High school volleyball is officially back in Michigan, and while teams like Gaylord, St. Mary, and Johannesburg-Lewiston have already hit the court, the real action is just heating up: deciding who truly owns the court in the Gaylord area this season. Leading the charge, hands down, is Johannesburg-Lewiston’s Mady Peppin, who stomps into her senior year with a staggering 943 career kills and 132 blocks. You’ve got to be kidding me with those numbers!
The JoBurg Juggernauts Are Here to Play
This isn’t just about big numbers; it’s about pure dominance. Peppin isn’t just the two-time reigning GHT Volleyball Player of the Year, she’s a force of nature with a mix of size and athleticism most high school teams only dream of. With a full senior season ahead, it’s a guarantee she’s going to etch her name into the JL record books multiple times over. But Peppin isn’t alone carrying the load for JoBurg. Emery Lawes, a true multi-sport beast, finished her 2025 volleyball season with 233 kills and 20 blocks. A sophomore star who also shines in basketball and softball, Lawes is the kind of player you build a future around, and she’s a key reason JoBurg has a legitimate shot at a league title in 2026. Then there’s Lily Crane, another three-sport phenom. As a junior, she racked up 198 kills and 7 blocks. Crane’s numbers prove she’s ready to elevate her game, becoming key to the team’s greater goals. Even with all that talent, their own annual volleyball invite on Friday, August 22, saw Mio-Au Sable snag the tournament championship, showing nothing is handed out free.
Gaylord and St. Mary: Building for Battle
Not to be outdone, other programs are making serious noise too. Gaylord has Bindi Samalik, just a sophomore, but with the raw size in the middle that could be the exact jolt her team needs to shake off that tough 2025 season. Talk about an immediate impact player! Leadership runs deep in the McDonald family for Gaylord as well, with Maiya taking over as senior captain after watching her sister Addison play four seasons of varsity volleyball. Maiya’s captaincy isn’t just a promotion, it’s a declaration that they’re out to flip the script and change the culture for the better in the GHS program. Over at Gaylord St. Mary, Laney Perdue is another sophomore making waves. She’s the top middle hitter for GSM volleyball, putting her firmly among the top players in the entire Ski Valley. Perdue isn’t just good, she’s the best returning Snowbird in terms of kills and blocks. They’ve already got a victory under their belt, beating Lake Leelanau St. Mary on Wednesday, August 26, showing they mean business right out of the gate.
These players aren’t just putting up stats; they’re laying down markers for what could be historic seasons. With league play on the horizon, every kill, every block, and every vote counts. So, Gaylord area fans, it’s time to make your voice heard. Who’s the player that’s going to own the court this year? You decide!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply