M-P-B's Thomas makes All-State

Allison Thomas could be described as Coach Jacie Connell's "Swiss Army knife" for the M-P-B Thunder volleyball program.

Like the legendary utilitarian tool, Thomas did a little bit of everything on the court in her five years of varsity play. From helping to carry the Thunder offense at the net, to her work as an elite back row passer and defender, the 5'6" standout athlete was one of the most visible players in District 6 and Region 3 for a several-year span.

Even though her stellar career came to a premature end in the District 6 Tournament in Napoleon due to a knee injury, Thomas was honored by being selected as the Senior Athlete of the Year for both the district and region.

The kudos didn't stop there, as Thomas has been named to the Second Team of the North Dakota High School Coaches Association (NDHSCA)'s All-State Volleyball Team. The teams were announced on Tuesday, November 21, after last week's edition of the Independent went to press due to Thanksgiving deadlines.

In the past season, Thomas finished with 323 kills, 614 digs, 40 aces, 40 blocks and 10 assists to lead the Thunder to the regular-season top seed in the District 6 tourney, but was unable to play in the championship match, which was won by Linton-HMB. For her career, she became a member of the 2,000 dig (2,263 total) and 1,000 kill (1,068) clubs this fall.

Allison is the second of her siblings to be named as an All-State player. Her older sister, Jordan, made the team for the Thunder in 2015.

Additional players from Region 3 to make the All-State teams were libero and District 5 Senior Athlete of the Year Tiahna Wald of Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier, along with junior Ann Muggli of Oakes. Both were First Team selections.

Notable players selected

New Rockford-Sheyenne's Kelsie Belquist, regarded as one of the best all-around athletes in the state, put another plaque on her mantle by being named the Class B Senior Athlete of the Year, as well as being selected to the First Team.

Belquist helped lead the Rockets to both of the school's Class B tournament berths in 2022 and 2023, and has posted career marks of 1,521 kills, 1,362 digs, 129 aces, 101 blocks and 86 assists for Coach Sara Myhre's team.

The multi-year state individual track and field champion and overall state record holder in several events recently committed to the Big 10's University of Nebraska, and will compete for the Cornhuskers in that sport.

Back-to-back state champion Northern Cass had one selection to the First Team, 6'3" senior middle hitter Josie Jensen, along with second teamer Ellie Lucas. Additional state tournament teams represented on All-State squads included Dickinson Trinity (Delaney Deschamp, Ava Jahner), Our Redeemer's (Leah Lindquist, Maya Vibeto), May-Port-CG (Rylee Satrom, Danica Hanson) and Shiloh Christian (Dedra Wood).

Region 4 power Langdon/Edmore/Munich had a pair of top team honorees in seniors Cora Badding and Jalynn Swanson.

The May-Port-CG Patriots' Stacy Hanson was named the NDHSCA Class B Coach of the Year.

A full list of All-State team members are as follows:

NDHSCA All-State Volleyball Team

First Team

Cora Badding, Sr., and Jalynn Swanson, Sr., L/E/M; Kelsie Belquist, Sr., NR-S; Delaney Deschamp, Sr., and Ava Jahner, Sr., Dickinson Trinity; Rylee Fleck, Sr., Flasher; Josie Jensen, Sr., Northern Cass; Leah Lindquist, Sr., and Maya Vibeto, Sr., Our Redeemer's; Brenna Martin, Sr., Thompson; Ann Muggli, Jr., Oakes; Rylee Satrom, Sr., May-Port-CG; Kylie Simpson, Sr., Bottineau; Anne Stroklund, Jr., Kenmare/Bowbells; Azjiah Trader, Jr., South Prairie/Max; Tiahna Wald, Sr., Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier

Second Team

Shea Barron, Sr., and Savana Filibeck, Sr., Beulah; Danica Hanson, Sr., May-Port-CG; Ellie Lucas, Sr., Northern Cass; Caroline Puetz, Sr., Wyndmere/Lidgerwood; Allison Thomas, Sr., M-P-B; Chinelo Udekwe, Sr., Bishop Ryan; Dedra Wood, Sr., Shiloh Christian

NDHSCA Class B Senior Athlete of the Year

Kelsie Belquist, NR-S

NDHSCA Class B Coach of the Year

Stacy Hanson, May-Port-CG