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"She's just an outstanding athlete," said Marlette coach Fred McDowell. "She continues to improve, and we have not met anyone she can't match up to. Her personality, integrity and leadership are of the highest caliber. I have coached and watched many excellent high school athletes and Jenna is in the top one or two on that list."

A great hitter depends upon teammates passing the ball and the a setter making right decisions. Marlette's Josie Volz was one of the premier setters in the Thumb area this season. The 5'8" senior turned in 1,187 assists this fall. However, she also was a strong floor player, reflected by other season stats Ð 225 digs, 96% serving (with 39 aces), 69 kills and 23 solo blocks.

Coach McDowell commented on Volz: "Josie's stats, work ethic, and attitude alone should put her in the elite category. However, her ability to read the block and set intelligent sequences has made it possible for us to run a relatively fast offense."

Deckerville had some struggles getting into the win column in a rugged GTC East division this fall, but perseverance, sparked by the leadership of senior Ashley Szymanski, paid off in the end. The Lady Eagles went on to be runner-up to Marlette at the County tournament, won the CPS Invitational, a Class D District title, and a place in the Regional title match. Szymanski was at the heart of that stretch drive. The 5'8" senior hitter/defender closed the season with 276 kills (.347 kill percentage), 331 good serves, 34 aces, 386 digs and 42 blocks.

"Ashley went way beyond what a player has to do. She led the team all year," explained Karl Krumenacker, Deckerville coach. "She's just an all-around player. She was our best in the back row and she was our best in the front row. She always has a good attitude and she's a hard worker."

When new Cros-Lex coach Michele Huber implemented a new scheme this fall in the Lady Pioneers volleyball program, senior Erin Lamb was able to adjust and adapt more than adequately. The 5'11" middle hitter finished the campaign with a team-leading 342 kills (.465 kill percentage) and 129 blocks. Lamb also had 160 service points.

Huber had plenty of praise for Lamb. "She's such a powerhouse Ð she has the ability to turn a game around. She hits the ball so hard and puts up huge blocks. Offensively and defensively, she was our go-to girl. She could read the court better than anyone."

One of two juniors selected to this year's All-County team is Brown City's Kayla Parr. The 5'10" junior hitter became a force up front this fall on a team that finished behind only Ubly and Marlette, the GTC East champions. An All-GTC East 1st Team selection this season, she totaled 410 kills, 125 blocks, 90% serving, and 114 digs.

"She did an outstanding job of both hitting and blocking. She was a go-to player," praised BC coach Dennis Sidebottom. "She works really hard at the game. She's extremely hard to block and the reason is that she has developed a variety of shots. She can go up and find a hole in the defense and put it there."

Kayla Cain had a standout season for Brown City this season with some impressive all-around statistics. The senior hitter set a school record in service points with 316 and finished with 91% serve average and 88 aces. Also, Cain had 367 digs, 145 kills, and 236 serve receptions.

Coach Sidebottom commented: "She was probably our best all-around player. The biggest thing is that she may be the best server I've ever had since I've been doing this." Rounding out the A-C First Team is another junior, Marlette's Jenna Thompson. Primarily used in the libero role, Thompson not only was a supreme defensive player, she also possessed a spark that helped ignite the play of the Lady Raiders many times. Thompson finished with a total of 310 digs and 327 serve receptions. Her spirited play has Coach McDowell considering using her in more ways next season.

"I wish I would have played her more," said McDowell. "She was voted our best defensive player...but it's a tie (to me) between defensive player and her spirit. She wants to be in there and she wants to be in there to make an impact."

The selection of the Coach of the Year, by the News, is Marlette's Fred McDowell. Hopes for a longer run in the State tournament were dashed, with some disappointment, in the Regional semifinals, for McDowell's Lady Raiders. However, it was still a great season Ð one that produced three invitational titles, advancing to at least the semis in three other tough tournaments, a GTC East title share with Ubly (Class C State Runner-Up), and the school's sixth consecutive District championship. Overall, the Lady Raiders compiled a 42-11-5 record (including 17-6-3 vs. Class A and B schools).

