Preseason All-Thumb Team (Part 2)

<p>Among the names on this list, we have returning All-State players, first team all conference honorees, and more. Some of these players led their respective squads to new heights last season and made deep runs into the MHSAA tournament. These are the players opposing teams are scared to play against. Here is part 2 of 2 of our Preseason All-Thumb list.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Rylee Zimmer, Sr, MB, Unionville-Sebewaing</h2> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/zims-1.jpg"></a>She's PrepDig's Preseason All-Thumb Player of the Year. <strong>Rylee Zimmer</strong> is name many know in the thumb. The four year starter for head coach <strong>Teresa Rose</strong> has been a dominating presence on the USA court. Leading the Lady Pats to three consecutive district titles. Last season would see Zimmer and friends run all the way to a MHSAA Quarter Finals match. That's not all for Zimmer's success in her junior outing, she'd also go on to notch 808 kills on a .348 clip. 808 kills would become a new school record for most kills in a single season, breaking <strong>Erica Treiber</strong>'s old record of 754 set in 2014. Treiber now is a D1 All-American middle blocker at the University of Tennessee. Already in her final season, Rylee has amassed 71 kills and 10 blocks in only the opening tournament. The Preseason POY looks to be another college bound athlete under Rose as she's verbally committed to play ball at Saginaw Valley State University after leading the Patriots one last time this season.</p> <p>Coach Rose: "As a senior we are looking to Rylee to be a great leader.  Last season she led our team in every category not really sure we can ask more of her.  One of the things we are looking for Rylee to do this year is to actually use her jump serve, if she can add that to the game for us it would be challenging for other teams. Her drive and determination are very good motivators for the rest of the team and her just being on the court gives a lot of the younger girls more confidence in themselves."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Kaitlyn Ill, Sr, OH, Millington</h2> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ill1.jpg"></a>This is a player you don't want to be opposing. This starlet is looking to make a huge splash this year with her team. Last season would see <strong>Kaitlyn Ill</strong> become a rising star, surprising many in the area with her play. This year she looks to be dominant from beginning to end. Also this season would see a change of head coaches. Which looks to be a good change for the Lady Cards as Ill would lead them to a runner up place at the Hatchet Invitational. Ill led the squad to a 4-1-1 record on the day with 49 kills and 6 aces to pace the offense. Look for Kaitlyn to have a huge senior season with fellow All-Thumb selectee <strong>Grace Kowitz.</strong></p> <p>Coach Bouck couldn't be reached for comment. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Autumn Deshetsky, Sr, Setter, North Branch</h2> [caption id="attachment_22629" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/deshet.jpg"></a> Photo by Sports Finest[/caption] <p>Another <strong>Jim Fish</strong> product comes in senior setter <strong>Autumn Deshetsky</strong>. A player that came in filling in huge shoes with the departure of 3 year starting setter <strong>Madee Miner</strong>. Seems to have filled them in quite nicely. The current setter on Bronco roster led the team last year to a MHSAA Regional Final game against Notre Dame Prep. On that way that would secure a conference championship and a district title. Deshetsky last season saw herself put up 1248 assists pacing the offense to a .336 hitting percentage. This season Autumn is averaging an assist more than the previous season while leading to a 16-0 record so far. With an arsenal of weapons once again this year for Autumn, it'll be hard to tell which one she'll give the ball to.</p> <p>Coach Fish: "Autumn will have the most impact. She is running a very fast tempo offense that is extremely difficult to do.   Having said that, Reese is so athletic and dynamic and she never leaves the floor."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Devyn Gordon, Sr, MB, Croswell-Lexington</h2> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/gordon.jpeg"></a>Devyn Gordon</strong> has been a prominent name for those opposing the Pioneers for a few years now. Going into her third and final season starting under coach<strong> Ryan Wilson</strong>, Gordon is looking to experience new heights of play. With loss of athletes from graduation and experience under her belt. She is looking to lead the Lady Pioneers through a very tough season ahead. The induction of Division 2 power house North Branch to the BWAC looks to challenge Cros-Lex's dominance in their respected conference. But that is all that it would be to Gordon, is another challenge. The returner has accumulated over her time 627 kills and 214 blocks between the last two seasons. This season the middle blocker has already put down a 100 kills, 34 blocks and to go along with 85 digs. Look out for Gordon if you come across this tough squad.</p> <p>Coach Wilson: "Devyn will definitely be a go to player this year.  She will stand out as one of the top players in the thumb.  Her role is expanding from a 3 rotation middle to a 6 rotation player and will be involved in all of our serve receives.  When you graduate 9, you definitely look to expand a lot of roles from the previous year and this is definitely the case for all of our returners."</p> <h2> </h2> <h2>Grace Kowitz, Sr, MB, Millington</h2> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kow.jpg"></a>Apart of Millington's 1-2 punch this season comes from the middle blocker position in <strong>Grace Kowitz</strong>. Kowitz has been a starter on the Millington squad for two seasons. Now going into her third and is looking to have a big season ahead. Kowitz has been a huge part of the rise and success to Millington's volleyball program. This season looks to be where the squad breaks out from challenging teams to beating teams behind her prowess at the net. Along with teammate <strong>Kaitlyn Ill</strong>, Grace is just as big an offensive weapon as she is defensive with her blocking. In the team's opening tournament, the would go 4-1-1 on the day finishing runner up. Kowitz on the dat knocked down 19 kills and 12 aces to go along with 9 blocks. Beware of this athlete going into a showdown with the Cardinals. </p> <p>Coach Bouck couldn't be reached for comment.</p>