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Season of Hope | 2020 Football Volleyball Preview
August 2020
Returning players has Baldwin volleyball team optimistic By John Raffel
“Kendra Washington will be returning as well. She’ll be attacking from the outside and a little bit from the opposite. I’m planning on her serving, and she’s a lefty. I‘m going to have Arianna Burrell. She was a freshman player but she’s returning and I’m counting on her playing as well.”
jraffel@pioneergroup.com
BALDWIN – Baldwin’s volleyball squad graduated a dream team player in Jenna Johnson last year but coach Duane Roberts has a good supply of returning players to help make the Panthers very competitive in the West Michigan D League.
Johnson was a four-year varsity player and starter.
Savannah Bloom is slated to be an all-around player for the Panthers. Monique Rowland is a senior middle hitter for the Panthers, and a strong back-row player. “Replacing Jenna as my setter is Abigail Oisten,” Roberts said. “She’ll be attacking when she is not setting.
Baldwin's volleyball team was strong in 2019 and is hoping for more wins in 2020.
Ciera Pieske will be returning as one of the setters and will be an all-
around player.
“But I’m excited on what these varsity girls will bring to the table and how they’ll step up,” Roberts said. “I’m working on a few girls coming up for their freshmen year if all goes well, maybe a quarter or halfway through the season.”
Baldwin football expects to be very competitive By John Raffel
jraffel@pioneergroup.com
BALDWIN – This could be a very talented Baldwin 8-man football team, which is especially why veteran coach Bob Watkins would like to see the team take the field in 2020, despite the ongoing COVID pandemic. The Panthers have struggled for numbers and wins in past years. They were 0-9 in 2018 and were outscored 354-6. Last year was better with a 2-7 mark and 132 points scored. The defense still struggled, however, allowing 367 points. Carmelo Lindsey was a do everything quarterback and returns for his sophomore season. He will also play some running back. Ian Lemieux is a huge twoway lineman, who will give the Panthers solid leadership on the line of scrimmage.
Clure is a center. “You want to get them prepared, but will you have the opportunity to play?” Watkins said. Crossroads has dropped its football program and has been replaced on the schedule by Merrill. Vestaburg is the season opening opponent at home on Aug. 28 and is a new addition to the schedule. If the Panthers wind up playing, they have the potential to be a solid ball team, Watkins indicated. “A majority of the starters will be upperclassmen,” Watkins said. “A majority last year were underclassmen. We have some skill people coming back, including our quarterback. It is what it is. After three to four years of having injuries and playing with underclassmen, now you’re on an even playing field, but you might not have a chance to play.”
Aveon Hobbs, receiver Derek Other key players include Mock and other key returners Dylan Hibma, a receiver. Caleb should help the Panthers be Nagel is another lineman. very competitive. Adam Mc-
Carmelo Lindsey will be a sophomore for Baldwin's football team. (Pioneer photo/John Raffel)
