The Kemmerer High School volleyball team may not have had the run through the playoffs they were hoping for, but the Lady Rangers were well-represented when postseason accolades were announced last week, with five players earning 2A Southwest All-Conference honors.

Seniors Gracee Painter and Sophie Archibald and juniors Janae Skidmore, Natasha Martinez and Laynee Walker were recognized by the head coaches in their conference for their play on the court during the 2023 season.

First-year head coach Jodie King was named 2A Southwest Coach of the Year. The Lady Rangers finished with a 9-24-3 record, but were 5-1 in the 2A Southwest Quadrant, and entered the 2A West Regional Tournament as the No.1-seed out of the southwest. 

After winning a 5-set thriller against Wind River to open the tournament, Kemmerer fell to Rocky Mountain and Big Piney, just missing a return trip to the 2A State Tournament.

Listed as a setter and right-side hitter, Painter led the team in kills (142) and kills per set (1.6). The senior also led the team at the service line, with 49 aces, and was tied for second on the team in total blocks with 25. Painter finished the season with 173 digs, and led the team in assists, with 249.

Fellow senior Archibald finished the season with 46 kills in 68 sets, to go along with six aces, 13 blocks and 59 digs.

Skidmore led the list of talented juniors with 127 kills, good enough for second on the team; she led the team in total blocks, with 29. Skidmore was third on the team in digs (199), and finished the season tied for fourth on the team in aces, with 23.

Walker was third on the team in kills with 92, and led the team in digs, with 272. The junior outside hitter tied for fourth on the team in aces with 23, and finished the season with 14 total blocks.

Martinez was fourth on the team in kills with 66, and second on the team in aces, with 40. The junior outside hitter was fourth on the team in digs, with 196.