Baldwin volleyball players earn all-league honors

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By John Raffel, jraffel@pioneergroup.com

BIG RAPIDS – Crossroads and Baldwin volleyball players received all-conference honors from the West Michigan D League in voting conducted on Monday.

For Crossroads, Triston Murray is first team all-conference, Natalie Chapman is second team and Gretchen Purcell is honorable mention all-conference.

Murray is a senior middle hitter who served 86 percent and had 82 aces, 86 kills, 170 digs and 13 blocks.

“Tristan has been an outside hitter the previous two seasons but she did a great job in the middle for us this year,” CCA coach Brooklyn Routley said. “She was able to read the other hitters and get lots of hands on the volleyballs. She was such a positive player on and off the court and a real leader to our team.”

Chapman is a senior outside hitter, who served 87 percent and had

93 aces, 69 kills, 174 digs and five blocks.

“Natalie had been a setter years prior to this but this year we felt it was more beneficial to have her on the outside,” Chapman said. “She has a great swing when the setters were able to get the ball to her. Partway through the season, she started jump serving and it was very powerful. We were very excited for her to incorporate that into her game.”

Purcell had a strong season in helping the Cougars build a winning record.

Baldwin took second in the conference and had Monique Rowland on the first team; Abigail Oisten, Kendra Washington and Naomi Marsh Robinson on the second team and Cierra Pieske at honorable mention.

Rowland is a senior middle hitter and middle backer. She served 94 percent, with kills per game of 4.8, assists 3.6, digs 14.1 and blocks 2.0.

“Monique had a great season this year,” Baldwin coach Duane Roberts said. “She had stepped into her role as co-captain well. From defense to offense, and even incredible plays, Monique used her versatility on and off the court to maximize her team’s success.”

Kendra Washington was a senior opposite and outside hitter.

Her serve percentage is 89.8 percent with kills per game of 1.5, assists 1.2, digs 3.3 and blocks 1.0.

“Kendra was co-captain for this year’s turnaround team,” Roberts said. “Kendra played many utility roles when it came to attacking, and was a very impactful server in tough times. Kendra has improved her coverage and ability from day one of her freshman year. Coaching Kendra for four years has shown that she is destined for greatness.”

Oisten, a sophomore setter and opposite hitter with serve percentage of 97.1, kills per game of 5.2, assists 3.2, digs 14.1 and blocks 2.0.

“Abigail played where she was needed and was one of our better attackers,” Roberts said. “She served as a back up setter and one who made sure to coordinate movement of the ball. Her serves and attacks helped the team offensively.”

Pieske is a junior back row player and outside hitter and serve percentage of 80 percent, with kills per game of 3.1, assists 5.2, digs 19 and blocks 1-0.

“Cierra has had a season filled with ups and downs on offense,” Roberts said. “Being the shortest player on this varsity team does not mean she does not make up for it in her plays. She packs a powerful serve, and incredible jumping capabilities. Cierra maneuvers to help return the balls and has stepped up greatly in her new role as the main setter. Cierra does not disappoint when it comes to quick soft kills and also great plays in the back row.”

Marsh-Robinson played a key role for an improved Baldwin team.