FOXBURG — A-C Valley junior Meredith Snyder has been named to the Class A all-state team by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association.

The 5-foot-11 setter becomes the first Falcon volleyball player to achieve all-state recognition and only the second athlete to do so in school history. Boys basketball player Allan Eaton was named third-team all-state last year.

The PVCA names the top-40 volleyball players in Class A to its all-state team.

“This is something I never expected to happen,” Snyder said. “I was totally surprised when I heard about it.”

A setter since seventh grade, Snyder led A-C Valley with a 95 percent successful serve rate — 173 of 183 — and produced 114 service points.

She also contributed 87 kills, 42 blocks, 79 digs and 203 assists for A-C Valley, which finished 15-3 while reaching the PIAA playoffs for the first time.

“Her kill and block totals are incredible for a setter ... but you don't see many 5-11 setters around, either,” Falcons volleyball coach Doug Knox said. “Most high school setters are 5-4 or so.”

Snyder said her size served as an advantage playing the position.

“It's easier to cover the floor and block,” she said. “And I served as a nice backup to the front row. I was able to move around a lot.”

A-C Valley lost twice this season to Clarion — the Class A state runner-up — and in the playoffs to eventual state champion Linesville. The team finished 13-3 last year.

“We're only losing one senior — Tricia Kerlin — so our hope is to go a little further next season,” Snyder said.

She will be pretty busy in the meantime. Snyder starts at forward on the Falcons' girls basketball team and competes on the track team in the spring. She qualified for the state meet in the high jump last spring.

“Meredith has only missed 17 serves in two years,” Knox said. “She's a great athlete and an incredibly consistent player.”

Three of her volleyball teammates — Kerlin, Kelsey Boocks and Emily Quaill — join Snyder as starters on the basketball team.

“It helps. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses in both sports,” Snyder said.

Snyder also plays for the Sparks, an A-C Valley-based AAU volleyball team during the winter.

She hopes to play volleyball — her favorite sport — in college, having already received a letter of interest from Pitt-Bradford.