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2010 All-Area Girls Volleyball: This team brings it all to the floor

Dan Stickradt | January 17, 2011 | Comments (0)

OVER THE TOP: Clarkston's Alex Egler was one of the area's top volleyball players this season, earnintg a spot on the All-Area First Team. Staff Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Several area coaches did not nominate athletes for all-area volleyball after nearly two months of trying to contact them.)

Several area volleyball teams shined this season. To make it one of the more memorable seasons in recent memory for schools in the coverage region of www.northoaklandsports.com.

Consider:

First, there was Clarkston, which reached the Class A state quarterfinals after losing only four times all season and collecting 49 wins. The Wolves have also won five league titles in the past seven seasons.

Rochester Adams won its first league title since 1999 and had its highest win total in several years.

Rochester Hills Christian won its first league title in school history and advanced farther in the postseason than any previous volleyball team at the school.

Auburn Hills Oakland Christian captured its 10^th straight district championship in Class D and reached the regional finals to become the area’s most consistent program.

Lake Orion won its first district title in many years and reached the Class A regional finals, the school’s longest run since reaching the state semifinals in 1988.

Auburn Hills Avondale won its first district title in school history after losing one of its key players to injury during the first game of the postseason.

Oxford made the move to the OAA after 27 schools years in the Flint Metro League and the Wildcats finished a respectable second place in the OAA White Division.

These are just a sampling of the accolades and praise that area teams turned in between August and November 2010.

As for individual players, several put together fine seasons with multiple postseason accolades. For the athletes that stood out the most, below are the profiles of the area’s top players, as selected by area coaches in conjunction with NOS staff.

FIRST TEAM

ALLISON REIS, Clarkston 5-9 sr. OH/L: Reis was called up to the varsity ranks late in her freshman season and steadily became a force during her career. Headed for Division I Niagara University, Reis earned Class A All-State Honorable Mention honors. She finished with 315 kills, 544 digs and an attack reception of .820.

ALEXIS EGLER, Clarkston 5-11 sr. S/OH: Perhaps Clarkston’s most successful season was due in part to the net play of Egler. Headed to Division I Youngstown State, the versatile multi-position talent slammed 351 kills, 666 assists and 612 aces. She earned All-OAA Red Division and All-Regional honors.

HAYLEY HENDRICKS, Rochester Adams 5-11 sr. MH: The Highlanders enjoyed their best season in over a decade, finishing 35-6 and winning the OAA White Division title, its first league crown since 1999. The All-OAA White Division and All-Region nominee, Hendricks finished the season with 4-1 kills, a .377 kill average, 84 blocks and 131 aces.

“Hayley was a dominating presence for us this season as she played both outside and middle for us. She was instrumental in many matches. Her kills, blocks, and service aces were crucial for us,” said coach Reay Zoellner. “She probably averaged about 10-12 points per game for us. Of all the teams we played this season, Hayley, I believe, was among the top three outsides/middles.”

SHANNON MURDOCK, Lake Orion 5-11 jr. MB/OH: This hard-hitting junior was instrumental in leading the Dragons to over 30 wins and a berth in the Class A Sweet 16. A two-time All-Region and All-OAA Red Division honoree, Murdock finished with Class A All-State Honorable Mention honors. The team captain finished the season with 413 kills, 356 digs, 84 block aces.

ERIN LEPPEK, Rochester 6-0 sr. MB: Headed for Iowa fo volleyball, this two-sport standout earned All-State Third Team honors this season, becoming the school’s first all-state volleyball player in more than two decades. Also part of Rochester’s Division 1 state championship track team and a school record holder on three relays in that sport, Leppek is an athletic jumping jack on the volleyball court. She finished with 372 kills, a.304 hitting percentage, 119 aces and an .906 attacking percentage. The Team MVP was also an All-America Honorable Mention honoree on the club circuit last summer.

“Erin was the kid that was in the gym setting up and staying after to make sure everything was put away. She was a leader on and off the floor. Erin led this team by example,” said coach Shana Poll.

MADDIE HUCHINSON, Lake Orion 5-6 jr. L: A knee injury sidelined her last winter for most of her sophomore basketball season, but she came back this past fall in volleyball. The All-OAA Red Division and All-Region selection, Hutchinson was a steady hand, picking up 1,131 digs, 104 aces, 56 kills and 51 assists. The team captain ranks among the school’s all-time leaders in digs.

SECOND TEAM

MARISSA AIELLO, Auburn Hills Avondale 6-1 sr. MB: The Yellowjackets won their first district championship in school history and reached the Class A regional semifinals before bowing out to Lake Orion. Aiello was Avondale’s inside threat, as she routinely gave the her team key block or kill. Aiello was named to the All-OAA White Division and All-Region team.

