Vote: Who is the top 'glue-girl' in Michigan high school volleyball?

Junior

Laubenthal is a “rare” combination of a middle blocker and a left back on defense, who has been a starter in the middle since she was a freshman. She is the team’s most experienced player, leading the group in attacking. She also has nearly 300 serve receptions and 151 digs.

“She is the person who is always ready and always prepared for the match,” coach Billie Jo Carlin-Olcheske said. “She helps teammates, she listens and she owns her mistakes. We could not be where we are without her quiet but present leadership.”

Senior

A first-team all-conference member and all-region selection last season, Reemsynder is in her third year on varsity.

“She is a great player,” said coach Elisa Zwick said of the outside hitter, “[who] works hard, [is a] team captain and leads our team in kills.”

Senior

Hughes is a libero who “defines” discipline, hard work and leadership, said coach Derek Williams. A standout libero, she is a multi-sport athlete that has had success across the board, especially with volleyball.

“Hope continues to give 200% on a daily basis in practice and in matches which has led her to be one of the best athletes on the team,” Williams said. 

Senior

A team captain and middle hitter, Girolami is the player whom her team looks to. According to coach Kristen Burk, she holds together the team’s foundation.

“She plays both high school and club volleyball,” said Burk, “so the experiences that she brings to her game benefits not only her, but also her team. She is extremely strong and can run many plays at the set, which is a challenge for her opponents. She is encouraging to her teammates and builds them up when they need it.”

Junior

A three-year varsity player, Bates is an all-region and all-division player who, this season, averages 10.1 assists per set and serves at a success rate of 96.1. Coach Erin Onken said Bates, a team captain, has made her mark on the program and will leave a legacy for younger players.

“She puts an emphasis on playing with integrity,” Onken said, “acknowledging the value and effort from every teammate and she out works everyone. She keeps high standards for her training, how she respects teammates and gives efficient knowledgeable feedback. When things get tough she is always the voice of reason, settling her team to regroup and refocus to come out stronger on the next point.”

Junior

In her first year as a team captain, the right side hitter Santana has held a large influence on the dynamic of the team, said coach Angie Dewey. Santana is a two-year varsity player and was her team’s offensive player of the year this season.

“Evynne has been a strong force for our team on and off the court,” Dewey said. “Her positivity, kind demeanor, leadership skills and communication not only make her the best teammate, but an all-around fantastic player.”

Senior

Dannhausen, a defensive specialist, has led the Yale program as its “hype leader” this season.

“She celebrates her teammates' success with jumping, yelling and joy,” coach Kerry Dykstra said. “Shauna is one of the funniest players on our team and knows how to make us laugh or lighten the mood when needed. She is a great example to her teammates of how to work hard in practice and games.”

In 90 sets this season, she has 63 aces, 368 service attempts and is second behind only the team’s libero with 300 serve receive attempts. 

Senior

Robinson has made a name for herself as a setter. She is the MHSAA record holder for assists in a game (46) and has 2346 on her career, and counting.

“Marli is an integral part of our volleyball team,” coach Sarah Gyger said. “She is extremely smart and knows her hitters well.

Senior

Swiercz is the first Hudsonville player to reach 1,000-plus kills in three seasons. A Central Michigan commit, she is close to breaking the school’s all-time kills record and was the school’s first ever junior first-team all-state member.

“She is literally defined as the glue that holds our team together offensively…,” coach Stephanie Chenlo said. “Her calmness and tough mindset are what sets her apart from other top players across the state. Izzy doesn't get nervous in pressure situations. I like to describe her as made for crunch time. She's a kid you want to set when the game is on the line.”

Senior

Edmunds, a setter, surpassed 1,000 career assists and is well on her way to 2,000. A three-sport athlete, she has been setting for her team since she was a freshman.

“She brings a high level of talent and work ethic to all of her teams,” coach Jill Romaine said. “In this, her senior season of volleyball, she has been the glue keeping her team at No. 1 in their league.”

