Source: MI Prep Zone
Author: Drew Ellis
FARMINGTON HILLS – You can’t teach height. You also can’t teach heart.
Jenna Lerg isn’t your prototypical outside hitter, standings just 5-foot-6, but the Farmington Hills Mercy senior has still found a way to make an impact for the Marlins and place herself amongst the best in the state of Michigan.
“She is that small package that does everything,” Mercy coach Loretta Vogel said of Lerg. “She represents all the quality aspects of the game. She is a true leader for us at Mercy and works so well with the team.”
A natural libero that will be playing that position next fall at the University of Michigan, this year has required Lerg to play a variety of positions, mostly outside hitter.
“Each year, the position a player will take on can really change depending on how the roster shakes out. For us, this year, at this point, we needed Jenna to be a hitter,” Vogel said. “That is one of the characteristics of what makes Jenna special. She allows us to have choices. If she isn’t hitting, she is going to be our libero. She understands that role and how it can change.”
Lerg’s adaptability has earned her the highest honor in the state of Michigan, as she is a nominee for the 2014 Miss Volleyball award. If she were to win, she would join 2011 winner Maddy Doyle as the second to earn the label from Mercy.
“It is a real honor. I really looked up to Maddy Doyle. She was a goddess in my eyes and now I find myself getting nominated for the same award, it is really an honor,” Lerg said of being up for Miss Volleyball. “I can’t compare myself to her, but it means a lot to be up for the same award she won.”
Lerg was able to play with Doyle in 2011 as a freshman, getting thrust into the libero role right away for the Marlins. It was during her first year that she established her role with the team, and also got a chance to play with her sister, Lindsey, who is currently playing at Michigan.
“I developed in practice a lot by playing with my sister and Maddy Doyle,” Lerg said. “They pushed themselves to their max every day. They never said they couldn’t do something, they always tried to get to every ball and make every play. Sometimes they didn’t, but that didn’t keep them from trying just as hard the next time.”
Lerg enjoys the responsibilities of being a libero, as she feels she has control of the game from that position.
“I love seeing the play from the back half of the court and knowing what is going on with every player. I can complement my blockers and my hitters,” Lerg said. “You are not as noticed as a libero, but I feel like it is one of the most pivotal positions on the court. I can communicate to everyone else on the court. I feel like a strong libero can do a lot for a team.”
Last season, Lerg earned All-County and All-State honors as a libero, but was again playing a variety of positions. She finished 2013 with 484 kills and 72 aces while averaging 2.3 digs per set.
Lerg is one of 10 finalists for Miss Volleyball, but not all the nominees can lay claim to excelling at a position that is not their strongest.
“I know a number of the ladies up for the honor this year and some of them, their main attribute is their ability to attack. They are also girls of size. To me, it is one dimensional when it comes to attacking. For Jenna, there is so much variety of what she can do and perform at a high level,” Vogel said. “I don’t know that some of the other candidates would have their coaches look at them to run their offense, where we know Jenna could do it immediately if needed. That is a great compliment I would give her. She can get into any area of the game that we need her at and she would execute at the highest level.”
Last Updated: 10/4/2014 12:52:39 PM EST