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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

One of the all-time greats for the Chelsea Hornets capped off her career in blue and white with national honors.

Chelsea senior outside hitter Lauren Buchanan earned a selection to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American Second Team on Monday, Nov. 18.

Buchanan was just one of three players from Alabama who were selected to the Second Team. She is also the first All-American Second Team selection in Chelsea history and second overall. Emma Pohlmann previously earned an All-American Third Team selection.

The recognition comes after she recorded one of the best statistical seasons in program while helping the Hornets reach new heights as a team.

Buchanan racked up 764 kills during the 2024 season, setting a Chelsea program record for most kills in a single season.

She also added 346 digs, 95 aces and 35 blocks to her total as she powered the offense from the front row.

Those totals helped her extend her hold on multiple Hornets all-time career records, as her 1,942 career kills are 806 more than the second-highest total and her 336 aces beat the previous record by 97.

In addition to her All-American honors, she earned All-Region recognition from the AVCA as well as a Class 6A All-State First Team selection and a place on the All-Area team.

Buchanan helped power Chelsea to a deep run in the Class 6A playoffs, reaching the state semifinals after winning the South Super Regional championship and Class 6A, Area 8 title, both of which came against eventual state runners-up Pelham.

She also has won multiple accolades outside of playing for the Hornets as she won an AAU national championship at the club level and earned North-South All-Star Game MVP honors in July while representing Chelsea on the North All-Star team.

Buchanan will continue her volleyball career at Texas Tech after she officially signed with the Red Raiders on Wednesday, Nov. 13 to play collegiately in the Big 12 Conference.

This is the second straight year that a player from Shelby County has earned a spot on the All-American team.

Thompson setter Olivia Kelly earned an All-American Third Team selection in 2023 while her teammate Chloe Mittelstadt secured an Honorable Mention for her contributions from the outside hitter position. They were the first All-American selections in Warriors program history.