Preseason All-Thumb Players: Dark Horses
Beware of these athletes coming into the 2018 season. These 10 volleyballers are looking to making a big splash this season and become the talk of the area. Many of these athletes being varsity returners and looking to capitalize success…
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Continue ReadingBeware of these athletes coming into the 2018 season. These 10 volleyballers are looking to making a big splash this season and become the talk of the area. Many of these athletes being varsity returners and looking to capitalize success with bigger roles on their respective squads.
Allyson Kemp, Jr, OH, Unionville-Sebewaing
Photo by Huron Daily Tribune
Entering her third season under head coach Teresa Rose, the 5’10 outside hitter is looking for a breakthrough season. Known to many in the area as coming on when it mattered most at the end of the season, Rose is looking for Kemp to be a force from beginning to end. Kemp in her latest season put down 292 kills but on a hitting percentage of .138 and was named to the 1st team All-GTW list.
Coach Rose: “Ally just has to have more confidence in herself, she tends to be more of a safe hitter then the aggressive hitter we want from her but when she does connect with the ball not many can dig her hit up. We need Ally to step up this year and be more of a take charge player, even though its not really the type of person she is. “
Kendal Muxlow, Sr, OH, Brown City
Kendal may come as a surprise to many seeing her on the dark horse list, as she’s been a prominent figure in Green Devil volleyball since her freshman season. Muxlow is coming off of a 3rd team All-Class C selection and 2 consecutive 1st team All-GTE selections. In her junior campaign, the 6-rotation outside hitter put down 525 kills on a .340 hitting percentage as well as digging up 324 balls. But earlier in the winter basketball season, Kendal would see herself suffer a huge ACL injury, causing months of rehab and behind the scenes work. Coach Jenna Welke has no doubt Kendal can bounce back from such injury.
Coach Welke: “We are really looking forward to having Kendal Muxlow return to the floor. She bounced back from her ACL tear much better than we ever expected, and we have full confidence she will jump right back into the swing of things. Just her presence on the floor is a huge factor for our team. Her ball control, serving consistency, and power at the net is what we will rely heavily on. Obviously her offense is her key strength, but her defense in the backcourt has improved tremendously throughout the past three years and will be a huge factor for our success as well.”
Ellie Hornbacher, Jr, OH, Caro
Photo by Varsity MonthlyAnother athlete who is bouncing back from a big time injury is 6-rotation outside hitter Ellie Hornbacher. Suffering a broken right clavicle injury during the basketball season, Hornbacher had to undergo surgery and months of rehab. Now, all recovered, Hornbacher is looking for a breakout season in her second outing with the Tiger squad. Last season, Ellie put down 131 kills while passing 513 attacks pacing a huge part of the Caro defense.
Coach Tobey: “For Ellie, the shoulder injury has hampered some of her training, but most of the summer she has been fine. We will have to watch how many swings she takes, but I don’t anticipate too many complications from that. She is already a better defender and working on her timing in the front is showing improvement. She will be a force all over the court.”
Tiffany White, Sr, Libero, EPBP Lakers
Being the only player in the Greater Thumb West Conference (GTW) to return to the libero position, Lakers’ Tiffany White is ready for big things this season. After a lackluster season for the Lady Lakers, Coach Repkie look for Tiffany to be one of the big leaders for the defense and overall team. Last season would see Tiffany amass over 300 digs and 400 receptions.
Coach Repkie: “Tiffany White has great knowledge of the game. Her volleyball IQ is increasing with each practice and breaking things down for her. She has very high standards ofplay that is set by herself, team and coaching staff. White is our positive impact on our team. She believes in moving on to the next play. She is our one who will constantly pick up everyone else and let them know they can do it and they will get it this next time! We do not see her falling short of any achievements this coming season!”
Jenna Topham, Jr, Setter, Caro
The second of three dark horse selections on this list reigning from Caro, this coming from setter Jenna Topham. The junior setter was apart of Caro’s 2-setter system last year and to great success. Topham drove a big part of the offense, setting the team to a .355 hitting percentage while in setting duties while pocketing 642 assists and 36 aces on the year. With the experience and the move to the GTW, area coaches should be wary of this setter.
