Rule of Thumb: Top Outside Hitters in 2022

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 2023 on the horizon, and 2022 nearing a close, it's time to take a look at some of the best this past year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting off in the Thumb of the Mitten state. Producing two teams to make it all the way to Kellogg and the second straight year having a team return as state champions is impressive. And there's a lot more where that came from. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breaking down some of the best of the best from the Thumb area. Here were some of the top outside hitters in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] - 5'8 OH - Cass City</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":248912,"width":150,"height":198,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/11/8-Aubree-Deshetsky-5-scaled.jpg?w=776" alt="" class="wp-image-248912" width="150" height="198" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While last season she caused some havoc, it wasn't until 2022 that we truly saw this superstar emerge. What was once a freshman phenom, is now a certified baller and playing like a veteran to many standards. [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] made up one of the deadliest one-two punches in all of Michigan volleyball. Leading Cass City to a semi-final appearance in Division 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'] - 5'9 OH - North Branch</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one of the best debuts by any freshman in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'] knows how to make an impression. Starting off the season splitting time as a hitter and a setter, it wasn't until her time as a six rotation left side took full focus that Deshetsky's game took off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='172196' first='Sarah' last='Howard'] - 5'8 S - Bad Axe</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the only teams in the entire Greater Thumb Conference (East or West) that could hold a candle to Cass City's fire. Bad Axe was led by their own tandem of hitters with [player_tooltip player_id='172196' first='Sarah' last='Howard'] being at the forefront of it all. With her career starting as a libero, to now a full-time, six rotation outside hitter. Howard has the ball control and the scoring cues to hang with the best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'] - 5'11 OPP - North Branch</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":277461,"width":166,"height":159,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/10-Kaela-Chingwa-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277461" width="166" height="159" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Branch's season may have looked a lot different if it weren't for the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'] on the right pin. While a fixture in the offense in 2021, Gyomory WAS the offense in 2022. A leading scorer and top pin blocker for the Broncos, Gyomory was a force to be reckoned with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping'] - 5'11 OPP/S - Imlay City</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not everyday that you see one, but two freshman phenoms that so happens to play elite level volleyball in multiple positions. Like Deshetsky, [player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping'] was an even more prominent fixture splitting time between setting and attacking for Imlay City. With a wicked left arm, Keeping's role turned more into a scorer and nearly led the Spartans to an upset over North Branch in the District Semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='261182' first='Lexa' last='Forti'] - 5'7 OH - Imlay City</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the freshman to a junior, Imlay City was well-equipped with weapons on both ends of the net this season. [player_tooltip player_id='261182' first='Lexa' last='Forti'] stepped up big time for the Spartans time and time again. Relied upon to take on the brunt of balls in reception and on the attacking front. Forti was another huge piece in the near upset over BWAC rivals, North Branch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->