News Photo by Owen Kinzey The 2022 Alpena High volleyball team includes: back Row: Olivia Precord, Eden Gray, Sydney Hitzelberger, Macy Schram, Laurel Alberts, Avery Dubey and Marah Wisniewski; front row: Grace Samp, Lanie Morgan, Maddie Linton, Tiffany Tessmer, and coach Kolby Andrews.

ALPENA — After losing five key starters from last year, the Alpena High volleyball team has several holes to fill this season.

“We’ve got a lot of girls this year that have not played at the varsity level yet. I’m hoping some of the girls like Sydney Hitzelberger and Laurel Alberts will be able to adjust to the varsity level. (Hitzelberger) has been a great outside hitter for us so far and (Alberts) has shown her passing ability already as well,” Alpena coach Kolby Andrews said.

The team has looked very good to start the year after already picking up some big wins and narrowly losing to a talented Cadillac team.

“We’ve had some great wins. Cadillac was our first Big North test which we ended up losing, but the girls played great. You hate to lose, but you can always learn from losing. The girls played with a lot of energy, we did a lot of really good things, and it really showed us what we are capable of,” Andrews said.

Although Alpena lost several starters, it does have several returning players, including seniors Lanie Morgan, Marah Wisniewski, Macy Schram, Tiffany Tessmer, and juniors Avery Dubey, Olivia Precord, and Maddie Linton.

New to the team this year are juniors Eden Gray, Sydney Hitzelberger, Laurel Alberts, and Grace Samp.

Many of the returning players have not yet had to take on the responsibility of being a starter, but with numerous starting positions open, they must be filled. Andrews has high hopes for many of the new coming varsity players and is really hoping many of the returning players will step up.

“I have a few girls that were subs last year but will be starters this year. Maddie Linton is the main one, she will take on more of a starting role this year. She’s already done a great job this year and proven she deserves to start,” Andrews said.

After a 7-3-2 record to start the season, Alpena hopes to continue playing as well. The next several matchups on the schedule are going to be very difficult to win, but Andrews is confident they stand a chance.

“I’m expecting a strong finish to the season. These girls love to practice, they love to work, and they love to get better. I think they will keep improving a lot throughout the year. It’s one of those things where you can already see they’re improving and I expect them to go out there and get some big wins,” Andrews said.