08/28/2007

Record-Eagle file photo/Tyler Sipe
Madie Lagina (5) and her TC Central teammates shake hands with West's (from left) Gaby Muller, Brooke Rodes and Jordan Davenport after a match last season.

BNC co-champ TC West has familiar look

In a season of change, Titans return 6 starters

By MARK URBAN

murban@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — In a time of great change for volleyball in the state of Michigan, everything's the same at Traverse City West.

All six starters return for the Titans, who won at least a share of the Big North Conference title for the fifth straight season.

"It's really awesome,” West coach Emily Lovejoy said. "We really don't have to start over and teach everything again. We can pick right up where we left off.”

But while the Titans have been a constant — at least in the league — everything else is different.

For starters, the season is in the fall for the first time.

The season switch has also led to a shorter season, trimming about three weeks of playing time. Plus the finals have moved from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo to Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.

BIG NORTH

Although officially the starters are all back, not quite everything is the same with TC WEST, which does have to share senior middle hitter Brooke Rodes with the Titans' golf team.

If Rodes is absent, junior Sierra Breithaupt will step into the starting lineup.

Also back as starters are senior Jessica Oakley as middle hitter, senior Jordan Davenport and Margeaux Raymond as outside hitters, junior Lydia Lovejoy at setter and sophomore Gaby Muller at right-side hitter.

Also returning from last year's 25-20 team that went 9-1 in the Big North are senior defensive specialists Brittany Klug and Melissa Hubbard.

New to the varsity are juniors Megan Montgomery at libero, Melissa Fitzpatrick and Jessica Benson at middle/right-side hitter and Jenny Hill at outside hitter.

Only once has West ever failed to win the conference and that came in 2002 when Cadillac won it outright. So that quest continues.

"Of course,” Emily Lovejoy said. "Goal No. 1 is always the conference.”

CADILLAC shared the Big North crown with West last season. The Vikings were 33-18-2 and reached the Class B quarterfinals for the first time ever before bowing out to Mason Country Central.

A number of key players are back for their senior seasons, including Liz Foltz, Darcy Gehrke, Rachel Risch and Kristen Agren.

Foltz and Agren were Class A-B Record-Eagle all-region selections last season.

Cadillac opened its season by reaching the final of the Alma Invitational on Saturday, losing to Morley-Stanwood.

TRAVERSE CITY CENTRAL got off to a solid start last season before a key injury to 6-foot middle blocker Laura Spencer knocked the Trojans out of sync.

Spencer, who had 100 kills and 48 blocks last season, is back for the Trojans and second-year coach Tim Homa.

Senior setter/outside hitter Maddie Lagina is another key returner. She had 385 assists, 91 kills and 104 digs.

Meredith Aja, a 5-10 sophomore outside hitter, had 149 kills and 50 blocks to earn all-BNC second team honors. Junior middle blocker Laura Dwyer was honorable mention all-league and had 182 kills and 59 blocks.

Junior setter/defensive specialist Katherine Oetjens and sophomore outside hitter/setter Carly Beers will also play key roles.

"We return a solid nucleus from a very young team,” Homa said. "We will be competitive and experienced. This is year No. 2 of our building program and we feel we are moving in the right direction.”

Heather Miller takes over at PETOSKEY after long-time coach Edie LaVictor stepped down.

Miller previously coached Petoskey's JV team for six seasons before stepping away for three years.

Seven players return from last year's 16-24-5 team.

Key returners are senior middle hitter Tori Premo and junior outside hitter Andi Gasco.

Senior outside hitter Abbi Carlisle returns after spending last year in Finland as an exchange student. Junior Jessica Muha will also play a key role.

Sophomore Jen Fettis takes over the setting duties.

"The girls are adjusting well to a new coach and a new season,” Miller said.

LAKE MICHIGAN

After a fierce battle for the top spot in the conference, CHARLEVOIX was able to win the league. It was the third title in four years under coach Liz Grunch.

The Rayders, 41-12-1 a season ago, have four seniors returning.

