A Look at the Top 5 Setters in the 2024 Class: Michigan

<!-- 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>The latest rankings update is up and LIVE!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <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> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one of the last ranking updates for the 2024 class, let's take a look at the top 5 liberos in the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 7 [player_tooltip player_id='110292' first='Zoey' last='Dood'] - Grandville/MVA (Virginia)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the top ranked setter in this class, [player_tooltip player_id='110292' first='Zoey' last='Dood'] brings a lot of intangibles to the court. Standing at 6'2 and equipped with a wicked southpaw, Dood is the definition of a playmaker. While her prep career didn't end as ideally as player of this caliber would have liked, Dood's efforts were seen. A leader in assists, kills, blocks and aces, Dood could do it all. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graduating early, this is the third player in this class to be departing for collegiate ball early. Dood will be taking on the ACC with Virginia starting in January.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">N0. 10 [player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith'] - Pewamo Westphalia/Michigan Elite (Eastern Michigan)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest stories of the 2023 season was this Miss Volleyball winner. It's been awhile since we've had the award go to a non-Division I/II athlete. [player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith'] may have turned a lot of heads, and deservedly so, this was an earned win. Smith ended her career earlier than expected this season, but still ran the offense of one of the best teams in Division III. With over 3,000 career assists, this player has made her mark in a real lucrative athletics program at Pewamo-Westphalia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith will change things up a bit this winter. A long-time member of the Five:1 cannon, Smith will join forces with Michigan Elite for her final club season before departing for some MACtion with Eastern Michigan next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 15 [player_tooltip player_id='172199' first='Sophie' last='Crawford'] - Gull Lake/Summit (Miami (OH))</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of some MACtion, this is another high caliber setter that will be joining in on the fun. [player_tooltip player_id='172199' first='Sophie' last='Crawford'] has been an underrated talent for a bulk of her career. After receiving her flowers last season after leading Gull Lake to an Elite 8 appearance, Crawford had acclaimed her rightful attention. At 6'1, Crawford provided a really strong, versatile game at this position, posing as a constant block and attacking threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like Smith, Crawford is changing it up for her final season of club. After spending the bulk of her career out of Kalamazoo with Dead Frog, Crawford will head to Fort Wayne to train with Summit Volleyball this spring before heading to Miami (OH).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 30 [player_tooltip player_id='110335' first='Avery' last='Woodard'] - Marysville/Michigan Elite (Uncommitted)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While traditionally this player has set her whole life, her future will be as a phenomenal DS/L. [player_tooltip player_id='110335' first='Avery' last='Woodard'] has had quite the prep career throughout injuries and adversity, but this senior season with Marysville was one for the books. Not only was Woodard operating this team at a top ranked level, but she nearly had the Vikings toppling over No. 1 North Branch early on in the tournament. With her impeccable setting and courageous defense, Woodard was honored with First Team All-State honors in DII.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going forward, Woodard will take part in her last season with Michigan Elite where she will transition into her role as a defender. An incredible, athletic body on the court, Woodard will compliment her libero very well. Uncommitted, she would be an absolute steal for any program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 32 [player_tooltip player_id='110278' first='Caroline' last='Baker'] - Byron Center/FaR Out (Grand Valley State)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the list of the top setters in the 2024 class, this setter too, nearly had herself a post-season run. Like Woodard, [player_tooltip player_id='110278' first='Caroline' last='Baker'] had Byron Center up 2-0 against the eventual Runner-Ups in Division I. Regardless of the finish, Baker was operating this team at an alarming efficiency. A nice return to form to what we typically see out of this program, Baker had her hands well within this turn around. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wrapping up a commendable prep career, Baker will join FaR Out 18 Black this season after setting for 18 Gold last year. She's committed to an emerging juggernaut in the DII space, Grand Valley State. A place where she could easily find herself running the show in a year or two's time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->