DHS junior commits to Kennesaw State

Sydni Shelton has seen the pictures of allstate

players hanging on the wall in the

Danville High School gym.

She made it a goal to join those ranks.

This week, she took another step toward

that goal after being named to the AHSAA

North Volleyball All-Star team this week.

“It was always a goal for me to make allstate

as a player,” Shelton said. “And then

when I heard about the North-South All-

Star Game, I wanted to make that team as

well.

“I was surprised when I was selected to

the team,” she added. “I knew I had filled

out an application, but I had no idea I

would be selected.”

In addition to her selection to the All-Star

game, Brewer assistant coach Ron Smith

will be an assistant coach for the North

All-Stars.

Shelton also recently committed to

Kennesaw State in Georgia.

“It was a great fit for me,” Shelton said.

“They were willing to work with me going

to get a nursing degree. I liked the coaches

and the campus.”

Shelton said she didn’t start playing volleyball

until her seventh grade year.

“I was afraid I wouldn’t make the team,”

she said. “I had never played the sport

before then, but I loved it.”

After spending one year on the junior

high team, she was moved up to the varsity

squad and became a contributor as an

eighth grader. She was mostly as a role

player along the front line, as she shared

with seniors, including current UAB player

Lindsay Simmons.

Shelton was one of a few players who

had any varsity experience in her ninth

grade year. The team wound up making it

all the way to the semifinals.

One of the biggest motivations in her senior

seasons is to help Danville make its

10th straight state tournament this year.

“We don’t want to be a part of the team

that breaks that streak,” she said.