The Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association (UPSSA) approved the formation of the Ms. U.P.

Volleyball award for the 2023 season.

This means that a weekly poll highlighting the ten best teams in the Upper Peninsula and postseason awards for individual players will be given for the first time in the sport of volleyball by the organization.

Ten sports reporters from print, radio and television will help keep track of teams across the region and will help determine the best volleyball player in the Upper Peninsula after the season. The process is similar to other UPSSA awards for football and boys and girls basketball. A dream team of players across all divisions consistenting of two outside hitters, two middle hitters, two setters, one libero and three athletes who play multiple positions will be formulated first. A First Team All-Division 1-3 and First Team Division 4 will also be released. Any players with two or more votes that did not make Dream Team or First Team will receive special mention honors and those with one vote will be named honorable mention.

Additional awards will be given for Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, with one each for Divisions 1-3 and Division 4.

In addition to the awards, the UPSSA has also established a poll, ranking the teams in Divisions 1-3 together and Division 4 in its own poll. The first polls will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 5 with the final poll released on Tuesday, Oct.

31. Munising Beacon Editor Brice Burge is one of the poll voters.