Andrews returns to lead Alpena High volleyball team

ALPENA -- When he was hired as Alpena High's volleyball coach in 2018, Kolby Andrews knew exactly what kind of program he wanted Alpena to become.

"My goal is to bring a high level of competition, along with a fast paced attack on the court," Andrews said shortly after his hiring. "I am going to utilize the talent that we have here in Alpena because I know there is plenty of it and I'm just looking forward to getting started."

Three years later, Andrews' goals for the Wildcats haven't changed. Though he resigned from the position in 2019, Andrews is back in charge of the Wildcats and ready to get to work.

"I look forward to taking the program back over and being in charge. It's something I started a couple years ago and I got to come back and coach the freshman last year," Andrews said. "Now I just feel like I get to continue my mission."

Though it's still early in the year, Andrews' team has already picked up several wins to start the year. The Wildcats went 2-1 in a quad on the road and then went 3-0 at a home quad a few days later.

Alpena graduated a good deal of talent in the front row, but the Wildcats return five players from last year's varsity squad. The returnees will be joined by talented players, several of whom played together on last year's JV squad.

Returning players include seniors Emilee Spomer, Kami Schultz, Allie Urlaub, Kayla Haken, and junior Tiffany Tessmer. Newcomers are senior Morgan Krentz, juniors Macy Schram, Lanie Morgan, Marah Wisniewski, sophomores Avery Dubey, Olivia Precord, and Maddi Linton.

"We've got a young team. We've got a pretty equal number of sophomores and juniors and seniors on the team," Andrews said. "I really think the girls complement each other well."

Andrews is still working on lineup combinations early in the season, but Alpena returns experience in both the front and back row. Spomer and Haken should help Alpena as defensive specialists and Dubey and Urlaub are running the offense at setter.

Schultz, Tessmer, Wisniewski, Krentz, Precord, and Linton should give Alpena plenty of depth in the front row.

Time will tell what the season has in store for the Wildcats, but they've already impressed Andrews with their work ethic. Andrews said nearly three dozen athletes from multiple sports showed up for summer conditioning and workouts and Alpena also had a good team camp in Petoskey.

The commitment to preseason workouts and team activities has already paid off on the court, where Andrews said players have been committing well.

"The biggest thing with this game is communication. It's having kids that are loud and vocal," Andrews said. "Communication can really work you through a lot of confusion just by talking."