Valley volleyball players make all-conference, all-state

One volleyball player from Saratoga and three volleyball players from Encampment made the All-Conference Volleyball Team.

Josie Little, of Saratoga, made the list while Kyenna Jackson, Kristie Jordan and Eckerley Pickett, of Encampment were added to the honor list.

Jackson also made the all-state volleyball team.

All four players are seniors at their respective schools.

Little made the all-conference list in 2023 and Jackson has made the all-conference list in 2022 and 2023.

Little said she has worked very hard this year and was proud to have gotten the recognition, but she felt other players on her team deserve to be selected as well.

Jackson wasn’t sure what to say about her three-time all conference award. She is a fighter on the court, but off the court she is very quiet, humble and shy. On her state award, she credited her teammates. “I would not have won this award if it had not been for my teammates being there [for me],” Jackson said.

Jordan said it was a blessing to get this achievement as I have worked so hard and so long. It is good to be recognized.

Pickett said she was very grateful for her award and that it was a good experience. This was Pickett’s first year winning all-conference.

All-conference players are chosen based on a variety of criteria which includes a coaches nomination. Coaches nominate players from their own team and then vote for the best players on the ballot. Coaches are usually not allowed to vote for their own players. Only 14 are selected for each class.

Players are selected based on their individual and team performance, statistics and character. Each nominee must compete in at least half of the conference games.