When the Class AA all-state volleyball teams were announced, it was no surprise which team got the most selections.

With two on the first team and one on the second team, two-time state champion Harrisburg had the most all-state selections.

Outside hitter Madison Wassink and setter Avery Thorson were named to the first team, while libero Rachel Nelson was named to the second team.

The Tigers’ opponents in the title match, Rapid City Stevens, also had multiple selections, with one player making the first team and another making the second team.

Seventh-place Mitchell also earned one selection per team, as well as fifth-place Huron. 

Sioux Falls O’Gorman, Aberdeen Central, Sioux Falls Washington, Watertown and Sioux Falls Roosevelt all had one selection.

Here is a look at the members of both all-state teams:

FIRST TEAM

Outside hitters

Elizabeth Schaefer, Rapid City Stevens

The numbers speak for themselves in the case of Schaefer, a junior (304 kills, 285 digs and 49 aces), but Stevens coach Kylie Voorhees said it is Schaefer’s leadership that sets her apart.

She points to the Raiders semifinal match against Sioux Falls Washington in the state tournament as an example, a five set win that sent the Raiders to the championship match.

“Lizzy was a team captain this year, she was a big part of our offense but also a big part of our defense. She’s a good athlete, a true competitor and she played a big role in success this year,” Voorhees said. “The thing I would compliment here on is her leadership, especially throughout the tournament. She riled the team up, led the team, and I would say her and (second team all-stater) Phebie (Rossi) were the reasons we won that semifinal match.”

Paiton Burckhard, Aberdeen Central

Burckhard’s success wasn’t limited to this season, as the senior finished her career as a state champion (2015) and a member of the 1,000 kills club (1,059). She also had 148 aces, 521 digs and 74 solo, 161 assisted blocks during her time with Aberdeen.

This is her second first team all-state selection, and during the regular season she had 293 kills, 236 digs and 42 aces.

“Paiton is the player on the team that is always wanting the ball,” Aberdeen coach Dennis Northrup said. “She was always striving to get better and wanted to make her teammates better.”

Burckhard has committed to South Dakota State to play basketball.

Madison Wassink, Harrisburg

The South Dakota Miss Volleyball finalist was a big part of a Tigers defense that won a second straight state championship in November. Wassink was second on the team in digs (341) and kills (337) and led the team in kills during the state tournament with 56.

“Madison is an outstanding outside hitter who brings great skills to both the front and back row,” Harrisburg coach Ronette Costain said. 

The senior will be playing collegiality at Minnesota State-Moorhead next season.

Mackenzie Miller, Mitchell

Miller was a do-it-all machine for the Kernels during the season, leading Mitchell in kills (459, a school record), digs (362) and tied for the lead in aces (36 with Brooke Flemmer).

The junior was a first team all-state selection last year as well.

“We expected big things from Mackenzie this year,” Mitchell coach Deb Thill said. “She was a leader for us on the court, she had a great season and is obviously well deserving of this honor.”

Setters

Avery Thorson, Harrisburg

Just one week after winning another state championship, Thorson capped off her career with Harrisburg by winning Miss Volleyball for South Dakota.

The Augustana commit finished her senior season with 814 assists, 241 digs and 79 kills.

“Avery has just finished an amazing and record breaking career with us,” Costain said. “She just kept getting better every year.”

Jayda Shillingstad, Huron

What stood out aout Shillingstad’s senior season was how well-rounded of a setter she was for the Tigers. The had 836 assists, 295 digs, 62 blocks and 136 kills.

“Jayda is a very unique setter because of her offensive and blocking abilities. At the net she was always a threat to score when she had the ball and finished third on our team in kills,” Huron coach Shelly Buddenhagen said. “Due to the lack of size on our team, she was asked to do things most setters don’t have to do.

“She blocked out of the middle in one or two rotations while setting and was second in blocking. She is a huge reason our team finished strong with a fifth place trophy at the state tournament.”

Middle Hitter

Rylee Boyd, Sioux Falls Roosevelt

The 6-foot, 2-inch senior served many roles for the Rough Riders this season, playing all six positions and earning the acclaim of coach Kevin Vanderwal.

“She was able to be our weapon in the front row while solidifying our defense and passing in the back row,” he said. “Though she’s a quiet player her work ethic and drive sets the standard for the other players around her and our whole program.”

Boyd will be playing collegiality at Wisconsin-Green Bay next fall.

SECOND TEAM

Outside hitters

Chelsea Brewster, Mitchell

Brewster, a junior, was a six-position player for the Kernels, finishing second on the team in kills (311) and second in digs (325).

“She’s extremely athletic and came on strong for us this year,” Thill said of the junior.

Emma Ronsiek, Sioux Falls O’Gorman

Ronsieck is the youngest member of either all-state team, as she is the only sophomore selected. Her future looks bright if she is able to repeat her 2017 campaign, where she led the team in kills (300) and second in total blocks (52).

“Emma is a natural volleyball player that is our go-to when our backs are against the wall,” O’Gorman coach Julie Kolbeck said. “She plays all the way around for us and is a great leader both on and off the court. The great news for O’Gorman is she is only a Sophomore, the older she gets the better she will be.”

Lily Bartling, Sioux Falls Washington

Whenever the Warriors were struggling, coach Kelly Schroeder would rely on his junior to either force a side-out or start a Washington run. The junior also showed her grit, playing through pain in the state tournament.

“She is a physical player and showed a lot of guts to finish the season,” Schroeder said. “She played the last four games on an injured leg and is currently in a boot for a couple weeks before basketball starts. I’m really looking forward to having Lily back next season and excited for her future.”

Bartling led the team in kills (299) and was second in digs (331).

Mariah Gloe, Watertown

The junior’s leadership earned her praise from coach Rosemary Hirtz, as she led the Arrows in kills with 284 in the regular season, she also had 271 digs and 32 blocks.

“Mariah is a great team leader,” Hirtz said. “She could play in the front row and the back and she consistently kept the ball in play. We could always count on her to perform well.”

Middle hitter

Phebie Rossi, Rapid City Stevens

Along with Schaefer, Rossi was pointed out as a leader throughout the season by Voorhees, but especially in the state tournament.

“She came into the huddle during a timeout (of the semifinal win over Washington) and said ‘we are not losing this game!’” Voorhees said. “Phebie has grown .. she led the team, she’s not afraid to share her opinion, or to do what’s best for the team. She’s not afraid to stand up for whats right.”

The St. Thomas More transfer also wasn’t afraid to be a force at the net. Her 99 total blocks led the team, and she contributed 205 kills. She was also a weapon on the serve, finishing second on the team with 62 aces.

Hollee Niehus, Huron

Huron’s offense went through Niehus, leading the team in kills (416), while the junior also helped on the defense end with 231 digs.

“Hollee led our team in kills and was a threat from anywhere on the court,” Buddenhagen said. “As a lefty, she has the unique ability to attack from anywhere on the court and possesses an extremely quick swing which is tough to defend for any defense.”

Libero

Rachel Nelson, Harrisburg

Nelson, a senior, was a solid leader for the Tigers on their way to a second straight state title. She was big on the serve, leading the team with 36 aces including six in the state tournament. She was also second on the team in assists with 56.

“Rachel is a tremendous libero for us the last four seasons,” Costain said. “Her ability to read hitters and get the balls attacked was so fun to watch. She is one of the most positive and best teammates we could have ever asked for on our team.”