Four Roosevelt Volleyball Standouts Sign with Area Colleges

The volleyball team captured the Downriver League title and the district crown in 2010 and now, four of the team’s players are headed to play at the collegiate level. 

Middle blocker/right side hitter Alyssa Kowalski signed with Marygrove College on Thursday. She was the last of the four teammates to sign with a college.

Kowalski was an integral part of a Roosevelt team that went undefeated in Downriver League play (18-0) for a second consecutive year. The team posted an overall record of 41-11-2.

Kowalski was named the team’s most improved player in 2010. She has a 3.2 grade point average and plans to study criminal justice at Marygrove.   

Outside hitter Ashley Maynard will be joining Kowalski on the Marygrove squad. She recently signed with the school as well. She plans to study education and work toward becoming a teacher while at Marygrove.

Libero Rebecca Carley and middle blocker Megan Ynclan recently signed to play at University of Michigan-Dearborn.

All four players are receiving partial scholarships to their respective schools.

In 2010, Carley was named All-Downriver, all-league, all-region and received an all-state honorable mention. She has a 4.0 GPA and plans to study either dental hygiene or business.

Ynclan has a 3.3 GPA and was Roosevelt’s cocaptain, team MVP and recipient of the team’s Coaches Award. She also was honored with all-league, all-region and all-area awards.

On hand Thursday for Kowalski’s signing were Karen Graves, Marygrove head coach, Michael Love, assistant coach, Colleen Minor, Roosevelt head coach and Kowalski's parents, Greg and Maria Kowalski.

“It’s a pretty exciting thing,” Minor said. “I think it’s pretty exciting for the kids, especially to stay local.” 

Minor has coached the Roosevelt varsity volleyball team for 19 years. 

Graves said that the success of Roosevelt volleyball is a key reason for Kowalski and Maynard joining her team.

“They know how to win,” she said. “It’s hard to teach people how to win.”

The Marygrove College Mustangs finished last year with an overall record of 18-32.

According to Graves, Kowalski can make an immediate impact at Marygrove. She said that Kowalski came to Marygrove’s open tryout and impressed her in every aspect of the game.

“We’re really excited; one of our weak spots is middle blocker,” Graves said. “I’m a lot less stressed now.”

Kowalski said she likes Marygrove’s small campus and is looking forward to playing collegiate volleyball there.

“I’m excited,” she said. “I like the group of girls at Marygrove.” 

Kowalski said she is happy to have her Roosevelt teammate Maynard coming along.

“I have someone who knows how I play,” she said.