Photo by Erin Sanchez Southfield-Lathrup junior Jaimie Dallo is the only returnee for the Chargers and was named captain by her teammates.

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

LATHRUP VILLAGE — Knowing that the volleyball squad he was inheriting had graduated nine of its 10 players, Southfield-Lathrup coach Michael Armstrong needed a leader.

Enter junior Jaimie Dallo.

The setter is the lone returnee for the Chargers and fits the bill perfectly.

“With one returning player that had been through the varsity level, which is a big step above JV, I knew that she was going to have to be leaned on,” Armstrong said before practice Oct. 16.

Dallo has accepted her role and has been a pillar of consistency for the Chargers.

“She’s really a mainstay on the floor since the beginning of the year,” Armstrong said. “She’s one of the most aggressive players out there. I’ve had coaches come up and say, ‘That No. 3, she really hustled on the court.’”

The coach added that the team selected Dallo as captain, along with senior Brittany Hawthorne. He also noted that he never worried about the team accepting a junior in one of the leadership positions.

Though Armstrong wasn’t worried about Dallo stepping in as captain, she admitted that she was, a little bit.

“I was very hesitant, because I’m not a senior,” she said. “It’s my first year being a captain, so I wasn’t sure how to do it. I didn’t want people to think I was the boss, so I kind of just stood back a little bit.”

But soon, Dallo found her voice and style of leadership.
“I don’t try to talk about what people do wrong,” she said. “I try to help them  … I don’t yell at people, because it brings people down.”

Hawthorne said she’s more vocal than Dallo, and added that their contrasting styles work well together.

The duo now hopes to lead the Chargers to something they have never done — win a district championship. Lathrup played in its first district final last season.

“We have a really strong team, so I’m confident that we’ll make it at least past districts,” Hawthorne said. “Our coach told us that if we win districts, we get to shave his head and eye brows, so we’re shooting for that.”

District action runs Nov. 3-8 at various locations across the state. Lathrup heads to Hazel Park High; the draw was not available at press time.