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Kayla Krupp was awarded 2nd Team; Sabrina Besaw received 3rd Team, and Monica Confer was given an Honorable Mention.

Coach Sheri Warner said all three honorees maintained a great work ethic through the season. "If you asked any one of them...they'd say the award was a reflection of the team."

Krupp, as an outside hitter, was a primary passer in three-person pass reception with a 90.4 percent receiving efficiency. A co-captain leading the team with Besaw, the senior obtained the most digs with 477, averaging 3.2 per game. She had 357 kills in the season, with .205 kill efficiency and averaging 2.4 kills per game. With 93.7 percent serving accuracy, Krupp had 57 aces.

Warner cited Besaw as an offensive leader with a consistent serve, the ability to jump float and the aptitude to execute a variety of sets. A senior setter for the Hornets, Besaw lead the team in assists with 1194, completed 46 kills, and served 92 aces, ending the season with a 87.9 percent serving efficiency. She averaged 1.6 digs per game, accumulating 228 on the season.

Confer, a middle hitter, led the squad in kills with 416, accumulating a .206 kill efficiency and averaging three per game. Defensively, she had 256 digs over the season, averaging 1.8 per match. Confer aced 49 serves, ending the season with a 93.4 serve accuracy. She was also a primary passer for the squad, with 87.5 percent accuracy. A sophomore, she has played varsity volleyball since her freshmen year.

"We're really excited to have her back on the floor next year," said Warner.

The coach also said that all three of the girls knew the awards wouldn't have been possible without the efforts of their teammates.

Team/individual volleyball honors pour in for St. Charles

St. Charles enjoyed perhaps its best volleyball season in history and the list of honors emblematic of the 2007 team's success is just as impressive.

St. Charles' eleven-player team earned Academic All-State honors, an indication of the group's excellence in the classroom. The Lady Bulldogs' combined GPA was well above 3.0, earning the team the prestigious award.

In league voting, all six starters on the team were recognized as two players were named to the TVC First Team, one landed on the Second Team and three received Honorable Mention.

Senior Camille LeFevre and junior Megan McSweyn were voted onto the league's top squad. Senior Sara Mead garnered Second Team accolades, while three seniors, Rachel Lichon, Felicia Reinke and Morgan McSweyn each earned all-conference Honorable Mention.

LeFevre also brought home All-Region honors.

The team posted some impressive accomplishments in 2007, putting up a 12-4 record in match play and capturing its first Class C district championship in more than 30 years.

"These honors were earned by this team's persistence and dedication to one another for inspirational play during the season," praised 'Dawg Coach Joe Cribbs. "It has been a privilege to coach girls of such high academic standards and drive this season. This team understood the concept of team play and performed with focused intention this season. I'm honored to be a part of such a memorable team."

Four First Team Tribe gridders lead bevy of TVC honorees

Several members of Chesaning's varsity football team picked up all-league notice in recent voting by TVC coaches, including four Indians who found a spot on the league's First Team.

Senior Quarterback Joe Bitterman was the lone Indian to land a berth on the league's First Team offense. Seniors David Hawes and Chad Reiber along with Junior Justin Sweeney were named to the TVC's top defensive squad.

Bitterman averaged 6.6 yards per carry from his quarterback position while completing better than 53% of his passes on the season. In addition to leading his team on offense, the talented senior was third on the team in tackles on defense and led the Indians with four interceptions in 2007.

Hawes won a spot on the defensive First Team. The hard-hitting linebacker was Chesaning's second-leading tackler and recovered a pair of fumbles along with an interception. Hawes also averaged 6.2 yards per carry on offense.

Reiber anchored the defensive line. He led the Tribe with 10 tackles for losses and recovered a pair of fumbles. He also averaged 3.4 yards per carry and 12. 1 yards per pass reception while playing offense.

Junior Justin Sweeney was the team's fourth leading tackler. The defensive back blocked four passes and a punt. Meanwhile, on offense, Sweeney was the team's most prolific pass catcher, scoring four touchdowns and averaging better than eight yards per catch. Sweeney also averaged nearly five yards every time he carried the ball.

Senior Jaxon Wirgau was named to the Second Team as an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman. He helped the offense average more than 5.5 yards per play on the year and he was an integral part of the defense which held opponents to just 4.4 yards per play.

Seniors Zachary Hersch and Cal Bishop were named to the league's Second Team. Hersh excelled as an offensive lineman for the Indians while Bishop was second on the team in pass receptions and led the Tribe with nearly 15 yards per catch.

