DeSmith only St. Croix Central volleyball player to receive all-Dunn-St. Croix honors

• Laura DeSmith

Junior Laura DeSmith was honored after a strong season as the Panthers’ setter.

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Junior Laura DeSmith was the only St. Croix Central volleyball player to join the 2011 All-Dunn-St. Croix Conference team, which was announced last week.

DeSmith, the Panthers’ setter, was also named as the team’s Most Valuable Player for the 2011 season.

DeSmith rolled up impressive numbers for the Panthers. She led the team by being on target with 97 percent of her serves and scoring with 19 service aces. She had 226 assists as the team’s setter. Central coach Kerrie Been said that DeSmith is respected by the coaches and opponents around the conference.

“She holds herself to a high standard,” Been said. “She was always communicating with her teammates.”

The team awards were issued last week. Here are the other recipients.

Panther Pride: Shared by seniors Melanne Hill and Alyssa Melby. This award goes to a player who demonstrates consistent effort, no matter what the circumstance. This athlete is always trying and has a great attitude everywhere that she goes.

Hustle Award: Senior Jenna Buckel. The hustle award goes to a player who is a great court player. This athlete is willing to sacrifice her body to keep the ball off of the Panthers’ side of the court.

Most Improved: Sophomore Kayla Pabst. Pabst “has improved in her attacking, her confidence and her overall play,” Been said.

The Panthers lose seven seniors from this year’s team: Hill, Melby, Buckel, Alayna Bodelson, Mackinzi McNamara, Shelby Thomley and Ashley Vermeersch. This leaves 36 girls in the program who could return for next season. Been said with the number of girls returning, the team will have excellent knowledge of the game. She said she is considering a number of possibilities for next season. One of them is trying a 6-2 formation, which would allow DeSmith to play as a setter and a hitter.

Tags: sports, panthers, volleyball, prep