A Look at the Top 5 Outside Hitters in the 2024 Class: Michigan

<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">Join us at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! </em><em>Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee.</em> (APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   <p>The latest rankings update is up and LIVE!</p>   <p>We are coming down the home stretch here. For many, a final horrah in the club scene is on tap. For some, this past high school season proved to be their wave good-bye to Michigan prep volleyball. This has been quite the class of players.</p>   <p>In one of the last ranking updates for the 2024 class, let's take a look at the top 5 outside hitters in the field.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 1 [player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] - Forest Hills Northern/FaR Out (Western Michigan)</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] has cemented herself pretty clearly as one of the top prospects coming out of this class as of late. With her impeccable reception and defensive game in the back court to her almost beachy scoring ways at the net, Erickson can hang with the big dogs. And there was no better way to make her No. 1 ranking more clear than her senior season this fall. Not only was Erickson a First Team All-Stater, but she led Forest Hills Northern to their first title appearance since 2003. Talk about a way to go out.</p>   <p>In her last season of club, Erickson will compete alongside many familiar faces on FaR Out's 18 Black once again. After winning a National Title with 18 Black last year, Erickson was a pivotal player in that team's success. Going forward, she'll take her college ball to current MAC, Mid-Major powerhouse, Western Michigan.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 3 [player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz'] - Hudsonville/FaR Out (Central Michigan)</h2>   <p>This was one of the hottest players of the 2023 high school season. Coming out hot fresh out of the gates in August, [player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz'] had everyone talking about her. Not that this player wasn't known throughout the state, but she made this season one that nobody would forget her. The mainstay in Hudsonville's No. 1 ranked squad, Swiercz was the go-to arm. So effective, this player will go down as the top scorer in program history. Despite an earlier than expected bow out of the tournament, Swiercz' senior season was for sure one to remember.</p>   <p>Alongside Erickson, Swiercz will once again join forces on FaR Out's 18 Black's squad this winter. She, too, was a part of last year's National Title winning team, on top of 17 Black's Top 5 finish at AAU's later that summer. Unlike Erickson, however, Swiercz will be in cross-state, MAC rival, Central Michigan next fall.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 6 [player_tooltip player_id='110288' first='Cayla' last='Cogan'] - Clarkston/Legacy (George Washington)</h2>   <p>This player has had one memorable career to look back upon. After an explosive junior season nearly saw [player_tooltip player_id='110288' first='Cayla' last='Cogan'] and Clarkston in the Division Final Four, an injury would find Cogan sidelined for the entirety of her junior club season. Recovered and rehabbed, Cogan had some statements to make this past fall. Needless to say, she made them. Not only was Cogan an All-State selection, but she led Clarkston to that long-sought after Final Four run in November.</p>   <p>For that loss in the Final Four, that marked the end of her prep career here in Michigan. Moving forward, Cogan is headed to George Washington, graduating early to play for the Revolutionaries.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 9 [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] - Plymouth Christian/Michigan Elite (Cedarville)</h2>   <p>At one point, [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] was one of the top middle blocker prospects in Michigan. Ending her career, Pilat has cemented herself as one of the top outside hitters in the 2024 class. For her career with Plymouth Christian, she went out with quite a bang. Yet, another First Team All-State honor, but Pilat led the Eagles to an Elite 8 appearance. A first in a few years. Wrapping up her career in the purple and gold, Pilat goes down as one of the top scorers to ever come through this highly-touted program.</p>   <p>Wrapping up her prep career, Pilat will play one more season with Michigan Elite this coming winter. A mainstay with this team, Pilat is the go-to weapon for them as well. After all is said and done, Pilat will move on to play for Cedarville. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 12 [player_tooltip player_id='176600' first='Kate' last='Maley'] - Skyline/Legacy (Loyola Chicago)</h2>   <p>This player got to be a part of some of the best groups to have ever come through the Ann Arbor Skyline program. With a Final Four run her sophomore year and a Sweet Sixteen run last season, [player_tooltip player_id='176600' first='Kate' last='Maley'] has really evolved as a player over her prep career. This season, we got to see Maley in a whole new light. With all the attention on her and the team depending on her now, Maley stepped up extremely well and showed a side to her we don't see too often. Over her career at Skyline, Maley amassed over 1,000 career kills.</p>   <p>Moving onto club, Maley will play one last season with [program_tooltip program_id='430319' first='Legacy' last='Volleyball Club']. Much like her counterparts, she has cemented herself as the ultimate weapon when in need of a big point. After a run at another top ten finish at Nationals this coming winter, Maley will then head to the Windy City to join forces with Loyola Chicago.</p>