2020 Prep Season Preview: Division 2’s top outside hitters

<p>A six-rotation outside is a crucial position to have for any volleyball team.</p> <p>In Division 2, a number of top returning outsides will take the floor in 2020. All of which will be looking to raise their game to another level this fall.</p> <p>Here’s some of the best Division 2 has to offer at outside hitter.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14203" first="Addie" last="VanderWeide"], Sr. Grand Rapids Christian</strong></p> <p>The First Team All-State pick in 2019 helped lead the Eagles to a second consecutive D2 state championship. VanderWeide is capable of doing it all on the floor. She’s been a constant finisher for GRC through her first three seasons. Last fall, VanderWeide had 558 kills while adding 373 digs, 63 aces and 30 blocks. She takes on a big leadership role this fall and will be able to back up her talk on the court.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50331" first="Macy" last="Brown"], Sr. Cadillac</strong></p> <p>Brown is a multi-skills outside for Cadillac that also spends some time at setter. In 2019, Brown put up 444 kills, 507 digs, 322 assists, 51 aces and 40 blocks. She was First Team All-State for a Vikings team that reached the regional finals before falling in five sets. Brown could be as valuable to her team as anyone in D2.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50313" first="Jenna" last="O’Brien"], Sr. Regina</strong></p> <p>O’Brien has been a rock for Regina over the years and she steps into the 2020 season as one of the best outside hitters in Division 2. O’Brien has developed her all-around game consistently and is a strong finisher at the net. O’Brien has the size and the athleticism to truly take over a match.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24853" first="Evelyn" last="Doezema"], Jr. Grand Rapids Christian</strong></p> <p>Doezema stands 6’3” and has been able to transition her game from being a tall middle to a complete player. This past fall, Doezema made great strides in her passing to compliment her already elite finishing ability at the net. In 2019, she was First Team All-State with 351 kills, 146 digs, 74 blocks and 51 aces. It should be exciting to see how much her game has improved since November.</p> <p><strong>Abby Welke, Sr. Marshall</strong></p> <p>A Second Team All-State selection in 2019, Welke guided Marshall to a district championship last fall. She has been able to move across the net over her prep career, but it’s her all-around skills that have her emerging as one of the best in D2. Welke and the Redhawks are primed for a big 2020 season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24862" first="Morgan" last="Lockhart"], Jr. Detroit Country Day</strong></p> <p>Lockhart is part of a loaded and young Country Day offense, but it’s her defensive ability that helps her standout for the Yellowjackets. As a sophomore, Lockhart had 273 kills with 330 digs, 56 aces and 55 blocks. Her 6’0” frame allows her to be a force at the net on offense and defense. As her defensive skills continue to improve, Country Day should only get stronger.</p> <p><strong>Mya Hiram, Sr. Onsted</strong></p> <p>The 2020 regular season was a great one for Onsted and Hiram was a big reason why. Selected Third Team All-State Hiram was the go-to finisher for the Wildcats. Standing 6’0”, Hiram is also a standout basketball player and track athlete. Her athleticism jumps off the page and her movement on the court is as smooth as anyone.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="89365" first="Reilly" last="Murphy"], Sr. Montague</strong></p> <p>When Montague needed to finish a point last season, Murphy was the one getting it done. The senior put down 658 kills as a junior, earning Third Team All-State honors. However, her defensive skills held up against anyone as well. Murphy had 471 digs in 2019 and was able to make a number of plays where she got a dig and followed it up with a kill.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24880" first="Rayne" last="Thompson"], Jr. Whitehall</strong></p> <p>Thompson was very impactful as a sophomore in 2019. She was the go-to arm for the Vikings and finished the season with 451 kills. She also amassed 372 digs, 71 blocks and 49 aces. Whitehall has a lot of confidence in her as a six-rotation player and her skills are only going to get better entering her junior season.</p> <p><strong>Sophia Sudzina, Jr. Notre Dame Prep</strong></p> <p>Sudzina had to fill a big hole for Notre Dame Prep in 2019, as the Irish lost two Miss Volleyball finalists at outside hitter. As a sophomore, Sudzina showed a lot of promise and is well on her way to becoming a great finisher for the Irish. She racked up 393 kills, 114 digs and 48 blocks for the Irish last fall.</p> <p><strong>Honorable Mention: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50332" first="Olivia" last="Ott"], Sr. Allegan; [player_tooltip player_id="91611" first="Madison" last="Gebhardt"], Jr. Powers Catholic; Emma McIlhargie, Jr. Birch Run; Payton Rice, Soph. Harper Creek; Blair Wilson, Soph. Mt. Morris; [player_tooltip player_id="66304" first="Megan" last="Grose"], Soph. St. Catherine</p>