5 Killer Duos Coming into the 2023 MHSAA Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><h6 class="wp-block-heading" style="--tw-translate-x: 0;--tw-translate-y: 0;--tw-rotate: 0;--tw-skew-x: 0;--tw-skew-y: 0;--tw-scale-x: 1;--tw-scale-y: 1;--tw-pan-x:;--tw-pan-y:;--tw-pinch-zoom:;--tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity;--tw-ordinal:;--tw-slashed-zero:;--tw-numeric-figure:;--tw-numeric-spacing:;--tw-numeric-fraction:;--tw-ring-inset:;--tw-ring-offset-width: 0px;--tw-ring-offset-color: #fff;--tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;--tw-blur:;--tw-brightness:;--tw-contrast:;--tw-grayscale:;--tw-hue-rotate:;--tw-invert:;--tw-saturate:;--tw-sepia:;--tw-drop-shadow:;--tw-backdrop-blur:;--tw-backdrop-brightness:;--tw-backdrop-contrast:;--tw-backdrop-grayscale:;--tw-backdrop-hue-rotate:;--tw-backdrop-invert:;--tw-backdrop-opacity:;--tw-backdrop-saturate:;--tw-backdrop-sepia:;font-size: inherit;font-weight: inherit;margin: 0px"><em style="--tw-translate-x: 0;--tw-translate-y: 0;--tw-rotate: 0;--tw-skew-x: 0;--tw-skew-y: 0;--tw-scale-x: 1;--tw-scale-y: 1;--tw-pan-x:;--tw-pan-y:;--tw-pinch-zoom:;--tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity;--tw-ordinal:;--tw-slashed-zero:;--tw-numeric-figure:;--tw-numeric-spacing:;--tw-numeric-fraction:;--tw-ring-inset:;--tw-ring-offset-width: 0px;--tw-ring-offset-color: #fff;--tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;--tw-blur:;--tw-brightness:;--tw-contrast:;--tw-grayscale:;--tw-hue-rotate:;--tw-invert:;--tw-saturate:;--tw-sepia:;--tw-drop-shadow:;--tw-backdrop-blur:;--tw-backdrop-brightness:;--tw-backdrop-contrast:;--tw-backdrop-grayscale:;--tw-backdrop-hue-rotate:;--tw-backdrop-invert:;--tw-backdrop-opacity:;--tw-backdrop-saturate:;--tw-backdrop-sepia:">Be sure to follow <span style="--tw-translate-x: 0;--tw-translate-y: 0;--tw-rotate: 0;--tw-skew-x: 0;--tw-skew-y: 0;--tw-scale-x: 1;--tw-scale-y: 1;--tw-pan-x:;--tw-pan-y:;--tw-pinch-zoom:;--tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity;--tw-ordinal:;--tw-slashed-zero:;--tw-numeric-figure:;--tw-numeric-spacing:;--tw-numeric-fraction:;--tw-ring-inset:;--tw-ring-offset-width: 0px;--tw-ring-offset-color: #fff;--tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;--tw-blur:;--tw-brightness:;--tw-contrast:;--tw-grayscale:;--tw-hue-rotate:;--tw-invert:;--tw-saturate:;--tw-sepia:;--tw-drop-shadow:;--tw-backdrop-blur:;--tw-backdrop-brightness:;--tw-backdrop-contrast:;--tw-backdrop-grayscale:;--tw-backdrop-hue-rotate:;--tw-backdrop-invert:;--tw-backdrop-opacity:;--tw-backdrop-saturate:;--tw-backdrop-sepia:;font-weight: 600;color: var(--tw-prose-bold)">@lshotvb </span>on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!<a style="--tw-translate-x: 0;--tw-translate-y: 0;--tw-rotate: 0;--tw-skew-x: 0;--tw-skew-y: 0;--tw-scale-x: 1;--tw-scale-y: 1;--tw-pan-x:;--tw-pan-y:;--tw-pinch-zoom:;--tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity;--tw-ordinal:;--tw-slashed-zero:;--tw-numeric-figure:;--tw-numeric-spacing:;--tw-numeric-fraction:;--tw-ring-inset:;--tw-ring-offset-width: 0px;--tw-ring-offset-color: #fff;--tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;--tw-blur:;--tw-brightness:;--tw-contrast:;--tw-grayscale:;--tw-hue-rotate:;--tw-invert:;--tw-saturate:;--tw-sepia:;--tw-drop-shadow:;--tw-backdrop-blur:;--tw-backdrop-brightness:;--tw-backdrop-contrast:;--tw-backdrop-grayscale:;--tw-backdrop-hue-rotate:;--tw-backdrop-invert:;--tw-backdrop-opacity:;--tw-backdrop-saturate:;--tw-backdrop-sepia:;color: var(--site-primary)" href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">Join us at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee.</em> (APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)–</h6><p style="--tw-translate-x: 0;--tw-translate-y: 0;--tw-rotate: 0;--tw-skew-x: 0;--tw-skew-y: 0;--tw-scale-x: 1;--tw-scale-y: 1;--tw-pan-x:;--tw-pan-y:;--tw-pinch-zoom:;--tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity;--tw-ordinal:;--tw-slashed-zero:;--tw-numeric-figure:;--tw-numeric-spacing:;--tw-numeric-fraction:;--tw-ring-inset:;--tw-ring-offset-width: 0px;--tw-ring-offset-color: #fff;--tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000;--tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;--tw-blur:;--tw-brightness:;--tw-contrast:;--tw-grayscale:;--tw-hue-rotate:;--tw-invert:;--tw-saturate:;--tw-sepia:;--tw-drop-shadow:;--tw-backdrop-blur:;--tw-backdrop-brightness:;--tw-backdrop-contrast:;--tw-backdrop-grayscale:;--tw-backdrop-hue-rotate:;--tw-backdrop-invert:;--tw-backdrop-opacity:;--tw-backdrop-saturate:;--tw-backdrop-sepia:;margin: 1.25em 0px;font-size: 16px">With the conclusion of some last minute tune up tournaments this Saturday, it is officially post season!October 30th marks the day we've been all waiting for since the start of the season in August. The Road to Kellogg Begins NOW!