Miss Volleyball Spotlight: Schoolcraft’s Simkins plays well above Eagles’ D3 label
It doesn’t take much to see Andelyn Simkins is a generational talent for the Schoolcraft volleyball program. Just watch a few points of any match involving the Eagles. Despite being part of a Division 3 program, Simkins’ skills would translate…
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Continue ReadingIt doesn’t take much to see Andelyn Simkins is a generational talent for the Schoolcraft volleyball program.
Just watch a few points of any match involving the Eagles.
Despite being part of a Division 3 program, Simkins’ skills would translate to any program around the state.
Her athleticism, composure and intelligence make her one of the best talents in the state of Michigan.
“Sometimes people see her during the week and they don’t realize just how good of a player she is,” Schoolcraft coach Erin Onken said her senior outside hitter. “The teams we play during the week are a little smaller and a little slower. That just comes with being in Division 3, that’s not meant to be disrespectful. But, Andelyn can play on any court, anywhere in the state. She’s just that strong of a talent.”
Simkins’ abilities have been noticed by many, as she finds herself as one of the 10 finalists for the 2019 Miss Volleyball award.
“I didn’t think I was going to be (a finalist),” Simkins said. “I just practice really hard and the most important thing to me has always been for my teammates and myself to get better. It’s really nice to be recognized, but I wouldn’t be a finalist without my team and my coaches.”
A four-year varsity player for Schoolcraft, Simkins already owns the school records for kills and digs. She was a Second Team All-State selection as a freshman and earned First Team All-State honors as a sophomore and a junior.
“Andelyn is a very confident and very calm player,” Onken said. “Her focus is always on her next swing and the next point. Even if she hits a great shot, her focus is immediately on how can she have a better swing the next time. I think that confidence and calmness really gets passed on to her teammates and that’s what allowed us to do so well, especially against bigger programs.”
Simkins has had a chance to compete against a lot of Division 1 and Division teams this season. Schoolcraft has over 40 wins this year and has been holding on to the top spot in Division 3 for nearly the entire seasons.
Just last weekend, Schoolcraft reached the quarterfinals of the Beast of the East Tournament, where Simkins went toe-to-toe with a number of the top hitters in Michigan.
“I love it when we go to tournaments with bigger programs, because she really shines in those events,” Onken said. “She can handle the competition, she can handle the speed of the game and she can handle the pressure that comes with it.”
Simkins has been able to establish herself as a team leader at Schoolcraft at a young age, as the team looks to her when they need to get a big side out or finish a key point.
“Being a leader comes naturally to me. My teammates do a great job of pushing me, so I feel like I need to step up for them,” Simkins said. “I like to push myself as well, but I know when we all come together as a team and are pushing each other, it’s when we are at our best and can really reach our goals.”
This year, Simkins has been trying to fine-tune her game before heading off to Western Michigan to join the Broncos next fall. At 5’9”, Simkins doesn’t have the height of other elite hitters, but her volleyball IQ helps make up for the size difference.
“I am not as big as other hitters, so I have been really working on trying to hit high hands and use the block to my advantage,” Simkins said. “I think that has turned into a strength and I have been able to improve on hitting deep corners as well.”
Schoolcraft has seen its 2017 and 2018 seasons end in a five-set regional final loss to Bronson. It’s no secret that the Eagles have goals to reach Battle Creek and raise the hardware come the end of the 2019 season. Their performance this year has given nobody a reason to doubt their ability to do so.
“We all have been good at communicating with each other,” Simkins said of what has made the 2019 team special. “We all want the same goals and have the same expectations, so it’s not difficult for us to get motivated for a match or for practice. We’ve all been really locked in this year.”
Regardless of how this season ends, Onken knows the Schoolcraft program has been changed forever by the impact that Simkins has had.
“I am really going to miss her leadership. She’s a leader that can’t be replaced,” Onken said. “She’s the first one to take the huddle and she’s just a very caring and kind person. The characteristics of what make her a great player and a great person will allow us to have great leadership in the future. The young girls on the team will be better leaders because of the leadership and guidance Andelyn showed them.”