2020 Volleyball Draft: 1st & 2nd Round Selections

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2020 Volleyball Draft. This event will be held over the next three days and see our eight teams select 10 players from Michigan’s Class of 2021-23 pool in snake draft. This is just about having some fun and doing something different. The state of Michigan has a lot of great players and not everybody will be drafted. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see your name called. If anything, use it as motivation to prove me wrong. With that said, let’s get the ball rolling. Here are the picks. <h3>Round 1</h3> 1. Warriors – [player_tooltip player_id="66319" first="Harper" last="Murray"], OH Skyline/Legacy (2023): In an incredibly talented pool of players, the Warriors opt for [player_tooltip player_id="66319" first="Harper" last="Murray"], the Class of 2023, 6-rotation phenom that seems to have a limitless ceiling. The Warriors are betting she finds that potential and will be one of the state’s all-time best. [caption id="attachment_39279" align="alignright" width="247"] [player_tooltip player_id="14163" first="Julia" last="Bishop"][/caption] 2. Falcons – [player_tooltip player_id="14163" first="Julia" last="Bishop"], S Mercy/Michigan Elite (2021): The best floor general in the state goes No. 2 to the Falcons. Bishop has all the tools you look for in a setter. She has the leadership, vision, athleticism and confidence to guide a team to a championship. 3. Tigers – [player_tooltip player_id="14192" first="Jenna" last="Reitsma"], OH Lowell/FaR Out (2021): Reitsma has proven over the last year that she has the skills to be a dominant 6-rotation player. She can finish from anywhere on the court and has the competitive fire you need in a leader. 4. Eagles – [player_tooltip player_id="14203" first="Addie" last="VanderWeide"], OH Grand Rapids Christian/MVA (2021): A proven champion, VanderWeide is a 6-rotation talent that the Eagles don’t have to worry about bringing her best each game. 5. Bulldogs – [player_tooltip player_id="24871" first="Maradith" last="O’Gorman"], RS/OH Lakewood/FaR Out (2022): The Bulldogs take the 2022 outside at No. 5. O’Gorman has really improved her all-around play the last year to go with a devastating game at the net. [caption id="attachment_71339" align="alignright" width="208"] [player_tooltip player_id="50288" first="Mikayla" last="Haut"][/caption] 6. Wildcats – [player_tooltip player_id="50288" first="Mikayla" last="Haut"], OH SMCC/Michigan Elite (2021): At No. 6, the Wildcats like Haut’s big-match experience and veteran leadership. The 6-rotation talent is a great building block for them in this 10-round draft. 7. Cougars – [player_tooltip player_id="24846" first="Ava" last="Brizard"], OH Marian/Michigan Elite (2022): Brizard plays her position with a fire and aggression you don’t see in many players. Her talent levels continue to rise, and the Cougars see her as their franchise piece. 8. Lions – [player_tooltip player_id="24870" first="Serena" last="Nyambio"], MH/OH Country Day/Michigan Elite (2022): Nyambio has unlimited potential and continues to polish the edges in her game. Capable of being a dominant middle, or an improving outside. She provides some flexibility for the Lions, who have back-to-back picks. <h3>Round 2</h3> 1. Lions – [player_tooltip player_id="50289" first="Lydia" last="Harper"], S Caledonia/FaR Out (2021): The Lions lock up a setter and go with Harper, a veteran starter that has been one of the best in the state for years. Her leadership and talents will help any young hitters on the team. [caption id="attachment_71362" align="alignright" width="227"] [player_tooltip player_id="14185" first="Aubrey" last="O’Gorman"][/caption] 2. Cougars – [player_tooltip player_id="14185" first="Aubrey" last="O’Gorman"], MH Lakewood/FaR Out (2021): The top pure middle on the board goes to the Cougars in the second round. It’s a big get, as O’Gorman’s talents are mighty. Her size and finishing power makes her a dominant player. Paired with Brizard, the Cougars will bring the thunder. 3. Wildcats – [player_tooltip player_id="50290" first="Rachel" last="Jennings"], L/DS Novi/Michigan Elite (2021): The Wildcats take the first player out of the back row, opting to secure the libero position with Jennings. Jennings has all you can ask for in a libero and will be able to keep her team in-system as much as anyone. 4. Bulldogs – [player_tooltip player_id="24844" first="Alyssa" last="Borellis"], S/MH/OPP Notre Dame Prep/Michigan Elite (2022): The Bulldogs are going with arguably the most diverse player in the field in Borellis. She can set, play the middle, or play the outside. Not to mention, she excels in each position. This selection gives the Bulldogs a lot of flexibility in the rounds to come. [caption id="attachment_90593" align="alignright" width="188"] [player_tooltip player_id="50295" first="Abby" last="Olin"][/caption] 5. Eagles – [player_tooltip player_id="50295" first="Abby" last="Olin"], MH Coopersville/Inside Out (2021): The Eagles go with Olin for their second pick to pair with VanderWeide. Olin really had a breakout last 12 months and her size and movement make her one of the top middle options in the state. 6. Tigers – [player_tooltip player_id="24843" first="Cari" last="Bohm"], MH Ann Arbor Huron/Legacy (2022): Similar to the Eagles, the Tigers opt for a middle here and take 6’4” Bohm. You can’t deny her size and you can’t deny she’s been one of the breakout stars of the 2020 club season in the state. The Tigers now have Bohm to patrol the middle while Reitsma attacks the outside. 7. Falcons – [player_tooltip player_id="14188" first="Sydney" last="Palazzolo"], OH Eisenhower/Legacy (2021): The Falcons give Bishop her first hitter to work with and its Palazzolo, a 6-rotation standout. She’s got great size and great finishing ability to give the Falcons a potent offense. 8. Warriors – Charli Atiemo, MH Mercy/Michigan Elite (2021): The Warriors had a long wait for their next pick but are thrilled to see Atiemo on the board. An ever-improving middle with outstanding footwork, Atiemo and Murray will be hard for anyone to stop.