Coaches from the 4A East, 3A East, 2A East and 1A East districts gathered this week to determine the top high‑school volleyball athletes on the east side of Wyoming. After selecting the best players in each conference, they met with their western counterparts to crown the all‑state honorees for the 2026 season.
All‑Conference Selections
A total of sixteen players from North‑Central Wyoming high schools earned all‑conference honors. The list reflects a broad distribution of talent across four school districts:
- Sheridan High School: Chalaya Bales, Mesa Hanft, Hailey Hauber
- Big Horn High School: Teeka Baker, Hannah Clark, Afton Cummins, Leah Phillips, Ava Taylor, Lilly Thomas, Maci Winterland
- Tongue River High School: Aubrey Kelty, Lily Maslowski, Oaklee Yeager
- Buffalo High School: Avery Paulson
- Kaycee High School: Valerie Ford, Hadlie Garcia
All‑State Honorees
Eight of the all‑conference athletes also received all‑state recognition, underscoring their exceptional performance throughout the season:
- Chalaya Bales – Sheridan (2026)
- Mesa Hanft – Sheridan (2024, 2025, 2026)
- Hannah Clark – Big Horn (2025, 2026)
- Afton Cummins – Big Horn (2025, 2026)
- Leah Phillips – Big Horn (2024, 2025, 2026)
- Ava Taylor – Big Horn (2026)
- Aubrey Kelty – Tongue River (2025, 2026)
- Lily Maslowski – Tongue River (2025, 2026) – also named 3A (and 3A East) Defensive Player of the Year
What This Means for Local Volleyball
The strong showing from Sheridan, Big Horn, Tongue River and Buffalo schools highlights the depth of talent in Johnson County and the surrounding area. Parents and community members can take pride in the dedication of the student‑athletes, their coaches, and the supportive families who help sustain these programs. The recognition also provides a morale boost heading into the next season, encouraging younger players to strive for similar honors.
School administrators have praised the athletes for balancing rigorous academic schedules with demanding practice and travel commitments. “These young women exemplify the values of hard work, teamwork, and perseverance that we aim to instill in all our students,” said a spokesperson for the Johnson County School District.
Looking Ahead
With the 2026 season now concluded, coaches are already planning off‑season training and recruitment efforts. The all‑state athletes will serve as role models for underclassmen, and many are expected to continue their volleyball careers at the collegiate level.
Fans can look forward to the upcoming spring tournaments, where the momentum from this year’s accolades is likely to translate into strong performances on the court. The community’s continued support—through attendance at games, booster club contributions, and volunteer coaching—remains essential to maintaining the high standard of high‑school volleyball in the region.
Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.
