2021 All-Thumb Dream Team: Second Team

<p>The Thumb showed to have one of the greatest seasons of volleyball in recent memory. The Reese Rockets took home their first state title in school history across all sports, completing an epic cinderella story. North Branch returned to the championship match after a five year drought. The Ubly Bearcats made their third straight quarterfinal.</p> <p>A lot of high level volleyball was played in the tri-county area that makes up the thumb. Stars emerged and legends were cemented in the history books.</p> <p>Here are the members of the 2021 All-Thumb Dream Team’s Second Team.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="110302" first="Adrienne" last="Greschaw"] (2024) | 5’8 S | North Branch/Michigan Elite</p> <p>North Branch ran one of the most balanced offenses in the area and arguably in the state. With as tight of a defense as she had, spreading the ball around came very easy for Greschaw. With over 1200 assists on the season, she was also able to make herself a constant threat on offense averaging almost a kill per set. With this entire team returning for another two seasons, I can only imagine what Greschaw and company are going to be able to do.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="172184" first="Kalee" last="Gray"] (2022) | 5’9 MB | Cass City</p> <p>A team full of youth, [player_tooltip player_id="172184" first="Kalee" last="Gray"] proved to be the steady senior leader Cass City needed to breakthrough a ten year rut. Gray made the middle a constant threat alongside freshman [player_tooltip player_id="156307" first="Shelby" last="Ignash"]. A heavy arm and a knack for some impressive cuts at the ball, Gray was a hard one to slow down. While imposing in the front, Kalee proved to be an effective server and defender as well.</p> <p>[embed]https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1474849733114056711?s=20[/embed]</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="172186" first="Josie" last="Johnson"] (2022) | 5’5 Lib | Reese</p> <p>The biggest key to success with a championship winning team is a tough serve and pass. [player_tooltip player_id="172186" first="Josie" last="Johnson"] spearheaded one of the best in the area. A multi-sport athlete, Johnson was able to use her athleticism to her advantage when defending her opponents. In the semi-finals and finals, Johnson combined for 53 digs to bring home Reese’s first ever state title.  </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="172194" first="Saylar" last="Cuthrell"] (2023) | 5’6 S | Cass City</p> <p>Volleyball may not be her first sport, or even her second sport. Despite not being [player_tooltip player_id="172194" first="Saylar" last="Cuthrell"]’s main sport, she is able to play with the best at a pretty high level. Not the most mechanically sound setter, it’s Cuthrell’s athleticism that elevates her and the offense she runs. Her right back defense is also some of the scrappiest you’ll find in the area. </p> <p>Nora Franzel (2022) | 5’4 Lib | Ubly</p> <p>After a mid-season position switch last season pushed Franzel into the libero jersey, she’s been thriving. This season she has stepped up her game another level and developed into one of the leaders for this Bearcat squad. Franzel had quite the year notching over 380 digs on the season. Her defensive efforts were crucial in leading Ubly to a third consecutive quarterfinal game.</p> [caption id="attachment_170110" align="alignright" width="208"]<img class="wp-image-170110 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/12/45-Clara-Gyomory-256x300.jpg" alt="" width="208" height="244" /> [player_tooltip player_id="172197" first="Clara" last="Gyomory"][/caption] <p>[player_tooltip player_id="172197" first="Clara" last="Gyomory"] (2024) | 5’10 OPP | North Branch</p> <p>The Broncos played with a very balanced offensive line this season. With every attacker averaging around two kills per set, Gyomory was consistently one of the most efficient attackers in the gym. She leads all Bronco attackers in hitting efficiency on the season. The sophomore opposite carries a powerful swing and can hit one of the toughest line shots in the area. Gyomory showed up big in overcoming Lakewood in the semi-finals. </p>