Setter Aubrey Way, honorable mention all-state last winter, is the biggest cog returning for Charlevoix. Outside hitter Desi Faust, middle hitter Murphy Gillespie and libero Michelle Burke are also back in the mix.

BOYNE CITY was 31-12-7 and finished just behind Charlevoix in the Lake Michigan last season.

Senior outside hitter Trisha Tomkins is a four-year starter who led the team in aces and service percentage and was one of the top passers for the Ramblers. She was all-region and all-league last season.

Senior Jessica Kaysz (6-2) and junior Amber Kotalik (5-10) will be the top hitters and blockers in the middle. Kotalik had 48 kills and Kaysz 38 in the Pellston tournament.

Senior right-side hitter Caitlyn Wonski gives the Ramblers consistency while sophomore setter Lindsay Clemens is coming off a school-record assist total.

Boyne also has several juniors up from the JV including Haley Welch, Hannah Robinson, Hanna Hausler, Rachel Stevens and setter Cheyanne Shumaker.

"This team has worked harder than any team I've coached here in the past,” fourth-year coach Casie Parker said. "We are excited and ready to see what we can achieve this year.”

Another team looking to move up the league ladder is TC ST. FRANCIS. The Gladiators were 20-14-2 last season and 10-4 in the conference.

St. Francis has two all-league players back in 5-10 sophomore Abby Clear and junior Jamie Colburn. Seniors Lauren Currie and Kalynn Britten are also back in addition to junior Marley Martin.

The Glads also have plenty of height at the net with 6-foot sophomore Lyndsay LaCourse, 6-foot junior Elizabeth Eddington, 5-10½ junior Taylor Archer, 5-9½ senior Lauren Heimburger and 5-9 junior Kelsey Schmuckal.

Junior Katie Miller will also battle for playing time.

"A young team has its advantages and disadvantages,” second-year St. Francis coach Dave Peck said. "However with our height and the incredible athleticism of some of our players — most who will be returning next year — I would say that the advantages far out weigh any problems a young team might have.”

After going through a youth-filled season, KALKASKA hopes the experience it gained last season will lead to a jump in the standings.

The Blazers return all but one senior from last season's 39-14-7 team.

Senior outside hitter Kaiti Jones was top five in the area for digs and aces per game and also had 372 kills.

Also back is junior setter Megan Dunn for her third season on varsity.

Senior middle hitters Marissa Taylor and Khrysten Chandler, junior right-side hitters Kara Ponstein and Katie Hendry, junior defensive specialist Maria Harbour and junior left-side hitter Abby Merrill give Kalkaska plenty of experience on the court.

Newcomers Jordanne Neill and Alyse Marvin will add youth to the team.

"Last year we fared well being such a young team,” Kalkaska coach Deanna Royston said. "We played tough ball with some of the best teams in the area last season and over half of my starting lineup were sophomores.”

NORTHWEST

SUTTONS BAY went undefeated in the Northwest Conference last season and followed it up by capturing the league tournament title as well.

The Norse (54-14-2) also claimed district and regional titles before falling in five sets in the quarterfinals.

Suttons Bay returns several key cogs from that team, including 6-foot-1 junior middle hitter Maggie Walters.

Running the show for the Norse is senior setter Anna Pryor. Also back at setter is Arianna Guillen.

On the outside Suttons Bay has seniors Charlotte Stowe and Fran Belanger. Also back are junior libero Crystal Dittrich and back-row player Jessie Pavelek.

Key newcomers are Kelly Kerr, Emily Send, Cheyenne Petoskey and Emily Seeley.

All five starters and one part-time starter return for a KINGSLEY team that went 40-20-5 and finished second in the Northwest.

Leading the Lady Stags are senior setter Brittany Denter, an all-area and honorable mention all-state performer. Denter had 1,003 assists, 100 kills, 54 aces and 40 blocks last season.

Kingsley had a pair of all-league players back in senior libero Tallie Waurzyniak (521 digs) and senior right-side hitter Amanda Ocobock (200 kills, 94 aces). The Lady Stags also have a three-year varsity player in senior outside hitter Jesse Emery (260 kills, 275 digs) and senior middle hitter Kali Weber (200 kills, 98 blocks).

