OK-Conference Has Trio of Players Named “Miss Volleyball” Finalists

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA) recently announced their finalists for the top individual honor (Miss Volleyball) and three local standouts were named. Karis Chatfield (Jenison), Liv Hosford (Rockford) and Lexie Stotenbur (FH Northern) all are on the ballot to be named the best senior volleyball players in the state.

All three have led their teams to significant success over their high school careers and have their teams in position for more conference, district, regional and state success this fall.

Rockford, FH Northern and Jenison all come into the week ranked inside the MIVCA Top-10 in Division 1 with the Rams at No. 1, Jenison at No. 5 and FH Northern at No. 9. They all made the Regional last year with the Rams defeating the host Wildcats in the finals on their way to a state runner-up finish. Now all three players have been recognized by the state of Michigan coaches as 3 of 10 finalists for the prestigious Miss Volleyball award which will be announced later this fall.

We take a closer look at the all around individual in this week’s player spotlight.

Karis Chatfield – Jenison – OH – Committed to East Tennessee State (D1)

1) What does it mean to you to be recognized as one of the top girls volleyball players in the state of Michigan?

It’s an honor to be recognized, especially with the other girls who are phenomenal athletes as well. I am so grateful to be a part of the rise of volleyball.

2) In what ways are you leading your team on and off the court?

My favorite thing to do is spend time with my teammates, so I try to do lots of team bonding or just simply say hi in the hallways, which can just reinforce that I am always there for my teammates. On the court, I try to be as encouraging as I can be, along with giving feedback on certain details

3) How do you prepare yourself mentally and physically for each day, practice, match, tourney?

Each day I enjoy visualizing, I see myself doing the little things in each play and celebrating my teammates and my successes. I am also lifting and stretching to keep my body healthy

4) Who are some people you want to thank that have helped you get to this point in your volleyball journey?

I would like to thank all of my coaches over the years, from the ones I had when I started to the ones I have had recently. They have all had a large impact on not only my volleyball skills but also my life skills. I also want to thank my family for always supporting me and showing up at my games because it means a lot even if they don’t realize it.

5) What are some hobbies/activities you like to do outside of the sport of volleyball?

I enjoy spending time with my friends, taking my dog for a swim, painting on the beach, and watching the sunset.

6) What drives you to succeed at the highest level?

Something that drives me at the highest level is most likely my little voice in my head. It feels good to not just win but enjoy the process, and succeeding makes it a lot easier to have fun and learn. I also always hope to make my family proud, and they are a big part of my life.

7) What degree are you pursuing in college?

My goal is to get a Medical degree.

8) What is a dream job for you after college!?

My dream job is to be a Pediatric Oncologist!

9) What is one funny story about your coach during a practice or match?

A funny story about my coach is that one time during a match my freshman year, when I was transitioning, I ran into her.

10) favorite subject in school?

My favorite school subjects are math and science, specifically biology.

Liv Hosford – Rockford – Outside Hitter – Committed to Oakland (D1)

1) What does it mean to you to be recognized as one of the top girls volleyball players in the state of Michigan?

It’s such an honor to be mentioned with all the other finalists! I have a ton of respect for them as players and people . Also, I feel being nominated for Miss volleyball is really a direct reflection of the incredible teammates and coaching I’ve been blessed with throughout my career.

2) In what ways are you leading your team on and off the court?

On the court I try to lead by example and encourage my teammates. Off the court I support them and try to make sure we are all motivated towards the same goal.

3) How do you prepare yourself mentally and physically for each day, practice, match, tourney?

Making sure to fuel my body properly, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep. Before matches getting a good warm up and taking deep breathes to calm my mind and body. Daily workouts in the off-season to prepare my body for season.

4) Who are some people you want to thank that have helped you get to this point in your volleyball journey?

God for blessing me with the love and ability to play. Parents for never failing to support me and provide anything I could ever need. All my teammates for pushing me to become a better player. My coaches, Coach Delacher, Katie, and Erin and all my club coaches through the years for being support and pushing me to be a better player as well as a better person.

5) What are some hobbies/activities you like to do outside of the sport of volleyball?

I love to hang with my family and friends, play with my dog, clean and organize and just watch sports or TV shows when I’m chilling at home

6) What drives you to succeed at the highest level?

My competitiveness for sure helps, makes me want to work harder than anyone else in the gym, and to help me reach my long term goals.

7) What degree are you pursuing in college?

Undecided but leaning towards business or finance.

8) What is a dream job for you after college!?

Some kind of job dealing with business and/or numbers in sports programs.

9) What is one funny story about your coach during a practice or match?

When one of my teammates was talking about how she felt she did better at serving that day and he interrupted them saying “you hit it under the net”

10) favorite subject in school?

Favorite subject is math

Lexie Stotenbur – FH Northern – S – Committed to Mercer (D1)

1) What does it mean to you to be recognized as one of the top girls volleyball players in the state of Michigan?