DARCY JOHNSTON, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian 5-11 jr. OH/MH: Johnston is following in the footsteps of her older sister, Dana, who earned All-State honors a year ago. This junior was All-State Honorable Mention in Class D this season as her team;s sole returning starter from the previous year. She had a kill percentage of .269, a .957 serve percentage and 51 aces, a .862 serve reception, 2.8 digs a game, 101 blocks and 0.83 blocks a contest. She also earned All-MIAC Blue Division and Al-Region accolades.

STEPHANIE MARANI, Clarkston 6-1 jr. MB: A junior who is starting to garner some college interest, Marani broke a 17-year-old school record when she recorded 174 blocks this season. The All-OAA Red Division and All-Region selection also had a .510 attack percentage.

KATE BAILEY, Oxford 5-8 jr. OH: Named the Wildcats’ Offensive MVP, Bailey also earned All-OAA White Division honors this season for Oxford, which finished second in the league in their first season in the conference. Bailey was the team’s leader in kills and kills percentage.

“I think when Kate was on her game, she could really put the ball down,” said coach Kristi McDevitt. “We just hope we can get her to be most consistent (next season).”

ALEX HUBBARD, Rochester Adams 5-6 sr. L: The Highlanders were among Oakland County’s most improved teams in 2010 and Hubbard was a big reason why. A steady performer all season, she earned All-OAA White Division accolades by collecting 702 digs, a .910 serving efficiency and 89 aces.

“Alex was our defensive leader as a libero this past season. Her accuracy in passing, along with her excellent defensive abilities led to many offensive opportunities,” said Zoellner. “Her defensive play was second to none. In fact, of every team we played or even observed, I would say that Alex was the best libero on the court.”

CHRISTINE KIM, Rochester Stoney Creek 5-3 sr. L: Named to the All-OAA White Division and All-Region teams, Kim was a model of consistency in the back row, rarely making unforced errors while keeping her team in many games with her stellar defensive play. She set a single-season school record by 458 digs, including a single-game school record 34 digs against Auburn Hills Avondale. Competing in 99 games, she averaged 4.58 digs an outing.

THIRD TEAM

LIZ KALUGAR, Lake Orion 5-9 jr. OH: Kalugar elevated her game during the second half of the season to earn All-OAA Red Division and All-Region honors. She finished the year with 411 kills, 67 aces, 135 digs and 32 blocks.

ANDREA STRAUSS, Auburn Hills Avondale 5-4 sr. S: One of the top female athletes at Avondale in some time, Strauss is standout in there sports, also a all-state goalkeeper in soccer and three-point marksmen in basketball. On the volleyball court, she is the Yellowjackets’ floor leader and assists leader. She earned All-OAA White Division honors.

TAYLOR ARNEY, Rochester Adams 5-6 sr. OH: The All-OAA White Division honoree picked up 241 kills, 100 aces and 285 digs, signaling her fine all-around play on the court.

“Taylor was second on our team in kills this season,” said Zoellner. “She was a great all-around player whose offensive and defensive skills were very good.”

CASEY NOVAK, Oxford 5-7 sr. OH: Another All-OAA White Division honoree for the league runner-up Wildcats, Novak finished among the team leaders, including second in kills.

“Casey was another one who was a very good player when she was on, but was inconsistent,” said McDevitt. “There were some games where she would be almost unstoppable.”

SARA SIKORSKI, Rochester 5-6 sr. L: This three-year varsity player was one doing the dirty work for the Falcons; hitters. She finished with 1,056 digs and 908 serve receptions as Rochester’s top defensive player and earned All-Region honors in the process for a team that reached the Class A district finals.

“Sara was the anchor on the defensive side of the ball,” said Poll. “She had over 1,000 digs and almost as many serve receptions as well. Without her passing, this team would not have been as successful as we were.”

FOURTH TEAM

MADDIE LIGHTFOOT, Clarkston 5-4 sr. DS: Lightfoot was an underrated performer for the Wolves, finishing among the team leaders in several defensive categories.

ALYSSA WESLEY, Lake Orion 5-9 sr. S: One of the Dragons’ team captains this season, Wesley will play soccer in college at Grand Valley State but not before she had an underrated season with Lake Orion’s volleyball team, which made its longest run in the postseason in more than two decades. The Dragons’ setter finished with 1,026 assists, 298 digs, 43 kills, 23 aces and a .930 serving percentage.

MEGAN STEINER, Rochester Hills Christian 5-11 sr. OH: This standout, who will graduate with 12 varsity letters between volleyball, basketball and soccer, earned repeat All-FBAC Red Division honors. She led her team in kills and blocks, and more importantly, to the school’s first-ever league championship in volleyball. Steiner also led her team to the Michigan Association of Christian Schools Division I state quarterfinals, the farthest in school history.

