Cactus High's Dallmann named West Valley Player of the Year

Glendale Cactus High School volleyball coach Lindsay Walls didn't tell Kelli Dallmann right away that she earned West Valley Region Player of the Year honors.

Walls wanted to avoid distractions during the Cobras' playoff push, so she waited until after the championship match to inform her star setter of the news. But there was more to come. Dallmann also was named to The Republic's All-Arizona volleyball team as one of the top six players in the state.

Dallmann can now add another honor: The Republic's West Valley girls volleyball Player of the Year.

"I was surprised," Dallmann said. "There are so many good players, so you just never know."

Walls didn't know how much attention Cactus, a Class 4A Division I school, would get compared to the larger 5A schools, so she was excited when she found out.

"I was just hoping that her efforts and her abilities would be recognized," Walls said. "You hope that your kids get the recognition that you feel they deserve. You compare them to other schools and other players, so I was very happy because I think she's very much deserving of it."

Cactus lost to Phoenix Sunnyslope for the 4A-I state title, but had an impressive season. Walls said the girls played with unselfish attitudes. They had great chemistry, knowing every member of the team needs to makes contributions to win.

"I'm very proud of the way they played," Walls said. "It wasn't the way we wanted things to work out in the end, but that shouldn't negate a great season leading up to that."

Dallmann cares more about the team's success than her individual accomplishments. She has played varsity since she was a freshman, and was on the team that Walls coached to the state championship in 2006. She wanted to have a memorable senior season, so making it to another championship match was fulfilling.

Next fall, Dallmann will be taking her skills to Northern Arizona University. She was offered a full-ride scholarship and immediately accepted it. She's looking forward to playing all over the country, but simply being able to compete at the next level is what really has her ready to go.

"I'm very pumped," Dallmann said. "I'm just so excited. I'm glad that I got the opportunity, and I think it's going to be really fun."

Dallmann said she's going to miss her high school teammates, but Walls assured her that the college experience is special. Walls told her she will grow as a person, become more responsible and make lifelong friends.

Walls admitted replacing Dallmann next season will be a tough task, but she's happy NAU gained a talented player and team leader.

"That was her goal, to play at NAU," Walls said. "So many people have goals to play at certain places, and then you end up going somewhere else or settling on something different. It really worked out for her."

Dallmann hasn't decided what she wants to study in college. For now, her only concern is to start for the Lumberjacks next season.

"I want to have a good four years in college," Dallmann said. "I don't know what to expect, but I just want to improve."

Kelli Dallmann