All-Central Michigan Dream Team

<p>The 2019 prep season saw a number of teams from the Central Michigan-area break out for a big year.</p> <p>While the communities may be smaller, there is still plenty of top-level volleyball talent in the area. They proved themselves in 2019 and some have went on to expand their talents in the shortened 2020 club year.</p> <p>Here’s some of the top players from the area and what they have been able to do in the last year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50294" first="Sophie" last="Plate"], OH/MH Greenville/MVA (2021)</strong></p> <p>Plate is a diverse hitter for Greenville and MVA that can touch nearly 10 feet on her vertical. She uses her 5’11” frame to produce powerful attacks, and she can attack from the outside or the middle. Constantly improving her game, Plate is looking to become a top outside in the state over the next year.</p> <p><strong>Molly Gerow, OH Beaverton/FaR Out North (2021)</strong></p> <p>Gerow is an outstanding athlete that excels in three sports at Beaverton, but clearly has made a name for herself on the volleyball court. Gerow was a First Team All-State selection in Division 3 in 2019 after helping the Beavers to a conference, district and regional championship. Last fall Gerow put up over 630 kills and 370 digs.</p> [caption id="attachment_94340" align="alignright" width="195"] Mady Pahl[/caption] <p><strong>Mady Pahl, S Beaverton (2021)</strong></p> <p>The Beavers wouldn’t have been able to have the success they had in 2019 without Pahl’s consistent play at setter. The Class of 2021 standout put up over 1,100 assists during the prep season and also tallied over 330 digs and 60 aces. She had a great connection with Gerow and her other hitters and showed the leadership you need out of the position.</p> <p><strong>Sage Schumacher, MH Beal City/Five:1 (2021)</strong></p> <p>Beal City has always found ways to be competitive at the state level and Schumacher is one of the latest standouts for the Aggies. A 6-foot talent that can also play on the outside, Schumacher has a great finishing touch and has a long reach that makers her a tough block for opponents to deal with. Expect to hear her name often in 2020 in the Central Michigan-area.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24834" first="Anna" last="Leigh Alford"], S Mt. Pleasant/FaR Out (2022)</strong></p> <p>Alford made big improvements from her freshman season to her sophomore season with Mt. Pleasant, helping guide the Oilers to a regional championship in 2019. She has well over 2,000 assists in her prep career and has approach 100 aces in each of her first two season with Mt. Pleasant. Her game continues to improve exponentially while with FaR Out. The 2020 season will see more big things from Alford.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24840" first="Braelyn" last="Berry"], OH/DS Morley Stanwood/Inside Out (2022)</strong></p> <p>Berry was a standout sophomore in the area last fall, as she emerged as a top hitter for the Mohawks. She also displayed a solid serve and great defensive game, making her a top six-rotation option. Stanwood was able to get to the regional stage of the D3 postseason and should be in shape for another big year in 2020 behind Berry’s growth during the offseason.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="60865" first="Savannah" last="Willis"], MH Midland (2022)</strong></p> <p>Willis is a promising young talent in the middle of the net for the Chemics. She emerged as a consistent finisher throughout the 2019 prep season and has continued to improve on her timing with her swings and blocks. There is definitely potential for her all-around game as well, which will give Midland some flexibility for years to come.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66332" first="Elizabeth" last="Shea"], S Freeland (2023)</strong></p> <p>Shea got a chance to contribute to Freeland as a freshman as part of a 2-setter system there. That experience will pay off in the future, as Shea showed flashes of a real leader for the Falcons to rely on. Freeland claimed a regional title for the first time in 14 seasons last year and Shea should have the Falcons shooting for more championships in the next three years.</p> <p><strong>Honorable Mention: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="89355" first="Brooke" last="Brauher"], MH Morley Stanwood (2021); Mackenzie Egger, MB Mt. Pleasant (2021); Francesca Queary, OH Midland Dow (2021); Molly Pitcher, OH Bay City Central (2022).</p>