Coach Tobey: “Jenna is an amazing setter who is not satisfied with what she did in her rookie year of leading the team in assists. She can deliver the ball to any hitter and is very smart on the floor as she mostly picks the correct hitter for each situation. “
Gabbie Childers, Sr, MB/OPP, Croswel-Lexington
As her role expands on the Pioneer team, expect her prowess to expand as well. This 6’1 middle blocker is looking to have a huge season ahead as she’ll be moving positions and be heavily relied on for more than her blocking. Coach Ryan Wilson looks for big things in this up-and-coming blocker, one of those things are her offense. Last year, Gabbie Childers would almost match her kills and blocks numbers, putting down 146 kills on a .246 hitting percentage and shutting down 111 attacks. An avid blocker, look for Childers to go crazy with her new found role on this squad.
Coach Wilson: “Gabbie is a huge blocker and will be moving over to the middle which will definitely expand her role as an offensive player, as opposed to last year, where we relied more on her for blocking on the RS. She has been working really hard this summer to learn the expectations and movement of the position and I have no doubt that our middles are going to carry a huge load for us.”
Mackenzie Delong, Sr, MB, North Branch
Looking to be another big factor to Jim Fisch’ volleyball dynasty is senior middle blocker Mackenzie Delong. Receiving little playing time in last year’s squad that would run all the way to a Regional Finals match, Delong is looking to make big time strides this season. Stepping in for the now Oakland County College player Jacque Armstrong, Fisch has no doubt Mackenzie has the ability to fill the holes fast.
Coach Fisch: “As far as that player who will make an impact that people did not expect it will be MacKenzie Delong. She is ultra athletic (state track qualifier in the shot put) and extremely fast and adept at hitting off one foot. She is going to surprise people.”
Amber Pleiness, Jr, MB, Harbor Beach
Photo by Huron Daily TribuneOne of the biggest reasons Harbor Beach looks to be the biggest threat to Brown City’s GTE dynasty is because of this middle blocker. Entering her junior campaign Amber Pleiness is looking to capitalize on her found success in her debut outing with the Lady Pirates. Last season would see the middle blocker be a leader for the team, she put down 251 kills on a .244 clip as well as dig up 306 attacks, proving to be a power at the net and in the back court.
Coach Weiss: “Amber is a very versatile player. She moved to middle last year when she was moved to Varsity and loves hitting at a quicker pace and reacts well for blocking. She can hit from any position and will be one of our lead hitters this season. Her defense is also great for us as she can read the hitters well in blocking and moves well in the back row. She loves the game and shows that as she plays everything all out the whole game for her team. She’s such a great teammate, very humble, and is going to step up as a veteran player and leader on the team this year. “
Brittany Hamilton, Sr, OPP/Setter, Cass City
Photo by Huron Daily TribuneThis is yet another athlete looking for a breakout season due to graduation and growth of role on their respected squads. Last season would see Brittany Hamilton play 3 rotations through the front as an opposite hitter and secondary setter.This season coach Amy Cuthrell expects one of her most versatile athletes to take on a big role. As Hamilton looks to be not only apart of the offense but running it as well, splitting her time attacking and setting duties, never leaving the game. Last season in just her limited role, she knocked in 128 kills, 34 blocks and put up 92 assists for the Hawks.
Coach Cuthrell: “Hamilton is a very versatile athlete, she can hit and make plays out of the worst balls, while also being strong enough to run an entire offense. I have big expectations for her this coming season and I think she can definitely exceed those expectations. She’s very strong and smart about the game.”
Ashlin Murphy, Sr, MB, Caro
The last of the trio of Caro players to land on this list is middle blocker Ashlin Murphy. Going into her third go-around under head coach Bob Tobey, this athlete is stepping up into some big shoes. Last year, the Tiger squad lost Grand Valley State bound MB Cameryn Brown. Murphy looks to step into her new role on this team with a great start. Leading the team to a Roscommon tournament victory, Ashlin knocked down 52 kills and stuffed 22 attacks down to lead the team in both categories. Last season, Murphy put down 174 kills and put up 90 blocks, beware of this talent.
Coach Tobey: “Ashlin has improved tremendously in the front and back. She puts up an effective block and can hit accurately with the best of them. You are correct that the new conference has some powerful middles to contend with but I have all the confidence in the world in Ashlin’s ability to keep up. She can adapt very well to the set and turn almost anything into a successful attack.”