</p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at some of the top attacking duos in the state. Here are the killer 1-2 punches to keep an eye on these next few weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":450312,"width":"216px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.7702834799608993","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_6628-1.jpg?w=788" alt="" class="wp-image-450312" style="aspect-ratio:0.7702834799608993;width:216px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] - Forest Hills Northern</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a semifinal run in their junior season and a national championship in the club season, one of the best hitting duos in the state will be looking to go out with a bang. Look no further for a pair of players that can simply do it all. [player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] (Western Michigan) and [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] (Northern Kentucky) are both six rotation players with the ability to take over matches. Erickson, while traditionally known for her excellent ball control has stepped it up a notch or two offensively this fall. Meanwhile Hopewell is getting more and more opportunities and seeing her stock grow immensely. The two are some of highest rated players in the 2024 class with Erickson sitting atop the standings and Hopewell sitting at No. 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] and [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] - Cass City</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like the 1-2 punch from Forest Hills Northern, this is another OH/MB duo that can go all six rotations and play at an extremely high level. Last year this two led Cass City to historic heights, running all the way to the semifinals in Division III. A first for the program. [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] (Texas Tech) and [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] have been at the forefront of this program since their freshman year and continue to shine brighter and brighter as their careers unfold. Ignash is one of the most advantageous middles in the state with a dynamic one footed approached that no one can defend. Meanwhile, Gray is the undersized bounce machine that can find herself head and shoulders above her competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] and [player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat'] - Plymouth Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sista, Sista! It's not everyday that you get a sister combination this deadly. The Pilat sisters have really been having an amazing season. Older sister, [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] (Cedarville) has been the indestructible outside hitter that this team can't feed enough. She's equipped with one of the most deadly and deceptive arms in the game. Meanwhile, little sister [player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat'] is seemingly following in the footsteps of her big sis. While, traditionally a pin attacker, PCA was in desperate need for some production in the middle. Look no further than the athleticism of Riley to bring the answers. Riley can score in front of and behind the setter, helping the Eagles spread the offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] - Rockford</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't let their youth fool ya. This may or may not be one of the youngest power players in the state, but man do they know how to play. One of the biggest stories of the season has been the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford']. Once a middle blocker, now a fully bonafide threat on the pins. Hosford plays the complete game with a constant eye to score in every rotation but also top notch defense. Opposite her, [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] is one the main faces of an impressive rookie class to grace the courts this fall. The two compliment each other really well, going for a combined 7 kills per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":467690,"width":"196px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.7106549364613881","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/BO-East-2023-72.jpg?w=727" alt="" class="wp-image-467690" style="aspect-ratio:0.7106549364613881;width:196px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='153662' first='Catherine' last='Flaharty'] and [player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] - Saline</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there is one thing to know about Saline Volleyball, it is that they always come with a top notch combination on the left pin. Very similar to their story last year, one of the biggest driving forces for this Hornet program is their physicality and prowess on the pins. [player_tooltip player_id='153662' first='Catherine' last='Flaharty'] (Xavier) and [player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] (Syracuse) have been on a total wreckage this season. Flaharty, a 6'2 powerhouse has been finding an extra groove in her play throughout the season. With a touch more ball control and a couple of new tricks up her sleeve, she's been scoring a lot more effortlessly. Laurio's game remains the same however. High flying, huge shot selection and the ability to throw it down! The dyad combine for 665 kills on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->