GLADSTONE - Having a deep pool of versatile players paid off for the Gladstone jayvees in a 23-11-7 volleyball season.
"This year, I was blessed with a very athletic team," said coach April Dahlin. "To some our record may not be the best, but we played some great volleyball. Sometimes, we dug ourselves in a hole. But the girls always fought their way out of it."
The Braves escaped pool play in all but one tournament. Their achievements included runner-up finishes to Crystal Falls Forest Park and Houghton.
"That is pretty exceptional at this level," said Dahlin. "The thing we struggled with this season was probably the easiest fix, communication. Skillwise, I think our girls could have and probably should have beaten every team we played this year."
Providing strong outside hitting were sophomores Jenna Leisner, Jackie Mileski and Taylor Pahnke. The Braves also got solid blocking and hitting in the middle by Megan Depuydt, Kaylea Quinn and Ashley Thomas.
"Quinn has the footwork down," said Dahlin. "She seems to be where she is supposed to be all the time. That is a skill most girls don't achieve at this level. Liz (varsity coach Gendron) is very impressed with her. Ashley Thomas was probably our most improved player. She became our secret weapon at the end of the season."
Running Gladstone's offense were setters Kali Dykes and Ashley Beaudry, who finished with 196 and 190 assists, respectively.
"Kali was also a key hitter, and I was fortunate enough to have her two years in a row," said Dahlin."
Serving leaders were Dykes with 68 aces, Depudyt 45 and libero Taylar Egner 42.
Dykes also led in kills with 87. Depudyt added 73 kills and 11 blocks.
Egner was Gladstone's defensive leader with 211 digs, with Pahnke adding 103. Providing help were defensive specialists Gwen Howlett and Taylor Seeley.
"This was my first year using a libero and I'm so happy that I did," said Dahlin. "Egner started the season wanting to play front row. But once I brought the possibility of playing libero, she took it and ran."
l First-year freshman coach Nancy Bratonia guided the Braves through a 29-28 season.
"This was a new experience for me, although I feel fortunate in that I had a good group of girls to work with," she said.
Besides a sweep of Escanaba, Alex Harrom's first block against the Big Bay de Noc jayvees was also a highlight.
"She was so excited," said Bratonia. "And, of course, victories over Esky are always exciting for us."
Harrom finished with 10 blocks. Setter/middle hitter Jordan Kowalski led in kills with 11. Outside hitter Nicole Barteld added 10 kills and middle hitter Ashley Berthaume had seven kills.
Setter Alison Austin led in serving with 70 points, followed by Kowalski at 61 and Berthaume 42.
"We had four strong setters, all of whom were also strong servers," said Bratonia. "Bethany and Grace Zimmerman (outside hitter) were also excellent servers."
Bratonia said outside hitter Shaylee Curran also developed into a strong server, and Barteld hit eight straight aces in a match against Esky.
Providing help in the middle were Haley Cripps and 5-foot-8 Sierra Goetsch, who suffered a season-ending thumb injury in mid-October. Helping at outside hitter were Audrey Strom and Shaylee Curran.
"Audrey was very dependable," said Bratonia. "Shaylee developed into a strong server was probably our most improved player."
Helping with the coaching duties was volunteer assistant Mary Robus. "Mary was a great help to me and the girls," said Bratonia.