2020 Prep Season Preview: Division 1’s top outside hitters

<p>As the 2020 prep season inches closer, volleyball fans should be excited about the powerful hitters that will be featured in Division 1.</p> <p>Not only are these players among the best in the state, they are among the best nationally.</p> <p>Here’s a closer look at 10 of the top hitters in Division 1 for the upcoming fall season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66319" first="Harper" last="Murray"], Soph. Ann Arbor Skyline</strong></p> <p>Everyone was excited to see what Murray would do as a freshman and she didn’t disappoint. Following a great (albeit shortened) club season, Murray has pushed herself as the top player in the nation for the Class of 2023. The Skyline outside had 700 kills, 479 digs and 156 aces as a freshman while guiding the Eagles to a spot in the D1 semifinals.</p> [caption id="attachment_103752" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-103752" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/08/Jenna-Reitsma-2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="14192" first="Jenna" last="Reitsma"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14192" first="Jenna" last="Reitsma"], Sr. Lowell</strong></p> <p>Reitsma was a dominant player in 2019 while helping Lowell finish runner-up in D1 last fall and earning First Team All-State honors. This season, the Marquette-commit is ready to get the Red Arrows to the top. In 2019, Reitsma piled up an impressive 873 kills, 422 digs, 57 blocks and 86 aces. There isn’t a play she can’t make and not a spot on the floor that she can’t finish from.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24846" first="Ava" last="Brizard"], Jr. Marian</strong></p> <p>Brizard has established herself as a go-to hitter for Marian since arriving as a freshman two years ago. Last fall, Brizard was Second-Team All-State in D1. In 2019, Brizard had 537 kills, 509 digs, 52 aces and 38 blocks. The fiery competitor is ready to take the next step as a player and a leader and attempt to guide this young and experienced Marian team to a title.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50296" first="Claire" last="Nowicki"], Sr. Clarkston</strong></p> <p>Nowicki is a well-balanced player that Clarkston can rely on to finish a point, or to make a crucial dig. She’s been very consistent throughout her prep career and was Second Team All-State in 2019. Nowicki recorded 404 kills, 413 digs, 68 aces and 45 blocks last fall. She’s training hard for 2020, looking to guide Clarkston to a deep postseason run.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14188" first="Sydney" last="Palazzolo"], Sr. Eisenhower</strong></p> <p>The High Point-commit really took a step forward as a junior, hitting over .300 for the season. Palazzolo put down 503 kills while adding 391 digs, 63 aces and 18 blocks. That earned her Second Team All-State honors. At 6’2”, Palazzolo plays well above the net and has the complete package of a game to impact the contest in many ways.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14172" first="Mackenzie" last="Gross"], Sr. Grand Haven</strong></p> <p>Playing alongside a great outside in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14101" first="Ashley" last="Slater"]</strong>, Gross didn’t get the opportunity to show her full potential in 2019. Even in a limited role, she still put down 391 kills with 243 digs and 50 blocks. Those numbers landed her Third Team All-State. Coming into 2020, Gross has the chance to be the go-to hitter for the Bucs and really show the state what she has to offer.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50292" first="Kaylin" last="Collins"], Sr. Mercy </strong>(Charleston)</p> <p>Collins had an interesting 2019. She was the go-to arm for the Marlins while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14089" first="Jess" last="Mruzik"] </strong>was in international competition. It was there that she got to display all her abilities in a marquee role. When Mruzik returned, Collins was the perfect compliment to the Miss Volleyball winner before suffering a knee injury later in the year. Healed up, Collins has a chance to really breakout as a senior. As a junior, Collins hit over .350 and amassed 270 kills and 129 digs.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24859" first="Taylor" last="Humphrey"], Jr. Byron Center</strong></p> <p>Humphrey was another top sophomore in the state in 2019. A Third Team All-State pick, Humphrey finished the season with 418 kills, 218 digs, 45 blocks and 45 aces for Byron Center. Humphrey was very consistent in the back row and also had a strong shot selection that improved in the second half of the season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91610" first="Seiler" last="Hruska"], Jr. Marquette</strong></p> <p>Hruska is hard to overlook, playing in the UP. However, Hruska plays so well that you can’t ignore her. She was a dominant force at the net, putting up 552 kills in 2019. She also amassed 300 digs and 98 aces. Another offseason of pushing herself against top competition in the Midwest should have Hruska ready to make a bigger name for herself statewide.</p> [caption id="attachment_99425" align="alignright" width="266"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-99425" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/06/Nina-Horning-266x300.jpg" alt="" width="266" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="66309" first="Nina" last="Horning"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66309" first="Nina" last="Horning"], Soph. Lake Orion</strong></p> <p>The 6’3” outside stepped up big time for Lake Orion in 2019, helping get the Dragons back to Battle Creek for a semifinal appearance. Horning amassed 416 kills, 163 digs and 112 aces for Lake Orion last fall. Her all-around game improved a great deal in the second half of the season. Coming into this fall, Horning should have the confidence to emerge as one of the best in the state.</p> <p><strong>Honorable Mention: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24847" first="Audrey" last="Brown"], Jr. Birmingham Seaholm; Riley Kraiza, Sr. SH Stevenson</p> <p>Henly Sleight, Sr. Jackson Northwest; [player_tooltip player_id="50299" first="Sage" last="Kissman"], Sr. Mason; [player_tooltip player_id="14214" first="Samantha" last="Deinek"], Sr. South Lyon East; [player_tooltip player_id="24881" first="Sydney" last="Tomlak"], Jr. Stoney Creek; [player_tooltip player_id="24852" first="Jada" last="Divita"], Jr. Grosse Pointe South; [player_tooltip player_id="60833" first="Ellia" last="Seachrist"], Jr. Walled Lake Central; [player_tooltip player_id="24848" first="Tatum" last="Casper"], Jr. Marian; [player_tooltip player_id="66340" first="Sarah" last="Vellucci"], Soph. Novi</p>