REED CITY – Kenzie Shoemaker has been applying her skills in various sports at Reed City and is coming off a volleyball season in which the Coyote junior exceled in many ways.
One of Reed City’s top moments during the recently completed volleyball season was a district semifinal match win over Big Rapids. It put the Coyotes in the finals where they lost to Cadillac, which wound up being a state finalist in Division 2.
Shoemaker started playing volleyball in fifth grade. For varsity, this was her first season.
Compared to the junior varsity, “the hits were definitely harder,” Shoemaker said. “All of our players who moved up did pretty good.”
It was her first season of being libero.
“I kind of just did it because I was a back row player and I wasn’t front row,” she said. “So I just did it. The key is movement. I’m pretty strong at backup.”
She came in the Big Rapids match because of an injury to fill a specific role. She also served.
When it comes to serving, “for me, I just have to slow it down,” Shoemaker said.
Getting to the district finals, and having a winning record was sweet for Shoemaker and the Coyotes.
“We did good,” Shoemaker said. “Sports is definitely a roller coaster but we always pull ourselves together.”
Shoemaker also plays basketball and softball and points to softball as her favorite sport, followed by volleyball.
THE KENZIE SHOEMAKER FILE
Favorite food: Spaghetti
Favorite TV show: Mike and Molly
Favorite movie: Bridesmaids
Favorite activity outside of sports: Two track
Reed City Coyote athlete having success
