The Hatchet volleyball team dominated in the GNC this year-its perfect 12-0 record providing a five-match winning cushion-so it’s no surprise that they captured the lion’s share of the All-Conference positions.
Senior setter/hitter Anna Sudbury was named the GNC Player of the Year, while Coach Jen Pfanerstill shared COY honors with runner-up Rhinelander’s Kathy Wawrzynowicz.
Sudbury was a unanimous pick for the First Team and she was joined on the squad by senior middle hitter Kellan Flynn.
Senior middle hitter Kayli Ogstad and freshman outside hitter Anna Nyberg worked their way onto the Second Team, and senior libero (defensive specialist) Kelsey Paramore picked up HM.
Flynn and Sudbury both were named to the WIAA State All-Tournament team, and Flynn received WVCA Third Team and Sudbury was HM.
Sudbury led the GNC in assists at 9.4 per game, and was 7th in both blocks (.8 pg) and serving percentage (.939). Flynn ranked 3rd in attack % (.362), 5th in blocks (.9 pg) and 6th in kills (3.1 pg).
“Anna really worked to become a vocal leader as the season progressed,” Pfannerstill said. “She did a tremendous job leading her team and making good decisions with the volleyball. She is a great athlete and used that athleticism to make her into a great volleyball player.
“By having such high expectations for herself she really encouraged her team to step up to the challenge the season presented and the goals that they were eventually able to reach. As a setter, she ranks as the best in the conference and region, and as one of the best in the state.
“Kellan’s impact on the program was huge. She really took the team on her shoulders at State and learned how to be a leader.The passion she exhibited in that semi-final match was so much fun to watch! To see her love of the game all over her face was so cool.
“Kellan also used her athleticism as a springboard to be a a great volleyball player. She was one of the best middle blockers in the state. The power that she has is just incredible and her ability to solo block is phenomenal.”
Ogstad rated 4th in blocks (1.1 pg) and aces (.6 pg), and 7th in attack % (.295). Nyberg finished 4th in digs (3.2 pg), tied for 4th in kills (3.4 pg), 6th in serving % (.940), 8th in attck % (.269) and 9th in aces (.5 pg).
Paramore placed 3rd in digs (3.6 pg) and tied for 4th in aces (.6 pg).
“Kayli is the unsung hero,” Pfannerstill said. “Teams planned around Kellan, but when they did Kayli really made them pay. She was in the right place at the right time, often, and could really make some crucial plays at important times. I was very impressed with her leadership abilities throughout the entire season and her emphasis on her team before herself. She really exemplifies a team player and was so crucial to our success. Her effort at the end of the season while playing with a stress fracture in her foot was amazing.
“Anna had a great deal of pressure placed on her with the graduation of two impressive outside hitters from last year’s team. We expected her, as a freshman, to step in and take over a major role and be a big contributor in terms of points scored. She really lived up to those expectations and became one of the best outside hitters in the conference, and in the region. Her future is so bright, she is definitely passionate about the game and will, again, be a major contributor for us next year.
“Kelsey really did a great job of stepping up to the challenge of being the libero for us. A great deal of our success was dependent upon Kelsey’s ability to learn the system and take over the role of primary passer and court leader. She really embraced this challenge and worked so hard during preseason to meet the expectations we placed on her. She really developed into a solid player for us.”