Who Are The Next Household Names of Michigan Prep Volleyball?
Michigan has plenty of household names that are heading to big time programs and will be competing for conference and national championships at the highest level. Not an exaggeration in the least bit. However, who’s next? Over the weekend at…
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Continue ReadingMichigan has plenty of household names that are heading to big time programs and will be competing for conference and national championships at the highest level. Not an exaggeration in the least bit. However, who’s next? Over the weekend at MEQ there were a few players that were able to stand out as far as some of the next Michigan athlete to take center stage.
Kimani Johnson – MI Elite 15 Mizuno – Outside Hitter – Class of 2022
Serena Nyambio – MI Elite 15 Mizuno – MB/Right Side – Class of 2022
Ava Brizard – MI Elite 15 Mizuno – MB/Right Side – Class of 2022
There is a rotation that Michigan Elite 15 Mizuno runs where they have Johnson, Nyambio, and Brizard all in the front row. Dangerous. These three athletes all bring something a little bit different to the table so when they are together, they are scoring points in a variety of ways. Brizard has a big arm – aggressive and a sparkplug for her team she finds a way to score whether its a hard hit off the hands, a swing through the split, or some type of tip or roll that can find the floor. When opposing teams set the outside, Johnson and Nyambio create such a mismatch with their block While watching them play, you can see there is a trust between the two to close, the block which makes it easier for their defenders to cover. Besides their defensive skills, they also contact high and can run a variety of tempos.
Milan Lee – Legacy 16 Elite – Outside Hitter – Class of 2021
Lee, a 5’9 outside hitter plays above the net, such a fun player to watch with her emotion, energy, and athleticism where she can swing away or adjust to what the defense is giving her. There are references in basketball where they refer to pure scorers, and I get that feeling when I watch Lee take the court, she just finds a way to score and is extremely explosive. Love a fearless approach from the outsides who aren’t afraid to take a big swing.
Hannah Blaney – Legacy 16 Elite – Libero – Class of 2021
Being a libero is a little more than just being able to pass a ball that’s hit right at you. It takes positioning, the ability to read a hitter, and constant communication – much like a shortstop. Blaney is also a really great athlete who can make plays out of her range, but yet stays under control.
Brooklyn Conner – MVA 16 National Black – MB/RS – Class of 2022
Conner hasn’t even finished her Freshman year and she is already catching the eye of some at the next level. At 6’2, Conner is already touching ten feet with her approach and could swing from multiple positions. Combine what she can do physically with continued training with MVA and she is going to be tough to stop on the West side of the state.
@LegacyLvc 16 Elite is rolling with a huuuuuge block! #MEQ pic.twitter.com/hi5IvmXEMq
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) March 22, 2019
Madison Grace – Legacy 16 Elite – RS – Class of 2021
Don’t let her 5’9 size on the right side fool you. Grace can put up a massive block and really become a versatile weapon to help her team in a variety of ways. Seeing her single block to finish off a match with authority was enough approval for me.
Lot of height and firepower from this @mvavolleyball team taking on @dynastyvbc out of Kansas City pic.twitter.com/waYBQ5JrR3
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) March 22, 2019
Mackenzie Gross and Sophie Plate – MVA 16 National – Outside Hitters – Class of 2021
While one goes back to serve, the other comes into swing, having two outside hitters at the level of Gross and Plate always provides a team with plenty of scoring options from the front and backrow.
Rachel Jennings – Libero – MI Elite 16 Mizuno – Class of 2021
So smooth, Jennings may have the dirtiest knee pads on the team, but I wouldn’t say that’s any indication of her being out of control. She is a smooth operator where she finds herself in the right position where she passes at a solid, consistent tempo which allows Julia Bishop to do her thing as a setter. I always enjoy a libero who can make their job look easy without diving into the chairs out of bounds, although if they can keep the play alive, why not?
Charli Atiemo – Middle Blocker – MI Elite 16 Mizuno – Class of 2021
Strong, physical defender at the net, but she can run quite the route and get a swing on plenty of high tempo sets. There were moments where MI Elite just needed a kill this past weekend and Atiemo just went for it. Plenty of times, middle blockers can play it safe and just tip in big moments, but Atiemo’s aggressive play got her team points in big time moments where she didn’t play it safe, she was aggressve and smart staying within herself to get the big point.
As an athlete, what will Prep Dig do to help with your exposure for the Motor City Madness Showcase?
💥Personalized tweet welcoming you to the event
💥Before, during, and post event coverage
💥Your name sent to college coaches informing them of your attendance at the event pic.twitter.com/70HxQeHAAR
— Prep Dig Michigan (@PrepDigMI) March 6, 2019