Six Fort Dodge volleyball players were honored for their efforts this season in the CIML Iowa All-Conference selections.

Senior Katie Niesen was the lone Dodger on first team, while junior Marisa Gibson and senior Hannah Vorrie made second team. Senior Sam Cochrane and juniors Krista Thompson and Maggie Rowden also received honorable mention accolades.

Fort Dodge placed third in the CIML Iowa Conference with a 3-2 mark and were 19-14 overall.

"To finish just under 20 wins was quite an accomplishment," said Cochrane. "We're going to lose a lot of seniors, but our underclassmen have a lot to prove as well."

Niesen - who played at setter this season - helped orchastrate the Fort Dodge attack leading the team with 523 assists on the season with nearly six per game.

Niesen also finished the year with 40 kills, 86 digs, 46 blocks and went 222 of 230 serving with an efficiency rating of .965.

"Katie certainly earned it and came a long way," Cochrane said. "She was our team captain and worked very hard to become the player she was."

Gibson was one of three juniors to land a spot on either the first or second teams. Gibson led the team in kills with 205 as the outside hitter. Gibson also finished the year with 112 digs and went 189 of 220 serving.

Vorrie was also named to the second team at outside hitter. Vorrie had 162 kills on the season and led the team with 62 blocks.

"Marisa and Hannah were real consistent," said Cochrane. "I was glad to get a couple on the second team, too, because it showed just how well-rounded we were."

Cochrane, Thompson and Rowden were named honorable mention. Cochrane led the team with 156 digs at defensive specialist. Thompson also had 154 kills at defensive specialist. Rowden - an outside hitter - had 99 kill, 84 digs and 19 blocks.

"Sam and Krista were both back row specialists, and Maggie rounded out the hitting team," Cochrane said. "They all did a nice job for us."

Contact Brady Johnson at (515) 573-2141 or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net