Senior Aubri Hinkle has been selected to the First Team All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mentions teams.

“This is my first time making All-State, and I was so excited when I found out. I was in the car with Loren [Hinkle] when I got the call and I was so happy … Loren helped me achieve this by motivating me every day, giving me technical feedback and helping me stay positive,” Aubri said. “I loved playing with her. It was a great experience.”

Loren agrees that having the opportunity to play with her sister had a very positive impact on her life.

“She [Aubri] helps to give me confidence and she teaches me how to have fun in the game, but be serious at the same time,” Loren said.

As far as school volleyball goes, Aubri says that even though she is sad to leave, she is sure DHS volleyball will continue to prosper in years to come.

“I have no doubt that next year, the team will do great. They all have so much potential, and I can’t wait to come back and watch them in three years,” Aubri said.

After high school, Aubri has decided to go to Pittsburg State University to pursue nursing. This will mean the end of her volleyball career, despite having the opportunity to play at the next level.

“I’m most likely not going to play in college,” Aubri said. “It’s been a very hard decision and I know I’ll miss it. It’s hard to major in nursing and play volleyball at the same time, and that’s one of those things that helped me make this decision.”

Loren said she was “a little shocked” at the news “because I know how much she really loves the sport. But, it’s her decision and I completely respect that. It is a little sad, but at the same time, I’m happy knowing how well she did when she played.”

Loren is very happy for her sister’s achievement, and said that “…this shows off all of her hard work over the years. I am so proud of how well she has done all throughout her volleyball career.”

Even though Aubri will miss the game, making All-State was a fitting end to her time with the sport.

“This honor means a lot to me, and I think it’s a great way to end my volleyball career,” Aubri said.