Three area players earn postseason volleyball honors

Newton junior Kate Callaghan, Baxter senior Amber Weltha and Lynnville-Sully senior Mallory Loftus all had career seasons on the volleyball court in 2019.

Callaghan set new career bests in assists and digs, Loftus had career highs in kills, digs and blocks and Weltha set personal bests in kills, aces and digs.

All three Jasper County players earned all-district recognition by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association.

Weltha and Loftus also were all-state selections in Class 1A.

Weltha was a third team all-state pick by the IGCA. She was part of the North Central District team.

Loftus earned honorable mention all-state honors and was part of the South Central District team.

Callaghan was selected to the 4A Southeast District team.

Callaghan led the Cardinals with 127 kills, 368 assists, 230 digs, 28 aces and 23 blocks. She had a kill efficiency of .231 and averaged 1.63 kills per set.

Callaghan averaged 4.72 assists per set and 2.95 digs per set.

In serving, Callaghan was 204-of-220 for a percentage of .927.

Weltha earned all-state honors after leading 1A in kills per set at 4.86. She ranked 11th in 1A with 330 kills and had a kill efficiency of .442.

Weltha also finished with a 133 digs, 32 aces, 20 assists and 30 blocks.

Weltha was 216-of-231 in serves for a percentage of .935.

Loftus collected 220 kills, 135 digs and 115 blocks, which ranked third in 1A. She also had 20 aces and six assists. Loftus averaged 2.86 kills per set and had a kill efficiency of .172.

In serves, Loftus was 278-of-290 for a percentage of .959.