Oxford High senior Marissa Manzella showed off her skills at the Western Michigan University All-Team Camp.
She impressed the WMU coaching staff and received the ‘First Team? award. Ten girls were awarded out of 400 players at the camp.
‘It was pretty sweet,? Manzella said about winning the award. ‘My coaches were there to see me win the award. It was a really good feeling knowing they noticed me.?
Manzella added another high point was the WMU coaching staff congratulating her as they handed her the award.
She was joined by 20 Oxford Volleyball players, Varsity Coach Kristi McDevitt and JV Coach Jennifer Bunting along with assistant Coach Christa Elliot.
During the camp, the girls were divided up into two teams. Manzella played for Bunting’s team and they tied for third place out of the 38 teams attending the camp.
Manzella and her fellow spikers are preparing for August tryouts with open gyms held at the high school.
Manzella is working towards being a team captain during her senior year and will be trying out a new position as a left-side hitter. Last season, she was a middle-blocker.
During the summer she will continue playing volleyball and practice the tips and tricks she learned playing with Oxford Heat, an Amateur Athletic Union team.
Manzella and her parents, Prudi and John, along with her coaches are working on a highlights video to put on a college recruiting website.
‘I plan to just hang out and enjoy what’s left of summer,? she added for her remaining plans.
The Lady Cats season begins on August 22 in a Flint Metro Tournament at home.
She has set a goal for the season to help her team to win the Flint Metro League and become league champions.
‘Hopefully we can get past districts,? Manzella said. Last year, the Lady Cats lost to Clarkston in the battle for the district title.
‘I know we can,? she added.