Honorable Mention accolades went to Cody Darling for his work as a defensive end and to Mike Rowe for his contributions at linebacker for Chesaning.

In addition to his league honors, Joe Bitterman was also named as First Team All-State. Look elsewhere in this issue of the Citizen for coverage of that accomplishment.

Montrose places four on All-GAC volleyball squad Pully garners

First Team honors Montrose's varsity volleyball team posted an impressive 10-3 record in the GAC this fall, and Montrose's team excellence was recognized in recent voting by GAC-Red coaches as four Rams were accorded individual honors.

Junior Sara Pully landed a spot on the league's First Team for the second year in a row to lead the quartet of Montrose honorees. Pully was a formidable figure at the net, amassing 501 attacks and 208 kills in league action. The talented middle attacker also had 45 blocks and went 128/137 on serves with 11 aces against GAC foes. She also came up with 94 digs.

"Sara was an offensive machine and she put the ball away when she got a hold of it," praised Ram mentor Lisa Conrad. "She was also a team captain this year and I am looking forward to her returning next year."

Senior Kirsti Groulx earned a spot on the league's second team. Groulx, a captain and a four-year varsity player orchestrated the Ram offense. She accumulated 465 assists and was an impressive 151/154 serving with 20 aces in league play. Groulx also came up with 85 digs.

"Kirsti was the one who ran the floor. She never stopped hustling and always made plays happen," commented Conrad. "She had the heart and desire you wish every athlete would have and she will be hard to replace next year."

Junior Casey Lake received honorable mention for the second year in a row. Lake was an outside hitter who registered 309 attacks with 98 kills in GAC action. She was a near-perfect 179/180 on serving with 21 aces and she gathered up 103 digs.

"Casey was by far our most consistent all-around player and when we were in trouble, if you put the ball in her hand she would find an open spot on the court," said Conrad. "Casey worked hard all the time and is such a valuable player. I am looking forward to Casey returning next year."

Senior Kyrie Diem also earned honorable mention for Montrose. The three-year varsity player was tough at the net with 253 attacks, 82 kills and 24 blocks against league rivals. Diem also recorded 85 digs and slammed home 16 aces on 168/178 serving.

"Kyrie stepped it up this year, not only with her hitting, but she ended up also being one of our best defensive players," lauded Conrad. "She started reading the ball well on her blocks and on her passing. Replacing her will be hard for us next year."

"This was our best season we have had in the four years I have been coaching varsity here, not just because of our record, but because of the heart and desire the girls put ubti the game," concluded Coach Conrad. "Congrats should go out to all of our players. I am certainly going to miss our seniors."

Dominating 'Dawgs land 12 on all-TVC West team

ST. CHARLES -- With a stellar 9-0 regular season record, the St. Charles varsity football team had a dominating season on the field, and in the all-league balloting as well Twelve members of the 2007 Bulldog squad earned Tri-Valley Conference West Division all-league honors, including seven first teamers.

The 'Dawgs had four members collect first-team offensive honors -- Ryan Humpert, Marshall Davenport, Brad Saunders and Ryan Katch. Humpert, Daveport and Saunders were the top vote-getters at their positions, with Katch losing out only to Saunders.

Brian Halas, Spencer Davenport and Justin Hedrich were first-team defenders.

Second team honors went to Matt Schalow and Zach Weisbarth. Honorable mentions went to Dugan Roosa, Travis Crane and Brent Fleissner.

On offense, Humpert, a senior fullback, led the 'Dawgs with 1292 yards in 144 carries with 16 touchdowns, averaging nine yards per carry. That was despite sitting out the second half of five games when the Bulldogs were subbing heavily with big leads.

"If we would have left him in there, Ryan would have had some huge numbers on the season," St. Charles coach Bob Welzein said.

M. Davenport was the complimentary halfback behind Humpert. The junior rushed for 611 yards with 15 touchdowns, averaging 7.5 yards per carry.

"Marshall picked up a lot of tough yards for us," Welzein praised.

The Bulldogs had a lot of success running the ball with Saunders and Katch on the right side of the line. Saunders, a 6-3, 225 lbs. right tackle, and Katch a 6-0, 180 lbs. right guard, provided a wall for the runners to work behind.

"Brad's a big, strong athletic kid," Welzein said. "He was an all-conference player as a junior too."

