Class of 2023: The Fall’s Top Outside Hitters

<p>The Class of 2023 has a heated race when it comes to top outside hitters.</p> <p>It could be one of Michigan’s strongest classes in some time.</p> <p>This prep season, plenty of sophomores took on the spotlight and guided their teams to strong performances.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66319" first="Harper" last="Murray"], Skyline: </strong>Murray continues to establish herself as one of the best in the nation for the Class of 2023. After helping guide the Eagles to Battle Creek as a freshman in 2019, she has them in the D1 quarterfinals in 2020. Over 91 sets, Murray has 410 kills, 260 digs, 51 aces and 27 blocks. Murray makes in impact in every phase of the game and has really sharpened her passing and defensive skills in the last year despite all its challenges. Murray was an easy First Team All-State pick in D1.</p> [caption id="attachment_113507" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-113507" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/10/Lake-Orion-Nina-Horning-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="66309" first="Nina" last="Horning"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66309" first="Nina" last="Horning"], Lake Orion: </strong>There was no sophomore slump for Horning, who continued to take the lead for the Lake Orion offense in 2020. She improved on her finishing ability at the net, as well as her passing on serve receive. Horning put up 304 kills, 190 digs, 47 aces and 31 blocks for the Dragons in 2020 while earning Second Team All-State honors in D1.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66316" first="Remi" last="Madison"], Grand Blanc: </strong>Madison was a dominant presence for Grand Blanc in 2020 while leading the Bobcats to the D1 quarterfinals. Madison put up 365 kills, 292 digs, 36 aces and 33 blocks while being named Honorable Mention All-State. She really showed that she deserves to be mentioned among the best in the Class of 2023.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66303" first="Paige" last="Giehtbrock"], Clarkston: </strong>The Wolves have been a very balanced team this season and Giehtbrock has emerged as a consistent finisher at the net. She had 230 kills for the season, while really rising to the occasion during the postseason. Clarkston is a D1 quarterfinalist and Giehtbrock has hit over .300 during the playoffs. She also has 168 digs, 38 blocks and 16 aces in 2020.</p> <p><strong>Payton Rice, Harper Creek: </strong>Rice helped Harper Creek reach the D2 regional finals before falling to Edwardsburg. She established herself as a freshman, earning Honorable Mention All-State honors. This year, Rice raised her game in all facets and was selected Second Team All-State. The ceiling is high for Rice, who is an explosive player that uses that explosiveness in all areas of the game.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108764" first="Rachel" last="Steele"], Eaton Rapids: </strong>Steele put her name on the map in 2020 with a fall season that included 279 kills, 190 digs and 33 aces. Steele took on a lot of swings for the Greyhounds and improved on her finishing ability toward the end of the season. An Honorable Mention All-State selection, Steele is going to be very hard to contain as she continues to hone her swing.</p> <p><strong>Cecelia Pelak, Mattawan: </strong>Mattawan lost a lot from the 2019 team, but Pelak stepped up as a sophomore for them in 2020. She came through with 226 kills to lead the team. Pelak added 134 digs and 29 aces for the Wildcats. An All-Region selection in D1, Pelak has Mattawan in good hands for years to come.</p> <p><strong>Meredith Simmons, Rockford: </strong>The Rams have a lot of be excited about for 2021 and Simmons is a big part of that. The sophomore was second on the team in kills this season with 283. She also added 195 digs, 42 blocks and 22 aces. As Simmons continues to improve her finishing ability, she’s going to become a top player in the Grand Rapids area.</p> <p><strong>Others to note: </strong>Becca Apsey, Groves; Jillian Bruckner, Niles; Samantha Dietz, Watervliet; Emma Dufresne, Garber; [player_tooltip player_id="66299" first="Sarah" last="Dunn"], Forest Hills Central; Isabella Kessler, Centreville; [player_tooltip player_id="108719" first="Eve" last="Martin"], Lakeland; Makayla Neelands, Clio; Abby Reck, Northville; Mary Schantz, Cabrini; Claire Scholten, Charlevoix; [player_tooltip player_id="66330" first="Ella" last="Schomer"], Marian; Alyssa Spegel, Freeland; Taylor Stephens, Okemos; [player_tooltip player_id="66340" first="Sarah" last="Vellucci"], Novi; Natalie Wandrie, Inland Lakes; Blair Wilson, Mt. Morris.</p>