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All-American Girl
Ripon Christians Shelton nets national honor
SAT-Andie-Shelton
Ripon Christian senior Andie Shelton was named to the Under Armour All-America Team as a second-team honoree. - photo by Photo by SEAN KAHLER

RIPON — Andie Shelton thought nothing of it when Ripon Christian volleyball coach Kara Ledeboer asked for a list of her achievements a month ago.

She shrugged and went about her business Friday morning when her father made mention of another award being added to the resume.

“Then when I got to school all of my teachers were saying congratulations,” Shelton said. “I was like, ‘For what?’”

For being named to the 8th Under Armour All-America Team, that’s what.

The American Volleyball Coaches Association announced its selections Wednesday, but word didn’t spread this way until Friday. Shelton, who made the second team, is one of 100 All-Americans representing 33 states and 90 high schools. First-team honorees are invited to compete in the Under Armor All-America Volleyball Match & Skills Competition on Dec. 20 at Key Arena in Seattle, Wash.

 “It came out of the blue,” Shelton said after practice Friday evening. “It still hasn’t set in. Most of the girls on that list go to big high schools known for their volleyball teams. Not that Ripon Christian isn’t, but we’re a little school compared to those.”

The Knights haven’t been too shabby with the 5-foot-9 Shelton starring as their setter. She led them to Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championships as a freshman and sophomore, and last season RC advanced to final round in its first run at the Division IV level.

This season, Ripon Christian finished 14-0 in the Southern League for a fourth straight year. Shelton leads the team in kills (151), aces (31 of RC’s 69), blocks (18) and assists (170). The Knights host Amador in the SJS Division IV playoff opener on Tuesday.

Committed to the University of the Pacific in her hometown of Stockton, Shelton is ranked No. 41 nationally on the PrepVolleyball.com “Senior Aces” list.

No one is more proud of the latest achievement than her lifelong coaches, Tiger and Michele Shelton. Yes, her parents. Tiger previously led RC’s program before taking over for the Modesto Junior College team this past summer. Michele is co-head coach with Ledeboer at RC.

“We’re really excited that she was picked to get this award,” Michele Shelton said. “It’s a huge honor, and there aren’t a whole lot of people from this area who make All-America teams. As both coach and mom, of course I am very proud of her.”