Senior Evie Wyse gives Kingsley depth. Outside hitter Mary Kaleita, middle hitter Stephanie Temple and defensive specialist Hilary Hoeflin are up from JV. Sophomore middle hitters Hannah Bach and Sam Zubalik add depth.

"We have a group of kids who have won in many sports for a long time, if they dedicate themselves to working super hard this season and playing as a team we could have a very successful season,” Kingsley coach Dave Hall said.

New to the Northwest is LELAND, which along with Buckley comes over to the Northwest from the Cherryland Conference.

Leland will also have a new coach as Angie Shinos takes over from Laurie Glass, who stepped down to watch her daughter play for Penn State this fall.

The Comets are coming off a 47-16-1 season that ended in a five-game loss to Marion in the Class D regional finals. It's the first time Leland, which won the 2006 state title, had exited before the semifinals since 2003.

Leland lost six seniors from last season's team, but the Comets do welcome back Erica Breen, Erin Sneed and Juliana Lisuk.

Breen and Lisuk were named to the Record-Eagle's Class D all-region team.

The Comets reached the final of the TC Central Invitational on Saturday before losing to the host Trojans.

BENZIE CENTRAL is also in its first season in the Northwest. The Huskies were 19-27-10 as an independent last season.

Benzie has four key seniors back in outside hitters Katie Allen and Jessica Weaver, defensive specialist Leah Johnson and setter Krista Hospenthal.

Allen led Benzie with 116 aces, 180 kills, 21 blocks and 388 digs while Weaver had 72 kills and 134 digs. Johnson had 212 assists and 130 digs while Hospenthal added 204 assists and 99 digs.

Freshmen hitters Haeley Melton, Sara Thurkettle and Jenna Scheele give the Huskies height, while freshman Raenee Harig is a backup setter.

"This season we will pride ourselves on our defense and improve our offense every time we step on the court,” Benzie coach Dana Allen said. "We are very excited to join the Northwest Conference, making our competitions more competitive and important.”

Three seniors return at FRANKFORT, which is trying to turn things around after an 18-29-3 campaign.

Hitter Justine Baker, defensive specialist Brianne Boughner and libero Heather Robotham will be counted on for experience.

Junior middle hitter Laney Eubank led last year's team in kills while sophomore Mindy Smith is also back after leading the team in digs.

Key newcomers for Frankfort include senior Kendall Heller, juniors Alicia Moore, McKinzi Stroup and Christina Wills, sophomore Kayla Nye and freshman Hannah Beale will also play key roles.

CHERRYLAND

Coming off a 31-11-3 campaign, TC CHRISTIAN started this season strong by beating Leland and the host Trojans for the first time at the TC Central Invitational.

Senior Anne Friedlander is back as the team's setter and outside hitter. The all-league and all-region selection led the team in kills.

Junior Joni Yahr topped the Sabres in blocks. Other key players include junior setter Kara Romstadt and sophomore Lindsay Kostrezwa.

Juniors Arielle Krantz, Bethanie Hansen, Meghan Terpstra, Maura O'Brien and sophomore Jenna Finney will add depth.

"We have a young team with good leadership with potential to be a quality team by the end of the season,” Christian coach Russ Hansen said.

Coach Kristi Fischer moves up with her 19-1 JV team to varsity at NORTHPORT.

The Wildcats have three players back from last season's varsity: senior setter/middle hitter Betsy Shiner, senior outside hitter Octavia Buss and junior outside hitter Shauna Sitarek.

Up from the JV are junior setter Mariah Crowgey, junior outside hitter Kristina Leabo, sophomore setter/libero Kelly Fischer and freshman outside hitter Emily Stowe.

"Goal No. 1 is a winning season, which I think we're more than capable of,” Kristi Fischer said.

SKI VALLEY

After seven straight Ski Valley Conference titles and 76 consecutive league wins, PELLSTON will look for more success this fall.

