Mitchell's Nelson earns Class AA all-state volleyball honor

Mitchell High School volleyball coach Deb Thill was not surprised to see her senior setter’s name on the Class AA all-state team, which was released Thursday.

After all, Charlee Nelson was the topic of conversation when Thill talked to opposing coaches all season long.

“I wasn’t surprised at all,” Thill said of Nelson’s selection. “I expected her to be on the team because I knew she had the athletic ability and the talent as a setter.

“Every team that we played was very complimentary of her skills and the way she played all year.”

The 5-foot-6 Nelson was one of seven first-team players, who were chosen by the South Dakota Volleyball Coaches Association.

“I didn’t even think about it throughout the year,” Nelson said of the honor. “I think my leadership skills were probably my biggest strength. I just wanted to keep our team’s intensity up.”

She did that without a doubt.

Nelson finished the season with 739 assists, 46 aces and 183 digs. She set a school record for assists in a match with 63 against Rapid City Central at MHS earlier this season.

“It was definitely one of my goals to break that record this season,” Nelson said.

The old record of 52 assists was held by Gina Baldwin, a former Class AA Miss Volleyball who went on to set for the University of South Dakota.

Nelson said she still is undecided about her future in volleyball.

Thill is confident the Kernels will miss her in the center of their offense.

“She can run an offense that most high school setters don’t,” Thill said of Nelson. “She can run numerous offensive options and she can set all of them.

“She reads blockers and defenses and makes everyone on the court better because of her intelligence.”

Huron senior TyAnn Buddenhagen also was named to the team as a setter/hitter.

Other first-teamers were Aberdeen Central libero Paula Ruelas, Sioux Falls Lincoln outside hitter Erin Radke, Yankton outside hitter Mikala Hora and Sioux Falls Roosevelt hitters Wagner Larson and Haley Chambers.

Second Team

Lauren Tadlock, Rapid City Central, sr., 5-11, outside hitter

Margaret McCloud, Rapid City Stevens, jr., 6-1, middle blocker

Kacey Hermann, Rapid City Stevens, jr., 6-0, middle blocker

Emily Schultz, Sioux Falls Lincoln, sr., 5-8, outside hitter

Ashlyn Hazard, Sioux Falls Washington, jr., 5-11, middle hitter

Emma Hanson, Sioux Falls Washington, so., 5-10, middle hitter

Alanna Pengilly, Watertown, sr., 5-3, libero

Tia Hemiller, Watertown, jr., 5-6, outside hitter

Tags: high school volleyball, charlee nelson, sports, kernels