Way-Too-Early All-Thumb Watchlist
Club season is in full swing. The best of the best are out making waves in big tournaments. But it’s hard not to look into the future and imagine what the field will look like in the high school scene.…
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Continue ReadingClub season is in full swing. The best of the best are out making waves in big tournaments. But it’s hard not to look into the future and imagine what the field will look like in the high school scene. In the thumb specifically, this past season the area came out to play. Unionville-Sebewaing (USA) was handily the team of the year, making their first ever D3 championship appearance. Throughout the tournament, USA toppled over area opponents whom all could’ve taken their own run to Kellogg Arena. We’re looking at you Brown City, the Green Devils were the first and only ones to take USA to the brink, in 5 sets. Mind you, this battle wouldn’t take place until the Quarter-Finals! Below we’re going to look at the top returning teams in the area and see what all they’ll be bringing to the table in 2019.
Unionville-Sebewaing
Photo by Sports FinestStarting off with the top team in 2018, USA. Even in down years head coach, Teresa Rose, always seem to turn out impressive squads year by year. This upcoming season may be a tough one to overcome though. After a stellar season, USA only looked to lose two key parts to their game, Player of the Year, Rylee Zimmer and All-Thumb team setter, Nichole Schember. This is huge for the Lady Pats but they would lose another player, up-and-comer Megan Gross. Gross, a freshman OH/MB, made big contributions to her squad with over 200 kills and digs to go with 47 aces. The Patriots lose Gross to transfer. Despite the big losses, USA returns good potentials in OH Allyson Kemp, OH/MB Grace Williamson, and Libero Maci Montgomery. The latter two will have two more seasons and Kemp will make her final rounds. Kemp and Williamson had a combined 659 kills. Williamson and Montgomery will be a defensive duo as both combined for 906 digs. A big key for USA success next season will be to fill in gaps in their offense and being able to spread the ball around.
Brown City
Photo by Quad NSince taking over coaching duties, Jenna Welke has brought the Green Devils to be a perennial program. Big postseasons have become something of a habit for the squad. Welke loses quite a few players. But like USA, two huge players, in particular, OH Kendal Muxlow and Setter Alexis Wiltse, both of which are All-Thumb selections. Muxlow also is the last of the 2016 squad that saw a Class C Runner-Up season. But like her predecessors, Welke knows how to pump out squads to contend with the best, year by year. A key returner will be sophomore Grace Schlaud. Schlaud ranked second on the team in offense, knocking down 321 kills while picking up 198 digs. A key in the Devil’s success next season is finding a new setter able to spread the offense as well as the growth of the offense itself.
Cass City
Photo by Sports FinestCass City has been an underrated squad for a few seasons now, good teams year in and year out but always fall short of a championship. Last year the Red Hawks found something special though, their defense. Led by the best libero in the thumb, Kelly Ziegler, Cass City’s backcourt led the entire Greater Thumb West in their defense. Abbey Salcido was a part of the defensive success, only in a limited defensive role, she managed to put up over 400 digs in 2018 in her varsity debut, a performance that will make her a shoo-in to take over Ziegler’s off-colored jersey. Cass City does lose big numbers though, losing defense leader Ziegler as well as 6-rotation OH and kills leader Kacey Haire. The Hawks also will look to fill in a setter and opposite position with the loss of Brittany Hamilton, while the middle position will be empty with loss of Jalene Krol and Hailey Schmotzer. Despite the big loss, Cass City returns Salcido and OH Hailey Beckrow, Beckrow could have a huge season if her efficiency improves. A key to the Hawks success in 2019 will be filling in the gap in the middle, as well as consistency in setting duties.
Caro
Photo by Sports FinestThis past season, the Caro Tigers showed huge promise. Bob Tobey has been producing good players for a while now, but not many of the squads have clicked. Last year’s squad seems to look to change this trend. In the first year in the GTW, Caro shook things up taking games from Cass City and pushing Reese to the brink. Going into 2019, Caro loses two key components in MB Ashlin Murphy and Libero Olivia Bringard. Murphy led the team in kills and blocks while Bringard paced the backcourt. Despite this, the Tigers return big-time players. Three pin hitters return in Ellie Hornbacher, Raegan Ball, and Kaitlyn Arebalo. Hornbacher saw a huge improvement in 2018, as a 6-rotation player, she was a big presence defensively while finding her stride offensively as the season progressed. While Arebalo, a left-handed opposite/setter, split her time in both positions. Kaitlyn is a huge offensive weapon and block at the net. A key to further success in 2019 will be bigger production offensively from the outside hitters.
North Branch
The perennial power of the thumb. Jim Fish has been built a legacy program over the course of his coaching career, making North Branch one of the best programs in the entire state. 2018 was no different, making a run to the Regional Finals behind the arm of Miss Volleyball nominee Allyson Severance. But like many other teams on this list, North Branch will experience the biggest loss in players and court production. Fish will lose 11 of 15 from his 2018 roster including Severance, OH Reese Ruhlman, setter Autumn Deshetsky and libero Hannah Bader to name a few. The Lady Broncos could very likely see a rare rebuilding season. But don’t count them out as they are not one of the best programs in the state for no reason. A key to finding success next season will be the filling in of about every position.
Harbor Beach
Photo by Quad NThis program saw themselves showing big promise last season. They became the team to look out for when they stepped on the court. The team gave fits to area heavyweights like Brown City, Beach being their biggest competitor for the conference crown. They would eventually lose to Unionville-Sebewaing in the district finals but have one of most returners in the area. The pirates return over 75% of their offensive and defensive production. Looking to lead her squad, Amber Pleiness will be one of the top returners in the area. The key to finding success next season will be to grow upon the success found in the 2018 season.