2021 All-Thumb Dream Team: First 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 First Team.</p> [caption id="attachment_166158" align="alignright" width="170"]<img class="wp-image-166158" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/Reese-2-Maddi-Osantowski-207x300.jpg" alt="" width="170" height="246" /> [player_tooltip player_id="172182" first="Maddi" last="Osantowski"][/caption] <p>[player_tooltip player_id="172182" first="Maddi" last="Osantowski"] (2022) | 5'10 OH | Reese</p> <p>There's no getting around that [player_tooltip player_id="172182" first="Maddi" last="Osantowski"] had one of the best seasons for any player in the state. Named <a href="https://prepdig.com/2021/12/2021-division-3-players-coach-of-the-year/">Prep Dig's 2021 D3 Player of the Year</a>, there was no one else quite fitting for the honor. Osantowski collected over 600 kills and 400 digs throughout her senior season. In the championship match alone, she downed 34 kills in five sets to tie with Jess Mruzik for third most kills in a championship game. Alongside being the top player in her division, Osantowski plays the game with such poise and selflessness. You can't help but to admire her talents. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="172183" first="Aydan" last="Dalak"] (2022) | 5'9 S | Reese/Arsenal</p> <p>Right alongside Osantowski was her partner in crime. Dalak is a fighter on the court. Feisty and in charge, she was not only the director of the offense, but she was the emotional leader on the court. With a vision for the opponent, Dalak showed to be very offensive minded was quick to score on two. Her and Osantowski's connection was one unlike any other, always in sync and so lethal. Dalak is touted by many to be one of the best setters to have played in the thumb.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="172185" first="Kate" last="Clancy"] (2022) | 5'10 OH | Bad Axe</p> <p>Bad Axe started off the season looking to be the team to beat in the area. While injuries lingered throughout the season, [player_tooltip player_id="172185" first="Kate" last="Clancy"] was in top form from start to finish. One of the best attackers in the area, Clancy not only had power, but she had range. She was very versatile hitting across the net and from the back. This six rotation player was crucial in Bad Axe's ability to compete while struggling with injuries. With an ability to take over games, Clancy was huge, averaging over four kills per set. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="156307" first="Shelby" last="Ignash"] (2025) | 6'1 MB | Cass City/Fusion</p> <p>If we were giving out a Rookie of the Year award, Ignash would earn top honors. Only as a freshman, Ignash has cemented herself as one of the biggest players in the area. She's not only a lethal attacker but a natural blocker. Ignash is able to make plays you just don't see at her age. Her slide is a thing made of beauty, yet so deadly. Just in her debut, she was able to lead this Red Hawk squad past the district final hump and to a regional final appearance.</p> <p>[embed]https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1469687462725308417?s=20[/embed]</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="110301" first="Hailey" last="Green"] (2024) | 5'1 L | North Branch/Michigan Elite<br /> One of the top defenders in the state, [player_tooltip player_id="110301" first="Hailey" last="Green"] is every attacker's worst nightmare. Green plays with such a high-level IQ, she is almost always a step ahead of the attacker. En route to guiding her team to their first finals match in five years, Green racked up over 800 digs. She'll look to continue this success with North Branch for another two seasons on the hunt for a state title.</p> [caption id="attachment_166936" align="alignright" width="179"]<img class="wp-image-166936" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/NB-9-Alana-Deshetsky-3-1-235x300.jpg" alt="" width="179" height="229" /> [player_tooltip player_id="110291" first="Alana" last="Deshetsky"][/caption] <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="110291" first="Alana" last="Deshetsky"] (2024) | 5'8 OH | North Branch</span></p> <p>One of the craziest stories of the season comes from [player_tooltip player_id="110291" first="Alana" last="Deshetsky"]. Not only did she lead the Broncos to a D2 Runner-Up finish, but she did this all with a torn meniscus. Playing with this injury for the second half of the season and playing at such a high-level is impressive. Deshetsky was able to play six rotations with ease defensively and leading in attacks. It is to wonder how good Deshetsky can be next season with a healthy knee.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="152527" first="Lindsey" last="Guza"] (2022) | 6'1 MB | Ubly/Fusion</span></p> <p>Another player who has cemented her legacy is [player_tooltip player_id="152527" first="Lindsey" last="Guza"]. A four year starter for the Bearcats, Guza has been playing at a high level the entire time. Before Guza, the last time Ubly made it past the district rounds was 2009. During her time, Ubly has made it to three consecutive quarter final matches. In her senior campaign, Guza was able to put down 400 kills and average over a block and a half per set. </p>