Rankings Breakdown: 2019’s top 5 middle hitters
If you haven’t had a chance to look through our expansive prospect rankings for the Class of 2018-21, be sure to visit that area of the site. In the Class of 2019, there are a number of talented players that…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIf you haven’t had a chance to look through our expansive prospect rankings for the Class of 2018-21, be sure to visit that area of the site. In the Class of 2019, there are a number of talented players that hold down the middle of the net and will be names to remember for years to come. Here’s a closer look at the top 5 middle hitters in 2019 for the state of Michigan.
- Desiree Becker, 6-3, Dewitt/Legacy: Becker is a dominant force in the middle and recently made her commitment to play at Northwestern. During the 2017 prep season, Becker racked up 403 kills with 140 blocks as she helped guide the Panthers to Battle Creek in the Class A semifinals and earn First Team All-State honors. In 2018, Becker is having another great year with Legacy 17-ELITE and is poised to lead Dewitt to another big year in the fall.
- Abby Herrmann, 6-1, Sterling Heights Stevenson/Michigan Elite: Herrmann was part of a crowded front row at Stevenson this past fall but she still amassed over 240 kills while hitting over 45 percent on her attacks. Herrmann also put up over 140 blocks as she helped the Titans get to a Class A regional final. Part of a stacked 17 Mizuno team at Michigan Elite, her club season should only make her more of a force to deal with in the 2018 MHSAA season before she heads off to Western Michigan in 2019.
- Molly Mirabelli, 6-2, Traverse City St. Francis/FaR Out: Mirabelli can play anywhere on the net, as shown by amassing over 480 kills for the Gladiators in the 2017 prep season while hitting over 40 percent. Her skills as a middle are more evident with FaR Out, where she competes for the 18 Black team with a number of Division 1 hitters. Currently uncommitted, Mirabelli is sure to have increased her D1 interest over the last year.
- Taylor Venuto, 6-1, Dexter/Legacy: Venuto is another impressive middle that plays for Legacy’s 17-ELITE team. Already a commit to this year’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament darling, Loyola-Chicago, Venuto is hoping she can lead the Dexter Dreadnaughts to a deep postseason run in the 2018 prep season after they fell in the district tournament to Skyline.
- Avolyn Lepo, 6-2, Grand Haven/MVA: An Oakland University commit, Lepo saw her 2017 club season end before it could even begin after suffering a torn ACL. The long recovery cut into her prep season this past fall, but Lepo was able to establish her potential as a sophomore for Grand Haven, leading the team in blocks. Now, with a healthy knee, Lepo is competing for MVA’s 17 National Black team and is hopeful to get Grand Haven back to being a contender for a state title in 2018, her senior season.