Seniors Michelle Sanchez and Kim Kennemer have been playing volleyball a good part of their lives, whether it has been on club or high school teams. All of that competition and practice paid off this volleyball season: the team went all the way to the 4A State Championship game.

The Lady Knights, led by Kennemer and Sanchez, finished with a record of 34-7 en route to becoming the second best team in Texas.

Fittingly so, both were named to the State All-Tournament Team.

“It was very exciting,” said Sanchez. “It was a great honor for me to play in the championship game.”

Kennemer has the same enthusiasm when looking back on that day.

“We worked all season for that and I was extremely content with our big accomplishment,” she said.

Along with Kennemer and Sanchez’s State All-Tournament distinction, they also received other distinguished awards.

Sanchez and Kennemer received Co-Newcomers of the year in district 26-4A their sophomore season, while on a team that finished second in district with a record of 8-2.

In their junior year they were named to the All-District Team from a squad that went undefeated in district play while capturing the title. Kennemer was a first team selection while Sanchez made second team All-District.

This year though, both jumped into the spotlight in Central Texas with many deserved awards. Kennemer received a return spot on the First Team All-District while Sanchez took the top honor with the Most Valuable Player award in District 26-4A.

With these honors, the Austin American-Statesman’s All Central-Texas Team seemed inevitable. Both Sanchez and Kennemer were recognized for their senior leadership and great skills on a team that rolled over the other teams in District 26-4A en route to their second championship season. Kennemer and Sanchez were both named All-Centex players by the Statesman this season.

Sanchez and Kennemer have proven they are among the best in Central Texas, and have been recognized for their accomplishments with these awards.

Coach Anita Blank has one simple answer to all the recognition Kennemer and Sanchez receive.

“Kim and Michelle are the best volleyball players to ever put on McCallum jerseys,” said Blank. “Kim has outstanding athletic ability combined with her natural instinct which allows her to play the setter position great, while Michelle is the most complete volleyball player in all aspects of the game.”

Coach Blank’s sentiments are also shared by the team.

“Michelle could do everything. She was an effective server, a consistent passer, and a deadly spiker,” said sophomore teammate Tricia Johnson.

“Kim was a major factor in our success this season because of her awesome sets, which helped lead us to State,” said Johnson.

Kennemer and Sanchez are planning to go to college.