Horn earns elite honors for SE
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Eden Horn was one of seven players named to the first elite all-North Central Conference volleyball team, the league announced.
Horn, a sophomore for St. Edmond, was also unanimous first-team all-NCC Pride division. This fall marked the first time the conference has been split into two divisions after the addition of several teams.
Joining Horn was classmate Ella Vandi, as she made the second team for the Gaels.
The elite squad included Humboldt's Adelynn Goodell and Addie Waldorf; Algona's Kate Limbaugh; Clear Lake's Aria Johnson; Carlea Dagel of Iowa Falls-Alden; and Reese Schleusner of Garner-Hayfield/Ventura.
Waldorf and Limbaugh were unanimous repeat selections, and Goodell also made a second appearance on the first team.
Humboldt, a Class 3A state tournament qualifier, won the Tradition division while Garner-Hayfield/Ventura captured the Pride title. The Wildcats were the lone undefeated NCC team this year.
St. Edmond reached a 1A regional final, going 16-19 overall while placing fourth in the division.
Horn, an all-NCC second team pick a year ago, had 137 kills in 11 league matches. She also recorded 19 blocks and 20 aces, serving 94 of 122 attempts successfully.
"Eden had an incredible season," SEHS head coach Lindsay Heffernan said. "She has been the leading force offensively for our team all year, keeping us alive in most games. Her stats are even more impressive when compared to other players due to her being such a large part of our offense.
"Some teams keep you guessing who they will set, whereas Eden had to hit around a strong block on most of her attempts. She has continued to challenge herself with her mental game and has improved leaps and bounds this season. Her ceiling is high and I can't wait to see where she goes."
Vandi, who made the all-NCC third team as a freshman, had 122 digs with 18 assists and eight aces, serving 92 percent in the conference.
"Ella leads our team defensively and with her serve-receive," Heffernan said. "Her reaction time and effort to reach balls most players at the high school level don't even attempt at is why she earns her spot on the court.
"She continues to push herself to get better even when new concepts and techniques are presented. She has always been an effort kid and that effort has gotten lots of other coaches to turn their heads and respect her abilities on the volleyball court."
Goodell and Waldorf were unanimous selections, with teammate Jazzie Dodd joining them on the first team. Grace Johnson and Callie Olsen made the second for Humboldt.
Algona's Limbaugh was unanimous first team, with Ella Landau also on the first and Hayden McLaughlin on the second. Webster City's Tristyn Wright made the first and Evie Davis the second.
Ella Engstrom of Clarion-Goldfield/Dows was unanimous first team in the Pride division, with Harper Nerlien making the first, and Blaire Askelsen, Ella Fineran and Kinlee Nail the second.