Miller's Fernholz and Schlechter both named to Class A All-State teams
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Miller’s Kadye Fernholz was the lone repeat first-team selection as the South Dakota Volleyball Coaches Association announced its Class A All-State Team for 2018.
After Fernholz, a 6-1 junior middle hitter, the first team was decidedly smaller, with only one other player taller than 5-9. The other five first-team honorees — seniors McKenna Kranz of McCook Central-Montrose, Grace Leberman of Parker, Faith Tyler of Wagner and Kylee Van Egdom of Sioux Falls Christian, and junior Morgan Hammerbeck of Winner — all play outside hitter.
Tyler and Van Egdom were second-team picks last season, with Van Egdom also earning honorable mention honors as a sophomore. Kranz was an honorable mention pick last season.
The second team included senior setters Sioux Falls Christian Samantha Fykstra and Elk Point-Jefferson setter Karly Marx, senior liberos Beresford Alana Bergland and Groton Area Payton Maine, junior middle hitter Carlie Corder of Elk Point-Jefferson and junior outside hitter VonnaGail Schlechter of Miller.
The honorable mention list included senior setters Hannah Even of Parker, Leslie Fillipi of Lennox and Erika Langloss of Tri-Valley, senior outside hitters Jami Ewart of Aberdeen Roncalli (RH/OH) and Alex Kandolin of St. Thomas More, and junior middle hitter Caitlyn Pruis of Sioux Falls Christian.
Here is a closer look at the first team:
Kadye Fernholz, Miller — Jr., 6-1, MH
Fernholz, who was also a second-team pick as a freshman, continued to be a dominant force in the middle for the Rustlers, posting 471 kills and 75 blocks as she helped lead her team to a state runner-up finish.
Fernholz was also a key contributor away from the net, recording 322 digs and 24 ace serves.
“She is so valuable as a six-rotation player because of her high volleyball IQ,” said Miller head coach Linda DeBoer. “We are where we are because of her consistency.”
DeBoer is excited to watch her big develop for one more year.
“We’re excited to see where she goes, how the next year progresses,” she said. “It’s amazing to have the opportunity to coach a player of the caliber she is.”
Kylee Van Egdom, Sioux Falls Christian — Sr., 5-9, OH/Middle Back
Van Egdom proved herself as an all-around weapon, recording 460 kills, 100 ace serves, 42 blocks and 261 digs as she helped lead the Chargers’ title defense. It was Sioux Falls Christian’s seventh title since 2010 and eighth overall.
“She jumps well, has an aggressive arm swing and sees the court really well,” Chargers head coach Darci Wassenaar said of the Northern State recruit. “She’s a great all-around athlete and does a great job of leading our team.”
Van Egdom also makes the tough work of back row play “look easy,” according to Wassenaar.
“As soon as she rotates to the back, she has an aggressive serve and plays phenomenal defense,” the Chargers coach said. “We have her in every serve receive.”
Faith Tyler, Wagner — Sr., 5-7, OH
Faith Tyler, a second-team pick a season ago, posted 352 kills, 69 ace serves, 27 blocks and 421 digs in her final season playing for her coach and mother, Amy Tyler. The versatile outside will continue her playing career at Dakota Wesleyan next fall.
“Faith has been a really good leader in all aspects, offense to defense,” Coach Tyler said.
Faith Tyler has filled nearly every role in the Red Raider lineup, but has thrived the past two seasons on the outside.
“She’s played pretty much everywhere except libero. She’s studied the game so long, we could put her anywhere on the court and she’d do a good job,” Coach Tyler said. “We moved her to outside her junior year, and she flourished out there as our go-to hitter.”
McKenna Kranz, McCook Central-Montrose — Sr., 5-8, OH