"I'm really proud of the girls, especially for what they did when you look at the that fact that our won-lost record was about the same as last year. We played in tournaments all year where there were a lot of Class A, and some Class B, teams," said McDowell. "I felt good about that.

He added that it was hard for him and his players to suffer the season-ending loss in the Regional semifinals, knowing they had not played their best, but he added, "We're going to recover from it. We'll work hard in all the aspects where we have the talent in. In the places we are weaker, we'll work to cover from some place else."

Second Team

Coach Krumenacker at Deckerville has a promising young group of players set to return next year, led by Dana Stolicker. The 5'6" junior hitter/defender proved to be a versatile, all-around player for the Lady Eagles this fall, her second year on varsity. On a very defensive-minded team, Stolicker was second on the team in digs with 251. She also was a 97% server with 28 aces and had 97 kills.

"She's an excellent back row player," lauded Coach Krumenacker, and that's just as important as the front row. She can get the ball and get the passes ahead." He added that in the front row, "She didn't make any mistakes."

A very valuable setter, Sandi Oligney proved to be much more than that on the floor for Brown City this season. The 5'4" junior had plenty of versatility because of her athleticism. Overall this season, Oligney finished with 717 assists, but also totaled 442 digs, 181 kills, 92% serving, and 50 aces.

Coach Sidebottom commented on Oligney: "She wasn't just a setter, even though a setter might be the most important player on the team. She led the team in digs, and we also use the setter to attack every game and, because she is such a good athlete, we spend time working on that."

Another athletic player that saw time at every position is Sarah Furness of Cros-Lex. The 5'8" junior led the Lady Pioneers on defense with 386 digs, but she also was a terrific server, who finished with 220 points. At the net, Furness added 160 kills (.365 kill average) and 63 blocks.

"She can play anywhere. Fundamentally, she was really consistent," said Coach Huber. "She was our top defensive player. She read the ball better than any of our players. When we didn't have her out there, you could tell a huge difference in the defense."

Although she has only played volleyball for two years, Jordan Alexander from CPS emerged as a very sound, all-around player despite her 5'4" stature. And, although her numbers were not huge, Alexander, the lone senior for the Lady Tigers, was a much needed team leader. Overall, she finished with 313 passes, 75 service points, 30 aces, 53 digs and 36 kills.

Coach Jen Abbott of CPS explained the importance of Alexander's presence on the floor. "She was the leader of the team and was always giving a pep talk. She always gives a full effort, even when she's hurt (and continued to play). She is very dedicated and she pushed the other girls."

Peck's Sarah Long was a similar role model as Alexander. At just 5'4", the senior took charge on the floor whether in the front or back row, and led the team in seven statistical categories, including passing (792), digs (105), attacks (132), kills (50, and service points (117). She also had 27 blocks.

"She's going to be missed so much," remarked Peck coach Trisha Bussey. "She is a very good, all-around athlete and is very highly respected. She's good server, good bumper, and she's looked up to by the team."

With the defensive ability that Michelle Burgess possessed, Coach Sidebottom of Brown City could implement a different scheme on the court. The Lady Green Devil junior strictly was a defensive specialist. Burgess recorded 298 digs, 115 passes and 303 serve receptions on the season.

"Michelle allowed us to play... a five-up and just her in the back," explained Sidebottom. "She's an excellent athlete.... She covers the deepest one-third of the court by herself."

Marlette's Amber Wood could take over more hitting duties next season. The 5'9" junior rotated into the front when Lange went out much of the season and finished with 357 kills and 76 solo blocks. Her all-around ability reflected in her 82 aces and 422 digs.

Coach McDowell commented: "She was the second best athlete on the team behind Jenna Lange, at least, as being an impact player. We needed her hitting ability."