Top Outside Hitters at the Michigan Stock Up Showcase

<p><strong><em>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</em></strong></p>   <p>–</p>   <p>It may only be the second year of Prep Dig putting on the preseason Stock Up Showcase, but this was one for the books!</p>   <p>With over 100 athletes at the UWM Sport Complex on Sunday, the talent was insane! We had players from down the road, to across the state and even some from across the boarder! No matter where their origin, it curated an insanely fun afternoon of volleyball.</p>   <p>With my side of the coverage, I am going to be taking a look at some of the best of the best that the showcase had to offer. Breaking it down, position by position, we're going to start the Stock Up coverage by looking at the outside hitters!</p>   <p>Per usual, there were an insane amount of talented pins on tap at this year's Stock Up. So many players bringing their A-Game and swinging away. The talent in the gym was ridiculous! Let's take a look at some of the best outsides here at the Stock Up.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156302' first='Finley' last='Helm'] </h2>   <p><em>5'9 OH - Mt. Pleasant/Five:1</em></p>   <p>There was not a position on the court where this player couldn't go up and terminate! [player_tooltip player_id='156302' first='Finley' last='Helm'] has been long time on my radar, I am still shocked she hasn't been picked up yet. Helm has a great first contact and can follow up with an electric swing. She's a reliable force on the court that is poised for a huge senior season at Mount Pleasant.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/DSC01753-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589801" style="width:277px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156346' first='Ava' last='Oleski']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156346' first='Ava' last='Oleski'] </h2>   <p><em>6'0 OH - Croswell-Lexington/Michigan Elite</em></p>   <p>This is a new player on my radar, and a big one at that. [player_tooltip player_id='156346' first='Ava' last='Oleski'] is the next big name out of the Cros-Lex program. On the outside, she has a great vertical with an array of shots to keep the defense on their toes. She is another one who could slot into about any position along the net and do a great job at putting the ball away.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='227580' first='Alyssa' last='Carson'] </h2>   <p><em>6'2 OH - Buchanan/Blue Nile</em></p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='227580' first='Alyssa' last='Carson'] may have been one of the biggest names to come out of Sunday's showcase. Standing well above her peers at a solid 6'2, Carson also separates herself with her sheer power. One of the strongest arms in the gym, if Carson doesn't put the first ball away, she just comes back even harder! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='261322' first='Ava' last='Starr'] </h2>   <p><em>5'10 OH/S - Lake Catholic/Academy</em></p>   <p>Listed as primarily a setter coming in, I saw [player_tooltip player_id='261322' first='Ava' last='Starr'] spend a bulk of her time rocking it out on the pins. Disappointed? Not at all. This player has all of the tricks up her sleeve to be a tour de force on the court. With her vision of the court and the ability to change up her shots with ease, Starr lived up to her name here at the Stock Up.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='490036' first='Emma' last='Rosenow'] </h2>   <p><em>6'0 OH/DS - Romeo/Michigan Elite</em></p>   <p>I would keep a close eye on [player_tooltip player_id='490036' first='Emma' last='Rosenow'] and Romeo this fall. Rosenow was one of the many talents out of the Romeo cannon who were killing it at UWM. Rosenow plays a very consistent, all-around game. From her reception and defense to her attacking phase of the game, Rosenow brings a lot of steadiness to her play.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='586437' first='Madalin' last='Hersman'] </h2>   <p><em>5'11 OH/S - Forest Hills Northern/Legacy</em></p>   <p>I haven't been able to catch this player in action since her epic run with Forest Hills Northern last fall. Needless to say, [player_tooltip player_id='586437' first='Madalin' last='Hersman'] has found a whole new gear since then. She has an extra pop in her swing, a little more precision and a lot more consistency when it comes to her offense. Hersman was majorly effective on both pins too.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'] </h2>   <p><em>6'1 OH/OPP - Forest Hills Northern/FaR Out</em></p>   <p>Another product out of the FHN cannon, [player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'] is poised for a huge season with the Huskies. Seeing her primarily play on the right side last year, Loehfelm was swinging the majority of her time on the left pin and looking super comfortable. She's using a lot more of her length then she was in the fall which is creating so much more scoring opportunities for this emerging star.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/DSC01791.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589871" style="width:277px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson'] </h2>   <p><em>6'1 OPP - Forest Hills Northern/FaR Out</em></p>   <p>There were huskies alll over the place here at the Stock Up on Sunday. No complaints here, they were bringing the heat! [player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson'] is another power pin from the reigning Division 1 Runner-Ups. On the right pin, Johnson really knows not only how to crank the ball, but how to chop up some serious shot points. Johnson also looked extremely prolific as a blocker too.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454393' first='Ryley' last='Pastuschyn'] </h2>   <p><em>5'8 UT - Richmond/Michigan Elite</em></p>   <p>Throw this player into just about any position on the court and I am confident she'll kill it. [player_tooltip player_id='454393' first='Ryley' last='Pastuschyn'] was everywhere and doing the most on Sunday! She's absolutely electric coming off of the ground and swinging through the ball. Pastuschyn has spent the majority of her freshman year in the middle, but is looking extremely comfortable swinging from the pins. