BY ED WRIGHT
Dec. 2, 2010, 8:15 p.m.

  The 2010 Division 1 All-Region volleyball team had a distinct local flavor.

  Nine PCEP athletes -- three from each school -- earned a spot on the elite, post-season roster, mirroring the immense talent pool that the "Park" produces each year.

  Following are profiles of the PCEP All-Region players who filled out questionnaires for PlymouthCantonSports.com. They are listed in alphabetical order.
 

KAYLA BRIDGE

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Senior

GRADE-POINT AVERAGE: 3.3

ROLE MODELS: My parents, by far. I can't even begin to describe everything they have done for me.

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING VOLLEYBALL AND WHY? I started in7th grade at West Middle School. I just thought it looked like a fun sport to play.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE SPORT? I just love working as a team. I love the girls who were on my team and working hard toward a goal with a group of girls and having fun is what I like best.

ERICA DEN BOER

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Sophomore

POSITION: Outside hitter

GRADE-POINT AVERAGE: 4.0

ROLE MODELS: My  role models are my parents, Harrie and Sandra. They have encouraged me with everything I do and they give me good advice, and my cousins, John and Tracy, because they are both in college in the medical field and they are really good students that I can look up to. I hope I can be as good as them when I go to college.

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING VOLLEYBALL AND WHY? I started playing on a team in sixth grade because my dad had played in college and, as a child, I always wanted to be as good as him at the sport.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT THE SPORT? I love how volleyball is a team sport and to excel at it your team has to have s strong bond. I also love playing it because I love the feeling of getting a good kill or dig. It is a very rewarding sport.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE ATHLETE: My favorite pros are volleyball players Kerri Walsh and Misty May. I have been watching them play since I was really young and they inspire me to play better.

KERRY MACDONALD

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Senior

POSITION: Setter

GRADE-POINT AVERAGE: 4.0

ROLE MODELS: My grandmother; at times my parents; my aunt Carol; I'm also inspired by some John Mayer songs and Andrea Haidar.

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING VOLLEYBALL AND WHY? The birthing of my volleyball career occurred in 5th grade or so. The reason I started playing was to be a warm-up partner for my sister, who is one-and-a-half years older than me.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE ATHLETE:
Alicia Glass.

OTHER SPORTS YOU'VE LETTERED IN: Tennis

NICOLE MERGET

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Senior

POSITION: Outside/middle hitter

GRADE-POINT AVERAGE: 3.6

ROLE MODELS: My mom and dad. They have always stood by my side to support me with whatever decisions I make. And they never tell me I can't do something I put my mind to.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE ATHLETE:
Chris Osgood


WHEN DID/ YOU START PLAYING VOLLEYBALL AND WHY I started playing in 6th grade and I really didn't like it that much when I started. I was the tall, skinny, uncoordinated kid. My neighbor at the time was a coach at the Michigan Elite Volleyball Club (the club I play for) and they were like, "Nicole should play," and my mom signed me up. I wasn't a big sports person when I was younger. I tried soccer and gymnastics but both those sports were not for me. I also danced for awhile, but I ended up picking volleyball over dance, which is probably the best decision I ever made in my life.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT THE SPORT? It's a very intense sport, especially at the higher level. I also like how there are always points being scored so it's a constant battle. I love being part of a team; you share a special bond and you are always supported by your teammates. A lot of my really close friends are or were teammates; you just get to meet so many new people from all over.

KRISTEN MUIR

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Junior

POSITION: Outside hitter and middle/left back

GRADE-POINT AVERAGE: 3.62

ROLE MODEL: My mother is my role model because she is a very hard worker and I want to be as successful as her when I am older.

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING VOLLEYBALL AND WHY? After competing in gymnastics for eight years, I decided to explore other sports. The first year I played volleyball was in sixth grade and my mom got me into it.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT THE SPORT? The best thing that I like about volleyball is the teamwork and chemistry you need to be successful. I also love the rush of energy and adrenaline you get in the middle of an intense match. Those close five-game matches  always make me love volleyball even more.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE ATHLETE: My favorite pro athlete is Kerri Walsh because she always has a smile on her face and is an amazing athlete and good sport.

JILLIAN SOMMERVILLE

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Senior

NUMBER: 8

POSITION: Middle/right-side hitter

GRADE-POINT AVERAGE: 3.94

ROLE MODELS: My parents, grandparents and my club coaches, especially Jacqui Gatt.

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING VOLLEYBALL AND WHY? I started playing in the fourth grade. My friend's mom was the school coach and said that I should attend the school's summer volleyball camp because of my height. Since then, I have not stopped.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT THE SPORT? I love the intensity. Also, I love the teamwork that is required for success. The tight bonds that are created between all the players on the teams that I have been on are inseparable. Having that second family is amazing!

FAVORITE COLLEGE OR PRO ATHLETE: Misty May and Kerri Walsh

MARIAH TESARZ

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Senior

POSITION: Libero

GRADE-POINT AVERAGE: 3.75

ROLE MODELS: My parents and younger brother.

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING VOLLEYBALL AND WHY? I started playing when I was in 7th grade at East Middle School. I started playing because it looked fun and I had never  played before.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE SPORT? I love the competitiveness.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE ATHLETE:
Misty May

OTHER SPORTS YOU'VE LETTERED IN: Softball, basketball and tennis.

ALAINA TURNER

YEAR IN SCHOOL: Junior

POSITION: Middle hitter

ROLE MODEL: My mom. She's the best.

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING AND WHY? In 7th grade. I tried out for the East Middle School team for fun. I made the team and ended up loving it.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT THE SPORT? I really like how close all the girls get. Everyone becomes friends with each other. I also like cheering  after someone has a really great play.

FAVORITE PRO OR COLLEGE ATHLETE: Alex Hunt, University of Michigan.