Messenger photos by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge senior Meah McCaleb was a first team all-IAC Northern division selection for the 2024 campaign.

Six Fort Dodge volleyball players were named to the all-Iowa Alliance Conference North division squad, the league announced recently.

Meah McCaleb, Cadence Touney and LJ Maehl each made the first team while Lucy Porter was on the second. Braxtyn Dencklau and Maeleena Meyer were honorable mention selections.

McCaleb, a senior, was unanimously selected to the top group by the coaches. She led division action in digs with 296, and was third in both kills (153) and aces (40).

“Meah was very deserving of being a unanimous selection,” FDSH co-head coach Julie Astor said. “Her stats say it all, as she was in the Top-7 in the conference in almost every category. We asked a lot out of her as a six-rotation player, and when we needed to, she stepped into a new role as setter.

“Her defense was outstanding and she is just a solid, versatile player who understands the game.”

Touney, also a senior who has committed to Iowa Central for volleyball, was second with 164 kills to lead the Dodgers, while adding 191 digs and 40 blocks. She also had 17 aces and served at a 96 percent rate.

“Cadence was another strong six-rotation player,” Astor said. “She stepped up her game this season, playing all the way around. We asked her to hit from anywhere and she delivered, along with making her presence known at the net.”

Maehl ended her junior season as the division leader in blocks with 78. She recorded 92 kills with 34 digs.

Maehl finished 21st in the state for all classes in blocks.

“LJ came into her own as a blocker,” Astor said. “She made the opposing team work around her, and that even carried over to when she was in the back.

“We are very lucky to have her for another season. I am looking forward to big things from LJ as a senior.”

Porter, who battled injuries throughout the year, had 116 assists with 66 digs and 20 blocks in just 14 matches. The senior recently signed to play softball at Minnesota State.

“I think it speaks volumes to the athletic ability of Lucy to be recognized even through her season was cut short,” Astor said. “When we asked her to step into a new role as a setter, she didn’t hesitate. She worked hard and fought every single match.

“I’m not sure there is anyone in the conference more competitive and determined than Lucy.”

Dencklau, a senior, had 233 digs, which ranked 14th and was second on the team. Meyer, a junior, had 46 blocks to place her sixth.

“Braxtyn did a great job, earning the Libero jersey,” Astor said. “We asked Mae to play every position and she did it, becoming a strong, determined member of this program.”

Fort Dodge finished third in the conference and 9-22 overall under Astor and first-year co-head coach Beth Wilder. In 2025, the Dodgers are slated to return Maehl, Meyer, Ellie Doster, Sydney Carver, Grace Nichols, Maddison Hoshaw, Teryn Rippentrop and Adyson Friesth, along with getting Hope Alstott back from an injury that caused her to miss the entire season.