Hazekamp, Marx named All-State in volleyball

Sat, Dec 5, 2009    to del.icio.us

Lauren Hazekamp didn't get the opportunity to play in the Class B volleyball semifinals or finals at Kellogg Arena in Battle during her sophomore season, as Fruitport was upset in the quarterfinals at Cadillac.

Instead, she'll have to settle for Class B All-State first-team recognition.

Hazekamp, Fruitport's outstanding setter, earned the honor this week, along with Grand Haven senior middle hitter Mindy Marx, a first-team selection in Class A.

Despite only her second year in the program, Fruitport coach Nicole Bayle called Hazekamp a "team leader" in the preseason, and she did nothing to discourage the label. She totaled nearly 10 assists per game, and did an outstanding job keeping defenses guessing by spreading her sets equally among the Trojans' big hitters, including Ashley Hulbert, Sam Geile and Shelby Ray. Hazekamp was also extremely effective at fooling defenses with her quick tips and also averaged nearly an ace per game.

Hulbert was a second-team All-State selection after totaling nearly three kills and 2.79 digs per game, helping the Trojans repeat as regional champions and also continued their dominance in the Lakes Eight Conference.

Marx was a record-breaking attacker for the Bucs, setting a school record for kills in a season with 643, while also leading the team in aces (47) and blocks (193).

The 6-foot-1 three-sport athlete signed a national letter-of-intent to play college volleyball at Ball State University on Nov. 17, making her the first Grand Haven volleyball player to become a Division 1 recruit since sisters Becky and Abby Reenders signed with Eastern Michigan in 2004.

Bucs' senior libero Robyn Power earned honorable mention honors in Class A, after she averaged nearly five digs a game this season.