West Nebraska All-Star Volleyball - Sidney's Porter named most valuable for West

Abbi Porter admits she did not expect to earn MVP honors for her efforts in Saturday's West Nebraska All-Star volleyball game. After all, the opposing East team swept the final four sets to claim a convincing 4-1 win.

"When I heard them announce 'from Sidney,' I thought 'no way,'" the Raiders standout said.

The honor probably should not have come as a big surprise. Porter led the West with 14 kills. She assisted on the final point in her side's opening set 25-20 victory and turned three blocks into scores during the final set.

Unfortunately for the West, they had already conceded the game.

In a lopsided affair, however, Porter stood up to a significant challenge. For much of the night, she faced the game's other MVP-Brittany Lawrence of North Platte St. Patrick's. Listed at 6-3, though appearing a few inches taller, the Creighton recruit recorded 15 kills and at least four blocks.

"I'd hit the ball and-'oh no'-it was coming back in my face," Porter said.

But Porter gained the upper hand on several occasions. In the third set, for instance, she feigned a direct challenge and twice took points from Lawrence and the East on clever angular taps. In the finale, Porter deflected a kill attempt by her counterpart then followed up with another deft touch, chalking up another soft kill.

Porter wasn't the only local all-star forced to deal with Lawrence. Leyton's Kelsey Waite jousted against her through the game, as well.

"It was difficult," Waite acknowledged. "Usually I'm the tallest one. She's a good player."

Still, the Warriors' net minder blocked Lawrence late in the second set to keep West hopes momentarily alive. In the fourth, Waite asserted herself again, notching one kill deep-bypassing the East's front line-and another after spotting a gap in the defense and hammering the shot home.

Waite was joined on the floor by Leyton teammate Katy Ernest. Arguably the panhandle's top setter, Ernest could not help but look forward to future Cougar Palace crowds. She will be playing for WNCC beginning in the fall.

"I was thinking about it," Ernest observed. "I was almost imagining next year."

Porter will also play college ball, joining the squad at Bellevue University as a freshman in the fall. The West MVP claimed to be nervous when she first lined up on Saturday. But she soon picked up the pace.

"It's fun," Porter said of the all-star experience, comparing it to what she expects of the college-level game. "Everyone is good, so it's a lot faster. It's a good stepping stone."

For Waite, the 30th West Nebraska All-Star Game represented her last, at least in formal competition, though working alongside Ernest gave the moment even more significance.

"It was bittersweet," Waite said. "We'll never play together again, but I cherished the opportunity."

Despite losing on what will be her home court, the experience was almost overwhelming for Ernest.

"It was amazing, "she said when asked to rate the afternoon. "It was a ten-over a ten."