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North Branch junior setter Olivia Kohler, who helped lead her team to a 72-2 record in the fall, was named to the list and was recognized as one of 150 deserving players from 37 states as a High School All-American. Kohler is one of only six players from the state of Michigan to be selected to the All-American list and one of just 27 juniors nationwide to he honored. In addition to the 27 juniors there were 116 seniors and seven sophomores selected to make up the team.

"Olivia is a very dynamic player," North Branch volleyball coach Jim Fish said. "She is very skilled in all areas of the game. She is a tremendous leader who is very deserving of All-American status."

PrepVolleyball.com provides the most comprehensive national coverage of high school volleyball and annually ranks the top teams and players in the country. In order to be selected to the All-America team, a player must have a massive impact on the success of their high school team, the website states. To be included, you must be the best player on your individual team and recognized as one of the top 3-5 players in your state regardless of class.

Kohler obviously meets the criteria.

This past fall, Kohler was selected First Team All State in Class A in a season where she led the Broncos with 140 aces, 739 assists and 526 digs. She was third on the team with 342 kills from the setter position. Along the way, Kohler and the Broncos were ranked as the number one team in the state of Michigan in Class A for the majority of the season and were ranked as high nationally as the 21st best team in the country before losing in the State Regional Finals. The Broncos finished 48th in the final rankings of the top 100 teams in the United States.

Over the past two seasons, Kohler has led her team to a 146-5-1 record, which includes finishing as the State Runners-Up in Class A at the conclusion of the 2006-07 season.

ÒWe are proud of Olivia and the national recognition that she has received,Ó Fish said. ÒWhat is even more exciting is that only 27 juniors in the country were named All-Americans. And Olivia would be the first to acknowledge that without the success we have had at North Branch, it would have been impossible to her to receive this award.

ÒThis honor is shared by all the members of last yearÕs state-ranked number one team.Ó

Andrew Selich is Sports Editor at The County Press. He can be reached at (810) 664-0811 ext. 8124 or andrew.selich@lapeergroup.com.