Seniors Megan Bodzick, Kasi Fyke and Kelsey Kirsch are the top returnees from last year's team that went 42-9-2. Bodzick plays in the middle while Fyke is on the outside and Kirsch is a right-side hitter/setter.

Junior all-around performer Amanda Friend will also fill a key role for the Hornets, who are 460-89-36 in coach Tim McNitt's 11 seasons.

Seniors Lavina Romer and Kate Lindberg and juniors Emily Maglothlin, Nicole Madigan, Kara Pavlisin and Kathryn Florenski and sophomores Katie Dzedzie and Rachel Hutto round out the roster.

"Defense and leadership will be crucial for the success of the team this year,” McNitt said. "We have good athletes that can hit with power, but team chemistry will truly dictate how well we do.”

FOREST AREA won the South Division of the Ski Valley last season.

The Warriors return a trio of three-year players in outside hitters Kayla Helsel and Chelsea Snyder and middle hitter Dani Orr. Helsel is the only full-time starter back from a team that went 18-25.

"We'll have a little youth movement,” veteran Forest Area coach Ron Stremlow said. "But down the road I think we'll be all right.”

Looking for improvement in the Ski Valley this season is GAYLORD ST. MARY. The Snowbirds were 7-11-4 overall and 1-7 in the conference a year ago.

Senior libero Heather DeLong, junior middle hitter Jessica Schmidlin, sophomore middle hitter Lauren Rappuhn and sophomore outside hitter Keri Osborne-O'Rourke are back for St. Mary.

Sophomore setter Nikki Blanzy was up on the varsity at the end of last season. Junior setter Megan Kippe will also be counted on this season.

"We're a youthful team and very athletic,” St. Mary coach Bob Wagner said. "We'll likely be a force in the latter part of the season.”

OTHERS

HARBOR LIGHT CHRISTIAN has reached the Class D semifinals in three straight seasons.

But Harbor Light graduated a trio of all-staters in middle hitter Jessica Hass, a first-team pick; setter Hannah Hewitt, a second-teamer; and Torie McCray, honorable mention.

Harbor Light, coming off a 52-4-1 campaign, does have one all-state player back. Junior Kaylee Hewitt was honorable mention a season ago.

Last season finished with a Highland Conference and district title for McBAIN.

The Ramblers have a pair of senior middle blockers back in 6-0 Emily Bronkema and 5-11 Jen Brunink. Bronkema hit .329 last season and had 152 blocks while Brunink hit .299 with 99 blocks.

Also back is junior setter Katie Teed, who dished out 716 assists and had 62 blocks.

"This is a very athletic group of girls,” McBain coach Shawn Murphy said. "They are very competitive. If we can get our defense playing on the same level as out offense, this could be a great year.”

So far, so good for MANISTEE, which opened its season by winning the Hesperia Tournament on Saturday.

Coach Kelly Kelley had four returning players from last season's squad.

Seniors Traci Guenthardt, Emily Oleniczak and Ashley Potts join junior Megan Medacco in the lineup for the Chippewas.

Guenthardt is back as the setter while Potts returns as libero. Medacco should be one of the top hitters for Manistee while Oleniczak, who missed most of last season with an illness, will play on the outside.

The Chippewas have a lot of newcomers who could play key roles including junior middle hitter McKenzie Majrchzak. Other key players are Kandy Kissel, Debra Roy, Kim Schultz, Taylor Ozimac and Allysha Najdowski.

MANISTEE CATHOLIC returns a big chunk of its team, including seniors Elise Bauman, Erin Swidorski, Jasmine Pizana and setter Megan Johnson.

Other key returnees are junior Ashley Bauman and Danielle Proctor.

Add in senior Emma Schwaiger, sophomore Holly Gamache and freshmen Alex Barnett and Brooke Ethridge and the Sabers are looking for a successful season.

"With four returning seniors and the loss of only one varsity player, the team is looking very strong this season,” Manistee Catholic coach Maryann Allen said. "We have a lot of returning talent with many potentially strong players coming up through the ranks.

"We have a great group of girls that I look forward to working with.”