2022 All-Thumb Watch List
Coming into the 2021 season, there were a lot of questions on how good the volleyball was going to be in the thumb. Now the question is, how are they going to be able to top 2021? The Reese Rockets…
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Continue ReadingComing into the 2021 season, there were a lot of questions on how good the volleyball was going to be in the thumb. Now the question is, how are they going to be able to top 2021?
The Reese Rockets took home not only the first state title in school history, but the first volleyball state title for a Greater Thumb Conference school. With the bulk of its roster made of sophomores, North Branch made an epic return to Kellogg Arena. And Ubly topped off another elite season with its third straight Division 4 Elite 8 appearance.
While 2022 will see the departure of big players like Maddi Osantowski Maddi Osantowski 5'10" | OH Reese | 2022 State MI and Kate Clancy Kate Clancy 5'9" | OH Bad Axe | 2022 MI , it will also see the emergence of new stars.
These are the players you need to watch out for in 2022.
Sarah Howard Sarah Howard 5'8" | DS/L Bad Axe | 2024 State MI (2024) | 5’8 OH/L | Bad Axe/Fusion
Bad Axe had a very strong start to the 2021 season and their ace libero, Sarah Howard Sarah Howard 5'8" | DS/L Bad Axe | 2024 State MI , was poised to be one of the best defenders in the area. With a concussion sidelining her for a portion of the season, when she returned another player’s injury pushed her into becoming a six rotation player for the Hatchets. Despite the roadblocks during the season, Howard showed to be quite a versatile asset to her team. Whether she is rocking an off-colored jersey or a leading scorer for the Hatchets, Sarah Howard Sarah Howard 5'8" | DS/L Bad Axe | 2024 State MI is a name to keep an eye on.
Katherine Himmel Katherine Himmel 5'11" | MB Bad Axe | 2023 MI (2023) | 6’0 MB | Bad Axe
Another key player to be benched for the Hatchets was MB Katherine Himmel Katherine Himmel 5'11" | MB Bad Axe | 2023 MI . Like her teammate Howard, Himmel had a fantastic start to the season until a lower leg injury sidelined her for the second half of conference play and into the post season. Himmel is one of the bigger players in the area and carries a diverse offense and a promising blocking presence. When healthy, Himmel has the potential to go toe-to-toe with some of the best in the area.
Kacee Gray Kacee Gray 5'7" | OH Cass City | 2025 State MI (2025) | 5’7 OH | Cass City/Fusion
Kacee Gray Kacee Gray 5'7" | OH Cass City | 2025 State MI is a name you need to remember. Only as a freshman, Gray was given the reigns to play six rotations and was the Red Hawk’s top defender and receiver. Alongside her older sister, Kalee Gray Kalee Gray 5'9" | MB Cass City | 2022 MI , and freshman counterpart, Shelby Ignash Shelby Ignash 6'1" | MB Cass City | 2025 State #124 Nation MI , the three were an offensive trio no one wanted to see across the net. As the season went on for the younger Gray sister, her attacking presence developed quite nicely. The sky is the limit for this player and with three more years, Gray has the potential to be one of the best in the state.
Jerzie Vanochten Jerzie Vanochten 5'7" | S Reese | 2023 MI (2023) | 5’7 S/L | Reese
Throw her in to set, put her in the libero jersey, she can even hit a little too! Jerzie Vanochten Jerzie Vanochten 5'7" | S Reese | 2023 MI was a huge role player for the Reese Rockets this season. Whatever it takes to win! Playing most of the season as a defensive specialist for the Rockets, it’s Vanochten’s versatility that showed up when Reese needed it most. With the graduation of both libero, Josie Johnson Josie Johnson 5'5" | DS/L Reese | 2022 MI , and setter, Aydan Dalak Aydan Dalak 5'9" | S Reese | 2022 MI , I wouldn’t be shocked to see Vanochten start in either position next season!
Karlee Guza (2023) | 5’6 L | Harbor Beach
In what some would say was an off year for the Harbor Beach Pirates, Karlee Guza was a definite bright spot. In her second outing as the Pirates’ libero, Guza averaged over six digs per set. Guza is a relentless and scrappy defender. While Harbor Beach graduates much of its roster this season, Guza will look to continue her success in the back court and lead a young Pirate squad next season.
Kaela Chingwa Kaela Chingwa 6'3" | MB North Branch | 2024 State MI (2024) | 6’2 MB | North Branch
For over a decade now, North Branch has been able to produce championship contending teams and some of the best players in Michigan. I predict Kaela Chingwa Kaela Chingwa 6'3" | MB North Branch | 2024 State MI to develop into one of those players within the next two seasons. In her second season, Chingwa has already proven to be one of the best blockers in her class. She’s big and physical and her block can be a game changer for the Broncos. With more confidence in her attack and some fine tuning, Chingwa could easily become one of the top players.
Jasa Ross (2023) | 6’0 MB | Vassar/Five:1
Jasa Ross has been a player that’s been on the radar for a few years now. A returning three-year letter winner, Ross has shown glimpses of excellence. She shows to have the potential to be an elite player in the thumb but hasn’t seemed to have had a supporting cast to really help her play shine. With a new coaching staff introduced this past season though, this could be the game changer for the program entirely and Ross herself!