MHSAA Division 4 Finals Dream Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most exciting weekends of the year and the conclusion to the 2022 MHSAA Volleyball season. This Final Four weekend in Kellogg Arena was one for the books.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five set matches aplenty, dominating performances, repeat winners and the crowning of brand new champions, it was all here this weekend in Battle Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the top players in the state were on full display throughout Divisions 1-4 and it made for some epic volleyball. Here are my picks for the Division 4 Finals Dream Team!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":250437,"width":152,"height":193,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/11/9-Lillie-Laney-2-807x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-250437" width="152" height="193"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lillie Laney</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lillie Laney</strong> - Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart <strong>MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not very often that you see a player come into the final weekend of the season and lead their team in kills while hitting over .500! Lillie Laney did just that! In two epic games, with a sweep over Forest Park in the semis and the showstopper reverse sweep in the championship, Laney was unstoppable. With 35 kills and 10 blocks through eight sets, Laney may have had one of the best performances in Division 4 in awhile. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kylie Quist</strong> - Athens</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another big time performer for this first timer in Kellogg, Kylie Quist left it all on the floor. A complete six rotation player for the Indians, Quist has some of the best court vision. Whether it is when she's attacking or when she's defending her side of the net, Quist just knew what had to be done. In two double-double performances, Quist put up 31 kills to go along with 26 digs in the Final Four weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173615' first='Angel' last='Brown']</strong> - Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='173615' first='Angel' last='Brown'] was not coming to Battle Creek and leaving empty handed this time around! After losing in a heartbreaker for the semis last season, Brown returned a whole new beast. This time around, a steady six rotation player and an even more dominating attacker. With her more developed overall game, Brown posted two double-doubles on the weekend, going 22-28 in kills and digs, while posting an impressive six blocks as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='297971' first='Kamryn' last='Parlin']</strong> - Athens</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not very many middles can play the complete game like this one can! [player_tooltip player_id='297971' first='Kamryn' last='Parlin'] may not have been the most terminal attackers on paper, but when it was time to put the ball away, it was gone! But it wasn't just her attacking that shined throughout the weekend, it was her defense at the net and in the back court. In the Championship match alone, Parlin was 1 block away from posting a triple-double, with 10 kills, 23 digs and 9 blocks!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":247937,"width":129,"height":165,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/11/8-Alaina-Brubaker-804x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-247937" width="129" height="165"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alaina Brubaker</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alaina Brubaker</strong> - Athens</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably the top setter of the field, Alaina Brubaker knew how to run an offense. Despite her size, she played with a much bigger presence on the court. One of the smoothest offenses in all of Division 4, Brubaker showed some stellar IQ throughout the weekend. With over 85 assists and 37 digs, Brubaker was a force on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bridget Ruiz</strong> - Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you look to someone to be a difference-maker, you could definitely look to Bridget Ruiz. One of the few liberos to play in the final four matches, Ruiz made a huge impact. Not only was she scrappy with her defense and steady in her reception, but Ruiz had a great leadership to her that was crucial in the reverse sweep to take the 'ship. Between both matches, Ruiz posted 43 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madelynn Rottman</strong> - Lansing Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You could definitely make an argument for this setter to be considered one of the top in Division 4 as well. While Lansing Christian may have been swept in the semifinal rounds, Madelynn Rottman was doing all she could to keep the Pilgrims in the match. Her size gives her a big edge over her counterpart as she nears 6'0 and her offensive minded approach to the game could be huge at times. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Join us at the<a href="https://prepdig.com/2022/09/the-prep-dig-top-250-expo-series-is-back-2/">&nbsp;Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! Use code LShotPDExpo250 for 10% off your registration fee</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->