10 2024 Prospects We Can’t Forget

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no question that there are a lot of volleyball prospects to try and cover in the state of Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That goes for all classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Class of 2024, we have a number of prospects deserving of some love after outstanding prep seasons that didn't get enough coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether they are building on it this club season, or getting ready to shine at the next level, here's 10 players that have earned their flowers in the last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176597' first='Sophia' last='Allen'], OH Grand Rapids Catholic Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot outside was dominant for stretches during the 2023 prep season for GRCC. She led the team to a D2 regional final appearance with her consistent finishing ability. Allen was a hitter that could really swing the momentum, as once she got rolling, she was nearly impossible to stop. She's got big hang time to get over the top of the ball and create difficult angles for defenders to get under the ball. Her placement was always solid and she knew when to switch up to offspeed attacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110283' first='Natalie' last='Bourdo'], DS/L TC Central/Northshore</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bourdo was a relentless defender this fall for TC Central and she brought a very competitive serve to the court as well. Racking up over 500 digs during the prep season, Bourdo has a knack for coming up with the marquee dig to turn the tide in a match. She also had a lot of great scrambles to keep points alive after a teammate wasn't able to secure an accurate pass. Bourdo gets all over the court and reads opposing hitters very well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153671' first='Molly' last='Edmunds'], S Trenton/Monsters</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edmunds is set to make her way to Albion next fall. This fall she helped Trenton to a strong year with a district title in 2023. This club season she's been guiding the Monsters 18 squad and helping them put on strong showings in the Club Division. Edmonds is a good energy player at the setter position that has a lot of leadership skills that will do her well at Albion. She's got the quickness and agility to make the tough sets, will just need to keep polishing her game and catching up to the speed of play at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110296' first='Ellie' last='Fles'], MH/OPP South Christian/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Hillsdale commit, Fles is a 6'1” hitter that can play anywhere along the net and be a consistent finisher. Fles has worked hard to develop her all-around game and become a more complete player. Her defensive instincts are solid and she's able to make some really athletic digs while still getting the ball cleanly to the setter. Fles also is able to transition well from a passer to hitter. That's going to be a big trait to bring to Hillsdale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443797' first='Jaelyn' last='Hall'], OH Bedford/Premier</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'2” Hall was a steady force for Bedford throughout her prep career and she improved on her finishing rate each season. Already a dynamic blocker, Hall is a powerful left-handed arm that can really hang in the air and build momentum on her swing with her 10-foot approach. She's known a better range of swing speeds over the last year and is recognizing the defense quicker. She's got a lot of intangibles that can help her at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110304' first='Cameron' last='Herman'], OH Hartland/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Herman is committed to Michigan Tech and they are bringing in a versatile player that has a lot of athleticism. Herman has had to overcome injuries in recent years, but has come back as a stronger player from them. She's got a lot of explosiveness in her swing and approach to the net, but she's grown in confidence and swagger over the last year. Herman plays like she knows she can be the best on the floor and that's important to bring to the next level as she faces another level of challenges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110308' first='Mila' last='Kavara'], MH Forest Hills Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kavara is a 6'2” middle that played an important role for the Forest Hills Central offense and defense this past fall. She was a great compliment to [player_tooltip player_id='110332' first='Avery' last='Weslow'] offensively, able to play in the middle or the right side and give the Rangers some added pop. Kavara didn't have to exert much energy to deliver a powerful attack and she was able to place the ball in open spots consistently. She also was a consistent blocker that went up against a lot of big hitters throughout the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459259' first='Lydia' last='Michelin'], MH Milford/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michelin had a really impressive prep season with Milford, hitting over .300 while racking up over 120 blocks. She's turning that into a strong club year as well, as she's very active at the net. Michelin is quick with her instincts and she can cover a lot of space with her wingspan. She's developed a quick connection with her setters to be a diverse hitter that can come from a variety of attack angles. Michelin has definitely taken her game up another gear.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176596' first='Marianna' last='Rivera'], MH Williamston/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rivera has already begun her college career, jumping on the North Dakota spring roster. She's going to be a great asset at the college level. The 6'5” Rivera was a dominant force at the net for both Williamston and L2 during her time in Michigan. She tallied 243 blocks in her prep career and was putting up double-digit kills regularly. Rivera has shown that she's not just about having a big frame, she moves very well and generates a lot of arm speed on her swing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261167' first='Jordanne' last='Shannon'], OH West Bloomfield/Team Detroit</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An Ohio Wesleyan commit, Shannon really stepped up for West Bloomfield this fall. She shouldered a heavy offensive load and proved she was ready to take it on. Shannon made the most out of every ball that came her way, as she displayed a keen offspeed game for out-of-system balls, then could dial up a real fastball when the perfect set came her way. Shannon also worked hard to improve on her serve receive and passing. That's something an area where she still has room to grow and should improve even more at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->