Back to the Bay: Top Players to Watch in the Saginaw Bay Area

This is another area of volleyball that can produce some top notch talent and teams going deep in the tournament come November. Last season saw both Birch Run and Essexville-Garber in the regional rounds before falling to eventual Runner-Ups, North Branch.   This year may very well be a lot of the same as last year. Birch Run returns key pieces and Garber returns practically everyone. You also have to consider the power of Audrey Geer at Frankenmuth and the potential of other rising stars in the area.   Let's break down who's to watch in the coming months in the Saginaw Bay Area.   [player_tooltip player_id='66297' first='Kalliann' last='Cook'] - 5'6 L - Birch Run   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/Kalliann-Cook.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-130327" width="222" height="147"/></figure>   Returning for one last round as a Panther, it is safe to say that Kalliann Cook has cemented herself as one of the best to ever wear the jersey at Birch Run. With her as libero, she has led this team to become a consistent contender in the post season tournament and high finishes in the Tri-Valley Conference. With another season to go, I am excited to see how Cook goes out on her prep career.   [player_tooltip player_id='172193' first='Taylor' last='Schram'] - 5'7 OH/L - Birch Run   Right along Cook to make one killer defensive line and reception pattern, Taylor Schram gives Birch Run the perfect 1-2 punch. You can throw her in as a defensive specialist or as an attacker and she can produce in either position. I would be confident to say we'll be seeing a lot of Schram on the pins this year to make up the loss of OH Logan Martinus   [player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer'] - 5'11 OH - Frankenmuth   Frankenmuth was going up on a real high last season entering the tournament. Audrey Geer was just getting better and better as the season went on. Her passing is off the charts and she can smash the ball at some wicked angles with ease. Unfortunately, Muth was taken down in the District Finals by conference foe, Birch Run. With the bitter taste of last year's loss, I can see Geer and company taking it as fuel going into this season.   <figure class="wp-block-embed alignright is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1507451715368402946?s=20&t=YNbBqUuxosFawIgkjMYLwQ </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='172187' first='Emma' last='Dufresne'] - 5'8 OH - Garber   When I am telling you Garber returns everyone, i am telling you they return some fire power! Emma Dufresne is at the forefront of said, firepower. By the looks of her, she is a little undersized, but when watching her, she can hop out of the gym and pick some gnarly shots around the court. Dufresne is the complete six rotation player that Garber will lean on to break through the regional phase this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='172188' first='Ashlee' last='Lenhard'] - 5'11 MB - Garber   This player not only brings the boom to the court, but puts up quite the wall as well. No matter what phase of the game it is, Garber can feel comfortable with Ashlee Lenhard's ability to deliver. At the net, she does a great job slowing down the ball for her defenders. On offense, Lenhard can run a variety of routes to spread the offense out.   [player_tooltip player_id='172189' first='Laney' last='Kokaly'] - 5'6 L - Garber   Rounding out the power trio of the Garber Dukes is the head of the back court, Laney Kokaly. Another player from this area to have cemented her name in the school record books, Kokaly is entering her senior season as one of the top liberos in program history. Leading the records in career digs and digs in a single season, with another season left, Kokaly will leave these records almost untouchable.   Evelynn Rybicki - 5'9 OH/S - Freeland   This Freeland roster presents a lot of different possibilities with the versatility of some players. The biggest asset to this team comes from Evelynn Rybicki. A setter in the club season that can dish out some serious butter, so dynamically too. Rybicki can also cause some problems as an attacker. Wherever Rybicki plays this season, she will be one to watch.   Alli Maize - 5'8 OH - Freeland   Another attacker from the Freeland Eagle's squad to keep an eye on is Alli Maize. Maize has been a fixture in this team's lineup for a few seasons now. Entering her senior season, I could see Maize going out on her prep career with quite a bang. Maize is yet another smaller attacker with insane hops and a healthy arm to score at an efficient rate.   Lyberty Brandt - 5'11 OH - Swan Valley   Swan Valley may have lost out on a lot of production in their offense from last season, but they return a very promising star that tore up the court last season. Lyberty Brandt showed glimpses of excellence last season and as she enters her senior season, I feel Brandt is on the cusp of a huge send off. Brandt can crank at the ball with the best of them and she is at a decent size to cause a lot of issues at the net and in the back court.   Breanna David - 5'8 OH - Bay City Western   Rounding out this list, Breanna David is a player that has been leading this Bay City Western team for a few seasons now. A team that consistently shows potential to make some noise in the Saginaw Valley League, David has consistently been a presence for the Warriors. A highly athletic player with great speed and leaping abilities, her athleticism carries her a far ways.

This is another area of volleyball that can produce some top notch talent and teams going deep in the tournament come November. Last season saw both Birch Run and Essexville-Garber in the regional rounds before falling to eventual Runner-Ups, North Branch.