2019 All-Thumb: First-Team
2019 was the year of the unknown. With the 2018 class being one of the best to come through the thumb, they dominated last year’s All-Thumb list. The 2018 All-Thumb First-Team consisted of only seniors due to their dominance. This…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading2019 was the year of the unknown. With the 2018 class being one of the best to come through the thumb, they dominated last year’s All-Thumb list. The 2018 All-Thumb First-Team consisted of only seniors due to their dominance. This season sees a heavy mix of newbies who made their mark and veterans who vastly improved their game. These athletes are the cream of the crop in a highly-competitive volleyball area known as the thumb. Let’s break it down.
Photo by Paul AdamsAmber Pleiness, Sr, MB, Harbor Beach (Player of the Year)
Amber Pleiness is one of the most complete players to have played this season. There was not a skill on the court she didn’t excel in. She became the heartbeat to this historic Harbor Beach team. Despite a disappointing first-round knock out in the MHSAA tournament, Pleiness led her squad to their first conference championship since 1979. They didn’t just win their conference but they dominated, only dropping one set throughout the 12 match season. She also held one of the best serves in the area, potentially state, as she averaged just under an ace per set.
Season Awards: 1st Team All-GTE, All-Region, HM All-State (D3)
Season Stats: 295 kills on a .352 hitting percentage, 84 aces, 73 blocks, and 318 digs
Photo by Paul AdamsAllyson Kemp, Sr, OH, Unionville-Sebewaing
Allyson Kemp has been a mainstay for this USA program for quite some time. Just in time for her fourth and final outing donning the red, white and blue, Kemp really found her own on the court. Relied heavily upon throughout the season, she came through almost every time. Thundering the court when she hits the ball, Kemp was key in USA’s comeback in the Greater Thumb Conference and in their upset of Harbor Beach in the post-season. She averaged under four kills per set and had a career-best season hitting percentage. She went out with a bang, having had one of the best swan songs in the area.
Season Awards: 1st Team All-GTW, All-Region
Season Stats: 489 kills on a .240 hitting percentage
Photo by Quad NGrace Schlaud, Jr, OH, Brown City
Grace Schlaud showed much promise as a sophomore last season. She complimented last season’s Kendal Muxlow beautifully and the two were one of the deadliest outside duos in the state. Fast forward to this season, she’s playing like a seasoned veteran and became one of the best outside hitters in the area. Her experience was very prominent in her play this season as she led her team in kills this season in every match except for one. Not to mention, she has to be one of the most efficient of outsides in Division 3 volleyball. Schlaud was crucial in this year’s success as the Green Devils made it to yet another regional final.
Season Awards: 1st Team All-GTE, All-Region, HM All-State (D3)
Season Stats: 427 kills, .286 hitting percentage, 373 digs and 50 aces
Photo by Quad NAllison Lautner, Jr, MB, Ubly
Ubly had a season for the record books. For the first time in over a decade, the Bearcats brought home a district title. Not only did they own the district rounds, but they cruised all the way to the quarter-finals. A huge part of their success this season was Allison Lautner. Lautner began making statements from the get-go. The use of a one-legged approach in front of and behind the setter proved to give opponents fits. She’ll look to lead this young Ubly squad to even bigger heights in 2020.
Season Awards: 1st Team All-GTE, All-Region & HM All-State (D4)
Season Stats: 386 kills on .245 efficiency, 44 blocks and 48 aces.
Photo by Quad NHailey Beckrow, Sr, MB, Cass City
Many were not expecting Hailey Beckrow to be the dominant force that she was this season. After playing on the pin in her debut season, Beckrow effortlessly made the transition to the middle. Small in stature, at 5’7, Beckrow had springs for legs. Her fast-twitch nature was key in her and Cass City’s success this season. Beckrow oftentimes found herself with an open net due to her speed and ability to get on top of the ball so quickly. She was a terminator and made an impression on many who watched.
Season Awards: 1st Team All-GTW, All-Region
Season Stats: 367 kills on a .339 hitting percentage, 81 blocks, and 17 aces
Photo By Quad NKaitlyn Arebalo, Sr, OPP, Caro
Within her four seasons under head coach Bob Tobey, Kaitlyn Arebalo has become one of the best right side attackers to come through the area. An area heavily known for its big-time middles and cannon-armed outsides, Arebalo paved a way for herself. Standing just shy of 6’0 and a bomber of a left hand, she gave area foes so much trouble whether it was her block or attack. Even when she isn’t achieving the points herself, she has a hand in about every one of them, being apart of Tobey’s 6-2 system. Despite being her final season, her legacy will remain for years to come as she ranks amongst the top ten in Caro’s all-time kills and assists list, while placing third all-time in career blocks.
Season Awards: 1st Team All-GTW
Season Stats: 343 kills on a .264 hitting percentage, 402 assists, 121 blocks and 27 aces.
Photo by Paul AdamsMaci Montgomery, Jr, Libero, Unionville-Sebewaing
Liberos oftentimes fall under the radar to many when crediting a team’s success. Not Maci Montgomery, she definitely was on everyone’s radar. In her second season sporting the off-color jersey, Montgomery could easily be credited in keeping this program’s winning culture alive. Even with the assistance of stellar defense players by her side, she still managed to post big numbers. Her relentless play and steady demeanor is what made her stick out most when compared to other area players. Opponents had a difficult time keeping the ball away from her and luckily for coach Teresa Rose, she’ll be back for another season.
Season Awards: 2nd Team All-GTW
Season Stats: 608 digs, 693 service receptions at an 86% rate, and 32 aces