Of Katch, Welzein said, "He just came out of nowhere. He's been injured the last couple of years. We've been very pleased with him this season. He more than exceeded our expectations."

On defense, Halas was selected as a defensive back. The senior logged 42 tackles on the year with seven batted passes, an interception and one caused fumble.

"Brian was our team leader, no question," Welzein said. Halas also ran the Bulldog offense as quarterback.

S. Davenport was recognized as a defensive lineman. The senior had 59 tackles on the year with two fumble recoveries, a caused fumble and two sacks.

"Spencer could be a disruptive force on the line," Welzein said.

Hedrich was tabbed at the defensive end spot. The junior recorded 43 tackles with two sacks, two batted passes and five fumble recoveries.

"Justin had a pretty good year," Welzein said. "We'll look for big things from him again next year."

On second team, Matt Schalow was recognized as a defensive back. The opportunistic junior had 21 tackles, four interceptions, three batted passes and two fumble recoveries.

Weisbarth was honored as the Bulldog's senior center.

"Zach did a remarkable job for us in all 11 games," Welzein praised. "He's very coachable, fundamentally sound, and he played low."

Honorable mentions went to a pair of sophomores and senior offensive lineman.

Brent Fleissner was a solid senior left tackle for the 'Dawgs on a line loaded to the right side.

"Brent had to be solid, and he did a nice job for us," Welzein said.

Roosa, a sophomore defensive back, was credited with 27 tackles, six batted passes and five interceptions. He also saw playing time in the backfield on offense.

Crane, a sophomore tight end, was primarily a blocker, but did have five receptions with three touchdowns.

Six area gridders garner All-State accolades

The four schools in the Tri-County Citizen coverage area have excelled in the sport of football for many years. Chesaning, Montrose, St. Charles and New Lothrop have each won at least one state title in the past eight years and those four football teams have put up a combined six state championship banners since 1998.

2007 was another stellar season in this region as all four football teams qualified for the state play-offs. Team excellence resulted in individual recognition as six players from this area recently received All-State honors.

St. Charles' Brad Saunders and Ryan Humpert, Chesaning's Joe Bitterman, Montrose's Cody Groulx, and New Lothrop's Kyle Moore and Ryan Praski all earned recognition at the state level for their contributions this fall. All but Moore and Praski won their Associated Press honors in Division 5-6 while the two New Lothrop players won spots on the Division 7-8 team. All six players are seniors.

Saunders earned Associated Press Special Mention as offensive lineman for the Bulldogs. The 6'4", 250-pound senior anchored a solid line that was committed to the ground game. The two-year varsity starter at right tackle was a key to St. Charles' undefeated regular season record and the team's march deep into the state play-offs.

Humpert was the beneficiary of much of the work done by Saunders and could have amassed even more impressive numbers as a running back if he had not sat out most of the second half of five blow-out wins by the Bulldogs. Nonetheless, Humpert rushed for 1292 yards on 114 carries for an impressive nine-yard average per run. The AP Honorable Mention standout scored 16 touchdowns rushing.

Bitterman, Chesaning's do-everything star, ran the Indian offense as its quarterback. He was the team's leading rusher, running the ball 212 times for 1402 yards. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry and scored 19 touchdowns on the ground along with a pair of two-point conversion runs. Bitterman also connected on 96 of 180 pass attempts for 11 TDs and 1107 yards. In addition to being named to the AP All-State team, he was selected to the Lansing media's "Elite 8", signifying him as one of the top eight backs in all divisions in the state of Michigan.

Groulx was AP Special Mention as a defensive back for Montrose. His play as the team's strong safety along with his contributions on offense as Montrose's leading rusher was instrumental in leading the Rams back to the top of the GAC standings in 2007. Behind the senior captain, Montrose recaptured the league title and qualified for the state play-offs, finishing with an 8-2 record. Groulx was also named to the Detroit Free Press/News Dream Team in Division 5.

Kyle Moore was named to the AP First Team in Division 7-8 as a linebacker. He finished the season with 110 tackles, including a dozen tackles for loss. In addition, Moore recorded three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and a pair of sacks for New Lothrop, which finished 5-1 in the GAC-Blue and 7-4 overall one year after winning the Division 8 state title.

Praski earned AP Special Mention as the Hornet quarterback. The talented senior keyed the Hornet offense, rushing for over a thousand yards, and passing for another 1,036 yards. His throwing arm and his legs accounted for 25 touchdowns on the season.