The Saratoga Sun -

It was a big year for the Saratoga Lady Panthers in volleyball. Not only did they make it to the State Championship, but they were able to make it all the way to the Championship Round where they faced off against the Cokeville Lady Panthers and secured the No. 2 spot in the 1A Conference. Capping off the season, four Lady Panthers were nominated for All-Conference honors with two getting All-State honors as well.

All-Conference honors are given to players in each conference and are voted on by the head coaches in their conference. This year, those honors were awarded to two juniors, Lexi Herring and Tasia Daley, and two seniors, Aubrey Berger and Taylor Bennett.

"It feels pretty cool knowing that other coaches recognize the work that you're putting in for your team and helping push where you need to be," said Daley.

Herring also added that it was an honor to be selected for All-Conference honors. Of the four players, Berger and Bennett were also voted on for All-State honors. When it comes to All-State, players are voted on by head coaches throughout the state. It should also be noted that Bennett was awarded MaxPreps Player of the Week earlier in the season and Berger was awarded MaxPreps Player of the Week for the second year in a row following the end of the season.

"It's an honor that coaches recognize it and the work you put it in the off season pays off," said Berger about being awarded All-State.

Bennett, similarly, stated that it was an honor, but also said that a large part of being awarded was thanks to the team.

"It's really an honor, but I think it also speaks to your team because they're there with you everyday pushing you get get better. That two of us did means we have a pretty darn good team," said Bennett.

This is the second year that both Berger and Bennett received All-State honors. Both players received All-State honors in 2018 when they were juniors.

Both the All-Conference honors and the All-State honors seem to be deserving of the award.

Herring, over the course of the season, dealt 15 kills and served a total of 54 aces with 94 percent successful serves. She also had a total of 238 digs.

Joshua Wood

Aubrey Berger, who was awarded All-State honors, gets down on the floor for a return during a game earlier in the season.

Daley, meanwhile, dealt 6 kills and served 28 aces with 85 percent successful serves and 614 digs throughout the course of the season.

Bennett dealt 180 kills this season and served 40 aces with a 96 percent success rating. She also had 116 solo blocks and 30 block assists. The senior also had a total of 194 digs this eason.

Berger was the lead killer this season with 208 kills dealt across 87 sets played. She also served a total of 54 aces, tying with Herring. In digging she sat comfortably between Herring and Daley with 389 digs.

In addition to the season, both seniors also sport a significant career when looking at the stats. 

Berger played a total of 306 sets over the past four years, dealt 598 kills, blocked 125 times, had 1199 digs and served 169 aces.

Bennett, meanwhile, played a total of 312 sets in four years, dealt 327 kills, blocked 275 times, had 636 digs and served 83 aces.