The Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association released the all-state lin-up for the 2021 season on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021.
A tremendous season from several Muskegon-area volleyball players land them on the list of Michigan’s finest.
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Rayne Thompson, Whitehall – Division 2
Listed at 5-foot-10, Thompson produced some big numbers for a team that rolled to West Michigan Conference and Division 2 district titles. The senior outside hitter led Whitehall to a 33-7-1 overall record this season.
She finished with 1,166 attacks and 566 kills, which both rank third in Whitehall history for a single season. She also had 374 digs, 60 aces and 53 blocks.
Thompson earned first-team all-conference, all-district and all-region along side the Vikings’ first, first-team all-state accomplishment since 2012, per coach Ted Edsall.
Navea Gauthier, Shelby – Division 3
As one of the leading freshman prospects in the state, Gauthier powered Shelby to a Division 3 district title and 36-10-1 season, as the Tigers more than doubled their win total from 2020.
In 116 games this season as an outside hitter, Gauthier amassed 697 kills with a .335 kill efficiency. She totaled 463 digs, 100 aces, 52 blocks and 23 assists.
Gauthier earned first-team all-conference and all-region honors in addition to her first-team all-state accolade. The freshman has already received interest as one of the nation’s top prospects.
Kyla Wiersema, Western Michigan Christian – Division 3
Wiersema paced her team to conference, district and regional titles this fall as Western Michigan Christian posted an overall 49-6 record.
In 150 sets, the 6-foot-1 standout middle hitter tallied 668 kills with a .402 kill percentage. She finished with 373 digs, seven aces, 154 blocks and 13 assists.
Wiersema earned first-team all-conference, all-district and all-region as well as her first-team all-state award. The senior is expected to have a successful basketball season to compliment her excellent volleyball career alongside her twin sister, Maddie, this winter.
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Division 3
Maddie Wiersema, RS – Western Michigan Christian
Kendal Young, S – Western Michigan Christian
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Division 2
Maggie Evans, S – Whitehall
Division 3
Natalie Pannucci, MH – North Muskegon
Morgan Weirich, L – Shelby
Division 4
Erin Lavigne, OH – Muskegon Catholic Central
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-STATE
Division 1
Brianna Stawski, MH – Reeths-Puffer
Division 3
Sami Baker, S – North Muskegon
Haley Breuker, L – Western Michigan Christian
