2024 Prospect Roulette: December Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>November was a busy month with the prep season ending, but we are glad to get back into our Prospect Roulette feature this month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2024 rankings were just updated, so no better time to profile some of the great prospects in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's how it works: I'll pop up a random number generator that includes the 2024 rankings. I'll generate 10 numbers and the 10 that come up will be the ranking of the player. I'll then spotlight those players in the article to help give them some more attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's 130 players ranked in our Class of 2024. Let's see who has the lucky numbers this month:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>114. [player_tooltip player_id='261171' first='Kadence' last='Morse'], RS Bedford/Toledo DVC</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264872,"width":"234px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/136-Kadence-Morse.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264872" style="width:234px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='261171' first='Kadence' last='Morse']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morse is coming off a solid 2023 prep season for the Kicking Mules, who had a great year as a team. The 6'2” Morse is able to play the right side or the middle, but she finishes at a high rate at either spot. Her blocking was already strong, but got even better this year. Her instincts and awareness really took her to another level of her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>60. [player_tooltip player_id='110293' first='Mia' last='Eickholdt'], OH Country Day/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Country Day senior is coming off a strong 2023 prep campaign where she was part of our <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/12/2023-michigan-hs-d2-all-prep-dig-teams/">D2 All-Prep Dig Team</a>. Injuries forced Eickholdt to have to shoulder a large load for DCD in 2023 and she came through with flying colors. This fall saw her set new highs in kills, aces and blocks. Eickholdt showed a lot of all-around ability that should translate well into the upcoming club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'], MB FH Northern/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopewell helped guide the Huskies to the D1 final where it was one set from claiming the state title. She was <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/12/2023-michigan-hs-d1-all-prep-dig-teams/">First Team All-Prep Dig in D1</a>. Hopewell was a dominant player for stretches, both with her powerful attacks and her blocking ability. Hopewell really turned up the intensity this year and wouldn't be denied. Northern Kentucky landed a great talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>42. [player_tooltip player_id='462056' first='Saige' last='Martin'], MH Pewamo-Westphalia/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin stepped up into a primary offensive option for the Pirates, who were a top D3 contender again this year. Martin was <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/12/2023-michigan-hs-d3-all-prep-dig-teams/">First Team All-Prep Dig in D3</a> this fall, as she finished at a very high rate while paired up with Miss Volleyball, setter [player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith']. Martin brings a lot of athleticism to the middle of the net and has great attack angles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>30. [player_tooltip player_id='110335' first='Avery' last='Woodard'], S Marysville/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodard was one of the finalists for our <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/12/2023-d2-player-and-coach-of-the-year/">D2 Player of the Year</a> honor, as she led Marysville to an outstanding season and nearly led her team to a massive upset of North Branch in the postseason. Woodard was in complete control on the court and got Marysville hitting at a high percentage this year. She really embraced the leadership skills you look for in a setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>129. [player_tooltip player_id='261158' first='Hailey' last='Jones'], MH Clarkston/Unified</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is a near 6-foot middle that comes from a strong Clarkston program, which had a lot of middle talent in 2023. Jones made the most of each opportunity she got this fall and is set to give Albion College a lot of athleticism. Jones really has a nose for the ball, especially with her blocking. She's aggressive at the net and works hard to win those 50-50 balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>23. [player_tooltip player_id='110328' first='Johanna' last='Tillman'], MH Dakota/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264886,"width":"233px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/151-Johanna-Tillman1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264886" style="width:233px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110328' first='Johanna' last='Tillman']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tillman got elevated opportunities in her senior year and she continued to showcase her ability to finish at a high rate. The 6'2” Grand Valley State commit had a career-high in kills and was still a big force with her blocking. She also got to showcase her improved serving skills. Tillman has a lot of natural gifts and she's only going to get better as the speed of play increases at the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>98. [player_tooltip player_id='261124' first='Angelina' last='Azbell'], RS Holly/High Performance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Azbell is a 6-foot right side that can also play in the middle and is just a good all-around athlete. She can cover a lot of ground on the floor very quickly and is able to translate even quicker from defense to offense. Azbell is a player that can take over a game when she gets on a hot streak and her size and wingspan make her very imposing at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>121. [player_tooltip player_id='176601' first='Grace' last='Chisek'], S Watervliet</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chisek had Watervliet as another top D3 team again in 2023 and earned an HM spot on our All-Prep Dig D3 squad. The multi-sport talent has had a lot of experience running the Watervliet attack and knows where the ball needs to get to. She's got a smooth delivery and communicates well with her hitters to get the best swings possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>71. [player_tooltip player_id='110290' first='Hope' last='Davies'], DS/L FH Eastern/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davies is one of the top defenders from the Grand Rapids area and is making her way to Ferris State in the fall. Davies was relentless in the back row for Eastern, coming through with dig after dig this fall. She's all over the floor, staying light on her feet and quick to react. On top of her ability to get to the ball, she's also very instinctive on how to get it accurately to her setter. She adjusts her body well to make a great pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->