The Class A volleyball all-state first-team features players from all parts of the state.

The six-player squad, which was selected by the South Dakota Volleyball Coaches Association, features six players from different areas of the state. The first-team includes Belle Fourche’s Mataya Ward, Dakota Valley’s Logan Miller, Elkton-Lake Benton’s Tevan Erickson, Miller’s Tyra Gates, Sioux Falls Christian’s Ellie Lems and Wagner’s Emma Yost. 

Miller is a repeat first-team honoree, while Erickson and Yost were second-team selections last season. Ward was an honorable mention selection last season. 

Ward, a junior outside hitter, registered 537 kills, 441 digs and 89 aces this season. She led the Broncs to a state tournament berth, where they placed eighth.

A 5-foot-8 senior setter, Miller logged 863 assists, 192 digs, 75 kills and 44 aces this season. For her career she finished with 2,678 assists, 544 digs, 214 kills and 131 aces. She guided the Panthers to a consolation championship at the state tournament. 

Erickson paced the Elks to a Class A runner-up finish, their best in school history. Erickson, a junior setter, posted 941 assists, 318 digs, 63 blocks, 62 aces and 56 kills. 

A senior setter, Gates racked up 1,040 assists, 299 digs, 75 kills and 41 aces. Gates and the Rustlers placed fourth at the state tournament. 

Lems powered the Chargers to the Class A state championship, their sixth consecutive title. A senior middle hitter, Lems logged 378 kills, 186 digs and 72 blocks this season. 

Yost, a senior outside hitter, paced Wagner with 330 kills, 502 digs and 39 aces this season. Yost and the Red Raiders placed seventh at state this year. 

South Dakota Volleyball Coaches Association

Class A All-State

First Team:

Mataya Ward, Belle Fourche 5-10 Jr. OH (537 kills, 441 digs, 89 aces)

Logan Miller, Dakota Valley 5-8 Sr. Setter (75 kills, 44 aces, 192 digs, 863 assists)

Tevan Erickson, Elkton-Lake Benton 5-9 Jr. Setter (56 kills, 62 aces, 318 digs, 63 blocks, 941 assists)

Tyra Gates, Miller 5-5 Sr. Setter (75 kills, 41 aces, 299 digs, 1,040 assists)

Ellie Lems, Sioux Falls Christian 6-0 Sr. MH (378 kills, 72 blocks, 186 digs)

Emma Yost, Wagner 5-11, Sr. OH (330 kills, 39 aces, 502 digs)

Second Team:

Alyssa Chytka, Elk Point Jefferson Sr. Libero (48 aces, 485 digs)

Logan Bly, Garretson 6-1 Sr. MH (299 kills, 36 aces, 48 blocks, 289 digs)

Ally Abraham, Hamlin 5-10 Sr. MH (459 kills, 42 aces, 54 blocks, 83 digs)

Audrey Nelson, Madison 6-1, Jr. MH (467 kills, 96 blocks, 258 digs)

Karly VanDerWerff, Platte-Geddes 5-10 Jr. MH (428 kills, 52 aces, 56 blocks, 355 digs)

Olivia Kieffer, Rapid City Christian 5-10, Sr. OH (492 kills, 41 aces, 297 digs)

Peyton Poppema, Sioux Falls Christian 5-10 Sr. OH (299 kills, 291 digs)

Honorable Mention:

Emma Van Regenmorter, Baltic 5-11 Sr. MH-OH (181 kills, 49 blocks)

Carlee Laubach, Canton 5-6 Sr. OH (258 kills, 41 aces, 10 blocks, 385 digs)

Sophie Tuttle, Dakota Valley 5-9 Jr. OH-Libero (293 kills, 44 aces, 244 digs)

Rachael Krog, Elkton-Lake Benton 5-10 Sr. OH (330 kills, 430 digs)

Dani Deffenbaugh, Kimball-White Lake 5-9 Sr. OH (477 kills, 64 aces, 416 digs)

Addisen Barber, Sioux Falls Christian 5-9 So. Setter (1,149 assists, 220 digs)