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454368' first='Lexa' last='Pierson'] </h2>   <p><em>5'10 OH - Milford/L2</em></p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='454368' first='Lexa' last='Pierson'] continues to impress time and time again. This outside hitter has live-wire for an arm. I really got to see Pierson in action down in Florida at AAU Nationals and she is showing no signs of slowing down. She's a high flier and a quick arm that proves to be hard to contain.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='493481' first='Camille' last='Robinson'] </h2>   <p><em>6'0 OH - Harper Creek/FaR Out</em></p>   <p>I am warning you now, [player_tooltip player_id='493481' first='Camille' last='Robinson'] is going to be one of the next big players out of Michigan. Jumping out of the gym, she puts so much power into her swing and she plays some pretty solid defense too., Robinson is a raw athlete with a lot of natural ability that takes her a step above her peers. She's going to be a big time name to keep tabs on throughout the fall with Harper Creek.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller'] </h2>   <p><em>5'11 OH - Orchard Lake St.Mary's/High Performance</em></p>   <p>This fall is going to be a real big one for [player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller']. Coming off of a big club season, Kapeller is looking rally defined and dialed in coming out of the Stock Up. She has a nice whip of an arm that can cut up some stellar shots. Kapeller also brings to the game some real solid ball control. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/DSC01796.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589909" style="width:271px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='586782' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='586782' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz'] </h2>   <p><em>6'0 OH - Hudsonville/FaR Out</em></p>   <p>Just when you thought Hudsonville was going to be missing their fire power this fall. [player_tooltip player_id='586782' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz'] enters the chat. Swiercz was playing some serious big time ball on Sunday. Swinging away from pin to pin and playing top notch defense, this player is poised for an explosive fall with the Eagles.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442977' first='Demi' last='McCoy'] </h2>   <p><em>5'8 OH - Detroit Country Day/Michigan Elite</em></p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='442977' first='Demi' last='McCoy'] may have been one of the most fun players to watch throughout the Stock Up. At only 5'8, McCoy is so explosive and plays with such a fire, she plays well beyond what her size may suggest. With all of the heat that she can bring on offense, McCoy is finding another element to her game with her controlled shots as well. This just makes McCoy even deadlier.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke'] </h2>   <p><em>6'1 OH - Grand Rapids Christian/FaR Out</em></p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke'] isn't one of the top rated players in the 2027 class for nothing! She made that well known on Sunday! From her ball control to her offense, Goodyke plays the game with such discipline and precision. She can get down and pass alongside some of the best 'bros while knocking 'em down as one of the best attackers at the showcase.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='523848' first='Nicole' last='McDowell'] </h2>   <p><em>6'1 OH/MB - Notre Dame Prep/Legacy</em></p>   <p>This is another player that is roaming around the net and getting the job done super well. [player_tooltip player_id='523848' first='Nicole' last='McDowell'] is coming off of a really exciting freshman year playing middle, but if the Stock Up is of any indication, McDowell is going to be a huge threat on the pin for the next few years. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='586768' first='Izzy' last='Lawhorn'] </h2>   <p><em>6'1 OH/MB - Lake Orion/Legacy</em></p>   <p>Like McDowell, [player_tooltip player_id='586768' first='Izzy' last='Lawhorn'], too, can get it done just about anywhere along the net. At last year's Freshman showcase, Lawhorn was getting her feet wet on the pins. After a full year of playing on the pins, Lawhorn not only looks extremely comfortable there but was one of the top pins at the Stock Up. She hits a heavy ball and is developing a wide range of shots from either pin.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='586767' first='Charley' last='Romeo'] </h2>   <p><em>5'10 OPP - Northville/L2</em></p>   <p>The Stock Up proved to be the best place to see [player_tooltip player_id='586767' first='Charley' last='Romeo'] in action for the first time. Needless to say, I am intrigued by what more this player has to offer. On the right pin, Romeo does extremely well spreading her attacks around the court. She hits a nice ball and has some nice wrist control to cut up some fun shots.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/DSC01827-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589849" style="width:267px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='454359' first='Elise' last='Biermann']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454359' first='Elise' last='Biermann'] </h2>   <p><em>5'11 OH - Eisenhower/Michigan Elite</em></p>   <p>Keep an eye out for Eisenhower. Keep an eye out for [player_tooltip player_id='454359' first='Elise' last='Biermann'] this fall. If this showcase previewed anything, its that Biermann is coming into the fall with a lot more fire power and an extra pop in her hop. This player has always impressed with her ability to manipulate the ball with her contact point. Now, Biermann is putting some more pace and becoming so much more lethal.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams'] </h2>   <p><em>6'0 OPP/S - Romeo/Michigan Elite</em></p>   <p>This player has done a really solid job cementing her name as one of the best right sides in the 2027 class. Looks like [player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams'] is coming into the fall gunning for the setting position too? Showing off just how versatile Williams can be, she was not only banging away on the right pin, but she was running a considerable amount of offense as well. Williams could be a big power player for Romeo this fall as they look to break through the mold in the MAC.</p>

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