Michigan High Schools Benefiting Most from Freshmen in 2023

<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   THE FIRST EVER <a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2027-rankings/">CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS</a> ARE OUT!   Some teams get huge classes of freshman that make impact from start to finish in their program careers.   Some groups that come to mind to benefit most in recent memory - Mercy's 2021 class with Julia Bishop (Michigan State), Charli Atiemo (Northern Illinois), etc. Marian's 2022 class with Ava Brizard (NC State), Sarah Sylvester (Texas Christian), etc. Novi's 2018 class with Erin O'Leary (Michigan/Grand Valley State), Aubryanna Cannon (Northwestern), etc. Just to name a few here!   The 2027 class has a lot of elite prospects pocketed into some of the top programs as well as some of the most promising in Michigan. Who will we see benefit most from this 2027 class this fall and throughout the next several years?   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/BH-Quad-35.jpg?w=783" alt="" class="wp-image-457635" style="width:220px;height:288px" width="220" height="288" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Callie LeFevre</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Marian</h2>   The 3x defending state champions, Marian Mustangs, have their biggest challenge yet. Not only can they repeat, but can they repeat with a squad of SEVEN freshman? While an uphill battle, a battle very possible to be won. We've seen this story before out Marian and it turned out pretty well.   This tale of youth prominence at Marian is nothing new. The last time the Mustangs saw themselves this young was with a pair of back-to-back impact classes (2022 & 2023). We gave some love to the epic 2022 class in the opener, the 2023 class included a pair of dynamos on the right side that included S Ava Sarafa (Kentucky) and OPP Ella Schomer (Wofford). The duo, alongside L Lauren Heming, were a part of each of the three state titles. This 2027 class gives a little bit of everything to what could be another mega-team for the Mustangs.   Of those seven freshman, Marian brings in depth in not only the front row but the back row as well. Some early standouts include a pair of pins filling in the absence of Schomer, OH [player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='Calli' last='LeFevre'] and OPP [player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith']. The duo are no stranger to one another and are no stranger to being a dynamic 1-2 punch on the court. LeFevre and Smith have been two of the top players over at [program_tooltip program_id='430319' first='Legacy' last='Volleyball Club'] early on in their careers. The two led the way to a top ten finish at AAUs this summer. With Marian, the two combine for nearly four kills per set. LeFevre leads Marian in overall digs with 156 and Smith ranks second in blocks with 34 on the season so far.   Some other front row highlights from this class include OH/MB [player_tooltip player_id='523873' first='Cecilia' last='Murray'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='442991' first='Leah' last='Bongiovanni'], and MB [player_tooltip player_id='443000' first='Samantha' last='Monroe']. While these three see limited playing time, they don't waste anytime to make the most of their court time. The three currently combine for over kill and a block per set.   In the back row, we have a pair of littles that could make some serious noise over the next few years. [player_tooltip player_id='442984' first='Joelle' last='Mio'] and [player_tooltip player_id='442993' first='Madison' last='Monroe'] round out the Super Seven at Marian. The both are very dynamic and have a lot of upside with their athleticism on the court. Not to mention, they have one of the most respected defensive coaches in the country, Mayssa Cook. As prodigies of Cook, Mio and Monroe could become a really solid 1-2 punch in the back court throughout these next four seasons.   Marian currently ranks 10th in Division 1 with a 19-4 record.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Utica Eisenhower</h2>   Look out for Utica Eisenhower these next few years. The youth on this squad are playing like veterans!   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/Liliana-Tripi2.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-448609" style="width:291px;height:164px" width="291" height="164" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi']</figcaption></figure>   After a really promising 2023, this was another year filled with top notch freshman. Of the 2026 class, this includes L [player_tooltip player_id='226910' first='Kayla' last='Ostrander'] and OPP [player_tooltip player_id='226894' first='Gina' last='Fedrigo']. They not only return with an exciting freshman year under their belt, but they see themselves joined by a quartet of freshmen looking to kick things up another notch.   