Back-row specialists aren’t the ones who fire up the crowd with thundering spikes, but Caitlin Anderson was still a very valuable member of the Tomah High School volleyball squad.

Anderson, a senior libero and two-year starter, was honored by the Mississippi Valley Conference coaches with a second-team selection on the league’s all-conference team.

“Caitlin was our most consistent passer this year and did a great job of positioning herself to dig up spikes,” Tomah coach Greg Bever said. “She made some great digs on some unbelievably hard spikes this year.”

Anderson led the team in digs with 168 during the conference season and served at 97 percent (108 out of 112). She also won the Leader of the Pack award as the team’s most valuable player.

“She was a hard worker in practice and always gave a great effort,” Bever said. “She was a pleasure to coach.”

Two Tomah players -- senior outside hitter Brandi Patterman and junior middle hitter Erin Dechant -- were honorable mention.

The MVC first team :

Michelle Mueller, middle hitter, junior, La Crosse Logan; Erin Kelly, setter, senior, La Crosse Aquinas; Kayla McCluskey, outside hitter, senior, La Crosse Central; Jennifer Kessler, outside hitter, senior, Onalaska; Kassie McGettigan, middle hitter, senior, Aquinas; Abby Kiefer, outside hitter, senior, Sparta; Jamie Kenyon, outside hitter, junior, Sparta.

The other second-team picks:

Lauren Mlsna, setter, senior, Onalaska; Alex Klos, outside hitter, senior, Central; Lauren Schaller, outside hitter, senior, Holmen; Gretchen Otto, middle hitter, senior, Onalaska; Kristine Schill, right side hitter, junior, Aquinas; Al Nading, setter, junior, Sparta.

The rest of the honorable mention:

Becky Robson, middle hitter, senior, Central; Carolyn Lubben, right side hitter, senior, Central; Kendra Schank, defensive specialist, senior, Holmen; Talia Smith, setter, junior, Holmen; Rachel Greene, outside hitter, senior, Onalaska; McKenzie Guth, middle hitter, sophomore, Onalaska; Abby Wiedman, setter, sophomore, Logan; Laura Hundt, outside hitter, senior, Logan; Emily Dolan, outside hitter, senior, Aquinas; Haylea Halverson, middle hitter, senior, Aquinas; Haylee Kirking, outside hitter, sophomore, Sparta; Jenna Schroeder, middle hitter, junior, Sparta.

Conference champion Aquinas swept the two biggest honors. Kelly was the player of the year, and Danielle Georgeson was the coach of the year.