In all its storied lore, the Northwestern volleyball program still managed to pull off a piece of history this season. The Wildcats posted their first undefeated season in 35 years, doing so behind the leadership and prowess of Class B All-State players Madalyn Groft and Sydney Schell.

The two headline a seven-member first team class, all of whom helped lead their team to the state tournament.

Schell and Groft are joined by Makenna Larson of Chester Area, Peyton Melius of Faulkton, Ava Nilsson of Warner, Taylee Indahl of Burke and Aiyana Byrd of Faith. The Class B All,State team is selected by the South Dakota Volleyball Coaches Association.

Groft, who will rejoin her sister Peyton Groft and former teammate Riley Grandpre at Dakota State next season, spent 2019 rewriting record books for the Wildcats. She surpassed both the 3,000 career assists and the 1,000 career digs milestones. With 3,476 career assists, she finishes as Northwestern's all-time assists leader. The Wildcats went 146-5 in Madalyn Groft's four seasons as a setter.

"Madalyn's work ethic has developed her into a savvy setter, spending countless hours in the gym perfecting her craft and studying film online," said Northwestern coach Nora Groft. "Her positive, happy vibes elevated our team this season. Most importantly, Madalyn knows how to win."

Schell, who has also verbally committed to Dakota State, settled in as one of Madalyn Groft's favorite targets this season. She finished with 506 kills on the season, including a monster state tournament performance. For her career, she has tallied 1,072 kills and 734 digs.

"Sydney's speed at the net and her quick arm swing proved very effective this season, and her back row play improved immensely as the season progressed," Nora Groft said. "She passed very well on serve receive and became a much better defender. Syd's boisterous personality on and off the court provided the spark that ignited our team's success."

While Schell and Groft provided the spark for Northwestern, the Lake Region Conference itself brimmed with all-state-caliber talent, as evidenced by the emergence of eighth-grader Ava Nilsson from Warner and the continued dominance of Peyton Melius of Faulkton.

Nilsson played a key role on a young Warner squad that went from hot to figuring things out to a third place showing at the state tournament. In her first season on the court for yet another storied program, Nilsson finished with 1,016 assists, 73 kills, 44 service aces, 29 blocks and 343 digs.

"Ava is a true competitor and she is extremely good at making quick decisions to help our hitters be successful," said Warner coach Kari Jung. "No matter the situation on the court, Ava played hard and encouraged others to do the same."

Melius, meanwhile, rounded out a junior season while helping the Trojans to their best-ever finish at the state tournament. A member of the Trojan squad that won its first-ever state tournament match a season ago, Melius was an all,state tournament selection in 2019 and helped Faulkton finish second overall.

Just a junior, Melius finished with 400 kills, 52 service aces, 23 blocks and 224 digs while playing a full-rotation slate.

"Peyton is well rounded athlete for us," said Faulkton coach Mallory Schlechter. "She has the ability to get a kill at the net when we really need it or pick up a ball in the back row to get a defensive stop. Peyton has a positive attitude both on and off the court and has become a great role model and leader on our team."

Taylee Indahl of Burke closed out her final season with the Cougars, helping them to a fourth place showing at the state tournament. She finished with 542 kills, 55 aces, 49 blocks and 390 digs, playing a critical role in Burke's success. A starter since her eighth-grade season, Indahl finishes her career with 2,123 kills, 1,642 digs, 221 blocks and 254 service aces.

"Taylee is an all-around great player," said Burke coach Billie Jo Indahl. "She did a great job anticipating on defense and passed the ball very well. Offensively she is quick off the ground and has a very quick wrist snap. She sees the court so well and has so many different shots which makes her very hard to defend. Her leadership definitely shows on the court as she is so positive and always giving credit to her teammates."

Larson, another senior, was a key contributor for Chester Area this season. A sprinter by trade who has signed with the Northern State track and field program, Larson was no slouch on the volleyball court. Her speed helped her generate 275 kills, 44 service aces and 687 digs for the Flyers.

"Makenna has been an incredible athlete and it has been a privilege to be her coach," said Chester Area coach Jean Benson. "She is completely undersized as a front row player, and continues to amaze at what she can do offensively because of her incredible leaping ability. She led the Lady Flyers both offensively and defensively this season. Her speed and agility as a defender helped her earn the top defensive player at the Elite 50 this summer and she continually proved herself as she accumulated her 2000 dig this season as she led the Lady Flyers with her back row play. She has truly been a joy to have as an athlete."

