Six local athletes finished off their first year as members of the newly formed Class A by being named all-state, spearheaded by a trio that earned first-team designation. South Prairie-Max’s Skotti Beck and Keira Francis, and Des Lacs-Burlington’s Piper Feller were named to the all-state first team after seasons that resulted in state tournament berths.

Feller – a sophomore outside hitter and the lone underclassman on the first team – did a little bit of everything for the Lakers, who returned to the state tournament for the first time since 2021. She led the Lakers with 390 kills and 339 digs and was third in both aces (26) and blocks (23). During the state tournament, Feller recorded 38 kills, 26 digs, seven aces and two blocks. She was also named to the all-state tournament team.

“Piper Feller is very deserving of making the first-team all-state team,” DL-B coach Erica Moen said. “She gives 100 percent every day at practice and is always ready to compete. She led our team in kills and digs this year. She was a key player for us in many of our big games and a leader on the court.”

While it didn’t lead to a state title, South Prairie-Max had a stellar season, and Beck and Francis were two big reasons for the success. The Royals went undefeated in region play during the regular season and earned the top seed into the Region 3 Tournament, which they won to punch their second consecutive trip to the state tournament. South Prairie-Max received the top seed at the state tournament and placed fourth.

Beck and Francis were 1-2 in kills, aces and digs. Beck led the Royals with 387 digs and 67 aces and was second in kills with 329.

“Skotti’s all-state honor is a reflection of her work ethic and her ability to impact the game at every level,” South Prairie-Max coach Lisa McQueen said. “She was an outstanding leader for us on the court this year, playing with tremendous intensity and heart.”

Francis had a team-high 395 kills and was second in both digs (296) and aces (63).

“Keira plays with heart and determination,” McQueen said. “As an outside hitter, she was a true leader for us and played a major role in helping our team achieve so many great things this year. Her energy and consistency made a difference every time she stepped on the court.”

The duo combined for 75 kills, 75 digs and four aces at the state tournament and both were named to the all-state tournament team.

Other members of the first team were: Alayna Foster-DeVold (Oak Grove), Julia Heidt (Grafton), Sophia Heringer (Shiloh Christian), Kya Hurst (Thompson), Kadie Kocka (Valley City), Paetyn Strand (May-Port-C-G), Izzy Thompson (Central Cass), Madi Wegleitner (Dickinson Trinity) and Harper Wrigley (Shiloh Christian).

Three more athletes were honored with second-team all-state nods. Bottineau’s Karsyn Allard, Rugby’s Alli Blessum and Stanley’s Danica Hermanson all made the 12-athlete list. Rugby came within a game of advancing to the state tournament. The Panthers won the Region 3 Tournament third-place match to advance to a state qualifier against Dickinson Trinity. Bottineau finished the regular season third in the region and Stanley finished fifth.

The rest of the second team was comprised of Addie Dale-Geiger (Beulah), Aniston Hoornaert (Carrington), Tess Jalbert (Northern Cass), Harper Kollman (Carrington), Bailey Mattson (Watford City), Aspyn Prien (Central Cass), Taylor Sanders (Kindred), Annabel Scheeler (Dickinson Trinity) and Hudson Zerface (May-Port-C-G).

Thompson was named the senior athlete of the year and Central Cass’ Dana Stansbery was named the coach of the year.