Chloe Maurer was beginning her senior season with Monroe’s volleyball team at this time six years ago.
Now, she is in charge of the team.
The 2020 Monroe graduate is the new head coach at her alma mater.
“I didn’t see myself coaching this team, but I knew I wanted to coach,” Maurer said. “That was my ultimate goal. I just love the sport so much.”
Maurer has coached three seasons of middle school volleyball at Monroe, including leading the current group of sophomores to an undefeated season in the seventh grade.
She is delighted to have that group of girls again.
“It’s amazing to be able to grow with them in the program,” she said.
Maurer is enjoying the experience of being a varsity coach.
“It’s great to see them coming together and creating the unity that we used to have,” she said.
Maurer is one of five new coaches in the Region this season, joining Janelle Nagy (Airport), Kayle Scott (Erie Mason), Sarah Eliason (Milan) and Devon Newman (New Boston Huron).
Previews for all of the Region schools follow.
AIRPORT
Coach: Janelle Nagy, first year.
2024 record: 20-15-1.
Returning starters: Seniors Joelle Shrewsbury, Renne Shrewsbury, Peyton Zajac, Jillian Baker, Chloe Ruhlig, Madi Boehm, Myah Hoppert, Sophia Goins.
Other players: Juniors Myra VanWashenova, Jane Smart, Jenna Kemp, Katie Roecker; sophomores Mya Stahr, Julia Dyson; freshman Brityn Duffy.
Season outlook: The Jets, who won a district championship last season, has plenty of experience with eight girls who started last season, including All-Region player Peyton Zajac.
Coach’s comments: “This year’s team brings both experience and potential to our program. They are a dedicated and enjoyable group to coach, and with their blend of athleticism and skill, we’re confident they have the ability to achieve great success this season.”
BEDFORD
Coach: Bree Russow, third year.
2024 record: 42-6.
Returning starters: Senior Lucy Monahan; juniors Blair Russow, Hayden Fausze, Anna Gray, Madyson Wallace.
Other players: Juniors Kennadi Goulet, Riley Sucheck, Kierston Soss, Ameila Burgermeister, Olivia Eby, Gianna Hill; sophomores Ellerie King, Lexie Morris; freshmen Rilynn Schmenk, Cady Fischer.
Season outlook: The Mules graduated a trio of All-Region players, but one back in Monahan. She will be surrounded by a lot of new faces.
Coach’s comments: “This will be a growth year filling the lineup. We have solid returners and other players that are ready to step up. It will be challenging but exciting to see what these girls are capable of. Schedule is tough but we are looking forward to it.”
DUNDEE
Coach: Keri Salenbien, third year.
2024 record: 23-14.
Returning starters: Seniors Lilly Motylinski, Ella Fowler, Maddie Salenbien; juniors Sophia Nolff, Cameron Kidd.
Other players: Senior Veronica Rhoades; juniors Tessa Purser, Delaney Ostrowski, Evan Crawford, Presley Salenbien; sophomores Lacey Evans, McKenzie Heath.
Season outlook: Salenbien is excited about the mix of experienced players and talented newcomers.
Coach’s comments: “We expect a competitive season and will work hard and push ourselves to improve each match. Driven by experience, dedication, and teamwork, this team has the potential to achieve great things this season.”
ERIE MASON
Coach: Kayle Scott, first year.
Returning starters: Senior Jayanna Willets and Paige Konrad; juniors Addie Homrich, Zoie Stubleski.
Other players: Senior Lola Cox, juniors Kensey Kreger, Zayla Brown, Salem Stefko, Aubrey Iocoangeli; sophomore Kaylee Wright.
Season outlook: The Eagles have some rebuilding to do after graduating two of the best players in school history — Elizabeth Sweeney and Brooke Langenderfer —to graduation from a team that won the Tri-County Conference championship.
FLAT ROCK
Coach: Mackenzie Kaiser, eighth year.
2024 record: 23-12-7.
