Michigan 2024 Rankings Breakdown: 11-20 July 2023 Update

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;<strong>@lshotvb&nbsp;</strong>on Instagram and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The latest <a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2024-rankings/">2024 Rankings update </a>is up and live! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Showcasing a lot of movement throughout this class with another year of club season under their belt. Rankings are done with consideration of resumes to date, considerations from coaches across the country that include college and club, as well as college projections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at the latest 2024 Rankings update in Michigan. Looking at spots 11 through 20!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">11-14 Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kicking off the second half of the top twenty of the Michigan Class of 2024, we have OH [player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer'] (Frankenmuth/Legacy). Geer has been a mainstay on the pins for both Muth and Legacy throughout these last two years of her career. She's an undersized, yet explosive attacker on the left pin. What's even more impressive with her game is her ability to pass and defend at such a high level. Before heading to Marshall next fall, Geer enters her final season in the cardinal and black for Frankenmuth. Alongside her sister, [player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer'], she'll look to lead the Eagles to their first regional title in over 10 years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":393478,"width":225,"height":291,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/Screen-Shot-2023-05-15-at-2.34.39-PM.png?w=791" alt="" class="wp-image-393478" width="225" height="291" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='172199' first='Sophie' last='Crawford']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming in at number 12, we have our second state champion on the rankings board, S [player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith'] (Pewamo-Westphalia/Michigan Elite). Smith had a really nice junior season to bump her up a few spots. Pewamo-Westphalia had a HUGE season in the fall of 2022 at the hands of Smith. Running away with the state title in Division 3, Smith and company had to go through the gauntlet of competition to get there. Post-season opponents included Plymouth Christian, St. Mary's Catholic Central and Cass City, in which Smith's offense showed no match for these big names. Smith will be taking her game to Eastern Michigan in the fall of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of players moving up the rankings ladder and having big junior years, L [player_tooltip player_id='110299' first='Kiley' last='Gallagher'] had herself a time! The Oakland University bound defensive player was a part of the Clarkston machine that nearly saw themselves in the Division 1 final four this past fall. This big turn around was much due to the improvement of the back court of not only Clarkston's but Gallagher's. Gallagher also saw herself as the mainstay in the libero jersey for Legacy as well. A team that made impressive strides throughout the season and finished Ninth at AAU Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up at No. 14 on the latest rankings update, we have S [player_tooltip player_id='172199' first='Sophie' last='Crawford'] (Gull Lake/Dead Frog). Crawford is another player who has had herself quite the junior year. Between her fall season with Gull Lake and a nice run with Dead Frog in the winter, Crawford has found her stock rising big time. Like Smith and PW, Gull Lake faired well at the hands of Crawford. She was critical in leading her team to a Division 1 Quarter Final match. She another one of those offensive-minded setters who has complete control of the game. Crawford is another highlight from the class of 24 taking her game to the MAC with Miami (OH).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15-17 Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the top 15, we have UT [player_tooltip player_id='110296' first='Ellie' last='Fles'] (South Christian/FaR Out). Fles had a really nice season with the Sailors in the fall. One of the main outlets for the team on the left pin, Fles lifted Christian to the final four in D2. It wasn't long though however before Fles was sidelined during club season due to a back injury. Fles has been a part of the FaR Out group that just recently won 18 Open at Emperor's Cup and Fifth in 17 Open at AAUs. With Fles at full health for her senior year, there's no knowing how far both Christian and FaR Out could go. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":401564,"width":288,"height":216,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/South-Christian-Team-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-401564" width="288" height="216" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South Christian</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Onto No. 16, we have another west side product, L [player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender'] (Hudsonville/MVA). Bender got to step up big time during the fall season with Hudsonville. With the grand departure of so many power players, including Bender's older sister, it was her time to shine. Donning the libero jersey all season long, Bender thrived in the role. From the fall to winter, Bender was a big piece to MVA 18 Black's success as well. She will be taking her ball game from the west side to the west coast, playing for San Diego State in the fall of 24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cornering the latter portion of the 11-20 ranking breakdown, we have OH [player_tooltip player_id='110332' first='Avery' last='Weslow'] (Forest Hills Central/FaR Out). Another product of the FaR Out juggernaut, Weslow is another one who's had an impressive junior campaign. Much like Bender, Weslow was given the reigns to do big things with her HS team at FH Central and fit the role well. A leading scorer and passer for the squad, Weslow nearly broke through the regional rounds with the Chargers. With FaR Out, like noted several times, they're one of the top groups in the country. Whether it was playing up on 18s for the bulk of the season or in the 17 Open at AAUs, Weslow was an impact player for the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">18-20 Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Onto the remaining three of the 2024 Top 20. At 18, we have OH [player_tooltip player_id='153662' first='Catherine' last='Flaharty'] (Saline/L2). Flaharty's appearance marks a first on this list for the newly formed club, L2. Her appearance also marks the second on the list for an athlete out of the emerging Saline machine. With the Hornet's, Flaharty saw a majority of her time spent on the right side where she was big component for them. With L2, she was an impact offensive player on the left and right pin. Flaharty will look to have a big senior season with Saline after her recent commitment to Xavier University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":265853,"width":186,"height":244,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/13-Catherine-Flaharty.jpg?w=782" alt="" class="wp-image-265853" width="186" height="244" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='153662' first='Catherine' last='Flaharty']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At No. 19, we have another jumper in the rankings, MB [player_tooltip player_id='153677' first='Taya' last='Nordmann'] (DeWitt/TBA). Despite missing out on the fall season with DeWitt due to an ACL injury, Nordmann came back seemingly better than ever with Legacy Volleyball mid-season. With Nordmann's entrance to the line-up, Legacy's success was much more frequent. By the end, Nordmann played a big role in the Ninth place finish at AAUs in Orlando. While it is uncertain where Nordmann will take her final season of club, Nordmann is committed to Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And last but not least, capping off the top 20 of the Class of 2024, we have OH [player_tooltip player_id='110280' first='Katie' last='Berry'] (South Lyon East/L2). The next player from the newly formed club, Berry had an incredible season with both SLE and L2. With the Panthers, Berry was a critical piece to their puzzle throughout the season as one of the main consistent pieces. Entering her senior season, I could see this squad making some serious noise. With L2, Berry was the go-to from start to finish. A commanding presence in the back court, she also knew her way around the defense too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->