Kernel players earn all-state selections

Great offensive and defensive players are needed for a team success in volleyball.

And that’s just what the Kernels had in dynamic duo Taylin Alm and Megan Farnham, who were both Class AA all-state selections. The list, comprised of first-team, second-team and honorable-mention honorees, is chosen by South Dakota coaches.

“In volleyball, there’s such distinct roles that have to come together to make a complete team,” Kernels head coach Deb Thill said. “They were a perfect balance for us.”

Middle hitter Alm and libero, or defensive specialist, Farnham had standout seasons, breaking records through the final game of the state tournament in Rapid City.

Thill said Alm, a 6-foot-4 junior, realized her role this season and tried to be “the best terminator” she could be — and that she was.

Alm, who was named to the first team along with six others from other Class AA schools from around the state, led the Kernels this season with 429 kills, a Mitchell High School record. She broke the record at state in the first point of the seventh-place match against Huron.

Farnham was named the second team, being only one of two defensive players to receive the honor.

“Throughout the season, the coaches and teams we faced realized how big of a role she played,” Thill said. “They understand the different needs for each position, and she was one of the best.”

Farnham broke a state tournament record for average digs per set with 7.1. The senior had 85 digs at state alone and tallied 607 digs during the year.

She also broke the MHS record for number of digs in a match three times, setting the mark at 41.

“Megan grew so much as a leader on our team and embraced her role,” Thill said. “Athletically and mentally, she put her all into every game.”

CLASS AA ALL-STATE

First Team

Mikala Hora, Yankton, sr., MH: 376 kills, 250 digs, 41 blocks, 26 aces

Lauren Schad, Rapid City Central, sr., MH: 310 kills, 62 digs, 163 blocks, 26 aces,

Emma Hanson, Washington, sr., MH: 283 kills, 262 digs, 44 blocks, 29 aces

Taylin Alm, Mitchell, jr., MH: 374 kills, 58 digs, 45 blocks, 18 aces

Ashley Beaner, Roosevelt, sr., RS: 230 kills, 233 digs, 53 blocks, 19 aces

Maggie DeJong, Roosevelt, jr., MH: 295 kills, 239 digs, 87 blocks, 28 aces

Lauren McCafferty, Aberdeen Central, sr., OH: 175 kills, 145 digs, 37 blocks, 48 aces

Second Team

Katelyn Allerdings, Huron, sr., MH: 304 kills, 87 blocks, 80 digs, 11 aces

Anna Sykora, Rapid City Stevens, sr., S: 665 assists, 177 digs, 74 kills, 30 aces, 51 blocks

Taryn Kloth, O’Gorman, so., OH: 214 kills, 165 digs, 39 blocks, 52 aces

Mack Rief, Brookings, sr., OH: 276 kills, 135 digs, 33 blocks, 39 aces

Ellie Benson, Washington, jr., L: 433 digs, 14 kills, 10 assists, 23 aces

Steph Buss, Lincoln, jr. MB: 295 kills, 63 digs, 67 blocks, 15 aces

Megan Farnham, Mitchell, sr., L: 522 digs, 16 kills, 12 assists, 22 aces

*Regular season stats

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