Class of 2022: The Fall’s Standout Outside Hitters

Though the 2020 MHSAA postseason remains on pause, many outside hitters in the Class of 2022 did their part to build on their impressive prep careers. Here’s a look at 10 junior outside hitters that were among the best in the state this fall. [player_tooltip player_id="24846" first="Ava" last="Brizard"], Marian: Brizard (N.C. State) has proven herself to be one of the best in the state and is living up to her No. 1 ranking in the Class of 2022. This fall, Brizard put down 534 kills for the Mustangs while hitting an impressive .402. She also had 359 digs, 36 blocks and 32 aces for Marian, which topped Mercy in a five-set regional final before the postseason was halted. [caption id="attachment_112700" align="alignright" width="298"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-112700" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/10/Lakewood-Maradith-OGorman-3-298x300.jpg" alt="" width="298" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="24871" first="Maradith" last="O’Gorman"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="24871" first="Maradith" last="O’Gorman"], Lakewood: O’Gorman (Michigan State) is as powerful as they come at the net. She actually broke a net with her power swing earlier this season. The 6’2” outside is a lot more than just length. She has the athleticism to dominate offensively and defensively. An improving passing game and serve make her unstoppable in all phases. O’Gorman has the Vikings as a D2 quarterfinalist and a top contender for the state title. [player_tooltip player_id="24853" first="Evelyn" last="Doezema"], Grand Rapids Christian: Doezema had an increased role with the Eagles this year, really getting a chance to showcase her all-around skills. She picked up 308 kills this year while hitting .281 for the D2 quarterfinalist. She also added 83 digs and 34 blocks. Doezema has a very high ceiling and is only going to get better in the next year. [player_tooltip player_id="24881" first="Sydney" last="Tomlak"], Stoney Creek: Tomlak (Duke) saw an increase in production for the Cougars despite playing 61 less sets than it did in 2019. This fall, Tomlak had a career-high 336 kills while hitting .288. She added 218 digs, 30 aces and 33 blocks over 85 sets. Stoney Creek turned to Tomlak to be their go-to outside this year and she responded well. It should be a big 2021 for the future Blue Devil. [player_tooltip player_id="24859" first="Taylor" last="Humphrey"], Byron Center: Humphrey (Rutgers) led Byron Center to being a top-5 team in Division 1 throughout the season. She was a great finisher for the Bulldogs, as she put down 400 kills while hitting .277. Humphrey also added 251 digs, 31 aces and 31 blocks. She will be the clear leader for Byron Center in 2021. [player_tooltip player_id="24852" first="Jada" last="Divita"], Grosse Pointe South: DiVita (Lipscomb) has really grown a lot over the last year. She guided GP South to a regional final appearance. Despite the challenges of 2020, DiVita managed to raise her game and become a complete player and strong finisher at the net. DiVita’s dominance in the regional semifinal really showcased her potential. Lipscomb has a great talent on their hands. [player_tooltip player_id="24847" first="Audrey" last="Brown"], Seaholm: After a breakout season as a sophomore in 2019, Brown continued to build on her prep career in 2020 for the Maples. Facing off against many top hitters in the state as part of the OAA, Brown held her own and continued to hit near .300. Brown is sharpening the edges of her game and becoming a complete player. [caption id="attachment_108268" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-108268" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/09/NDP-Bianca-Giglio-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="24857" first="Bianca" last="Giglio"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="24857" first="Bianca" last="Giglio"], Notre Dame Prep: Giglio is a player that really turned up her game in the postseason. She has the Irish in the D2 quarterfinals right now thanks to a 23-kill performance against Country Day in the district final. She followed that up with 30 kills against North Branch in the regional championship. For the season, Giglio had a career-best 294 kills while hitting .324. She also had 98 digs and 43 blocks. [player_tooltip player_id="24862" first="Morgan" last="Lockhart"], Detroit Country Day: Partnered with another solid outside in the Class of 2022, [player_tooltip player_id="24869" first="Nyla" last="Muskovin"], Country Day had a great 1-2 punch on the outside this year. Both were All-Region players this fall and had the Jackets on the brink of getting past Notre Dame in the district finals. Lockhart has a variety of swings and plays with a lot of competitive fire. She will have DCD as a top team in Division 2 next year. [player_tooltip player_id="24854" first="Brooke" last="Dzwik"], Battle Creek St. Philip: Dzwik is the next in a great line of outside hitters from the St. Philip program. After putting up over 500 kills as a sophomore, Dzwik has shown even more confidence on the floor in 2020. She recently had a 31-kill performance in the regional semifinals and has proven to be one of the most unstoppable players in Division 4. Others to note: [player_tooltip player_id="24866" first="Emma" last="Mirabelli"], TC Christian; [player_tooltip player_id="91610" first="Seiler" last="Hruska"], Marquette; [player_tooltip player_id="24883" first="Sophia" last="Treder"], Marian; [player_tooltip player_id="24869" first="Nyla" last="Muskovin"], Country Day; [player_tooltip player_id="91611" first="Madison" last="Gebhardt"], Flint Powers; [player_tooltip player_id="60854" first="Brooke" last="Kulik"], L’Anse Creuse North; [player_tooltip player_id="24840" first="Braelyn" last="Berry"], Morley Stanwood; [player_tooltip player_id="24858" first="Megan" last="Gross"], Bay City Central; Eva Joldesma, Hudsonville.