Edmunds is a three-time all-league and all-region player. 

Senior

A libero, Florkowski surpassed 1,000 career digs as a junior and was a second-team all-conference mention a year ago.

“She is the backbone to our backrow,” coach Samantha Zimmerman said, “and the leader on the court. She is not the loudest on the court, but she is the most impactful… She is our best serve receive passer and likes to pass over half the court on serve receive”

Florkowski is the team’s only captain and lone senior starter. 

Senior

Wilcox has ushered in one of the winningest stretches in Lansing Catholic history, helping lead them to a record of 129-11-13 since joining the program. She recently accomplished both 1,000 career kills and digs earlier this season and is on pace for 500-plus kills this year alone.

“She is the best teammate that anyone could hope for, and is an extension of her coach while on the court,” coach Kevin McMillan said. “She is humble, but hungry, and is always looking at ways to help her team be the best version of themselves.”

Senior

Dood is a Ms. Volleyball finalist and multi-time all-state, region and conference player. The setter is a University of Virginia commit. A 6-foot-2 lefty with an aggressive swing, she is leading the team in kills.

“She is influential and able to pump her team up not only with her physical play, but with her positive and competitive energy she brings on the court,” coach Jessica Dood said. “She is a great glue player that wins a lot of volleyball games for us.” 

Senior

Hellmann has already surpassed 2,000 career assists at the setter spot and is a multi-time all-conference player.

“Kyann is our captain and a complete leader,” said coach Kathy Hellmann. “She is an action-oriented leader and completely calm under pressure. When she speaks everyone listens. She wants to win at all costs and will bring along a hitter that might be struggling with confidence. She has transformed our team from average to great.”

Senior

Moore leads her team in kills (143) and is second in both digs (243) and aces (32). The outside hitter is a six-rotation player who was pulled up to varsity as a sophomore.

“Annemarie is one of the hardest working, passionate players I've had the privilege to coach,” coach Cassandra Farmer said. “She is focused at practices and willing to sacrifice anything during a match, with game sense far exceeding most high school players. 

Senior

Dickey plays libero and has collected a slew of honors included all-conference, all-section and more. She is a dual-sport athlete and one of the team’s captains.

Coach Christie Lolacono highlighted her communication ability as a standout trait. 

Senior

Bourdo has been a varsity member for four years, blossoming into a senior captain and a previous first-team all-conference honoree. Coach Emily Wilbert said her teammates often talk about their appreciation for her guidance and feedback on the court, given her knowledge and experience of the sport.

“She’s our calm and steady,” Wilbert said. “I call her the rock. She is absolutely solid in the back row… I know she wants to win and that she will do whatever it takes to get the team to victory. She constantly puts the team first and always thinks about what is best for the team as a whole above what is best for her.”

Senior

Robinson has been a key varsity member for three years after being brought up towards the end of her freshman season. She has played a variety of position over her career, usually in order to assist the team in whatever way possible, said coach Danielle Rachac.

“She has a great eye when it comes to reading the court and is always helpful to others,” Rachac said. “She is a positive person and always helps our team through difficult matches.”

The team captain is a three-sport athlete, also playing softball and basketball. and has collected a variety of awards throughout all three. 

Senior

Tymitz is an outside hitter who consistently leads her team in kills on a game-to-game basis. A six-rotation player, she is as strong behind the service line as she is in the front row, said coach Stacy Williams.

“Our go-to player,” Williams said. “In crunch time situations we set Hannah whether she is in the front row or back row and can depend on her for the kill.

She will continue her career at Newman University next year. 

Sophomore

Long was just voted a unanimous first-team all-league player. She’s been named to several watchlists of late after back-to-back standout seasons to begin her career.

“Eva is a leader both on and off the court,” coach Jennifer Long said. “She was named captain of the varsity team voted on by the team which says a lot about her leadership based on the fact that she is only a sophomore. Eva is a very dynamic player that is a tireless worker. She is the heart of the team and plays a very physical game.”