RISING STAR — Martin County West’s Emily Anderson (9) elevates to hammer a spike over a block set by a Jackson County Central defender during regular-season volleyball action on Oct. 9 in Trimont. Anderson has been selected as the 2023 Sentinel All-Area volleyball player of the year. It’s the second consecutive time that Anderson has netted the annual honor. (Photo by Greg Abel)

TRIMONT — Back-to-back Sentinel All-Area volleyball player of the year.

Martin County West junior hitter/setter Emily Anderson claimed that title for the second consecutive season, in addition to earning her third straight selection to the newspaper’s annual elite spiking squad.

Anderson ended her junior season with 241 kills, 27 service aces, 83 set assists, 190 digs and seven blocks. Her versatility is something the Mavericks harnessed by moving her around from hitting positions near the net to back into more playmaking spots in the middle, and also using her as a mainstay in their service rotation.

While it is clear that Anderson is a force on the court, there are still things she wants to improve.

“I’d like to improve my communication out on the court,” Anderson said. “Our team is very young and quiet and I need to improve at leading the team through the ups and downs.”

Anderson is always focused on improving not just for herself but for the sake of the Mavericks as she knows these moments are precious.

“I’m heading into my last high school season next year and I have worked hard up to this point and will continue to, so next season will be about taking in all the moments,” Anderson said. “I’ve been talking to some college coaches, and I plan on either pursuing volleyball or basketball at the college level.”

Anderson is getting set for her junior season in basketball at the moment and even though she isn’t a senior just yet, she will have something to cherish this year.

“It will be a bit different this season with my dad (Cliff) coaching me in high school (basketball) for the first time, so hopefully we go far,” Emily Anderson said.

If Emily does decide to pursue one of her two sports in college, she will join her brother Zach, who currently preparing for his freshman basketball season at Wayne State College.

Maddie Carlson (Martin County West) — One of her young teammates who Anderson previously mentioned is freshman hitter Maddie Carlson.

Carlson is the Mavericks’ second All-Area choice and complemented Anderson throughout the recently-completed season.

Carlson finished the year on the opposite side of Anderson with 102 kills, 213 digs, three set assists and two blocks. The freshman hitter ended her first season with a serve completion rate of 94.3 percent as well as a team-leading 29 aces.

As the Mavericks begin looking toward next season, they will be counting on both Anderson and Carlson to help lead the way this offseason.

Brylee Miller (Fairmont) — Moving over from Martin County West to Fairmont, another underclassmen earned All-Area recognition in Brylee Miller.

The sophomore middle hitter was the first selection from the Cardinals for this year’s elite team.

Miller finished 2023 with 154 kills, 13 set assists, 304 digs and 37 blocks.

Miller provided her most value to the team from the service area where she racked up 37 service aces on 227 attempts for the Cardinals.

For her two-year varsity career, Miller now has produced 297 kills, 25 set assists, 55 service aces, 599 digs and 62 blocks.

Grace Pendergast (Fairmont)– Joining Miller on the All-Area team is senior setter/right-side hitter Grace Pendergast.

Pendergast finished her final high school season with 39 kills, 235 set assists, 28 aces, 151 digs and 12 blocks.

The senior finished her volleyball playing days at Fairmont with 116 career kills, 680 set assists, 63 service aces, 403 digs and 26 blocks.

While Pendergast will not return for the Cardinals next season, look for Miller to step up yet again.

Hailey Becker (Blue Earth Area)– Blue Earth Area senior setter/right-side hitter Hailey Becker is one of the Bucs’ two selections for this season’s All-Area squad.

Becker’s final season for the Bucs volleyball team ended with her putting up 65 kills, 323 set assists, 34 service aces, 14 blocks and 98 digs.

Becker’s 86.5 percent serve success rate was the second highest on the Bucs team this year, falling slightly short of Blue Earth Area’s other choice.

Taylor Klabunde (Blue Earth Area)– Joining Becker for the Bucs on the All-Area team is fellow senior libero Taylor Klabunde.

Klabunde finished her senior season for the Bucs with 342 digs, 17 service aces and eight set assists.

Klabunde was great at keeping things in check for the Bucs this season.

She ended the year averaging 4.8 digs per game, while also receiving 479 opposing serves and comitting just 45 errors.

Klabunde’s 94 percent serve success rate was atop the entire team.

Londyn Bowers (Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman)– Londyn Bowers is making her second All-Area team appearance this year as a sophomore for the Jaguars.

Following her impressive freshman season with a sophomore campaign where she ended up with 148 kills, 301 digs and 33 service aces.

Bowers’ serve success rate was a stellar 73 percent on the season.

Bower’s is joined on the All-Area squad this year by her fellow Jaguar outside hitter Brianna Petrowiak.

Brianna Petrowiak (Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman)– Jaguars senior hitter Brianna Petrwiak was Bowers’ partner along the front line this fall.

Petrowiak ended her fourth and final year for the Jaguars with 136 kills, 252 digs and 27 service aces.

Petrowiak was slightly more efficient with her serve opportunities than Bowers, finishing with a 76 percent serve success rate.

The last pair of All-Area team members come from North Union High School in Armstrong, Iowa.

Libby Stevens (North Union)– Stevens returns to the All-Area team this season for the second year in a row.

The senior setter finished her final prep year with the Warriors with 510 set assists, 47 kills, 236 digs, 29 service aces and 18 blocks.

Stevens played her role as the Warriors’ setter to perfection all year long, setting up her teammates with scoring opportunities galore.

She is joined by sophomore teammate Brylie Deim on this year’s All-Area squad.

Brylie Deim (North Union)– Sophomore Brylie Deim is the final nominee for the All-Area volleyball team this year.

Deim had a good season for the Warriors, putting up 144 kills, 65 digs and 36 blocks on the year.

Known more for her defensive presence on the court, Deim will look to make this list again next season as she will take on a larger role for North Union next fall.