Michigan Prep Stars Shine in Opening Weekend of NCAA Volleyball

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;<strong>@lshotvb&nbsp;</strong>on Instagram, Tik Tok 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>While the MHSAA season may be well underway. There's no better time than the fall. Not only do we get high school volleyball, BUT college volleyball too!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Michigan haha produced some of the most elite Division 1 talent in the country over the last several years. With the growth in depth from the talent pool in the Mitten state, the more competitive the players get at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a break from the high school coverage in Michigan, let's take a quick peak at what some of the top former Prep players from Michigan are up to in the collegiate ranks for opening weekend of the 2o23 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='13903' first='Jessica' last='Robinson'] Earns All-Tournament Team at Purdue, Upsets #18 Creighton</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The former Troy superstar, <strong>Jess Robinson</strong>, kicked it up notch at Purdue this weekend. In her debut with the Duke Blue Devils, the recent University of Michigan transfer, saw a familiar foe across the net. In the opening match of the season, Robinson took no time to make some noise against former Big Ten Rival in their home gym. Nearly pushing the Devils to a five set thriller, Robinson was crucial in the 28-26 decision in the second set. Taking the last three points of the set with 2 kills and solo roof to send the match all tied up. She'd go on to have 11 kills on a .500 hit percentage and 4 blocks in the match. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a rough go on Saturday versus Loyola Chicago, Robinson still continued the career weekend. To cap-end the weekend, Robinson would lead Duke in a five set victory over the #18 Creighton Bluejays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robinson was awarded All-Tournament team honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='66319' first='Harper' last='Murray'] Snags First MVP Honors at Ameritas Players' Challenge</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a long time coming for this rookie. Hopping into the 2023 NCAA season, we saw the debut of one of the hottest anticipated names in all of volleyball.<strong> Harper Murray </strong>made a grand entrance with the Nebraska Cornhuskers this weekend. In a trio of matches, held in Bob Devaney Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, Murray popped off in what would eventually be her first collegiate MVP performance. Swinging for the stars here, Murray held an impressive .343 hit percentage while putting away 33 kills on the weekend. Adding 21 digs along to her fire power, the new kid on the block wasted no time getting comfortable in her home arena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murray not only was named MVP of the Ameritas Players' Challenge , but was also named Big Ten Freshman of the Week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Alyssa Borellis Secures 1,000 Career Assists</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While, not an ideal weekend for Ole Miss volleyball, <strong>Aly Borellis</strong> still managed to shine bright for the Ole Miss Rebels. After a really great debut a season ago, Borellis was honored with All-SEC Freshman Team honors. She would accumulate 931 assists in her rookie season. This weekend she would continue that success and notch over 84 assist on the weekend to cross the 1000 career assists milestone in her short career. Not only did Borellis manage to run the offense very well, but she was able to have great success at the net, averaging a block per set throughout the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='140479' first='Reilly' last='Zegunis'] Caps Off Near Upset over #4 Louisville with All-Tournament Honors</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This player may have just put everyone on high alert after this weekend with Wright State. Just like Murray, this freshman wasted NO time making herself known in her rookie debut. Reilly Zegunis came up huge in Wright State's weekend versus Troy, #17 Washington State, and #3 Louisville. Zegunis went on to average just around three kills per set on the weekend, hitting a very impressive .382 hit percentage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While WSU only escaped with one victory, this is a testament to what's to come. Zegunis and Co. would go on to face the hosts and 2022 National Runner-Ups, Louisville on Sunday. The rising star managed to put up 7 kills on a .375 clip. Winning the opening set, WSU almost notched the final set, 24-26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zegunis was honored with All-Tournament Team and was then awarded Horizon League Player of the Week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='49389' first='Elizabeth' last='Norris'] Reaches 1,000 Career Assists</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In possibly her final season with North Dakota, Elizabeth Norris has wasted no time creating an amazing book end to her career with the Eagles. With a 19 kill and 47 assist performance on the weekend, Norris was able to reach a huge milestone in her career. 1,000 assists. Norris' career has really evolved over the years. From a grand utility off the bench and now to a six rotation setter/hitter combo. Last year was a breakthrough for Norris at North Dakota. She went on to have <strong>SIX</strong> triple doubles last season, second most in all of college in 2022. She surpassed this illusive milestone in UND's match against Montana St.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Talia Edmonds Leads Hawaii over Upset Victory over 2022 Semi-Finalists</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This former Michigan State Spartan, now Hawaii Wahine, had her self a huge opening weekend for the 2023 season. In her debut, of not only the season, but in the libero jersey as well, Edmonds showed off something super big going on down in Hawaii. There's no place to play than in the Stan Sheriff Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii. Edmond knew how to put on a show. Over the course of three matches, including an upset win over #13 San Diego and a win over former Big Ten foe Northwestern, Edmond popped off with 39 digs on the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out for the Rainbow Wahine and Edmonds over the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='24846' first='Ava' last='Brizard'] Carries NC State 2-1 in Utah</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There looks to be no Sophomore slumps over here for this one. Ava Brizard, a 2022 Miss Volleyball winner and 2022 All-ACC Freshman Team member, came into the 2023 season RED HOT. Firing on all cylinders in the opening match, Brizard notched not only 15 kills but 3 aces in the win over Utah Valley. She'd only continue to lead the Wolfpack throughout the weekend. NC State brought home a pair of wins, both over Utah Valley. Brizard led the charge with 39 kills on a .305 hit percentage. A team leader in kills and second on the team in hit percentage. Here comes the pack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->