Michigan’s Sophomore Ace Leaders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong serve can change the momentum of a close match instantly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 2023 prep season, we are seeing a number of sophomores that have been able to do this with their service ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the sophomore stat leaders from the service line in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Stats were provided through MaxPreps</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Raina Ledzian, North Dickinson</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Nordics have been playing in a lot of competitive league matches as of late and Ledzian's serving has been a big boost to them picking up some key wins. The setter/OPP has 52 aces on the year, with 11 coming in a five-set win over Munising and 10 coming in a five-set win over Superior Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mya Porter, Coldwater</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coldwater is racking up the wins in 2023 with its serving being a big asset for the team. The sophomore outside has 49 aces on the season for the Cardinals. Recently she recorded five in a sweep of Schoolcraft. She's had eight matches this season with at least three aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Carly Schneider, Fellowship Baptist Academy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The small school in Carson City is getting big serving from Schneider this season. She's recorded 47 aces on the year. She's had seven matches with at least three aces. Her season-high was a 9-ace effort Cedar Springs Creative Technologies Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield'], Jenison</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jension is looking like a legit D1 contender and Chatfield has been one of the shining stars of the Class of 2026 in Michigan this fall. One of the team's kill and dig leaders, Chatfield also has produced 45 aces this season. She put together a season-high seven aces in a two-set win over Plainwell in mid-September. Chatfield has had five matches with at least four aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'], North Branch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another sophomore that has been tremendously productive for her team, Deshetsky is a big reason why North Branch won the D2 title last year and is No. 1 in D2 this season. The outside hitter is doing a bit of everything for the Broncos, including piling up 43 aces. Her serving has been very consistent, as she has a high of just three aces in a match, but has had at least two aces in 15 matches this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Marissa Mandrelle, Concord</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellowjackets are aggressive from the service line and Mandrelle has been a key contributor to that effort. The outside hitter has 42 aces this season and has recorded an ace in her last five games. Her season-high was an impressive 7-ace effort against Bronson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226935' first='Lucy' last='Stoll'], South Lyon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore setter for the Lions has done her share to help the offense, both with assists and with her 41 aces in 2023. She recently had a 10-match streak with at least one ace come to an end, but went through a four-match stretch with 15 aces during September.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226907' first='Eva' last='Long'], Fenton</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fenton is rolling right now in the Flint Metro Conference and their sophomore setter has been a huge piece to their success. She's got 41 aces on the year while also running a very efficient offense. Long put up 10 aces in a win over Holly last month and followed it up soon after with seven aces against Kearsley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Payton Bouwkamp, Grant</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore outside/DS is proving to be pretty strong from the service line as well. Bouwkamp has 40 aces on the season for Grant. She's currently on a six-match streak with at least one ace, recording a total of 13 during this streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226885' first='Allie' last='Davison'], Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore setter for the Mustangs has been improving with each week and as her setting has improved, her ability to put up a strong serve has continued. Davison has 40 aces for the season and is on a eight-match streak with at least one ace. During this streak she recorded a total of nine aces in back-to-back matches with St. Catherine Academy and Lowell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PrepDig is putting on the Michigan Top 250 Expo for Class of 2024-27 prospects on Dec. 9 in Pontiac.&nbsp;</em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/914/register/michigan-top-250-expo"><em>Click here</em></a><em>&nbsp;to sign up for the event. You can use promo code “EllisExpo2023” for $10 off your registration.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->