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Wessel has excelled on court for MMI while having passion for horses.
MMI outside hitter Annika Wessel has a passion for horses, but she starred for the Preppers this season notching 146 kills, good for third best in the Wyoming Valley Conference.
BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
FREELAND — For the last two years, Annika Wessel’s love for horses kept her from going out for the MMI girls volleyball team. Fortunately for the Preppers, the 5-foot-10 junior middle hitter had a change of heart this season, and the decision could possibly result in Wessel playing at the college level.
Wessel was the star player for the 3-11 Preppers, who lost five starters from last year’s District 2, Class A championship club. She led MMI this season with 146 kills, third-best in the Wyoming Valley Conference. She also had 50 blocks.
That’s an impressive feat, considering the fact that Wessel never played high school volleyball before this season, but it came as no surprise to coach Shawn Evans.
From the first day of practice, it was clear to Evans that Wessel had enormous potential.
“If she had played volleyball as a freshman and sophomore, she would be almost equally as talented as Brone Lobichusky,” said Evans, referring the all-star who led MMI to the district title last season and posted 872 career kills. “The previous coach, Bruce Young, spent two years trying to persuade Annika to play volleyball.”
The reason that Wessel kept turning down a chance to play volleyball was to devote most of her time to taking care of her two horses.
“I had a responsibility to ride and train them after school,” said Wessel, who is an aspiring equestrian. “I still take care of them. I feed them regularly and make sure they have fresh water”
Not to mention spending hours on end riding her quarter-horse named Joey, and a thoroughbred named Maryland Tea at her family’s eight-acre spread in Drums. Both are retired racehorses.
Wessel has been pleasantly surprised that she enjoys volleyball so much.
“I always enjoyed playing the game over the summer,” Wessel said. “I really drew an interest in it. My only other experience was playing in gym class at the end of last year.
“I had no idea I would be this good,” she added. “Actually, I’m surprised by my hitting. I didn’t think I could pick it up this easily.” Wessel has an overpowering swing and hits with precision.
Evans said that Wessel has exceeded his high expectations.
“Looking at where she is right now, she definitely would have been in the same category as Brone. Her game is only going to get better. She transitions well from the attackers side to a defensive player. If she continues with her learning path, hopefully she can draw interest from club volleyball teams.”
He also does not rule out Wessel’s chances of playing at the college level.
“She had an outstanding season,” Evans added. “If she puts her mind to it, there’s no doubt in my mind that she can play at the college level.”
For Wessel, this was an unforgettable season.
“It was such a good experience to be in a team sport. We always supported each other, win or lose.”
As much as she likes volleyball, it will always play second fiddle to horseback riding.
“Horses are such a huge part of my life, I’ve been riding since I was 5,” said Wessel. “I think I will always love riding.”