All-Stars Deibert, Steffan on different paths

• Quinn Steffan

Quinn Steffan
• Madison Deibert

Madison Deibert, Dickinson High

Talk about it

Dickinson’s Madison Deibert and Heart River’s Quinn Steffan are on two different paths in their volleyball careers.

However, the duo will be united in the North Dakota High School Coaches Association Optimist All-Star Matches for the West Team. The matches are scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT Monday at Fargo South and at 7 p.m. CDT Tuesday at Bismarck Century.

“I’ve been very fortunate, I’ve coached four of them and we just emphasized to the kids that it’s a great opportunity to go, have fun and play at a high level,” Dickinson High volleyball coach Jay Schobinger said. “It does kind of act for those kids that are going to play collegiately as a stepping stone.”

It’s safe to say that both players were excited when finding out their nomination to the all-star matches.

“I was really excited,” Deibert said. “I like to represent Dickinson. I think it’s cool that they nominated me and I think it will be a really good experience.”

“It’s really exciting,” Steffan added. “I’m kind of nervous, because we start practice on Friday. It’s definitely going to be fun and it’s going to be a once in a lifetime type of deal.”

Deibert, who has signed her letter of intent to play at Bismarck State College in the fall, led the Midgets with 417 kills at outside hitter. She also had 485 digs and 50 aces during her senior season.

“What she brings to the table is consistency,” Schobinger said. “I visited with her the other day and I told her just to enjoy it, meet new people, have some fun and have a great experience.”

Deibert said she is happy that she gets to be on the same team as Alexis Jacobs, the West Region Senior Athlete of the Year from Bismarck Century.

“It’s weird, but I think it will be fun playing with Jacobs,” Deibert said. “I’m excited to feel the difference, being on her team rather than on the other side of the net.”

Schobinger said Deibert will be able to represent the Dickinson High volleyball program well at the all-star matches.

“I’ve got to watch her play for four years and she’s a very impressive player,” Schobinger said. “She’s a very impressive young lady and she will make Dickinson High proud.”

For Steffan, the all-star series could be the final matches of her competitive career. She has debated the idea of attempting to walk on at Minot State University, but said she hasn’t made any definite decisions.

“I was thinking about it,” said Steffan, a Belfield High School graduate. “As of right now, I’m not, but there’s still a chance that I probably could.”

Heart River head coach Craig Pool said with the possibility of Steffan’s volleyball career coming to an end, there’s no better stage than the all-star matches.

“What an opportunity that she gets,” said Pool, who retired at the end of the end of this volleyball season. “I know she’d like to go up and play at the next level. The culmination of her career and putting forth all that effort this is great opportunity.”

Steffan is relishing the fact that she gets to play against the toughest competition in North Dakota. But on the other hand, it’s a sad moment knowing it will all soon be over.

“It’s kind scary for me, but at the same time it will be a lot of fun,” Steffan said. “It will be the biggest competition that I’ll ever have in volleyball.

“It’s kind of sad. I think if I don’t go on and play in college it will be a good ending for my volleyball career.”

Tags: madison deibert, heart river cougars, dickinson midgets, quinn steffan, sports, preps, volleyball