Returning starters: Seniors Reagan Higdon, Jaclynn Motyka, Ava Gillum; juniors Sarah Giroux, Elle Dwyer, Maelie Fricke, Hannah Hesse, Lily Klein.
Other players: Juniors Riley Kujat, Kadence Howell, Jaliynah Cerroni.
Season outlook: The roster is made up entirely of juniors and seniors for the first time in five years and most of the players have lots of experience.
Coach’s comments: “We accomplished a lot last season even if it didn’t go our way in postseason. We hope to continue this season building from our accomplishments and learning from our losses to become even more dynamic this season.”
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Coach: Regan Sliwinski, second year.
2024 record: 5-14.
Returning starters: Seniors Emma Ferguson, Addy Wallace, Addy Skinner, Katelyn Maher; sophomore Angela Sandoval.
Other players: Senior Malana Stec; juniors Riley Graham, Skylar Warren; sophomores Gia DeAngelo, Emilee Konkus; freshmen Addy Burgei, Rylynn (Juju) Atcheson.
Season outlook: Wallace, Ferguson and Maher all are entering their third or fourth season on the varsity. An experienced core will be supported by some exciting new talent.
Coach’s comments: “We have very talented players this year who are ready to win. This group is very exciting with the athleticism they have. I truly believe they have a good shot at pushing far this season and in districts.”
IDA
Coach: Ashley Begeman, sixth year.
2024 record: 34-11-3.
Returning starters: Seniors Brandie Gobrecht, Alyssa Torres, Grace May, Julia Williams, Alexa Swiderski, Addy Wilt; junior Libbie Wolfenbarger.
Other players: Juniors Alli Schrader, Adisyn Swiderski, Karlee Walentowski, Madelynn Roderick; freshmen Ella Curry, Ella Taylor.
Season outlook: The Blue Streaks lost some key players to graduation, but will have more height this season and Begeman expects the defense to be strong.
Coach’s comments: “Some key players returning that will help smooth out the transition. … We have a lot of different options we can play with on offense. Although there are a lot of new faces to varsity, they’re quick learners and we should compete well.”
JEFFERSON
Coach: Kylie Ely, fifth year.
Returning starters: Seniors Carly Lindsay, Shelby Dubke, Kayleigh Lieto; junior Jenna Flint.
Other players: Senior Braelyn Pearch; juniors Brooklyn Burns, Kayla Zielonka, Lauren Grachek, Jaylyn Vanslambrouck, Kailynn Driggers, Mikaela Priester; sophomore Emily Grube.
Season outlook: The Bears hope to continue to improve as they have done the past few seasons.
Coach’s comments: “We have a lot of chemistry this year and a lot of grit defensively. We will be leaning on our returners to make plays offensively. Our girls have played together a lot in the past but not together on varsity.”
MILAN
Coach: Sarah Eliason, first year.
2024 record: 32-6.
Returning starters: Seniors Aubree Higgins, Madison Slack, Laila Frye, Lana Pacholke.
Other players: Senior Emma Walline; juniors Lexi Lozen, Annika Koch, Lexi Knox, Molly Walline, Alexis Vance, Emily Bladen; sophomores Ellie Budd, Madi Budd, Mya Vance.
Season outlook: Slack set school records for assists, blocks and aces last season. Frye will be a leader in the backcourt and Higgins provides a spark in the front.
Coach’s comments: “We have a young team but depth on the bench. This group is hardworking, energized and shows a lot of potential. We are working to bring some trophies back home this season”
MONROE
Coach: Chloe Maurer, first year.
2024 record: 21-14.
Returning starters: Seniors Addy Simmons; Juniors Alle Marcero; sophomores Briley Lechner and Josslyn Jones.
Other players: Senior Aly Lewis; juniors Bella Reed, Presley Johnson, Hailey Wasner; sophomores Maeve Westerlund, Morgan Schmidt, Delaynee Miller; freshman Harley Bray, Ava Martinez.
Season outlook: Monroe has a new coach and lots of new faces following the graduation of a big senior class. Maurer likes the versatility and work ethic of her players.
