The 2024 volleyball season is in the books after a competitive season among local teams.
The 2024 Enterprise Volleyball Dream Team selections were made by coach Stephany Peplinski (Glen Lake), Travis Baker (Leland), Olivia Dohm (Suttons Bay), Alyssa Bunek (St. Mary), and Enterprise sports editor Brian Freiberger.
MVP: Cathryn Mikowski (St. Mary)
Lake Leelanau St. Mary senior Cathryn Mikowski claimed her first Dream Team MVP award after leading the Eagles to a district finals appearance.
Mikowski patrolled the middle for St. Mary and knew all positions on the court.
“She jumps out of the gym,” St. Mary’s coach Alyssa Bunek said. “(Mikowski) has multiple weapons and she’s a fabulous defender and is the heart of the defensive back row.”
Mikowski is proud of everything her team accomplished during a competitive season. She will always carry a work ethic and a desire to fight from her volleyball days.
“I think all of us and my team were really proud of how we played, even if we didn’t win. We’ve grown so much that we know the girls will do really good next year,” Mikowski said.
Kyla Barnowski (St. Mary)
St. Mary senior Kyla Barnowski was the rock for the Eagles defensively and a lethal right side hitter for three years.
“We all grew a lot and we just got closer and got to know each other better … we improved a lot from where we started to the end. It was a lot of fun,” Barnowski said.
In 2024, she was moved outside, adjusted easily, and was a go-to option for a point at any time.
“(Barnowski) was always ready to work hard,” St. Mary’s coach Alyssa Bunek said. “Both Barnowski and Mikowski you could just see them flying through the air every time.”
Abby Hicks (Leland)
Leland senior Abby Hicks led the Comets all year long. Hicks led a group of freshman and sophomores this season, after helping the Comets reach the Div. 4 state championship game in 2023.
“(Hicks) did a great job all season. With so many kids graduating (last year), it opened up her options to help in different ways. She was able to pass as an attacker this year instead of just being the primary setter,” Leland coach Travis Baker said. “She plays really hard. She’s very intense and she’s very stubborn and wants to win every point. That’s something that I’ll miss. She’s just a very hard working player.”
Peyton Brown (Glen Lake)
Peyton Brown was the senior leader for the Lakers all season long, making the dream team because she could always be counted on.
Brown was the anchor with 112 digs and 151 kills on the season.
“(Brown) is an all-around great player, a great person and just brings so much to the team,” Glen Lake coach Stephany Peplinski said.
Megan U’Ren (Suttons Bay)*
Suttons Bay junior Megan U’Ren dominated the court with prowess as she claimed her spot on the Dream Team.
U’Ren is proud of the improvement from her sophomore to junior season.
“We improved a lot from last year on our team chemistry. I had a lot of fun playing and bonding with my teammates and trying to be a leader to the younger ones,” U’Ren said.
U’Ren was the definition of a utility player this season.
“You can throw her into any position and she will put forth her best effort. She has got game smarts, which is really helpful in situations when points really matter,” Suttons Bay coach Olivia Dohm said.
U’Ren will be counted on next year for continued success.
Bekka Grant (Suttons Bay)
Suttons Bay senior Bekka Grant was the defensive specialist for the Norse after having a successful fall campaign.
“(Grant) is like a little spider monkey … She worked really hard practicing reading the ball this season and where the hitter’s shoulders were, which was really great to see her energy and her compassion and willingness to work as a teammate. She was really helpful, especially having a team with four freshmen on it,” Suttons Bay coach Olivia Dohm said.
Lydia Fosmore (Glen Lake)
Glen Lake sophomore Lydia Fosmore made the Dream Team as an explosive offensive and defensive player.
Fosmore was the Lakers setter and had 402 assists on the season along with 75 kills.
“(Fosmore) is a threat in the front row and in the back row. She is an all-around athlete,” Glen Lake coach Stephany Peplinski said.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Although there are only seven spots on the Dream Team, these exceptional athletes were nominated as well.
Despite being young, Lydia Bramer made her way onto the Dream Team with her tenacity and growth.
“I’m going to remember all the highlights that we had. The team was really special to me ... We worked well together and I want to take what we had and just bring it into the next volleyball season,” Bramer said.
Over the last two seasons, St. Mary’s senior Maggie Ursu has contributed as an outside hitter for the Eagles. Her favorite moments this season were traveling to the Beal City and watching Michigan and Nebraska volleyball matches.
“I’m definitely gonna take away from the sport is working hard as a team and being able to work with other people; taking their input and knowledge to better myself from it,” Ursu said.
Suttons Bay freshman Ava Anderson will be a force for years to come as she provided a lethal offensive option for Suttons Bay all season.
“ I was really impressed with how well she came out swinging this year. She wants to learn, get better. She’s constantly seeking advice from coaches to get better at volleyball, which is inspiring to see. She’s a super coachable player,” Suttons Bay coach Olivia Dohm said.
Suttons Bay freshmen Anna Porter, Olivia Schmidt, Leah Clark and Yasmin Alfoncescon receive honorable mention recognition.
For Leland, freshman Aubrey Rousseau and Callie Fort also earned Dream Team honorable mentions for stepping up as freshman for the Comets.
Glen Lake’s Avery Flores was nominated for her 153 kills and 27 blocks.
