Versatility, leadership, competitiveness and consistency are hallmarks of the 2009 Class AA All-State Volleyball Team.

South Dakota high school volleyball coaches selected four seniors, two juniors and one sophomore for the first team.

Sophomore middle blocker Margaret McCloud of Rapid City Stevens broke new ground at her school this year. She is the first non-senior to be voted team captain by her peers in school history.

“Margaret is a very selfless player,” said Rapid City Stevens coach Josh Lien. “When presented with her all-tournament award, she asked if she could give the plaque back because she didn’t feel she did anything more than her teammates during the course of the tournament.”

Joining McCloud on the first team are Aberdeen Central senior outside hitter Alison Kusler and junior libero Paula Ruelas.

“Alison is one of the most explosive attackers that I’ve seen,” said Aberdeen Central coach Dennis Northrup. “She has led the Eagles in attacks for the past two seasons. She has a great understanding of the game and an uncanny ability to see the floor at all times. Every phase of her game is very good. She leads by example and is very helpful to her teammates. She has a great jump serve that is also explosive. When the game is on the line, Alison wants the ball. She just wouldn’t let this team fail.”

Northrup said Ruelas’ greatest attribute is her quickness.

“She gets to so many balls that others don’t try for. She has learned to read hitters from her position and to direct our defense. She’s the defensive coach on the floor. You can just see the passion that she has for the sport. She has also become the passer on the team. The more that she passes, the better we play. Her leadership abilities have expanded tremendously. Throw in the fact that she has a great jump serve and you understand why she is as good as she is.”

For the last three years, Brookings senior outside hitter Erinn Osborne has been causing problems for opponents from all three hitting positions as well as being a strong server.

“She is a role model, natural leader and team motivator who has her teammates coming to her as one of the captains as well as a friend,” said Brookings coach Camrin Vaux. “Her knowledge of the game exceeds most high school athletes as she respects the game for its demands and trials along with the pure satisfaction of playing.”

Third-place state finisher Roosevelt will return an important building block next season in junior middle hitter Wagner Larson.

The three-year starter “puts up a huge block and runs the quick offense for us on the front line,” said Sioux Falls Roosevelt coach Holly Lynch. “She is able to hit a variety of offensive attacks and keeps blockers on the other side guessing where she is going to hit. She was the AA leader in blocks this year, and the beauty of her is that we get to have her for one more year.”

Senior middle hitter Abby Meyers has done it all during her three years as a starter for Sioux Falls O’Gorman.

“The combination of her athleticism, knowledge of the game, and court experience makes her a dynamic competitor,” said Sioux Falls O’Gorman coach Renae Kuchta. “Abby was an all-around player who was a threat to opponents whether she was in the front row getting kills and setting a solid block, or in the back row serving aggressively and making key plays defensively. She was our go-to player in crucial rallies whose confidence in those type of situations allowed her to be a play maker and leader for our team.”

Whereever senior middle hitter Marcelina Glab played for Watertown, she shined.

“Marcelina is as well-rounded as they come in South Dakota,” said Watertown coach Tiffany Beste. “She is as consistent and reliable in the back row as she is in the front row. Marcelina lead by example and showed her teammates what was possible to accomplish on the court.”

Class AA All-State

Volleyball

First Team

Alison Kusler of Aberdeen Central: 5-9 senior outside hitter; 299 kills, 646-697 attacking; 33 aces, 225-248 serving; 44 blocks; 206 digs.

Paula Ruelas of Aberdeen Central: 5-2 junior libero; 14 kills, 41-49; 22 aces, 231-253 serving; 9 assists, 35-39 setting; 407 digs.

Erinn Osborne of Brookings: 5-11 senior outside hitter; 242 kills, 576-712 attacking; 42 aces, 256-278 serving; 36 blocks; 115 digs.

Margaret McCloud of Rapid City Stevens: 6-1 sophomore middle blocker; 204 kills, 375-415 attacking; 48 aces, 301-341 serving; 126 blocks; 58 digs.

Abby Meyers of Sioux Falls O’Gorman: 6-1 senior middle hitter; 264 kills, 527-613 attacking; 30 aces, 234-262 serving; 75 blocks; 137 digs.

Wagner Larson of Sioux Falls Roosevelt: 6-1 junior middle hitter; 159 kills, 304-338 attacking; 26 aces, 224-249 serving; 97 blocks; 57 digs.

Marcelina Glab of Watertown: 6-2 senior middle hitter; 393 kills, 774-920 attacking; 22 aces, 237-269 serving; 75 blocks; 245 digs.

Second Team

Abby Taffe of Aberdeen Central: 5-4 senior setter; 48 kills, 133-141; 24 aces, 246-267 serving; 540 assists, 1,448-1,458 setting; 10 blocks; 201 digs.

Katie Gordon of Brookings: 5-9 senior outside hitter-defensive specialist; 243 kills, 610-753 attacking; 35 aces, 302-353 serving; 22 blocks; 290 digs.

Mandi Robish of Huron: 5-5 senior libero; 35 aces, 267-303 serving; 15 assists, 79-81 setting; 567 digs.

Lauren Tadlock of Rapid City Central: 5-11 junior all-around player; 193 kills, 556-612 attacking; 13 aces, 204-222 serving; 27 blocks; 215 digs.

Justine Blade of Rapid City Stevens: 6-1 senior middle blocker; 146 kills, 284-311; 60 blocks.

Anne Aamlid of Sioux Falls Roosevelt: 6-1 senior middle hitter; 98 kills, 175-191 attacking; 82 blocks; 16 digs.

Ashlyn Hazard of Sioux Falls Washington: 5-10 sophomore middle blocker; 270 kills, 266-317 attacking; 49 aces, 281-313 attacking; 67 blocks; 310 digs.