Monroe County Region boasts a wealth of prep volleyball talent

The Michigan High School Volleyball Coaches’ Association picks 10 seniors each season as nominees for its Miss Volleyball Award.

This year, three of the 10 are from the Monroe County region.

That shows the quality of volleyball in the region.

Victoria Gray of Bedford (Indiana) and St. Mary Catholic Central teammates Jessica Costlow (Toledo) and Makenna Payne (Utah) all have Division 1 scholarships waiting for them next year.

They all are worthy Miss Volleyball candidates.

And that’s not where the Region’s talent line ends.

Alivia Brown and Kaylin Schroeder of Bedford, Madison Slack and Malea Wourman of Milan, Elizabeth Sweeney of Erie Mason, Madeline Dettling of SMCC, Sarah Giroux of Flat Rock and Mia Karl of Ida all return after making the All-Region team last season.

Here are some of the region’s players to watch this season listed in alphabetical order. All quotes are from the players’ head coach.

Avery Ball, Dundee, senior : A two-year starter who will have a new job this fall. “She is changing her role from a middle hitter to lead our team as the libero.  Avery is a hustler and a leader on the court.”

Anna Boggs, Jefferson, senior : An all-around player who logged 313 digs, 55 aces and 148 kills from last season. “She has the drive and the determination and comes up with some big plays. … I think Anna is going to blow those numbers out of the water this year. The girl is on fire on the outside.”

Allie Braithwaite, State Line, senior : Shifting to libero this season. “Her quick feet and saves have come in handy already. Her spirit on the team is catching. I am so excited to coach her.”

Alivia Brown, Bedford, senior : Headed to Bowling Green University next season after logging 368 digs, 138 kills and 84 aces while making the All-Region team in 2023.

Sophia Bussell, Monroe, senior : Will share setting duties this season with freshman Josslyn Jones. “Her drive to work hard, gain knowledge, and enhance her volleyball skills has helped her to develop since last season.”

Simone Cicotte, New Boston Huron, junior :  Was called up last season for the state tournament and immediately made an impact. “A force to be reckoned with at the net. She is a phenomenal blocker and also a powerhouse hitter. Simone will be a big part of our offense this season.”

Jessica Costlow, SMCC, senior : A four-year starter who will play next season as a defensive specialist for the University of Toledo. “Coming into her senior year Jess has proven to be one of the top players in state both at the net and in the back row.”

Madeline Dettling, SMCC, junior : Gets overshadowed somewhat by Costlow and Payne, but is one of the top players in the state. “She has been impressive early on and when you see her play you will see why she is a top 10 player in the state for her 2026 class. As impressive as her offense has been, her defense has been just as good.”

Emma Ferguson, Gibraltar Carlson, junior : A three-year varsity player. “Coming in with experience in every position is looking to be primarily a setter this year. Emma shows growth daily.”

Lindsey Gennoe, Jefferson, senior : The Bears’ setter recorded 56 aces and 600 assists last season. “She is one of the hardest working people on the court. She will do whatever she has to do to get the ball. She is a leader on the court.”

Sarah Giroux, Flat Rock, sophomore : Was the team MVP last season after logging 262 kills and 252 digs. “Sarah has come back stronger and is a force on the court that will be tough to stop.”

Victoria Gray, Bedford, senior : A middle hitter who has committed to Indiana University. Recorded Averaged 3.1 kills per set last season with a total of 444. The 2023 Monroe County Region Player of the Year also recorded 130 blocks and 287 digs.

Hannah Hesse, Flat Rock, sophomore : Beginning her second season as the starting setter. “She has worked extremely hard in the off-season to become a more consistent setter and a strong voice on the court.”

Reagan Higdon, Flat Rock, junior : A third-year starter who will be playing all six rotations. “Reagan is a leader on and off the court.”

Ellie Jones, Ida, senior : A four-year starting outside hitter, who was second on the team in kills and digs last season. “She's a great all-around player with high IQ of the game.”

Gracie Jones, Jefferson, senior : Accumulated 210 kills last season. “Has improved so much already from last year. She is a threat in the middle with her blocking. She is a different player this year and I’m sure we will see some big things from her.”

Jaeli Jones, Summerfield, junior : Averaged 13.5 kills and 3 blocks per match last season. “She is our biggest threat at the net, having seen teams put up a triple block to try and stop her.”

Mia Karl, Ida, senior : A three-year starter who is a force in the middle and led the team in kills last year. “She's a great blocker and an offensive threat. She's a leader in many aspects on and off the court.”

Aliyah King, State Line, senior : Experienced and talented. “Her outstanding serves, smarts at the net and well executed sets have made her so enjoyable to watch.”

