Top Teams in the Greater Thumb West

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Greater Thumb West Conference has been a gold mine for top tier teams in Division 3 for years now! In the last ten years, eight of those saw a Greater Thumb team advance to the quarterfinals or further in the post season. This is a stacked conference!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing has escaped this stacked field of teams until last season though and that was a state championship! Despite all of the top tier teams to come through in the past several years, with the likes of the long dominance of Unionville-Sebewaing, it wasn't until last year that we saw a team break the mold. The Reese Rockets, an unsuspected name won the first championship, not only for their program, but for the conference as a whole. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year could be another big year of volleyball in the GTW, as they return several marquee talents to the thumb scene. Let's break down some of the top teams to watch from the Greater Thumb West Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Cass City</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":165588,"width":200,"height":131,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/Shelby-Ignash-Kacee-Gray-crop-1068x702-1637002614.png" alt="" class="wp-image-165588" width="200" height="131" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My prediction to finally win the conference title outright in 2022 is the Cass City Red Hawks. The Hawks have been one of the top teams for the last several years, not only in this conference but in the entire state. But with being in such a stacked field of teams, the top honors have always escaped them by just a thread. Whether that is a district championship, which is ultimately an addition to the conference games with so many familiar faces, but also the Greater Thumb West title. This could and SHOULD be the year of the Hawks from start to finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's break it down simply. Cass City returns one of the hottest names in the sophomore class with MB [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash']. She had bursted onto the scene last year with her lethal slide attack and has yet to look back. She returns alongside her a combination of fellow sophomores on the pins with [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595976' first='Lexi' last='Champagne']</strong>. Gray had a phenomenal freshman outing alongside Ignash and Champagne has been looking top notch in the early preseason competitions Cass City has partaken in. This squad also returns senior setter, [player_tooltip player_id='172194' first='Saylar' last='Cuthrell'], who can really be a game-changer with her athleticism in the position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Reese</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning Division 3 State Champions return to the 2022 season looking a lot different than they did from last year's run. A few key differences to note are the huge losses on the roster. You lose All-State honorees OH [player_tooltip player_id='172182' first='Maddi' last='Osantowski'] (Cornerstone) and S [player_tooltip player_id='172183' first='Aydan' last='Dalak'] (Bluefield State) alongside Honorable Mention L <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172186' first='Josie' last='Johnson']</strong>. The trio left behind a huge legacy but not much of themselves to pick up what they left. Rest assure, this team will still be a very solid one that will be giving fits all season, and who knows, you can never count out the Rockets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":166314,"width":272,"height":213,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/DSC_0959-1024x804.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-166314" width="272" height="213" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From last season, the Rockets return MB <strong>Abby Karst</strong> and UT [player_tooltip player_id='172190' first='Jerzie' last='Vanochten']. Vanochten saw herself bounce around from backing up Dalak, to libero for a bulk of the season and then a DS during the tournament run. This season however, we may not see her set or wear the off-colored jersey, but we might see her swinging on the left side as a six rotation player. They also are rolling out another Vanochten to the lineup, with younger sister, <strong>Jaidyn Vanochten</strong> donning the libero jersey this season for Reese. While Reese isn't necessarily a favorite to win this season, as we learned from last, never count out the Rockets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Bad Axe</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bad Axe had some serious potential last season to be a real problem! They had one of the most stacked and spread offenses in the area, but due to injuries and setting woes, nothing could really materialize for the Hatchets. But from what looked really good for the Hatchets last season, returns a lot. Some of the key returners to watch are in the middle with <strong>Kathryn Himmel</strong> and UT <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172196' first='Sarah' last='Howard']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, Himmel was poised for a breakout season as one of the top middle blockers in the area and Howard was the top liberos before both fell to injuries midseason. But as the two return back healthy and stronger, there is a possibility they could pick up where they showed promise from last season! You may see either one of these two players up at the net and possibly playing six rotations, but they'll for sure be the leaders of this squad. Another notable returner to include is OH <strong>Callie Engler.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Unionville-Sebewaing</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The legends that once were have been a little quiet as of the last few seasons. After the graduation of <strong>Rylee Zimmer</strong>, the Patriots have not been the perennial juggernauts that they were known to be. But that doesn't mean to count them out though. With the retiring of long time coach <strong>Teresa Rose</strong> and a bench of fresh faces, there is no time like the present to revamp this program back to their winning ways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the top names to look out for with this Unionville-Sebewaing program are OH <strong>Jenna Gremel </strong>and MB <strong>Olivia Jubar</strong>. The two were the teams second and third leading scorers in 2021 behind senior <strong>Carly Koch</strong> and will look to expand on their scoring ways this season. Gremel has a wicked left arm on the pins that showed to give opponents fits. Meanwhile, Jubar can attack just about anywhere along the net and find success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->