Five more up and coming 17U Outside Hitters/Middle Blockers
By Michael Selecky Contributing Writer For many high school volleyball players the biggest jump in their skills and talents come at the age of 17. That’s when they not only start to reach new physical heights, but begin to…
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By Michael Selecky
Contributing Writer
For many high school volleyball players the biggest jump in their skills and talents come at the age of 17.
That’s when they not only start to reach new physical heights, but begin to understand the game on an entirely different level. The plays that once came at them like a hurricane now don’t seem nearly as intimidating. The game almost slows down at that point. Or, the athletes step up. However you look at it high school juniors are part of the future of college athletics.
In Michigan one issue that tends to exacerbate that process is whether or not an individual finds more success lining up in the front or back row. For those stepping forward that means mastering the positions of Outside Hitter and Middle Blocker, and at the 17U level some of those up-and-coming athletes across the state include…
AMANDA PATTERSON
Lining up to the right and sending the ball to the left is just one strength this Outside Hitter, Middle Hitter and Right Side shows in her game film on Maxpreps.com. Currently on the roster with Supernova Athletics 17 Red Clarkston, during the high school season for Holly this Junior posted 52 kills and five aces in 75 sets played.
ANNA LUNGER
The ability to receive shots with her dig from the back row and pass from both the front and back row with her set allow this individual to be a true facilitator for Redline Volleyball 17 Black. The fact Lunger goes high with the ball either way gives those around her plenty of time to react, as well. In her role as an Outside Hitter in 2019-20 this five-foot-seven Junior helped Marshall High School go 37-14-6 overall, 6-1 league to earn rankings of 74th in the state and 2,430th nationally.
JERSEY FOURNIER
In 2018-19 this sophomore Outside Hitter and Right Side put up three kills, two digs and one ace in six sets played for Mt. Morris High School. Highlights included charting two digs in two sets played for the Panthers on Oct. 30, 2018, during a loss to Corunna. Presently Fournier takes the court for North County Volleyball Mt. Morris 17’s according to NorthCountyvolleyball.weebly.com.
KEONA SALESMAN
Over the past two seasons at Bronson High School this Outside Hitter has amassed 1,120 kills, 723 digs and 134 aces in 226 sets played. Within that is a 2019-20 campaign highlighted by a serve percentage of 91.3, a kill percentage of 46.8 and 86 total blocks. Born Nov. 19, 2002, according to Redlinevolleyballclub.net, this six-foot-one senior is presently on the roster with Redline Volleyball Club 17 Black.
KYLIE JONES
In 2019-20 this Outside Hitter helped Boyne City High School go 29-15-2 overall, 9-2 league, with rankings of 171st in Michigan and 5,290th nationally. Known as number five with the Ramblers, Jones, a Senior, is now wearing number 15 for Avalanche Volleyball Club AVC U17.
Also playing for Supernova Athletics 17 Red Clarkston includes Vanya Dillard, Casey Reed and Taylor Gilbert, all of which are members of the class of 2021. On that same squad the members of the class of 2022 include Emma Losey, Brenna Lockwood and Marisa Zoller. Elle Ayers and Dazha Pate of the class of 2023 are on the roster for Supernova 17 Red Clarkston, as well.
As for Supernova 17 Black Clarkston, that roster consists of athletes such as members of the class of 2021 Kaylee Rissel, Morgan Smarch, Madison Minor, Jessica Ebersole, Lily Pagac, Grace McNeil and Presley Jernigan. Also playing for this team includes class of 2022 member Maddie McIntosh and Adalynn Phonsana and Caitlyn Scholl of the class of 2023.
At Avalanche Volleyball Club in Northern Michigan its 17U roster includes Hailey Haynes, Avery Walsh, Sarah Sterling, Rebekah Campbell, Jordyn Drisbrow, Olivia Gerstenberger and team captains Rhazi Welch, Mallory Donakowski and Abby Zimmerman according to Avalanchevolleyballclub.com.