2021 Volleyball Draft: First Round Selections

<p>It’s time for the 2021 Volleyball Draft!</p> <p>First round selections were made and our 10 teams began assembling their 10-player rosters, which will be completely selected throughout the week.</p> <p>The first 10 picks were not surprisingly littered with talented outside hitters, one of the real strengths in the state of Michigan.</p> <p>Without further ado, here’s the first 10 selections of this year’s draft.</p> <p><strong> 1. Cougars select [player_tooltip player_id="66319" first="Harper" last="Murray"], 2023 OH Skyline/Legacy</strong></p> <p>The Cougars opted to go with Murray as the top pick. The 2023 outside is arguably the top outside in her class nationally and has sparked her prep and club teams to tremendous success. At 6’1”, Murray has the size, athleticism and skillset to do it all on the court, and she still has a very high ceiling for improvement.</p> [caption id="attachment_115909" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-115909" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/Marian-Ava-Brizard-2-300x283.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="283" /> [player_tooltip player_id="24846" first="Ava" last="Brizard"][/caption] <p><strong>2. Lions select [player_tooltip player_id="24846" first="Ava" last="Brizard"], 2022 OH Marian/Michigan Elite</strong></p> <p>The Gatorade Player of the Year goes No. 2 to the Lions. Her competitive fire and intensity on the court is unmatched. Brizard has all the confidence you can ask for in your six-rotation outside and it compliments her explosive swings at the net and technically sound passing in the back row.</p> <p><strong> 3. Broncos select [player_tooltip player_id="24870" first="Serena" last="Nyambio"], 2022 MB Detroit Country Day/Legacy</strong></p> <p>The Broncos elect to draft Nyambio, arguably the most explosive player in the state. The 6’2” middle can be an absolute game-changer with her length and ability to play above any of her opponents. She also can be used as more than just a middle with her improving skills defensively and from the service line. Nyambio will make an impact in any match she is.</p> <p><strong> 4. Bears select [player_tooltip player_id="24844" first="Alyssa" last="Borellis"], 2022 S Notre Dame Prep/Michigan Elite</strong></p> <p>The Bears secure the most do-everything player in the draft with the fourth pick. Borellis can excel at setter, while also being able to shift to the outside or the back row. She’s got a complete skillset and the leadership skills to take on any challenge for her team. Her confidence has skyrocketed in the last year, making her even more of a dangerous player.</p> <p><strong> 5. Wildcats select [player_tooltip player_id="24871" first="Maradith" last="O’Gorman"], 2022 RS Lakewood/FaR Out</strong></p> <p>O’Gorman goes fifth to the Wildcats. An absolutely dominant OPP that can also take on OH duties. O’Gorman is tough to handle with her length (6’2”) and powerful swings, but she also is a dominant blocker for opponents to try and hit past. Once she is able to get on a roll, it’s very difficult for anyone to slow her down.</p> [caption id="attachment_126088" align="alignright" width="231"]<img class="wp-image-126088 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/GRC-Evie-Doezema-2-231x300.jpg" alt="" width="231" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="24853" first="Evelyn" last="Doezema"][/caption] <p><strong>6. Falcons select [player_tooltip player_id="24853" first="Evelyn" last="Doezema"], 2022 OH Grand Rapids Christian/FaR Out</strong></p> <p>Doezema, an outside from GRC with limitless potential, goes No. 6 to the Falcons. Standing 6’2”, Doezema is able to match length at the net with anyone, but also has the athleticism and court IQ to make any play around the court. As she continues to add details to her game, she could become the most dominant player in the state.</p> <p><strong> 7. Eagles select [player_tooltip player_id="66309" first="Nina" last="Horning"], 2023 OH Lake Orion/Legacy</strong></p> <p>Horning has earned her stripes the last few years, being the go-to arm for Lake Orion in her first two prep seasons, while also competing at the highest levels nationally with Legacy 16-1 ADIDAS. That experience is a great asset at No. 7. Standing 6’4”, Horning has a stellar game at the net while continuing to improve on her defensive play.</p> <p><strong> 8. Bulldogs select [player_tooltip player_id="24859" first="Taylor" last="Humphrey"], 2022 OH Byron Center/FaR Out</strong></p> <p>Another outside hitter with great length and size at 6’2”, Humphrey goes No. 8 to the Bulldogs. She plays with a real chip on her shoulder and has proven she can put a team on her back and lead them to great success. Humphrey has the work ethic and desire to be truly great, and those are great qualities for a top pick.</p> [caption id="attachment_142628" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-142628 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/05/Tomlak-300x298.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="298" /> [player_tooltip player_id="24881" first="Sydney" last="Tomlak"][/caption] <p><strong> 9. Tigers select [player_tooltip player_id="24881" first="Sydney" last="Tomlak"], 2022 OH Stoney Creek/Legacy</strong></p> <p>Tomlak goes No. 9 to the Tigers. A relentless six-rotation outside, Tomlak won’t back down from any challenge. She brings the thunder at the net, but really pushes herself to make the plays in the back row to be a complete player. Tomlak bring a calm intensity to her team, one that tells you she is going to find a way to get the job done.</p> <p><strong> 10. Warriors select [player_tooltip player_id="66292" first="Rebecca" last="Apsey"], 2023 RS Groves/Legacy</strong></p> <p>Apsey knows how to finish points and she’s brought the heat against the best in the Class of 2023 nationally. Not one for lacking confidence, Apsey has all the swings and shot selections to be one of the best finishers in the state. Her athleticism and instincts lend her to be able to bring more to the table around the court as well.</p>