To be recognized as one of the top girls volleyball players in the state of Michigan means so much to me. I am so grateful to be recognized for this and it feels amazing that all of my hard work and dedication is paying off.

2) In what ways are you leading your team on and off the court?

I am constantly leading my team on and off the court by pushing everyone to be better and give their best everyday. I show up everyday for my team even when Im not feeling my best and give everything I have. Off the court I try to encourage everyone to be great people and set good examples for the youth.

3) How do you prepare yourself mentally and physically for each day, practice, match, tourney?

I prepare myself mentally by visualizing what I am focusing on for each day, practice, match, or tournament. I like to prepare myself physically by eating healthy and getting lots of rest.

4) Who are some people you want to thank that have helped you get to this point in your volleyball journey?

First I would like to thank God for blessing me with the ability to play volleyball. I would also like to thank all of my coaches, specifically Val, Joe, and Cam. Additionally my family for always supporting me and driving me to tournaments and practices and providing me with the opportunity to play volleyball.

5) What are some hobbies/activities you like to do outside of the sport of volleyball?

Outside of volleyball I like to spend time outside or at the beach as well as hang out with my friends.

6) What drives you to succeed at the highest level?

The feeling of winning those big games with your best friends that make it feel like that is what you have been training for your whole life.

7) What degree are you pursuing in college?

In collage I plan to pursue nursing.

8) What is a dream job for you after college!?

After collage my dream job is to be a CRNA.

9) What is one funny story about your coach during a practice or match?

One of my old club coaches is color blind and he showed up to a game with a completely mismatched outfit and shoes.

10) favorite subject in school?

My favorite subject in school is science, specifically biology.

MSR Weekly Top-10 Poll – OK Conference and River Cities Alliance

Rockford – Beat Hudsonville sets up Big matchup with Grand Haven next week
Jenison – Hosts big tourney Saturday with many local teams
Lowell – Picked up big win over Grand Haven on east side of state
Grand Haven – Took down Hudsonville in OK-Red action
FH Northern – Showdown with GR Christian looms this week
GR Christian – big week ahead with match against FH Northern
Byron Center – won lone match of the week
Hudsonville – Suffered two setbacks to Grand Haven and GR Christian
Holland Christian – rallied to reverse sweep Zeeland East on Tuesday
Zeeland East – suffered first league loss (3-2) at Holland Christian

Honorable Mention – GR Catholic Central, East GR, Caledonia, South Christian, Mona Shores , Northview, Fruitport

The week that was….

Tuesday

OK White – FH Northern def. East GR 3-0 and Catholic Central def. FH Eastern 3-0
OK Gold – West Catholic def. Thornapple Kellogg 3-1, Northview def. Union 3-0
Hudsonville def. South Christian 2-1 in non-conference action
OK Black – Holland Christian def. Zeeland East 3-2 in our MSR Match of the Week and Unity Christian def. Zeeland West 3-0 and Spring Lake def. Holland 3-1

Thursday

OK Green – Caledonia def. Reeths Puffer 3-0 and Byron Center def. Mona Shores 3-0
OK Red – Rockford def. Grandville 3-0 and Grand Haven def. Hudsonville 3-1 and West Ottawa def. East Kentwood 3-0
East GR went 3-0 at the West Catholic Quad – beating the host Falcons as well as Northpointe Christian and Allendale

Saturday

GR Christian won the Hudsonville Tourney including a 2-0 win in the finals against the host Eagles
FH Northern went 3-0 at the Mattawan quad including wins over Lakewood, DeWitt and Mattawan
Lowell went 2-1 at the Marian quad including a win over Grand Haven while the Buccaneers also fell to D1 power Marian
South Christian went 4-0 at the Motor City Power Series

The week ahead….

Tuesday

OK White – GR Christian vs. FH Northern, FH Central vs. FH Eastern, East GR vs. Ottawa Hills
Jenison vs. Grandville
OK Black – Zeeland East vs. Holland, Unity Christian vs. Hamilton, Spring Lake vs. Holland Christian
OK Gold – South Christian vs. Northview, Thornapple Kellogg vs. Wayland, West Catholic vs. Wyoming
River Cities – Coopersville vs. Kenowa Hills, Sparta vs. Cedar Springs, Lowell vs. Allendale

Thursday

OK Green – Mona Shores vs. Reeths Puffer, Jenison vs. Caledonia, Byron Center vs. Muskegon
OK Red – Grandville vs. Grand Haven, Hudsonville vs. West Ottawa, Rockford vs. East Kentwood
OK Black – Zeeland East vs. Unity Christian, Hamilton vs. Spring Lake, Holland Christian vs. Zeeland West
OK Silver – Fruitport vs. Kelloggsville, Calvin Christian vs. Godwin Heights, Northpointe Christian vs. Hopkins

Saturday