Grunze's game measures up against nation's best
Waterford – Mia Grunze has thought about the possibilities. How could she not, especially with the Olympic Games still fresh in the country’s consciousness?
The Waterford junior has spent the past few off-seasons competing in USA Volleyball’s developmental program. This summer, the 6-foot-2 outside hitter proved she is one of the best 15 and 16 year-olds in the country by earning one of 12 spots on the Girls National Youth Team that will compete in the NORCECA U-18 championship in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
One year you’re playing on the national team, a few years later ….
“A lot of those girls who are in the Olympics right now have gone through the USA volleyball program,” Grunze said. “When I was at camp we Facetimed an Olympic player and she was telling us how she went through all the (national youth) teams before she got to the Olympics. It really inspires me.”
The honor is the latest feather in the cap of an area standout who in two seasons has put together a resume that any graduating senior would be proud to own. Now the two-time all-state pick who committed to Ohio State in the off-season prepares to lead a young Wolverines squad that hopes to eventually make its mark in one of the area’s toughest leagues, the Southern Lakes.
But before the season picks up steam, she has work to do in Puerto Rico. She’ll be gone from Aug. 30 to Sept. 8.
“It’s just so much fun,” she said. “All the girls are great. All the coaches are amazing. They know everything about volleyball. Any questions you have, they’ll answer them. Even questions you didn’t even know you had, they’ll answer for you. … It’s a great opportunity.”
Preseason girls volleyball preview
Grunze, who received an exceptional athlete waiver from the WIAA, made two cuts to get on the team. First, she was among the 24 players chosen to the national youth training team in May. In July, she was chosen to be part of the final 12 who will represent the country beginning next week.
It’s an amazing rise when you think of someone with such promise coming from a town of 5,500 in western Racine County. Grunze’s game, however, is big time.
A six-rotation player, Grunze earned honorable mention all-state recognition from the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association as a freshman and sophomore.
She burst on the scene in 2014, averaging 4.3 kills and 10.7 digs per set while posting a .436 hitting percentage and helping the Wolverines go 21-16 overall. Last season when the team went 22-15, her kills per set went up to 4.8 and in a testament to her importance to the offense, she got about 230 more swings.
She also performed better in serve-receive, tying for the team lead in that category.
“The hitting is the 'wow' factor, it’s what sets her apart, but really when you see those hitters, sometimes you assume they’re a tall hitter, they can’t play defense,” Waterford coach Ashley Ingish said. “She has phenomenal ball control. That’s something she prides herself on. We are no worse off when she’s in the back row.”
Waterford finished 4-3 in the Southern Lakes in Grunze’s first two seasons. Climbing the ladder in the conference isn’t easy when you’re trying to step over state powers like Burlington, Westosha Central and Union Grove. Some coaches in the conference believe the Wolverines have a shot, though Ingish notes that her team is young and hasn’t much experience playing together.
Grunze, once the freshman phenom, is now an elder statesman.
“She has such a wealth of knowledge about the sport, about even the mental aspect of the sport,” Ingish said, “so a lot of times we’re in drills and if we’re struggling to get through a drills she’ll take it upon herself to say we need a timeout and she’ll say if you’re struggling passing, here is a tip I learned from a teammate or here is something I’ve learned from a past coach that helped me out. The girls respect her a lot.”