TRI-CITY AREA — From the opening match to the last, these athletes made a name for themselves with their play out on the court.
Here is a look at who made the 2021 edition of the Tri-City Times All-Area volleyball team and the numbers they generated en route:
Becca Weiss, Dryden.
Weiss provided Dryden with 421 assists during the 2021 campaign.
The 5-7 senior setter also contributed 269 service points, 83 kills, 45 aces and eight blocks to Dryden’s cause.
This was her third year on Dryden’s varsity.
Weiss ended the 2021 campaign as an All-North Central Thumb League first team selection.
In addition to that, Weiss earned her team’s Most Valuable Player Award.
Hope Schriber, Imlay City.
Schriber wound up with 153 kills this fall.
The 6-0 junior middle blocker also managed 29 service aces and 27 total blocks.
Those statistics reflect Blue Water Area Conference play only.
This was her second year on Imlay City’s varsity.
Schriber finished the season as an All-Region and All-Blue Water Area Conference first team honoree.
Addie Tresnak, Dryden.
Tresnak gave Dryden 162 kills during the 2021 campaign.
The 5-10 junior hitter also provided Dryden with 169 service points, 49 aces and 17 blocks.
This was her first year on Dryden’s varsity.
Tresnak wrapped up the 2021 campaign as an All-North Central Thumb League Stars Division first team choice.
She also was named her squad’s recipient of the Best Offensive Player Award.
Jaya Forti, Imlay City.
Forti amassed 351 assists this fall.
The 5-5 senior setter also wound up with 149 digs, 40 kills , 17 service aces and 10 total blocks.
Those statistics reflect Blue Water Area Conference play only.
This was her third year on Imlay City’s varsity.
Forti wrapped up the season as an All-Blue Water Area Conference second team selection.
Lexa Forti, Imlay City.
Forti collected 109 kills during the 2021 campaign.
The 5-7 sophomore outside hitter also contributed 160 digs, 24 aces and 15 total blocks to Imlay City’s cause.
Those statistics reflect Blue Water Area Conference play only.
This was her second year on Imlay City’s varsity.
Forti ended the 2021 campaign as an All-Blue Water Area Conference honorable mention choice.
Elizabeth Brandt, Almont.
Brandt amassed 256 digs this fall.
The 5-6 senior libero also provided Almont with three kills.
This was her third year on Almont’s varsity.
Brandt completed the 2021 season as an Al-Blue Water Area Conference honorable mention pick.
Cerenity Helzer, Capac.
Helzer furnished 227 kills during the 2021 campaign.
The 5-8 senior outside hitter also contributed 155 digs, 51 ace serves and five blocks to Capac’s cause.
This was her third year on Capac’s varsity.
Helzer finished the 2021 campaign as an All-Greater Thumb Conference East second team selection.
Cassie Verellen, Imlay City.
Verellen supplied 132 digs this fall.
The 5-7 junior outside hitter also provided Imlay City with 71 kills, 35 service aces and nine total blocks.
Those statistics reflect Blue Water Area Conference play only.
This was her second year on Imlay City’s varsity.
Verellen concluded the season as an All-Blue Water Area Conference honorable mention choice.
Molleigh Rinke, Almont.
Rinke collected 153 kills during the 2021 campaign.
The 5-10 senior outside hitter also contributed 82 digs, 17 blocks and seven aces to Almont’s cause.
This was her third year on Almont’s varsity.
Rinke closed out the 2021 campaign as an All-Blue Water Area Conference honorable mention pick.
Julia Schaefer, Capac.
Schaefer wound up with 323 assists this fall.
The 5-7 junior setter also provided Capac with 225 digs, 60 ace serves, 42 kills and one block.
This was her third year on Capac’s varsity.
Schaefer finished the season as an All-Greater Thumb Conference East honorable mention selection.
Second team- Grace Koenig, Almont; Lydia Lacavera, Almont; Chloe Moran, Capac; Natalie Stone, Imlay City; Lauren Abromaitis, Dryden; Jenna Peters, Dryden; Avery Grondin, Dryden; Emma Raue, Dryden; and Skylar Graham, Dryden.
Coach of the Year- For directing Dryden to a pacesetting 13-1 North Central Thumb League Stars Division showing and 16-2 overall mark, Jill Grusnick earns Tri-City Times All-Area Coach of the Year accolades.
She shares the honor with Rachel Van Dyk, Imlay City’s coach.
Van Dyk directed the Spartans to a 32-16-2 overall record
including a 12-2
league standing en
route to a second.
Kevin Kissane
Kevin Kissane has been covering high school sports for the Tri-City Times since 1985. When not standing on a field or court with his camera and notepad, he enjoys golf, travel and family. Kevin is a 1980 graduate of Capac High School, and is also a grad of St. Clair Community College and earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University.
