Who’s The Next Star of the Thumb?
2018 saw a big year of big-time talent in the area. Rylee Zimmer was a force to be reckoned with on all aspects of her game. Allyson Severance was huge in keeping her injury-riddled team in tandem. Kaitlyn Ill lead her team…
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Continue Reading2018 saw a big year of big-time talent in the area. Rylee Zimmer was a force to be reckoned with on all aspects of her game. Allyson Severance was huge in keeping her injury-riddled team in tandem. Kaitlyn Ill lead her team to a record-breaking season. Kendal Muxlow made one of the biggest turnarounds post-injury to propel her team to championships as nothing had happened. The Thumb is an area chock full of talent year-in and year-out. 2019 looks to be no different, but who’s the next star to emerge? Let’s take a look at stars who showed promise to be a dominant competitor in the fall.
Grace Williamson, OH/MB, Unionville-Sebewaing
Photo by Varsity MonthlyGrace Williamson is looking to become a legend in the thumb. Williamson is a four-sport athlete and just as a sophomore has been turning heads. In her top sport, track and field, Williamson placed runner-up in the 200 dash and high jump at Division 4 Outdoor Finals as a freshman. Both performances were school record-breaking. In her indoor sophomore outing, she managed to again claim All-State status in the 200 at the all-division finals. While dominating on the track, Grace managed to claim first-team All-Conference honors in both volleyball and basketball. She was also a part of the softball team that made a run to the final four last spring. Did we mention, she’s only a sophomore? With all of her found success at such an early stage of her career, we wouldn’t be surprised all of it translates to success on the volleyball court next season. Her speed makes her a crucial part of the backcourt defense and her leaping abilities makes her lethal at the net.
Abbey Salcido, Libero, Cass City
Photo by Varsity MonthlyThe Red Hawks has been known to be a defensively sound team for a few seasons now. For the last three seasons, a Cass City libero has recorded over 500 digs on the season. Last season saw Kelly Ziegler post over 1000 digs and Abbey Salcido just shy of 500 herself, only in a limited role. The two became an integral duo that kept the team afloat. With the graduation of Ziegler, the off-colored jersey looks to be handed off to Salcido to keep the tradition alive. Salcido is a three-sport athlete, with the experience in the other sports translated into success on the court. Salcido went on to average over 4 digs and 3 receptions a set. Just within 3 rotations as a defensive specialist, Abbey totaled over 400 digs and 300 receptions. These numbers putting her in the mix with other liberos in the area. With such a successful debut and in position full-time, it’s hard to imagine what kind of numbers Salcido could put up next season.
Grace Schlaud, OH, Brown City
Photo by Huron Daily TribuneBrown City has become a perennial powerhouse in the area since Jenna Welke took over. Looking to carry on the traditions of Green Devil program is sophomore OH Grace Schlaud. She made a pretty good debut in her opening season. Her and senior Kendal Muxlow became a tough 1-2 punch to handle to on the pins. Despite the youth and undersized stature, Schlaud has proven to be unrattled. Last season, she hit for a super efficient .301 while dropping 321 kills. She helped lead the Lady Devils to an MHSAA Quarter-Final match as well as their sixth consecutive conference title. Coach Welke credits Schlaud’s success in being able to wipe away mistakes and focus onto the next play while sticking to a set game plan. With two more seasons with the program, look for this athlete to be a game changer and to continue winning traditions.
Kaitlyn Arebalo, OPP, Caro
Photo By Quad NShe’s one of the few, if not only opposite effectively utilized in the area. Hard to not utilize her, standing tall at 5’10 and left-handed, Kaitlyn Arebalo has proven to be very useful. Not only is she a terminal attacker but she shows immense versatility in other aspects of the game. Given the challenge of taking on partial setting duties when rotated to the back row, she put up 228 assists last season. While helping pace the offense, she’d also put up great numbers in every other spot. She dropped down 242 kills and denied 81 attacks during the 2018 season. She managed to claim First Team All-Conference honors for her efforts. Arebalo, while also a three-sport athlete, currently plays her club ball with IMUA Volleyball. While strengthening other aspects of her athleticism in the other sports, she’s also getting crucial off-season reps that could prove to be more than helpful when 2019 Fall rolls around.