Jenna Coates is set for her appearance at the Mizuno USA/Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association All-Star Classic on July 30.
‘I am looking forward to it,? said the 2010 Clarkston High School graduate. ‘It’s going to be cool to see all the talent from all the areas in our state.?
Coates was a three-year starter for the Clarkston Varsity Volleyball team and led the team as a defensive specialist and captain in her final year.
She finished her final year named to the All-State First Team for Class A – a reason why she was invited to the tournament.
‘We invited all senior members of the first, second, third team from all classes,? said Laurie Glass, All-Star Classic tournament coordinator.
‘It is a well deserved honor to play in the All-Star game, said Don, Jenna’s dad. ‘Being able to compete on the court with the best of Michigan one final time just before these athletes begin their college careers will make it most memorable.?
Jenna will also get to play with her Legacy Volleyball Club teammates one more time before they head different directions to college.
‘It will be fun to play with them one last time,? she said. ‘I have been with them for four years and this was our last year together.?
She will see teammates Rachel Charles, Alex Cocklin and Erin Cooney, from Birmingham Marian, as well as Destiny Tolliver, from Notre Dame Prep. They ended their club season in June.
But they won’t know what team they are on or who they play with until they get there. Along with just over 40 other players, the girls will be divided into four different teams.
The coaches are determined by a name drawing from a hat before the tournament begins. Coaches leading their high school teams to quarterfinals and higher were invited for the All-Star Classic.
‘It will be cool to be coached by the All-Star coaching staff,? said Jenna.
Jenna will be prepped and ready to go when she arrives. She participates at open gym for volleyball at Central Michigan University.
‘We have been working out every day, conditioning and playing at night for fun,? she said.
Jenna has already dived into her studies and is taking a three-hour class everyday, Computers in Society.
She signed her letter of intent for CMU last November, but was verbally committed to the college in September.
‘It’s a really nice event,? said Glass. ‘We do it at the MIVCA Coaches Clinic and it is our second year running it with the coaches? clinic. It went off really well last year. Kids really had a good time.?
‘Come watch,? Glass invited. ‘It’s great volleyball.?
The toumament showcases the top senior volleyball players from across the state. It also gives them the final opportunity to compete with and against the best.
All seniors in the 2010 class were selected from the first, second, third All-State teams in Classes A, B, C and D.
Over 70 players and 30 coaches were invited. Coaches who led their team to quarterfinals or beyond for the state championship were invited.
The tournament is held at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. The semi-final matches begin at 5:30 p.m. The consolation and final matches begin at 7 p.m. The admission for the event is free.
Mizuno U.S.A., the title sponsor, is providing shoes, knee socks, knee pads, spandex shorts, and a jersey for the players.