Byrd, a junior, has one more season left in her already successful career with Faith. She finished the season with 463 kills, 49 service aces, 58 blocks and 91 digs for the Longhorns, who went 27,3 during the regular season and made a third-straight appearance in the state tournament.

"Aiyana is a phenomenal kid and competitor," said Faith coach Mandy Lemmel. "She is a student of the game, and does whatever it takes in the off-season to get where she wants to be physically, yet she still has shown no sign of being satisfied. I am so grateful that I get to coach this talented and humble athlete. Aiyana is a fierce competitor that wants her team to win."

Second team members include Ady Dwight of Langford Area, Jada Plastow and Cameryn Logan of Ethan, Kenna Brown of Chester Area, Hannah Krog of Elkton-Lake Benton and Brooke Niederbaumer of Faulkton.

Copper Lurz of Philip, Madisyn Cameron of Avon, Sydney Schauer of Faith, Chesney Olivier of Ipswich and Jade Hutchinson of Kadoka Area were named to the honorable mention squad.

Hannah Krog

The 6-foot junior from Elkton-Lake Benton landed on the Class B All-State second team.

Krog made the transition from middle hitter to outside hitter for the 2019 season and recorded 445 kills while hitting .240. She added 31 service aces, 14 1/2 blocks (six solo) and 374 digs.

Krog was the Register Player of the Year and Dakota Valley Conference MVP. She is a three-time All-Register and All-DVC selection.

Krog is a four-year starter and a two-time team captain.

She has 1,172 career kills to go with 104 service aces, 93 1/2 blocks (68 solo) and 841 digs.

Krog was on the AVCA Phenom List in 2018 and 2019.

Class B All-State VOLLEYBALL

First Team

Madalyn Groft, Northwestern, Sr., Setter; 168 kills, 86 aces, 993 assists, 25 blocks, 353 digs.

Sydney Schell, Northwestern, Jr., OH; 506 kills, 32 aces, 49 assists, 34 blocks, 309 digs.

Makenna Larson, Chester Area, Sr., OH/DS; 275 kills, 44 aces, 12 blocks, 687 digs.

Peyton Melius, Faulkton Area, Jr., OH; 400 kills, 52 aces, 23 blocks, 224 digs.

Taylee Indahl, Burke, Sr., OH/MH; 542 kills, 55 aces, 49 blocks, 390 digs.

Ava Nilsson, Warner, 8th, Setter; 73 kills, 44 aces, 1,016 assists, 29 blocks, 343 digs.

Aiyana Byrd, Faith, Jr., MH; 463 kills, 49 aces, 58 blocks, 91 digs.

Second Team

Ady Dwight, Langford Area, Sr., MH; 462 kills, 75 aces, 39 assists, 142 blocks, 239 digs.

Jada Plastow, Ethan, Sr., OH; 409 kills, 51 aces, 22 assists, 40 blocks, 311 digs.

Kenna Brown, Chester Area, Jr., Setter; 71 kills, 35 aces, 834 assists, 13 blocks, 339 digs.

Hannah Krog, Elkton-Lake Benton, Jr., MH/OH; 445 kills, 31 aces, 14 blocks, 374 digs.

Cameryn Logan, Ethan, Jr., MH; 381 kills, 68 aces, 32 assists, 56 blocks, 318 digs.

Brooke Niederbaumer, Faulkton Area, Sr., MB; 180 kills, 34 aces, 46 blocks, 111 digs.

Honorable mention

Copper Lurz, Philip, Soph., M/OH; 444 kills, 27 aces, 22 assists, 31 blocks, 318 digs.

Madisyn Cameron, Avon, Sr., Setter; 45 kills, 74 aces, 694 assists, 48 blocks, 319 digs.

Sydnie Schauer, Faith, Sr., Setter; 64 kills, 41 aces, 807 assists, 40 blocks, 196 digs.

Chesney Olivier, Ipswich, Jr., Libero; 41 aces, 50 assists, 507 digs.

Jade Hutchinson, Kadoka Area, Jr., OH; 366 kills, 74 aces, 55 assists, 14 blocks, 545 digs.