Albert Lea senior Kat Ladwig and junior Annika Smed were recently recognized as Big Nine all-conference performers for their efforts this past season.

Both girls have also recently made the commitment to play club volleyball this season.

Ladwig, who played club volleyball last season, will play on the Minnesota 1 East 18-1 team out of Woodbury.

Ladwig was one of just 11 girls selected for this elite team.

Smed was chosen for the Mizuno Northern Lights 17-1 team out of Burnsville.

Last year, Smed played for the Southern Minnesota Volleyball J.O. 16 Elite team.

Both girls had to go through an extensive tryout session to make the elite teams which will travel all over in the coming months playing against top competition.