JILLIAN MCLAUGHLIN, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest 6-0 sr. MB: McLaughlin was one of the top middles in the MIAC Blue Division this season, where she earned all-league honors. She was also an All-Region nominee after finishing among the Crusaders’ leaders in blocks and kills.

LISA KISIL, Rochester Stoney Creek 5-7 jr. OH: This junior earned a spot on the All-OAA White Division after collecting 260 kills, 269 digs, 47 aces, a.144 kills a contest in 111 games and 2.42 digs an outing.

MONIQUE NGUYEN, Troy 5-11 sr. MB: Troy suffered through a rebuilding campaign with just one senior, and Nguyen stepped up and provided a steady force and leadership at the net to a roster full of underclassmen. She earned Al-OAA Red Division honors. Nguyen is also a standout track and field athlete, finishing third at the Division 1 state meet last June in the high jump.

COACH OF THE YEAR

KELLY AVENALL, Clarkston: Clarkston had been a steady volleyball program for many years and Avenall, in her seven seasons, has helped elevate them into powerhouse program. This year Clarkston finished an impressive 48-4-1, including 8-0 in the OAA Red Division, plus the OAA-Red tournament win. The Wolves won the district and regional and finished first or second in several tournaments this season.

2010 ALL-AREA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM

FIRST TEAM

NAME SCHOOL HGT. GR. POS.

Allison Reis Clarkston 5-10 Sr. OH

Alexis Egler Clarkston 5-11 Sr. MB/OH

Hayley Hendricks Roch. Adams 5-11 Sr. OH

Shannon Murdock Lake Orion 5-11 Jr. OH

Erin Leppek Rochester 6-0 Sr. OH

Maddie Hutchinson Lake Orion 5-6 Jr. L

SECOND TEAM

Auburn Hills Avondale: Marisa Aiello, 6-1 sr. MB; Auburn Hills Oakland Christian: Darcy Johnston, 5-11 jr. OH/MH; Clarkston: Stephanie Marani, 6-1 jr. MB; Oxford: Kate Bailey, 5-8 jr. OH; Rochester Adams: Alex Hubbard, 5-6 sr. L; Rochester Stoney Creek: Christine Kim, 5-3 sr. L.

THIRD TEAM

Auburn Hills Avondale: Andrea Strauss, 5-4 sr. S; Lake Orion: Liz Kalugar, 5-9 jr. OH; Rochester: Sara Sikorski, 5-6 sr. L; Oxford: Casey Novak, 5-7 sr. OH; Rochester Adams: Taylor Arney, 5-6 sr. OH; Troy Athens: Maggie Leone, 5-7 sr. S.

FOURTH TEAM

Clarkston: Maddie Lightfoot, 5-4 jr. DS; Lake Orion: Alyssa Wesley, 5-9 sr. S; Rochester Stoney Creek: Lisa Kisil, 5-7 jr. OH; Rochester Hills Christian: Megan Steiner, 5-11 sr. MB; Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest: Jillian McLaughlin, 6-0 sr. MB; Troy: Monique Nguyen, 5-10 sr. MB.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Kelly Avenall Clarkston Seventh Season

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Auburn Hills Avondale: Sarah Becker, 5-8 sr. OH; Moriah Schroll, 6-0 sr. OH; Auburn Hills Oakland Christian: Olivia Schomer, 5-9 sr. OH; Auburn Hills Christian Academy: Not available; Clarkston: Haley Barker, 5-5 sr. S/DS; Megan McCarty, 5-10 sr. MH; Clarkston Everest Collegiate-Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes Unified: Farrah Nordman; Emily O’Brien; Haley Howell; Abbey Troy; Clarkston Springfield Christian: Megan Kaster, 5-8 soph. MB/OH; Rachel Matthew, 55 sr. S; Carissa Royer, 5-10 soph. MB/OH; Lake Orion: Linnea Berriman, 5-11 sr. MB/OH; Alyssa Wesley, 5-9 sr. S; Lake Orion Baptist: Julina Moreno, 5-3 sr. S; Oxford: Tammy Toteff, 5-9 sr. OH; Darien Bandel, 5-10 fr. OH; Rochester: Christine Grawburg, 6-0 sr. MB; Rochester Adams: Melanie Kipke, 5-6 sr. S; Rochester Stoney Creek: Lisa Krisal, 5-7 jr. OH; Rayna Szatner, 5-7 sr. OH; Rochester Hills Christian: Allise Dubay, 5-3 jr. S/DS; Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest: Not available; Troy: Not available; Troy Athens: Not available; Troy Bethany Christian: Sarah Bishop, 5-7 fr. OH; Kim Garrick, 5-7 sr. OH; Staci Green, 5-4 jr. S; Troy Christian Leadership Academy: Not available.