Herbel named first team All-American

Kia Herbel wasn't even an all-state player when she was at New Town High School.

So, it's easy to understand how surprised the Dickinson State junior women's basketball player was when she found out she'd be named to the NAIA Division II All-American first team on Tuesday.

"I was in shock when coach (Guy Fridley) told me about it," Herbel said. "I couldn't believe it really."

It's hard to argue against her though.

Herbel, who transferred from Williston State College this season, led the Blue Hawks with averages of 15.6 points and 9.9 rebounds a game and ranked second in the division with a shooting percentage of 63.3 for the season.

Herbel was also named the Dakota Athletic Conference's most valuable player and set the team's single-season rebounding record.

"I think that's the single most dominating player I've seen in my three years of coaching," Fridley said.

DSU quickly established its offense around Herbel and marched to its first outright DAC regular-season title and the conference tournament championship.

The Blue Hawks finished the season at 26-7 after falling to College of the Ozarks on Sunday in the national quarterfinals.

"This year has been amazing. This whole year has been a shock really," Herbel said. "It's hard to explain, I guess. It's still unbelievable what happened this year. To get an award like that is huge."

With all but one starter returning next season, Herbel and the Blue Hawks will likely be favored to win the DAC again.

Fridley believes next year could also hold big things for Herbel, who he expects to continue growing as a basketball player.

"The best is yet to come from Kia too," Fridley said.

Minot State senior center Lashay Bagsby was named a second team All-American while Black Hills State sophomore Katelynn Lamb and Valley City State sophomore Abby Rittenhouse each earned honorable mention honors.

DSU seniors Ashley Emmons and Staci Moore and sophomore Brittany Ridl were named NAIA scholar-athletes, along with Black Hills State junior Mandy Brumfield, a Dickinson High School graduate.