Eight Standout Hitting Performances From Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 prep volleyball season is now underway and teams from around the state were in action this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of players shined, but there were a handful of hitting performances that caught my eye from the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Stats through Hudl and MaxPreps</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'], Sr. OH Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Busignani (Cincinnati) got her senior year off to a strong start, leading the Mustangs to the tournament title of the Lake Orion Invite. She put down 14 kills in the final against the Dragons, knowing when she needed to take over the match. Busignani is driven and motivated to get Marian back to the top of D1 and her leadership and decision-making looks great for the start of the new season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156345' first='Taylor' last='Cook'], Sr. OH St. Johns</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cook led St. Johns to a perfect run through the Owosso Invite this past weekend. She was consistent all day, racking up 55 kills over 13 sets. She tallied double-digit kills in four of her five matches and over .300 in all but one match. On top of having some highlight-reel kills, Cook handled out-of-system balls very well and managed to find a home for them on a steady basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454367' first='Isabelle' last='Lawhorn'], So. OH Lake Orion</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dragons got to the finals of their invite this weekend before falling to Marian. Lake Orion had a lot of good performances on the day, but Lawhorn was an offensive leader that provide some big kills consistently throughout the event. The 6-footer already has some good varsity experience and looks like she's taking a big step toward becoming a go-to hitter in a crowded Oakland County scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt'], Sr. OH Clarkston</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarkston graduated some big hitters from the 2023 squad that reached the D1 semifinals. However, Newblatt's emergence throughout last year provided some hope that she could be a lead hitter in 2024. She showed that's definitely the case this past weekend. She tallied 18 kills against Brighton and 12 against Novi. She can generate big power and she's attacking aggressive lines. Newblatt (Fordham) seems to be embracing this opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'], Sr. MH Bloomfield Hills</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nwabueze (Harvard) played in a quad on opening night, but her stats weren't available until this weekend and they were too hard to ignore. Over three matches with Imlay City, Troy and Romeo, Nwabueze put down 50 kills. The top-ranked 2026 prospect looked as dominant as ever. Opponents know the ball is coming her way, yet she's still finishing at a high rate thanks to a mixture of shots and great instincts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='723141' first='Nora' last='Proos'], Sr. OH Our Lady of the Lake</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Proos is going to be one of the top outsides in Division 4 this fall. She's got a well-rounded game and she is showing a hit finishing rate early in 2024. Over six, two-set matches, Proos put down 47 kills and hit over .400 while leading Our Lady of the Lake to six victories. Proos has a real good feel for the play and isn't afraid to take control of a match to get her team over the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595381' first='Payton' last='Springstead'], Sr. OH/MH Bronson</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Springstead looks in midseason form already for D3's Bronson. She put up impressive kill numbers against larger opponents at the Chelsea Invite this past weekend. Springstead has good size and length that will be tough to contend with at the D3 level. She can put a good swing on the ball from anywhere on the floor, but shows a lot of good decision-making with her shots speeds and placement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732205' first='Iyla' last='Weeks'], Sr. MH Concord</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weeks is another hitter that could dominate in D4 this year. Over eight sets this weekend, she put down 45 kills. Weeks is playing all over the net and finding ways to finish points. She's getting a lot of opportunities because she's got good length, and she isn't shying away from the opportunity. Along with good power, Weeks adjust well mid-flight to foot blockers with a nice lofty finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->