De Smet’s Kennadi Buchholz was named the Dakota Valley Conference MVP for the 2021-22 season. 

Buchholz became De Smet's all-time leading scorer earlier this season. She's averaging 20.3 points and 13.2 rebounds per game for De Smet, which will play in the Class B state tournament this Thursday-through-Saturday in Watertown.

The senior headlines the all-conference first-team, which also includes Colman-Egan’s Mackenzie Hemmer, Arlington’s Hadley Carlson, Castlewood’s Maddie Horn, Castlewood’s Mackenzie Everson and Dell Rapids St. Mary’s Madala Hanson. 

De Smet, the league champ with a 9-0 record, also landed Jada Burke and Emma Albrecht on the second team. De Smet’s Alyssa Asleson was an honorable mention selection. De Smet’s Brendon Pitts was also selected as the DVC Coach of the Year. 

The complete selections:

First Team: (MVP) Kennadi Buchholz, De Smet; Mackenzie Hemmer, Colman-Egan; Hadley Carlson, Arlington; Maddie Horn, Castlewood; Mackenzie Everson, Castlewood; Madala Hanson, Dell Rapids St. Mary.

Second Team: Jada Burke, De Smet; Emma Albrecht, De Smet; Carley Landmark, Deubrook Area; Emma Vandermeer, Deubrook Area; Ella Griffin, Dell Rapids St. Mary; Addalyn Steffensen, Arlington.

Third Team: Julia Trygstad, Oldham-Ramona/Rutland; Harley Johnson, Arlington; Rachael Krog, Elkton-Lake Benton; Josie Mousel, Colman-Egan; Kate Wegner, Estelline/Hendricks; Kenzy Beare, Estelline/Hendricks.

Honorable Mention: Grace Parry, Arlington; Presley Knecht, Castlewood; Hailey Larson, Colman-Egan; Addyson Gilbert, Dell Rapids St. Mary; Alyssa Asleson, De Smet; Ellie Koenig, Deubrook Area; Tevan Erickson, Elkton-Lake Benton; Sadie Johnson, Estelline/Hendricks; Faith Steffensen, Lake Preston; Alivia Spidle, Oldham-Ramona/Rutland.

Standings

De Smet 9-0

Castlewood 7-2

Arlington 7-2

Colman-Egan 7-2

Deubrook Area 6-3

Dell Rapids St. Mary 4-5

Elkton-Lake Benton 3-6

Estelline/Hendricks 2-7

Oldham-Ramona/Rutland 1-8

Lake Preston 0-9