Brooklyn Langenderfer, Erie Mason, senior : Served at 95 percent and racked up nearly 300 assists and led the team in aces last season. “Has led Mason’s offense the last three years.”

Kailee LaVoy, Whiteford, junior : Started in the middle last season, but also can play outside. “She has a big block and I look for her to do big things for us this year on the net.”

Mia Miller, Summerfield, senior : A three-year starter who aveaged 8 kills and 3.2 aces per match last season. “She is trying her hand at middle blocker this year, and we have full confidence she will be a force to be reckoned with.”

Lilly Motylinski. Dundee, junior : Has been a starter since her freshman year at outside hitter. “Lilly is a major threat at the net and a player the opposing team will try to stop.”

Lauryn Parris, Milan, senior : Beginning her third season on the varsity and second as libero. She had more than 400 digs last season. “We count on Lauryn to lead our defense. We are looking forward to seeing what she can do in her last high school season.”

McKenna Payne, SMCC, senior : Has played every position during four years as a starter. Will play defensive specialist at University of Utah next season. “She is a coach’s dream and has played any position that has been asked of her.”

Liv Ruehle, Whiteford, senior : A three-year varsity player who converted to libero last season and averaged 6.1 digs per set. “She will be someone I view as a leader on our team this year.”

Ava Ryan, New Boston Huron, junior : Crucial to keeping Huron’s fast-paced offense. “Not only is Ava a talented setter and hitter, but she also plays phenomenal defense as well. Ava has a great attitude, and works incredibly hard. Ava is also a wonderful captain and teammate.”

Mia Samples, Summerfield, junior : She will shift from the middle back position to take over at libero this season. “She averaged 10 digs and was our top server, averaging 2.2 aces per game.”

Jessica Schrader, Ida, senior : A three-year varsity player and returning libero from last year. Averaged more than five digs per set last season. “She's an extraordinary athlete and a true competitor. She is the anchor to our defense and is extremely scrappy.”

Kaylin Schroeder, Bedford, senior : An All-Region player who has committed to Eastern Michigan. She finished last season with 1,131 assists and 368 digs. “Kaylin has run the offense for the last three seasons.”

Joelle Shrewsbury, Airport, junior : A two-year starter. “A hustler and a gamer. She's always in the gym working hard and it's paying off big time.”

Renee Shrewsbury, Airport, junior : Will be the main outside hitter for the Jets. “She's been working hard and has really perfected her craft on the outside.”

Addy Simmons, Monroe, senior: Her leaping ability makes her a threat from the outside or the middle. “She is a powerful combination of agility and explosiveness on the court. Look for Addy to be a game-changer and have a breakout year.”

Addison Skinner, Gibraltar Carlson, junior : A great athlete who is a talented left-handed hitter. “Pushing her potential and talent. She attacks the ball with so much power and gives a different dimension to our team.”

Madison Slack, Milan, junior : Entering her third season as the starting setter. Racked up more than 900 assists last season. “We are excited to continue having Madison run our offense.”

Bailey Spradling, Whiteford, junior : A six-rotation outside hitter entering her second year as a starter. Averaged 2 kills and 3.5 digs per set last season. “She is a solid volleyball player all around. She has gotten a lot more confident.”

Zoie Stubleski, Erie Mason, sophomore : Became a vital six-rotation player as a freshman. “Last season Zoie played in every varsity match and lead the team defensively.”

Elizabeth Sweeney, Erie Mason, senior : Led the Eagles in blocks and kills last season and made the All-Region team. “Beth is a standout athlete with an exceptional vertical. Beth is a crucial component of Mason’s offense.”

Ellen Town, New Boston Huron, senior : A four-year varsity starter. “Ellen is a very dominant outside hitter and uses multiple routes to score points. She is also a very good defender and one of our best serve receivers. . .. Ellen is a great captain and teammate.”

Lauren Wilson, Gibraltar Carlson, senior : A 6-0 middle blocker. “Llooking to dominate at the net. She is a big threat to her opponents.”

Malea Wourman, Milan, senior : An outstanding athlete who racked up more than 300 kills last season. “Malea is a natural athlete and competitor. We are looking forward to seeing what she can accomplish her senior year.”

Ally Younglove, Monroe, senior : Provides lots of experience in her third season on the varsity. “A dynamic middle hitter and defender. Based on her height, spectators are surprised by her ability to block.”

Peyton Zajac, Airport, junior : An All-Region setter who also was credited with 315 digs last season, “She's a smart player who has very good court awareness.”

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County Region boasts a wealth of prep volleyball talent