All-Oakland County Dream Team – 2021 Edition

<p>It’s not an overstatement to say Oakland County is the nucleus of volleyball in the state of Michigan.</p> <p>The county has been responsible for the last three Miss Volleyball winners and the last five Division 1/Class A state champions.</p> <p>Oakland County is rich in talent. Making a name for yourself in this county puts you on the map statewide.</p> <p>Here’s a look at some of the top players in the Class of 2021 from Oakland County.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14163" first="Julia" last="Bishop"], S Mercy/Michigan Elite (2021)</strong></p> <p>The top-ranked player in our Class of 2021 for the state of Michigan, Bishop is the ultimate leader. Her setting skills have been on display for Mercy since she was a freshman. Bishop smoothly runs any offense she’s part of. She got the athleticism and vision to be one of the greats. She also has the instincts you need in an on-court leader. Last fall she helped the Marlins to a state title while putting up over 1,500 assists. Mercy and Michigan Elite have truly gotten to work with one of the best.</p> [caption id="attachment_98725" align="alignright" width="239"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-98725" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/06/Charli-Atiemo-239x300.jpg" alt="" width="239" height="300" /> Charli Atiemo[/caption] <p><strong>Charli Atiemo, MH Mercy/Michigan Elite (2021)</strong></p> <p>Atiemo has really taken her game to another level since the 2018 prep season. The Mercy middle had over 400 kills in 2019 while hitting around .500. She has a great connection with Bishop and has the footwork to move around the net with ease. When the ball is going to Atiemo it usually ends up in a point for the Marlins or Michigan Elite.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50290" first="Rachel" last="Jennings"], L/DS Novi/Michigan Elite (2021)</strong></p> <p>Jennings has been part of the talented Novi varsity program since she was a freshman. Over the last two years, she has put up over 1,100 digs for the Wildcats. Jennings established herself as the top defender in the Class at a young age and has only improved on her stock with Michigan Elite during club seasons. Jennings has the calm and poise you need in the back row, but also the athleticism to make tough plays.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50296" first="Claire" last="Nowicki"], OH Clarkston/Legacy (2021)</strong></p> <p>Clarkston has given Nowicki a chance to really shine since she was a freshman and the 2021 outside hasn’t disappointed. Nowicki mixes up her swings, plays very consistently in the back row, and has a dynamite serve. Last fall, Nowicki had over 400 kills and 400 digs. She’s the go-to for the Wolves and a vocal leader for the team. Nowicki has been putting in the extra work with Legacy and should be set for a big senior season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50298" first="Ainsley" last="Guse"], MH Stoney Creek/Unified (2021)</strong></p> <p>It would be hard to find a more impactful middle on both sides of the net than Guse. The 6’2” middle for Stoney Creek really took a step forward as a junior. She amassed 432 kills and 144 blocks for the Cougars while hitting nearly .400. In two years of varsity play, Guse has over 300 blocks. Guse has also been a dominant player for Unified during the club season. She is in line to be one of the most dominant players during the 2020 prep season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50293" first="Ellie" last="Tisko"], MH/RS Mercy/Michigan Elite (2021)</strong></p> <p>Tisko was another powerful finisher for Mercy in the 2019 championship season. Also hitting around .500, while putting up over 350 kills, Tisko was a big performer at the state finals in Battle Creek. She had 14 kills and a pair of blocks for the Marlins in the championship win over Lowell. Also able to move to the outside, Tisko is proving to be a much bigger threat coming into her senior season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50292" first="Kaylin" last="Collins"], OH Mercy/Michigan Elite (2021)</strong></p> <p>Her 2019 prep season was cut short by a knee injury, but Collins was a great compliment to Miss Volleyball winner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14089" first="Jess" last="Mruzik"]</strong> on the outside. Collins didn’t get to do much other than rehab during the club year, but her drive should still carry her to a strong 2020 prep season with Mercy. This will be her chance to be a featured outside and take her game to the next level.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50303" first="Reagan" last="Goeke"], MH Lake Orion/Legacy (2021)</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_98726" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-98726" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/06/Reagan-Goeke-2-300x259.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="259" /> [player_tooltip player_id="50303" first="Reagan" last="Goeke"][/caption] <p>One of the state leaders in 2019 for blocking, Goeke has developed into more than just a wall at the net. She amassed 178 blocks as a junior for Lake Orion, but also had a career high in kills, aces and digs. Goeke also vastly improving on her finishing ability, which carried over to the club season with Legacy. As Goeke continues to gain more confidence, she will become a real difference-maker.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50302" first="Olivia" last="Kowalkowski"], L/DS Notre Dame Prep/Michigan Elite (2021)</strong></p> <p>The high-energy defender for Notre Dame Prep cut her teeth with the program as a freshman and has been working her way up rankings list since. Her positive attitude is amplified by consistent standout performances on the court. As a junior, Kowalkowski put up 676 digs, a career high. That helped lead the Irish back to Battle Creek for the D2 state semifinals.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50311" first="Grace" last="Allread"], S West Bloomfield/Legacy (2021)</strong></p> <p>West Bloomfield’s volleyball team has climbed up the state rankings in recent years and Allread has been a big part of that. The fiery setter has displayed great leadership for the Lakers while also performing at an elite level. Her sets are on point, her serves are competitive and her defense is where it needs to be. Allread also has a great eye for calling her own number.</p> <p><strong>Honorable Mention:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="14193" first="Kendall" last="Robertson"], MH Lake Orion/Michigan Elite (2021); [player_tooltip player_id="14194" first="Lara" last="Sebastian"], L/DS Rochester Adams/Legacy (2021); [player_tooltip player_id="14214" first="Samantha" last="Deinek"], OH South Lyon East/Michigan Elite (2021); Avery Horejsi, L/DS Walled Lake Central/Unified (2021); [player_tooltip player_id="89334" first="Emma" last="LaBarge"], MH Oxford/Legacy (2021); [player_tooltip player_id="50324" first="Gabrielle" last="Cummings"], OH Novi/Legacy (2021); Alexis Koenig, OH Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes/Unified (2021); [player_tooltip player_id="50323" first="Mya" last="Minjares"], L/DS Royal Oak Shrine/Unified; Katie Hopkins, S Oakland Christian/Legacy (2021); Hailee Ide, L/DS Oakland Christian/Unified (2021).</p>