Local Sports Journal
Three area volleyball players, including two from Whitehall High School, were named first-team all-staters by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association.
Vikings teammates Hope Rillema and Autumn Christenson were honored as first-team selections in Class B while Grand Haven’s Abby Cole was named to the first team in Class A.
A total of 12 players were named first-team all-state.
Rillema, an outside hitter, is a two-time all-stater who is heading to Michigan State next season.
Christenson, a middle hitter who stands 6-foot-4, also is heading to Michigan State next season. She has overcome several knee surgeries in her career, but returned for her senior year and excelled.
That duo led the Vikings to the Class B state semifinals.
Cole, who is 6-foot-5, is bound for the University of Michigan next year after a dominating career at Grand Haven. She led the Bucs into the Class A state semifinals.
Three other area players in Class A were honored. Krysteena Davis, a junior from Grand Haven, was named to the second team while teammate Jami Hogeboom was a third-team choice. Mona Shores’ Meghan Birr was honorable mention.
Two Grant players were honored in Class B. Summer Schuitema was a second-team choice and Dayle Wood was honorable mention.
In Class C, Western Michigan Christian’s Rachel Bruinsma, who is heading to Valparaiso next season to play volleyball, was a second-team selection. Three other area players made the honorable mention list: Western Michigan Christian’s Julie Merz and Maria Ma and Shelby’s Mariah Felt.
Muskegon Catholic’s Kendall Wickstrom was a third teamer in Class D.
