Anna Creech is not only a team player for the Dexter volleyball program but a big-picture kind of athlete who is interested in setting her team up for success this year and beyond.
“Being a senior, I have taken advantage of leadership opportunities within the team and developed relationships with the underclassmen because they are the future of the program,” Creech says.
Now how cool is that attitude – there is no I in program. But Creech also has game and has been a key player on the court this season for the talented Dreadnaughts.
“Early in the season, I dealt with an injury that restricted my play, but I have worked hard to recover so I can perform for my team,” she says. “I have been working on being more selective with my shots and recognizing opportunities where there is an open spot on the court.”
Creech was first introduced to volleyball in the third grade in the Catholic Youth League in Brighton. She soon decided to play club volleyball and joined the 11U team at the Top Gun Volleyball Club in Howell.
“I had played softball for five years, and I wanted to try something different,” she says. “A lot of my friends were playing volleyball and I loved it.”
Creech has played in the Dexter volleyball program since the seventh grade. She was a captain of the JV team her sophomore year and was named the Most Valuable Player by the team.
“I have played mostly outside hitter but have been able to step in and play Libero, DS, and Right Side when needed,” she said.
This year, she is on track to have her best statistical year since playing in high school. But it’s not about statistics for these Dreadnaughts.
“With the move to the SEC Red Division, we made it a goal to win the conference,” Creech said. “We have a great opportunity to do well in the first two rounds of Districts and we hope to face off with Skyline again and hopefully continue on in the tournament.”
Dexter is ranked 24th in Michigan D1 volleyball with a 22-3 record.
“Our team is very close, especially the seniors,” Creech says. “There is very little drama on the team which makes it easy for us to focus on our team goals. Coach Burns has high expectations and has been very involved at different age levels of the program for many years. She has developed great relationships with all of the players and is well respected by everyone.
“The seniors have played club volleyball in Michigan with and against each other for many years and it has helped us develop special relationships with each other.”
Anna, 17, is the daughter of Connie and Kevin Creech, and also sets a great example in the classroom (she has a 4.2 GPA). She also is involved in NHS and Women in Science and also enjoys fashion, working out and nutrition.
Right now, her focus is on the volleyball courts.
“Our team has been practicing in open gyms and regular practice since the summer and the expectation is that you are present and giving 100 percent whether in the weight room or on the court,” she says. “Our team focuses on the big goals we have set this year and the only way to accomplish these goals is to play hard all the time. We understand that we have tough competition in the Red Division and we want to win by hard work, not luck.”
Creech plans on attending Hillsdale College to study Pre-Law/Political Science.
“At this point, I am not seeking out opportunities to play college volleyball,” she says.
So she plans on leaving it all on the court with the Dreads.
MAIN PHOTO: By Pure Photography
