Top Vote Getters For D4 Player Of The Year
Last week we broke out our preseason polls for who you thought would be the eventual Player of the Year in each division. The Division 4 voting started a bit slow, but had a nice surge in its final days…
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Continue ReadingLast week we broke out our preseason polls for who you thought would be the eventual Player of the Year in each division.
The Division 4 voting started a bit slow, but had a nice surge in its final days to get over 30,000 total votes.
Here’s a look at the leading vote getters from the D3 poll.
Natalie Wandrie, Inland Lakes OH (37.62%)
Wandrie was the leading hitter for Inland Lakes, which made a Cinderella run to the D4 championship match last fall. The Dawgs should come into 2022 with a lot of confidence, especially with Wandrie back to lead the charge. With her performing well on the big stage, she should take the floor this fall feeling like she can go toe-to-toe with anyone in D4. Wandrie enters the season as definitely a top contender for POY and clearly her fan base believes she can do it. Wandrie garnered nearly 12,000 votes to win our preseason poll.
Ella DeKlyen, Tri-Unity Christian MH (20.75%)
As a freshman, DeKlyen made a big splash in Division 4. She was the lone freshman represented in the Division 4 All-State team in 2021. She helped guide the Defenders to a regional finals appearance. Coming into 2022, obviously eyes are on the sophomore to take another step forward. She’s going to be a handful at the net for opponents and can really make a name for herself this year with higher expectations.
Alexis Ames, Mendon OH (11.12%)
Mendon is no stranger to having a player of the year, as Anna Smith took home the honors while leading the Hornets to a state championship in 2018 and 2019. Ames will be the featured hitter for Mendon in 2022, and the team will need her experience and leadership while working in new key starters. Should Mendon be able to put the pieces together and get back to being a D4 contender, Ames will put herself in prime position to be the Player of the Year.
Lillie Laney, MP Sacred Heart MH (10.07%)
Sacred Heart made a run to the state semifinals in 2021 and will look to recharge this fall. Leading that will be Laney, who will be in line for a bigger role with the offense this year with some graduating hitters. Laney was already a big presence defensively, as she led the Irish in blocks in 2021. Now, if she can bring her offensive game up a notch and help SHA make another postseason run, she’s got POY potential.
Ryann Clancy, Inland Lakes L/DS (7.39%)
Wandrie isn’t getting all the attention at Inland Lakes, as their senior libero came in fifth in our poll, and for good reason. Inland Lakes wasn’t just about offensive firepower, its defense played a big role in getting it to the finals. Clancy was an athletic and hard-working libero for the Dawgs and comes into 2022 looking to take on a bigger leadership role and keep her squad in the D4 title picture. With over 600 digs last year, it’s exciting to see what Clancy will do in 2022.