Nine Weekend Standouts From Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 prep season is now in swing as most players were in action this weekend with multiple matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A handful were able to make a splash with some impressive statistics. Here's a look at nine players that made their mark in the opening weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Stats were provided through MaxPreps and Hudl</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='271120' first='Ava' last='Acre'], Sr. MH Lutheran North</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Acre helped Lutheran North to a strong four-win weekend in her 2023 debut. Acre led a balanced Lutheran North offense with 28 kills, but it was her hitting percentage that really stood out. Acre hit .529 this weekend while also being a force on the block with 14 tallied over the six matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'], Sr. RS North Branch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following a strong performance in the <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/east-vs-west-showdown-east-team-recaps/">East vs. West Showdown</a>, North Branch went on to win the Grand Haven Lakeshore Classic this weekend. Gyomory is off to a great start to the season. She's already put down 81 kills through 21 sets and is hitting an impressive .359 through the first week. Her serving has been impactful as well, as she has 21 aces in the young season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Erin Jubar, So. S USA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots were able to get out to a 5-0 start to the season this weekend. A big reason for that was the play of Jubar, the sophomore setter. Jubar put together 80 assists over the five matches while also recording 12 aces. Her decision-making looks very strong for a sophomore and is a good sign for USA going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'], So. MH Bloomfield Hills</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264775,"width":209,"height":148,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/19-Kayla-Nwabueze.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264775" style="width:209px;height:148px" width="209" height="148" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our top-ranked players in the <a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2026-rankings/">Class of 2026</a>, Nwabueze is already showing dominant stretches in the early portion of the 2023 season. The sophomore has 64 kills, 23 blocks and 39 digs through seven matches. It's proving she's a lot more than just a power hitter at the net from the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110321' first='Piper' last='Risdon'], Sr. MH Lowell</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Risdon, a basketball standout, is off to a fast start in her senior volleyball season. She guided Lowell to a second-place finish in the Lakeshore Classic this past weekend. That included a 15-kill performance against Grandville and a 13-kill performance against Novi.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Stasia Seidelman, Jr. L/DS Portland</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It would be hard to find a player doing more in the back row in this first weekend than Seidelman, who worked tirelessly for the Red Raiders. She tallied 73 digs over five matches, including 18 in a sweep of Olivet and 22 in a three-set win over Charlotte. Seidelman is proving to be one of the strong defenders in the Lansing area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'], Fr. OH/S Clarkston</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":437753,"width":191,"height":155,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/95-Marlie-Smith.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-437753" style="width:191px;height:155px" width="191" height="155" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It didn't take long for a freshman to find a home as a big contributor for a title contender. [player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] made a big splash for Clarkston this weekend. Already a gifted setter, Smith was able to showcase her hitting ability with 14 kills against Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 14 kills against Farmington Hills Mercy and 10 against Imlay City. Smith is able to play both pins and finish from the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732205' first='Iyla' last='Weeks'], Jr. MH Concord</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weeks is looking to help Concord be a Division 3 contender this year and looks willing to take on a big offensive load for the Yellowjackets. Over six matches, Weeks has 60 kills with 41 digs and 11 blocks. Weeks is able to play on the outside or middle and has a never-ending engine on he floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110332' first='Avery' last='Weslow'], Sr. OH Forest Hills Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weslow is doing her part early in the year to take on a big load for the Forest Hills Central offense. Through six matches, she has tallied 69 kills, averaging 4.9 per set thus far. Weslow is showing she can finish against some powerful blockers and will be one of the leading offensive players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->