup makes everyone around her better."

Estelline-Hendricks' Kenzy Beare slams a quick set against Great Plains Lutheran's Olivia Holmen during their high school volleyball match on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 in Watertown.
Estelline-Hendricks' Kenzy Beare slams a quick set against Great Plains Lutheran's Olivia Holmen during their high school volleyball match on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 in Watertown.

Kenzy Beare, Estelline-Hendricks

Honor Squad — Class A Honorable Mention.

Tale of the Tape — 5-11 senior middle hitter.

Season Stats, Highlights — A leader on a Redhawks' team that enjoyed one of the top seasons in program history, going 25-7 before it ended with a Region 2A semifinal loss to Elkton-Lake Benton. Beare notched 530 kills, 38 aces, 60 blocks and 238 digs. Her career totals included 170 aces, 1,340 kills, 270 blocks and 995 digs.

Coach Hilary Suther — "Kenzy is one of the most well-rounded and knowledgeable volleyball players I have had the privilege of coaching. She is a force on offense and defense. A great leader, Kenzy was our go-to player this year during high-pressure moments.

Charley Henderson, Mobridge-Pollock

Honor Squad — Class A Honorable Mention.

Tale of the Tape — 5-9 junior outside-middle hitter.

Season Stats, Highlights —The Tigers enjoyed another solid season. They went 28-6 before falling in a Class A SoDak 16 state-qualifying match for the fourth-straight year. Henderson led the way with 48 aces, 319 kills, 78 blocks and 141 digs. She's on pace to surpass 1,000 kills next fall.

Coach Charley Henderson — "Charley is an aggressive and smart volleyball player. She is a powerful attacker and blocker who has continued to push herself to run a fast attack and make great decisions at the net. She is a great athlete who gives 100 percent at all times."

Faulkton Area's Carley Cotton (1) spikes the ball against a Colman-Egan player during their consolation semifinal match in the state Class B volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.
Faulkton Area's Carley Cotton (1) spikes the ball against a Colman-Egan player during their consolation semifinal match in the state Class B volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.

Carley Cotton, Faulkton Area

Honor Squad — Class B Honorable Mention.

Tale of the Tape — 5-7 junior outside hitter.

Season Stats, Highlights — Cotton produced 57 aces, 374 kills and 574 digs for a Trojans' squad that went 25-11 and finished seventh in the state Class B tournament. She garnered her 1,000th career dig in the state tourney.

Coach Mallory Schlechter — "Carley is the workhorse of our team. She is a very athletic girl who has natural ability and instinct as a well as a no-quit attitude. She does a little bit of everything for our team. 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's for a serve receive, defensive play, set or swing."

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Thirteen area players named to 2023 SDVBCA All-State volleyball teams