Do-It-All: Amber Pleiness
An athlete that can do it all is something a coach dreams of having. For the Harbor Beach head coach, Stephanie Weiss, this dream is a reality with Amber Pleiness. The Harbor Beach Pirates are experiencing a once in a lifetime season.…
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Continue ReadingAn athlete that can do it all is something a coach dreams of having. For the Harbor Beach head coach, Stephanie Weiss, this dream is a reality with Amber Pleiness. The Harbor Beach Pirates are experiencing a once in a lifetime season. The Pirates currently sitting pretty ranked 17 in Division 3 with a 30-6-2 record on the season. Huge part in thanks to Pleiness.
Photo by Quad N ProductionsThis athlete is no surprise to Weiss. As a sophomore, Amber would help lift her team to a district finals match against Unionville-Sebewaing. Being the first time in many years to get this far in the post season. Although not too impressive of a season, bringing in a record of 23-18-6 during the sophomore season. But along with her own, Amber has lifted the entire program’s game.
In her debut outing, she showcased big potential leading the team in blocks and coming in second for kills, digs, and serving. Posting good numbers, she brought down 251 kills on a .244 clip while stuffing 45 attacks. Impressive enough, as a sophomore, Amber would be asked to stay in the entire game for her defense. Notching great numbers, bringing in 305 digs and 306 service receptions. Amber and then libero Mae Woodke would become a 1-2 punch for the Beach’s scrappy defense.
“Amber has been going great for us as a 6-rotation player. She brings an intensity and passion for the game and it shows on the court. I’m very impressed with her determination and ability to adjust” Coach Stephanie Weiss boasted, “from seeing the block against her while she’s on offense, to focusing on the hitter across from her while on defense. She’s got a smart head for the game and knows when a tip will work for a point or whether she should take the swing and earn a kill that way. “
Photo by Huron Daily TribuneNow, onto her junior campaign Pleiness is leading the Pirates in all categories but one. As a 6-rotation middle blocker for the squad, Amber has come out to play in every aspect of the game. If it’s not packing the punch for the offense, she’s helping pace the defense in the back court. She’s a “do-it-all” player.
So far on the season, Pleiness has racked in some impressive numbers. Knocking down 303 kills on a .348 clip to go along with 80 aces. While defensively, stuffing 85 attacks, to go along with 353 digs and 389 service receptions. All of which, leading her team.
Coach Weiss continued on the star, “She is a go-to player when we need a side-out or to win a long rally. This has been a huge improvement for her since last season. She was the youngest on the team and had to find her place and earn it. This year she stepped into that role of being our go-to hitter, but she does it with grace and humbleness to support her team.”
This do-it-all spirit has lifted Harbor Beach to big wins this year notably to teams like L’anse Creuse, Millington and Oakland Christian. With only losses coming in forms of heavy weight teams from Class C/D Showdown Tournament and GTE rival Brown City. Brown City would end up keeping their streak alive of GTE Conference dominance, being Harbor Beach the only team to contest. Make no mistake, it only fuels a fire in the Pirate’s work.
Photo by Huron Daily TribuneCommenting on the culture of the program, Amber stated. “The key to our success this year in my opinion would definitely be how well our team works together and communicates. We have the same team we had my freshmen year so we are used to working together.”
Moving forward onto the post-season, Harbor Beach is looking to cause a ruckus in the early on. Competing in the same district as area heavy-weight Unionville-Sebewaing, whom haven’t let an area team to a district title since 2009. The Beach is looking to answer the question that Cass City hasn’t been able to. Who will stop USA’s dominance? Behind Pleiness’ guidance and a hungry squad, this could be the very year USA is stopped!
Being the only title to come through the Pirate gym has come from a conference title back in 1979. Pleiness and company are eager to make history.