5 Killer Duos Coming into the 2023 MHSAA Tournament

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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!

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.

Elana Erickson Elana Erickson 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #79 Nation MI and Kendall Hopewell Kendall Hopewell 6'1" | MB Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #193 Nation MI – Forest Hills Northern

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. Elana Erickson Elana Erickson 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #79 Nation MI (Western Michigan) and Kendall Hopewell Kendall Hopewell 6'1" | MB Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #193 Nation MI (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.

Shelby Ignash Shelby Ignash 6'1" | MB Cass City | 2025 State #109 Nation MI and Kacee Gray Kacee Gray 5'7" | OH Cass City | 2025 State MI – Cass City

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. Shelby Ignash Shelby Ignash 6'1" | MB Cass City | 2025 State #109 Nation MI (Texas Tech) and Kacee Gray Kacee Gray 5'7" | OH Cass City | 2025 State MI 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.

Allison Pilat Allison Pilat 6'2" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2024 State MI and Riley Pilat Riley Pilat 5'10" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2026 State MI – Plymouth Christian

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, Allison Pilat Allison Pilat 6'2" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2024 State MI (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 Riley Pilat Riley Pilat 5'10" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2026 State MI 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.

Liv Hosford Liv Hosford 6'0" | MB Rockford | 2026 State MI and Mallory Wandel Mallory Wandel 6'0" | OH Rockford | 2027 MI – Rockford

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 Liv Hosford Liv Hosford 6'0" | MB Rockford | 2026 State MI . 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, Mallory Wandel Mallory Wandel 6'0" | OH Rockford | 2027 MI 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.

Catherine Flaharty Catherine Flaharty 6'2" | OH Saline | 2024 State MI and Marie Laurio Marie Laurio 5'10" | OH Saline | 2025 State MI – Saline

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. Catherine Flaharty Catherine Flaharty 6'2" | OH Saline | 2024 State MI (Xavier) and Marie Laurio Marie Laurio 5'10" | OH Saline | 2025 State MI (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.