ELKTON – In the game of volleyball, there is no relationship more critical than the one between a setter and an attacker. The team will struggle offensively if a setter can’t put the attacker into the correct position. If the attacker doesn’t know what the setter thinks, they could miss an opportunity to put points on the board.
Despite this, end-of-the-year accolades go to one player or the other. In the case of Elkton-Lake Benton’s Rachael Krog and Tevan Erickson, it was too close to pick one.
Krog and Tevan Erickson were a critical tandem for the Lady Elks this season. They helped ELB post a 32-4 record, win the Dakota Valley Championship and earn its second straight trip to the state tournament. When it came time to decide on a Dakota Valley Conference MVP, voters decided to give the award to both of them, which makes it only fitting that Krog and Tevan Erickson are the Co-Register Players of the Year.
“They are the key to our success,” ELB head coach Melissa Erickson said of Krog and Erickson. “These two girls have put in so much time to hone in on their craft to do it so well.”
Krog and Tevan Erickson have taken different paths to get to this point. Krog started off her career as a libero during her first three seasons as a starter. Along the way, Krog collected every accolade you can imagine, landing on multiple Adrenaline Volleyball lists as well as three DVC All-Conference selections but made the transition to outside hitter prior to her junior year.
The shift to becoming an offensive-minded player was difficult at first, but it turned out to be a natural fit as Krog racked up 359 kills this season. Her defensive ability from playing libero helped her become a complete player with 477 digs and she added 21 blocks to go with 29 aces and a 96 percent serve percentage.
“She can just put the ball down,” Tevan Erickson said of Krog’s transition to an outside hitter. “Even if the ball isn’t where she likes it, she can put it down anywhere on the court. Her ability to see the court and put the ball where they aren’t just makes it so hard for other teams to defend.”
Tevan Erickson has carved out a similar path as a junior. She made the Adrenaline Rising Star list after becoming a starter in 2020 and earned her first All-Conference selection while making the Class A All-Tournament and 2nd Team All-State during her sophomore season. This season was an even bigger success, collecting 1,022 assistws, 355 digs, 68 aces, 59 kills and 73 blocks while making the All-Conference Team, the Class A All-Tournament Team and becoming a first-team All-State selection.
“She is just so versatile,” Krog said of Tevan Erickson. “She’s willing to change anything just to get a better ball. She has very good drive and passion for this sport, so we get along very well. She’s easy to play with. She’s easy to communicate with, she’s just an all-around solid player.”
High school coaches are fortunate to coach one elite talent during their careers, but Melissa Erickson considers herself fortunate to coach two. She credited Krog and Tevan Erickson’s relationship off the court as a key reason for their success while also setting an example for some of the other players on the team.
“I think their personalities on the court are very similar,” Melissa Erickson said. “They actually get along really well off the court – sometimes too well – but they’re able to openly communicate. That helps with their connection and understanding of the game, which is extremely important. I think it’s rubbed off on the rest of the team, as each individual has just taken ownership of their roles on the team.”
With Krog and Tevan Erickson leading the way, the Lady Elks have taken their program to new heights. In 2021, that meant advancing to the state tournament for the first time in school history and winning the consolation bracket. This past season, meant advancing to the championship match and falling to six-time defending champion Sioux Falls Christian.
This hasn’t been lost on Erickson, who will have another opportunity to take ELB a step further during her senior season.
“I’m just so proud of my teammates and getting to do that with my best friends is awesome,” Tevan Erickson said. “Making history twice…it was just so fun. It shows all of our hard work.”
Krog has a different perspective as a graduating senior that has been a five-year starter for the Lady Elks.
“It’s just super amazing to be part of that history,” Krog said. “Being a part of a team that just all want to be there and all want to work hard to get our names known is just so special and it was a lot of fun to be known as the team that went to state twice.”
After a year where they were basically linked through their success, both players are the Co-Register player of the year. Both players worked hard together to get to where they are and having the chance to share the award makes it even more meaningful.
“I’m just so proud to get to share it with her,” Tevan Erickson said. “It’s awesome. It just really shows our hard work and all the extra time we’ve put in to become the players that we are.”
Krog agreed, sharing the award with Tevan Erickson was a fitting end to the season.
“It’s special to share it with her because she’s my best friend and she deserves it too,” Krog said. “It really reflects on both of us and we’re both driven and passionate about the sport. It’s just amazing to share it with someone who is as happy for me as I am for her to get it.”
