Talented Salem looking to defend ‘Park’ title, rise in KLAA West standings
The 2025 Salem varsity volleyball team. Pictured (front row from left): Sloane Anderson, Avery Plawecki, Delaney Fillman, Ella Dzieciolowski, Nya Kuhn, (back row from left) Stella Whirley, Lydia Rummel, CJ Kiffner, Tamari Wheatley, Elizabeth Nordstrom and Alayna Rasmussen.
Salem’s well-rounded volleyball team won’t be intimidated by any opponent this season — not with the Rocks’ trio of three-year-starting juniors, the addition of a dynamic freshman setter and just enough senior leadership to propel Head Coach Nancy Blaylock’s squad in a positive direction.
“Our three-year varsity juniors — Elizabeth Nordstrom, Tamari Wheatley (the daughter of former University of Michigan football great Tyrone Wheatley) and CJ Kiffner came into the program as freshmen with a lot of talent and with a mindset that they were ready to dominate,” said Blaylock. “Having them back for a third year will be great for our team.
“All three of them started as freshmen and have strengthened our program with their commitment to hard work and skills development.”
Nordstrom is a sweet swinger
Among the Rocks’ roster of talented players is the 6-foot outside hitter Nordstrom, whose accelerated progression in the sport since she started playing in middle school as been smooth sailing.
“Elizabeth is a unique player because she came in as a freshman with the skills and confidence of a second- or third-year varsity player,” said Blaylock. “Elizabeth is very strong, confident and she has great court awareness. She has continued to improve each year.
“One thing I like best about Elizabeth is her competitiveness. She’s not going to back down to whoever is on the other side of the net. She’s very, very coachable and she gives us everything she has, every day.”
Chemistry is key
Given that its 11-player roster is sprinkled with players from four graduating classes, the biggest challenge for Salem this season could be cohesion, at least in the early going.
“We’re still working on our team chemistry,” Blaylock said. “All of the players are still getting to know one another on the court. We have to get to the point where everybody trusts each other’s abilities.
“We will celebrate every little success this season with the goal of making Salem proud of its volleyball team.”
Up and down start
The Rocks opened the season with a three-set loss to Wixom St. Catherine before bouncing back to sweep Dearborn in three sets in an early-season KLAA Conference cross-over match.
“I think we had some first-match jitters against St. Catherine … we had some little errors that cost us,” Blaylock said. “We played much better against Dearborn.”
Forty-seven students tried out for Salem’s team this summer. Freshmen made a huge impact as seven or eight will play on junior varsity to start the season while Stella Whirley is expected to see ample playing time at the setter position.
Captains are strong leaders
Following a vote by all team members, seniors Delaney Fillman and Lydia Rummel will serve as captains.
“Delaney goes all out on every point,” Blaylock praised. “She has a super-high energy level.
“Lydia is very calm, so her and Delaney complement one another well. Lydia is an outstanding setter. She’s very consistent.”
Junior achievers
Blaylock raved about the impact Wheatley and Kiffner will have on the Rocks’ fortunes this fall.
“We’re lucky in that we have so many players who can play anywhere on the court,” she said. “In my six years here, this is my most versatile team as far as the number of all-around players we have.”
Blaylock acknowledged that the KLAA West Division is one of the best in Michigan.
No easy days
Along with defending state champion Northville, Blaylock had high praise for Howell, Hartland and Novi — and emphasized that matches against the two other P-CEP teams — Plymouth and Canton — are never easy.
“Obviously, we’ll be shooting defend the Park title,” Blaylock said. “But if we don’t happen to count on on top again, we will celebrate the school that does.”
Blaylock is excited about the upcoming season, which will be enhanced by special events including a Teach Appreciation Night.
“I love the special events because those are the ones the girls will remember several years from now,” she said.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
