These Greater Lansing high school volleyball players were named all-state

Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal
·2 min read
Pewamo-Westphalia's Saige Martin, right, blocks against Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central as Taylor Smith, left, and Marianna Hagen watch, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at Dansville High School.
Pewamo-Westphalia's Saige Martin, right, blocks against Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central as Taylor Smith, left, and Marianna Hagen watch, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at Dansville High School.

Pewamo-Westphalia made history this fall by claiming its first volleyball state championship.

And several of the key players that led the way in that historic achievement earned top all-state recognition from the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association.

P-W had three players recently named first team all-state in Division 3. Senior outside hitter Dani Pohl and junior setter Taylor Smith were repeat all-state selections and joined on the first team by junior middle Saige Martin. That trio helped the Pirates reach the state title game for the first time since their 1994 Class C state runner-up finish and end the season with a 46-2-2 mark.

Pewamo-Westphalia was joined by Okemos, Lakewood, Lansing Catholic and Lansing Christian in having multiple players named all-state.

Okemos had two players honored in Division 1 with senior outside hitter Taylor Stephens earning third team honors and senior middle Kayla Ozanich being tabbed honorable mention all-state. The duo helped the Wolves win CAAC Blue and district titles and reach a regional final.

Okemos' Taylor Stephens (8) and Kayla Ozanich (1) celebrate after winning the first game in a 3-0 victory over Howell in a district championship match at Brighton Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
Okemos' Taylor Stephens (8) and Kayla Ozanich (1) celebrate after winning the first game in a 3-0 victory over Howell in a district championship match at Brighton Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.

Lakewood won GLAC, district and regional championships and had three players honored in Division 2. Sophomore setter Alli Pickard and junior libero Carley Piercefield were selected first team all-state, while senior middle Alli Pickard was a third team selection.

Lansing Catholic also had three players honored in Division 2 with senior outside Emily Gulock being recognized on the third team and junior Ava Wilcox and senior middle Isabella Schultz earning honorable mention accolades. The Cougars claimed CAAC White and district championships.

Lansing Christian had two players named second team all-state in Division 4 in junior outside hitter Katelyn Rottman and senior setter Madelyn Rottman. The duo helped the Pilgrims claim district and regional titles and reach the state semifinals.

Lansing Christian player Katelynn Rottman serves during the MHSAA Semifinal match at Kellogg Arena on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.
Lansing Christian player Katelynn Rottman serves during the MHSAA Semifinal match at Kellogg Arena on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.

Other all-state selections from Greater Lansing included St. Johns senior libero Kendall White, Williamston senior outside hitter Leisya Newell, Dansville senior libero Kourtney Mack, Portland St. Patrick senior outside hitter Natalee Teachworth and Fowler senior outside hitter Anna Vanneste.

White was an honorable mention selection in Division 1 and helped the Redwings claim a CAAC Red championship. Newell earned honorable mention accolades in Division 2. Mack helped Dansville win a district title and was named honorable mention in Division 3. Teachworth earned third team honors in Division 4 and helped St. Patrick capture district and regional titles, while Vanneste was selected honorable mention.

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: High school volleyball: See the Greater Lansing all-state selections