Oakland County’s 2024 Standouts For 2023 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PrepDig is putting on the Michigan Stock Up Showcase for Class of 2024-26 prospects on July 22 in Pontiac.&nbsp;</em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&event_id=780"><strong><em>Click here</em></strong></a><em>&nbsp;to sign up for the event. You can use promo code “EllisDig2023” for $10 off your registration.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to deny that Oakland County produces a lot of volleyball talent here in Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last eight Division 1 state championships have come from the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heading into the 2023 season, the door could be open for some new teams to reign atop, but Oakland County still is going to have a lot of say on how things play out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the top seniors that will be on display in OC this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110286"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6489f9f07b13e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler is an explosive talent that is going to get an opportunity to really break out this fall for the Marlins. She's been a consistent part of the Mercy offense the last two seasons, but could be seeing more swings in 2023. She's got the power and fast arm, but has been putting focus on improving her defensive game to be a stronger overall contributor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110288"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6489f9f07b193"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cogan was really coming into her own in the 2022 postseason before a knee injury halted her, and the Clarkston season, in the D1 quarterfinals. It was a very unfortunate situation as the Wolves were clicking on all cylinders and looked like a genuine title contender. With a lot coming back, and a very motivated group of seniors led by Cogan, it could be a big year. Cogan is one of the biggest power hitters in the state, but has worked hard to add new dimensions to her game. The George Washington commit has a high ceiling still if the injury has fully healed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110293"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6489f9f07b1db"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eickholdt has been part of a deep crew of hitters at DCD over the years, but now will have the opportunity for an even bigger role as the Yellowjackets graduated a lot of talent from their 2022 squad. Last year, Eickholdt showed she can take on a heavy workload and succeed at a high rate. She also displayed a big improvement on her passing and serving, giving the Jackets confidence to use her at either pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110299"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6489f9f07b222"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gallagher is another 2024 talent that was really playing her best at the end of the 2022 season. The Oakland commit is a vocal leader on the floor and will give you her all with each point. She hustles to the ball and communicates well with her teammates to direct the traffic in a busy rally. Gallagher's first contact is up there with anyone in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172200"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6489f9f07b268"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gojcaj helped Stoney Creek overcome a tough regular season in 2022 and come through with a district championship. Playing in a difficult OAA Red conference, Gojcaj got better as the season went on, and picked up the tempo of the Cougar offense. During the club season, Gojcaj has continued to improve on her tempo and leadership skills. She's got a lot of drive to be great and her senior leadership should be a great asset for the Cougars in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110309"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6489f9f07b2b1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting to sense a pattern? Clarkston has a lot of key experience back and that includes Kuebler at the setter position. A Frostburg State commit, Kuebler will be a fourth-year varsity player for the Wolves. She's approaching 2,500 assists in her career to start the season and has shown improvement in all areas of the position over the last two years. Kuebler has gotten more comfortable taking on the play herself if needed, but she works a balanced offense and has been able to bring a lot of power swings out of her hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["261212"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6489f9f07b2f3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryan is a 6'3” hitter that can play on the outside and uses a savvy game to finish off points. She doesn't just rely on her size and ability to play above the blockers. Ryan mixes up offspeed shots and plays challenging angles. She's worked hard to add other facets to her game, but her offensive skillset is what will standout this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["108790"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6489f9f07b335"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing 6'3”, Swanson is one of the more dynamic middles in the state. Also a standout basketball player, she has incredible athleticism and footwork for her size. That makes her a real threat at the net offensively and defensively for the three-time defending D1 state champs. Swanson hit close to .400 last season and was the team's leading blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->