Coach’s comments: “Mix of experienced leaders and young talent gives the team confidence that they can compete at a high level. … This group is one of the most competitive and hard-working teams I have ever coached. They never give up and are always eager to learn what they can do better. Their focus isn’t just on improving themselves, but on lifting up each other as well.”
NEW BOSTON HURON
Coach: Devon Newman, first year.
Returning players: Seniors Simone Cicotte, Ava Ryan, Aubrey Perhase, Addison Beddow, Lydia Toma, Addison Ramsby.
New players: Juniors Addison McFadden, Brooke Semone, Brianna Holbrook; freshman Claire Ryan.
Season outlook: Cicotte and Beddow are strong at the net. Toma and Ava Ryan will set and Claire Ryan plays with a lot of moxie for a freshman.
Coach’s comments: “Our varsity group is athletic and versatile and they bring a ton of energy to the court. This is a fun group of girls that just want to play and compete. I’m very excited to see what this year brings.”
SMCC
Coach: Kim Windham, second year.
2024 record: 42-4-1 (Division 3 state champs).
Returning starters: Senior Madeline Dettling, Olivia Beaudrie, Quinn Harrington; junior Alexa Turner.
Other players: Seniors Stella Archer, Adela Illes, Belle Morin, Ashley Flint, Kylie Urbanski, Hailee Willis; juniors Avery Yeager, Allie Ruhlig; sophomores Reese Foster, Olivia Horning, Lia Conant, Avery Gramlich.
Season outlook: The state-champion Kestrels graduated one of the school’s most talented group of seniors led by Division 1 recruits Jessica Costlow and McKenna Payne. Dettling and Beaudrie were All-Region players last year.
Coach’s comments: “We have a lot of work to do. With that said we have a nice mix of talent 10-12th grade. Practices have been very competitive.”
STATE LINE CHRISTIAN
Coach: Carrie Newbold, third year.
2024 record: 11-6.
Returning starters: Seniors Makenzie Brown, Makenna Heaton, Gracie Kuhns, Maegan Newbold.
Other players: Senior Lily Kelly; Juniors Lyndie Dalton, Sophia Heissenbuettel, Lacy Paben; sophomores Addison Dick, Leah Gorny and Kaylen Worley.
Season outlook: Newbold is excited about a new rotation she has installed for her squad.
Coach’s comments: “This group of girls have been working hard and I can’t wait to see how their hard work pays off. With this being our second year in the Michigan Association of Christian School League, we could make it to the finals.”
SUMMERFIELD
Coach: Dawn Perry, fifth year.
2024 record: 17-13.
Returning starters: Seniors Jaeli Jones, Riley Soldwish, Maya Stone, Mia Samples, Kyra Horak, Bethany Suydam.
Other players: Juniors Bridget Salenbien, Elena Miller, Sophie Stanger, Gabi Myshock.
Season outlook: The seniors all have been on the varsity team since at least their sophomore year. That experience should be invaluable.
Coach’s comments: “The team chemistry of this group is some of the best I’ve seen. They’re all passionate players, ready to put in the work. Summerfield will host the regional tournament this year, and the Bulldogs are striving to be playing in it.”
WHITEFORD
Coach: Janie Valdez, fifth year.
2024 record: 24-12-1.
Returning starters: Seniors Bailey Spradling, Kailey LaVoy, Addeson Cousino, Jenna Fry, Nina Bauman, Savannah Seevers, Samantha Emerson-Smith; sophomore: Maylie Mullins.
Other players: Juniors Avy Wood, Ava Stevens, Leah Williams, Audrey Schroyer; sophomore Rilee Ingram.
Season outlook: The Bobcats have eight players returning who started games last season, including seven seniors.
Coach’s comments: “We have a lot of senior leaders. We just came off a great season last year with the most wins we’ve had in a long time. Each year we improve, and I expect even more from them this season.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: New coaches take over for five Monroe County Region volleyball teams
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
