2024 Prospect Roulette: May Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We try to pride ourselves on prospect coverage here at PrepDig Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's easy to focus on some of the top names, but there's a lot of volleyball wealth to go around her in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In an effort to spread that wealth, we are leaving things up to chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each month, I'll pop up a random number generator that includes the 2024 rankings. I'll generate eight numbers and the eight that come up will be the ranking of the player. I'll then spotlight those players in the article to help give them some more attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll do the same for a pair of watch list players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's 85 players ranked in our Class of 2024 and 35 on the Watch List. Let's see who has the lucky numbers this month:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>38. [player_tooltip player_id='110298' first='Lea' last='Gage'], S Brighton/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gage is an impressive do-everything player despite being listed as a setter. She filled a lot of roles for a young Brighton squad this season. She's at her best as a setter, but has a smooth swing and a lot of athleticism to help her be a complete player. Gage has too many tools to not help out a college program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>53. [player_tooltip player_id='110326' first='Melina' last='Teunis'], MB Grand Haven/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teunis is a quick and agile 6-footer that can play OPP as well as middle. She's got really strong blocking instincts that have been shown each time she steps onto the court. Her explosiveness off the floor allows her to play quick power shots, or delay her swing and work angles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>75. [player_tooltip player_id='110320' first='Paige' last='Reckling'], DS/L Riverview/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reckling plays DS during the club season, but has also been an effective outside during the prep season for Riverview. She plays with a lot of poise in the back row and looks smooth getting from spot to spot to make a clean pass. As an outside, she's got the quickness and athleticism to get a nice pop at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>48. [player_tooltip player_id='176596' first='Marianna' last='Rivera'], MB Williamston/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rivera stands 6'5”, which already gives her advantages over a lot of her peers in the middle. But, she's a very athletic player that can play with a lot of tempo and pace. Rivera moves very quickly along the net and has a nice vertical, which makes her a dominant blocking presence and tough to block on the other end. Already a North Dakota commit, Rivera could be in line for a big 2023 prep season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>45. [player_tooltip player_id='110322' first='Taylor' last='Smaka'], DS/L Grand Haven/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a coach's kid, Smaka brings a lot of the intangibles you want to have to the court. She's collected as a libero, patient and prepared to take on the biggest hitters. She's a communicator, easily directing the defensive traffic. Also, she applies her coaching to her play. Smaka is a technically sound player that is quick to make proper corrections during a match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>64. [player_tooltip player_id='222363' first='Kaitlyn' last='Marsh'], MB Utica Ford/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marsh is a Davenport commit that is very good at high-pointing her attacks. She has developed solid chemistry with her setters to stay ahead of opposing blockers, but Marsh's active eyes also allow her to adjust her attack angles on the fly and finish points. At 6'1”, Marsh shows a lot of upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>25. [player_tooltip player_id='172199' first='Sophie' last='Crawford'], S Gull Lake/Dead Frog</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crawford has been one of the top setters in this class since Day 1. The Miami-Ohio commit is an aggressive player that isn't afraid to call her own number, with it usually being the right choice. Her ability to scramble at the net is also a strength, as Crawford plays with a relentless attitude.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>84. [player_tooltip player_id='274529' first='Brealyn' last='Lasky'], S Bronson</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lasky name has been a big part of Bronson's program over the years and Brealyn has lived up to the big expectations that name carries. As the team's setter, she's a natural-born leader that plays with a lot of confidence. She's able to get the best out of her hitters and switches up the hitting options to remain unpredictable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='172211' first='Ava' last='Steinhebel'], OH Edsel Ford/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steinhebel isn't hard to miss on the court, as she plays with a very unique swing. Her elevated, straight-arm approach doesn't require much wind up, but still has been very effective for her. Her attacks can be somewhat sudden because of the shortened mechanics. She still plays well above the net as well, having an explosive step off the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='110294' first='Brooke' last='Ellens'] DS/L Cadillac</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellens is a real gamer, which isn't a surprise coming from the Cadillac program. She looks determined to prove to the world she's a standout defender each time she takes the floor. Ellens stays light on her feet and covers a lot of ground on the court, while also making the heroic dives and lunges to make a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->