Conference Recap: Greater Thumb West
This is a D3 conference not to be messed with on both sides, East or West. The West side boasting an awfully competitive senior class that has made things more than interesting. Unionville-Sebewaing (USA) as predicted dominated the conference only dropping three sets over the course of 12 conference matches. Behind USA was a dog fight, Cass City looked to be a shoe in to take runner up but would fall apart during second half of play when Reese and Caro heated things up. Here’s a breakdown of how the season went.
Photo by Quad N Productions
Unionville-Sebewaing, Conference Champs, 12-0
As predicted in the Season Preview: The Greater Thumb West Conference , USA was expected to dominate. They were pegged by every conference coach to win and win they did. Behind the utter prowess of Rylee Zimmer, USA is currently enjoying yet another post-season run after topping #23 Millington in a tight sweep in Bad Axe. Zimmer has lead the charge for the Lady Pats hitting .383 on the season, she has put away 727 kills en route to another career best. She’s not the only one though as the supporting cast has stepped up their game. Allyson Kemp notched away 333 kills and Nichole Schember feeding 1501 assists on the season. USA has been running away with the entire season. They will face conference competitor Reese on Thursday for the regional championship.
Reese, Conference Runner-Up, 9-3
What looked to be an off season for the Rockets, starting out 4-2 in conference play. They were swept by USA, upset by Cass City from being up 2-0, and then almost slipped in a 5-set match against Caro. A new and inexperienced team, boasting two freshman, found themselves into some trouble. Although with star veteran Madi Thompson on deck, the rockets took a minute to find themselves as a team. To finish off the conference season, they would hold off Cass City and Caro but dropped a match to USA to lose contention of the title.
Cass City, 3rd Place, 8-4
Another team with an interesting story, Cass City wasn’t expected to come out as strong as they did. After losing 5 starters that boasted kills and assists leader, Sayge Cuthrell. While losing the strongest back-row duo in OH Lauren Dickinson and L Baylee Murphy who had over 1500 combined digs. Cass City was predicted to finish around 3rd or 4th. Always up for a challenge, Cass City came out ablaze, only dropping a match to USA and then come back from 0-2 to secure a victory against Reese. The Hawks looked strong. But then came injury that’d take out kills leader Kacey Haire during the second USA match and leave her midst recovery during the losses to Caro and Reese. Although losing steam, Cass City had the best defense in the conference. Between conference leader in digs, Kelly Ziegler and DS Abbey Salcido and Haire, the trio garnered over 2000 digs together. This out-pacing the next team by 800 digs!
Caro, 4th Place, 7-5
Photo by Sport’s FinestThe newest addition to the GTW conference, Caro made things very interested for veteran teams in the conference. Behind the conference leader in blocks in Ashlin Murphy and highly efficient lefty opposite, Kaitlyn Arebalo, Caro came to play. Dropping both matches to USA, they’d go on to split with Cass City and forcing Reese to the distance but ultimately dropping both. Caro looks to remain strong and a potential leader next season. As they lose Murphy and libero Olivia Bringard, they also return Arebalo and both outside hitters. Look for Caro to emphasize on this season’s success.
EPBP Laker, 5th Place, 4-8
Entering the season with a new head coach can bring many feelings, optimism was a strong suit for the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker squad. Coming into the season that looked to be just the case. They would push Cass City to the edge in the conference opener but that would be the length of the success for this squad. They’d go on to obtain a similar record to the past season, with the exception of losses to Caro. Moving forward, Laker loses four year varsity and kills leader Abi Schuette and digs leader Tiffany White. Laker looks to emphasize on the new culture of the program in the seasons to come.
Bad Axe, 6th Place, 2-10
Another team that is still adjusting to the culture of a new head coach is Bad Axe, whom just like Lakers, saw similar results to the prior season. This team showed their potential in being the only other team to Cass City to take a set from USA, but this wasn’t enough. The Hatchet’s lone wins come in the form of the Vassar Vulcans.
Vassar, 7th Place, 0-12
The third and final team to experience changes in head coaches was Vassar, but like the rest, Vassar is going to have to take more time to adjust to the new culture before growing. For the 3rd consecutive season, the Vulcans have yet to enjoy a GTW victory. The squad loses digs leader Lainey Zwerk.