Much like the duo of Ostrander and Fedrigo, this group of athletes are very familiar with one another. A group that has been playing together since their first steps onto the court, they bring a really exciting chemistry to the court. The foursome include S [player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='454359' first='Elise' last='Bierman'], MB [player_tooltip player_id='442999' first='Olivia' last='Berishaj'], and L/DS [player_tooltip player_id='454360' first='Rease' last='Buza']. The fab four of Ike volleyball!   While an exciting group, this season looks a little different for this group. For starters, Tripi will have to miss her freshman season while she recovers from a late club season injury. This injury has put somewhat of a damper in things as Tripi not only brings her IQ to the court, but she brings quite a bit of size as well. Needless to say, this puts more fuel to the fire for Ike over the next few years.   For the rest of the quartet, these freshman are making quick time to make an impression. One of the standouts of the group is Buza! You'd think, looking at her numbers, that Buza is manning the back court already as a freshman. In only a DS role, Buza is putting up well over 3 digs per set. This is a number that many libero's strive to achieve.   For Berishaj and Bierman, the duo are doing quite well with their opportunities. Berishaj has been seeing significant time in the middle and has looked to have further improved upon a really promising club season. As for Bierman, she's playing under a group of really talented upperclassman, but doesn't look far off from the talents of those players.   Utica Eisenhower is currently 13-10 on the season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Clarkston</h2>   <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-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-437825" style="width:238px;height:193px" width="238" height="193" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith']</figcaption></figure>   They're coming back with a vengeance this season. After an unfortunate end to the 2022 season, top ranked Clarkston has found a way to lock and load in 2023. Ali Smith and the Wolves bring in a stellar freshman class to mend the gap.   Coach Smith brings in some familiar faces with daughter [player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] to the program. Marlie, one of the top ranked players in the class, is having quite the rookie season. A setter on the regular, regarded as one of the top setters in the 2027 class nationally, Smith has been attacking on all cylinders with Clarkston this fall. One of the go-to's on this squad, the young pup is playing like a veteran with seven double-digit kill performances thus far.   Alongside Smith, she's joined by a trio of promising attackers. Rounding out Clarkston's Quartet of freshman, we have OPP [player_tooltip player_id='442985' first='Josie' last='Seets'], MB Rylee Hunt and OH/DS Maya Kuebler. Much like many of the other freshman in this article, these three have been used in a more limited role, but still impactful nonetheless. Seets and Hunt both come in and do steady work at the net. Combining for over 2 kills per set for Clarkston, they show signs of serious potential. For Kuebler, while slightly undersized, it's obvious she uses the most of her time around such high caliber players.   Clarkston currently sits at No. 3 in the Division I MIVCA poll with a 13-2 record.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">South Lyon East</h2>   While this is a smaller freshmen class, this 2027 class brings a pair of sisters to a rapidly improving South Lyon East program. Not only are these sisters stepping up and playing right away, but they are playing significant roles for the Cougars this fall.   It's going to be hard to step around these players these next few years. The Stepp sisters are here to stay. Creating one wicked 1-2 punch for SLE, [player_tooltip player_id='442967' first='Addison' last='Stepp'] mans the first contact, while [player_tooltip player_id='442969' first='Avery' last='Stepp'] deals out the second. This combination of defense and setting could really do wonders for this program. Particularly, in comparison to last year, a more stable run of the offense and back court play was something that could've really wavered the Cougars into a different level.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/BH-Quad-44.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-451906" style="width:249px;height:216px" width="249" height="216" /></figure>   The play of the twins have seemingly already done wonders for the CJ Blaha led program. Addison has already had herself five double digit dig performances within the first couple weeks of her prep career. As for Avery, she's becoming more and more comfortable running the offense on her own. It has shown with the outcome of matches such as a recent win over #5 ranked Mercy.   South Lyon East (12-6) currently sit right outside of the top ten in the Division 1 rankings.