They are a pair of players deserving of distinguished honors.

Lehighton’s Lyla Kershner and Panther Valley’s Morgan Orsulak stood out among a class of talented volleyball players this season.

And their play was recognized recently with selections to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 3A All-State Team.

It’s an outstanding achievement that reflects hard work and dedication as much as it does talent or skill.

Orsulak, the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Volleyball Player of the Year, was a Class 2A All-State selection last season.

“Morgan works extremely hard to get on the all-state team,” said Panthers’ coach Emilie Hannis. “She has made a lot of gains this year with her volleyball skills and will continue to make gains. She is extremely versatile and she is truly deserving of this nomination.”

Orsulak put up impressive numbers in her junior year and helped Panther Valley reach the Schuylkill League final and qualify for the District 11 tournament.

She finished the year with 280 kills, 144 digs, 324 assists, 74 aces and 26 blocks. Orsulak also recorded her 1,000th career assist this past season.

Like Orsulak, Kershner also earned all-state honors last season, doing so as a Class 3A selection.

“Lyla was such a joy to have in my program,” said Indians’ coach Lauren Nietz. “What makes her so much fun to coach is that she has only been playing the game for four years, so she absorbs information like a sponge and still has the same eagerness to learn and grow like a younger player would.

“I think her short four years of experience also make her appearance on this All State Team (for the second year) even more impressive because she has mastered her skill set beautifully in those short years, and has proved that she is a top competitor in the state.”

And her stats prove it.

Kershner has 978 career digs - recording 488 this past season during a stellar senior campaign.

She averaged 5.7 digs per set and 18.7 digs per match, and recorded a season high 38 digs in a single match.

Kershner also finished with 90 aces this season.

She ranked first in the Colonial League in digs and aces, and was Lehighton’s Team Defensive MVP, helping the Tribe qualify for the district playoffs.

“Lyla’s athleticism, volleyball IQ, and natural talent make her a great libero, but her energy, leadership, positivity make her a great teammate,” said Nietz. “Any coach would be lucky to have Lyla on their court and my program, coaches, and myself will miss her and the impact she’s left.”