2019 All-Thumb: Third 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. Of the 21 athletes noted on last year’s lists, only five were that…
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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. Of the 21 athletes noted on last year’s lists, only five were that of underclassmen. 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.
Abbey Salcido, Sr, Libero, Cass City
Abbey Salcido was steady this season for the hawks. After quite the debut as a defensive specialist last season, she wore the off-colored jersey with great pride. In an area with some top-notch liberos, Salcido was able to edge her name into the conversation. She was integral to the Hawk’s defense and ability to run the middle as often as they did. Salcido was capable of covering much of the court with the 6-2 system Cass City ran.
Season Awards: 1st Team All-GTW
Season Stats: 548 digs, 25 aces, and 442 service receptions
Kylie Bohn, Soph, Setter, Unionville-Sebewaing
Kylie Bohn began to turn it on at the perfect time of the season. Going into the latter portion of regular season play, Bohn showed that she could play with the big ones and she was going to be another success story in the red, white and blue. Timid at the start, she went on to own her role and ran her squad’s offense with ease and began developing quite the skills in her defense as well.
Season Awards: HM All-GTW
Season Stats: 1296 assists, 17 aces and 109 digs
Maddi Osantowski, Soph, OH, Reese
Reese lost quite a bit coming into the 2019 season. It was unsure whether or not Reese would be a contender this season and along came Maddi Osantowski. Osantowski in her second season on the squad went from a genuinely unknown name to the key of success for the Rockets. The outside hitter was a go-to 6-rotation and was dangerous from both front and back row. With the youth of this program, Osantowski is a bright spot for years to come.
Season Awards: 2nd Team All-GTW
Season Stats: N/A
Hannah Farnsworth, Jr, MB, North Branch
Hannah Farnsworth was apart of the rebuilding year for North Branch that saw a full reboot of talent. Coming in handy helping lead the Broncos to another Regional Final, Farnsworth was solid. After limited time in her Sophomore year, she was a mainstay on the court this season. With another year with the program, expectations are high for another Regional appearance in her senior campaign.
Season Awards: 2nd Team All-BWAC, All-Region
Season Stats: 344 kills, hitting .250, 82 blocks and 57 aces
Lauren Woods, Sr, Libero, Brown City
Lauren Woods has held down the off-colored jersey for a few seasons now. In her final outing at libero for the Green Devils, she continued her consistent defense. She was a key part of Brown City’s fifth consecutive Regional Final appearance. Fighting for her career, she was huge in the final match against Saginaw Valley Lutheran with 38 digs.
Season Awards: 1st Team All-GTE
Season Stats: N/A
Grace Williamson, Jr, MB, Unionville-Sebewaing
Grace Williamson had quite the turnarounds this season. After suffering a season-ending injury late last spring on the track, Williamson almost did not make it back in time for this volleyball season. Rest assured, she returned and was able to come to full form at the right time. A huge hand in Unionville-Sebewaing’s eighth conference title and a ninth district title in the last ten seasons. Grace was huge in the latter half of the season.
Season Awards: 1st Team All-GTW, All-Region, HM All-State
Season Stats: 369 kills, 43 aces, 77 blocks and 276 digs.
Claire Watson, Sr, OH, Deckerville
Claire Watson was big-time this season for the Deckerville Eagles. Leading her squad to second in the North Central Thumb League, Deckerville’s head coach Jessie Heilig boasted that sometimes Watson was unstoppable. Feeding her the ball was twin sister Ella Watson and the duo was crucial in the success of the Eagles this season.
Season Awards: 1st Team All-NCTL, All-Region, HM All-State (D4)
Season Stats: N/A