16 Players to Watch for in the MHSAA Sweet 16 (All Divisions)

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">Join us at the&nbsp;Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>!&nbsp;</em><em>Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee.</em>&nbsp;(APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oh, how sweet it is! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>64 Teams remain playing in the state of Michigan across 4 divisions. Only 32 will make it to Tuesday. From the Rounds of 32 to the Sweet 16s, we have made it to the critical parts of the season where it is every woman for themselves. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are 16 of the top players to watch in Thursday's Sweet 16 match-ups across Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek'] - Grand Haven </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest names to come out of the freshman class this season, [player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek'] is the real deal. In her first 3 matches in the post-season, Woiteshek has garnered over 40 kills in sweeping fashion. Her size and physicality offers this team a lot of options to run a variety of plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] - Forest Hills Northern</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She's not one of the front runners for Miss Volleyball 2023 for nothing. It's also to no wonder why [player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] is the top rated player in the 2024 class in Michigan. With an upset over the top ranked team in the state, Hudsonville, this team is very much on their way to another Final Four appearance behind the play of Erickson. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='443826' first='Jordyn' last='Hughes'] - Portage Northern</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You better hope the gym has a high ceiling, because [player_tooltip player_id='443826' first='Jordyn' last='Hughes'] will jump right out of it! Nobody flies quite as high as this one. Hughes' level up in play from a season ago is a major reason that the Huskies or Portage Northern is having one of their best runs in recent memory. Her attacking efficiency alongside her blocking does this team wonders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='288961' first='Mallory' last='McFarlane'] - Saline</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A year ago we got our first taste of this libero in the State Semifinals. A year later, she's taken over the off-colored jersey and has been running away with the job. And with the route that Saline has been given this post-season, it makes [player_tooltip player_id='288961' first='Mallory' last='McFarlane']'s play even more impressive. McFarlane is entering the Sweet 16 rounds averaging over 4 digs per set and passing a 2.2 in the post-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brooke Tietz - Grand Rapids West Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The West side of the state is just oozing with talent. This is a middle that can be a game-changer for Grand Rapids West Catholic in their hopes to make a deep run. Brooke Tietz has a lightning rod for an arm and can score with ease. Her transition game is quite commendable given how involved of a blocker she is. Tietz will be a big time player in tonight's match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer'] - Frankenmuth</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While big sis, [player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer'] (Marshall), may get the bulk of the attention. It is the play of [player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer'] that has been the true revelation for Frankenmuth this season. Not only is the offense much more balanced, but the steadiness in the back court is much more consistent because the younger Geer sister. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='274528' first='Drew' last='Glaser'] - Edwardsburg</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We may see quite a few unfamiliar faces in Kellogg Arena this season, and Edwardsburg is a team who I have money on. Behind the mighty south paw of [player_tooltip player_id='274528' first='Drew' last='Glaser'], this team could soar to great heights. In the front court out of 3, out of 5, or even from the back court; Glaser is one of the most efficient pin attackers in the tournament. Her overall play keeps Edwardsburg balanced, but her offense is the real threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maddy Vaara - Ludington </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet again, another West side product. <strong>Maddy Vaara</strong> could lead the Orioles to the next rounds of the MHSAA tournament. While a left side attacker by nature, the versatility of Vaara's attacking prowess allows this team to spread the ball anywhere around the court. Vaara can hit a wicked ball up the middle of the court that is disguised quite nicely. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] - St. Mary's Catholic Central </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When we talk about SMCC, a lot of the attention remains on the power duo of [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] (Toledo) and [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] (Utah), but let's bring [player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] into the conversation. Dettling has been having a breakout season with the Kestrels. After a nice debut with the team last year, she was struggling through injuries, so we didn't really get to see what she was all about. Fast forward to now, Dettling has the potential to be the game-altering piece that SMCC has been looking for on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] - Plymouth Christian </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most dominating attackers in all of Division III is on her farewell tour. You do NOT want to miss this! [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] (Cedarville) has become the heartbeat to this storied Plymouth Christian program. Once a middle blocker, now a power pin, Pilat is looking to end her career amongst the top with PCA. Pilat has an arm that can cut all of the shots to score with power and finesse!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] - Cass City</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no better time in the season to be playing your best volleyball than NOW! This is exactly what OH [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] has been doing. In the first half of the MHSAA Post-season, Gray has been an undeniable force on the court. Averaging well over 5 kill per set to go with nearly 5 digs per set as well, the more touches on the ball Gray gets, the bigger she becomes in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='473953' first='Laina' last='Kariniemi'] - Calumet</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calumet is looking for a repeat appearance in the Division III Final Four, and if there setter continues running the offense like this, they may very well see themselves in the championship match! [player_tooltip player_id='473953' first='Laina' last='Kariniemi'] has been having one heck of a senior season with Calumet. The 5'6 setter has become the driving force to this team's success. She runs one of the most clean offenses in the division and has a knack for catching the hot hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='473915' first='Hannah' last='Baker'] - Lenawee Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No knee, who dis? While an ACL injury early on in the basketball season may have had [player_tooltip player_id='473915' first='Hannah' last='Baker'] sidelined for the early goings of the volleyball season, she is back and BETTER THAN EVER! There's a reason Lenawee Christian's stock shot up to No. 1 when it did, it was the return of Baker. Playing in all 6 rotations, not only is she a steady defensive hand, but she's the go-to player to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gabby Martinez - Marlette</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This has already shaped up to be one of the best seasons in Marlette volleyball history. One of the biggest reasons for this is the play of MB Gabby Martinez. Martinez will go down as one of the best players to come through the Red Raiders program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='254395' first='Fiona' last='Moord'] - Leland</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If [player_tooltip player_id='254395' first='Fiona' last='Moord'] has anything to do with it, Leland will be walking away with the Division IV title next week. One of the best middle blockers in the division, Moord is one of the strongest blockers and dominating attackers. Leland relies upon Moord for a lot of point production and she carries the load well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brigit Ruiz - Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart won their first ever state title in Division IV. Bright Ruiz's back court play was the driving force behind this historic win. Not only was Ruiz is a stalwart defensively but she passed lights out. Ruiz will be pivotal in the Irish's ticket to the Elite 8. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->