Top Performers in the Elite 8 - MHSAA Playoffs

<p><em><strong>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!</strong></em></p>   <p><em><strong>The Prep Dig Exposure Tour is coming to Michigan on December 21! This is for all 2026-2029 prospects. <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2032/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-michigan#register">Click here to register</a>, and use promo code “LSHOTPD25” to get $10 off your registration.<br></strong></em></p>   <p>–</p>   <p>One more game! Win this match and we are back in Battle Creek, competing for a State Championship!</p>   <p>Outside of the Division 1 Quarterfinals, we had ourselves quite the exciting run of matches on Tuesday. We saw games go the distance, five set thrillers, slugfest matches, you name it. Nothing was given, all earned.</p>   <p>These were some of the most outstanding performances from this week's Elite 8 matches throughout Divisions 1 through 4! We are back in Kellogg! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='446702' first='Elise' last='Hiemstra'] - Detroit Country Day</h2>   <p>There's not too many other players I would want on my side of the net when it matters most then [player_tooltip player_id='446702' first='Elise' last='Hiemstra']. Between last year's run to the championship to this year's, Hiemstra knows what it takes to come up big in pressure moments. In their match against the red hot Lake Fenton Blue Devils, Hiemstra was absolute cash on the court. With a match high 26 kills, the Columbia bound attacker was able to upend Lake Fenton and keep DCD's repeat dreams alive.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'] - Bloomfield Hills</h2>   <p>If there is any particular player that can handedly lead her team to its first ever state championship, it's going to be [player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze']. She's simply a walking highlight and its impossible to not talk about her impressive performances time and time again. In this one, Bloomfield Hills was able to knock out the five set, upset queens in Oxford. Nwabueze pocketed another 20 kill night and has added over 100 kills to her career total since the opening of post season play.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='523865' first='Kate' last='Belt'] - Saginaw Valley Lutheran</h2>   <p>It has been a long time coming since Saginaw Valley Lutheran has made it back to Kellogg Arena, one of the biggest difference makers for them comes at the setting position. [player_tooltip player_id='523865' first='Kate' last='Belt'] continues to have an electric season leading the way for the Chargers. She has seemingly picked up the pace since starting this road to Kellogg. In another sweep, Belt put up a 30 assist night to go along with a handful of points with her block and attack.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kenna Deters - Byron Center</h2>   <p>There's no bigger breakout story from this year's post season then that of Kenna Deters. While she's been making some serious buzz through the news channels, upon seeing her in person, I can truly attest to this one being the 'real deal'. She carries the brunt of the offense for Byron Center and for good reason. She is automatic! With the Bulldog's ability to out ball control teams, having a player as quick to score like this one, it is a real treat. She was another match-leader in scoring for the quarter finals with 14 kills and 3 blocks at an abhorrent hitting percentage.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='834257' first='Kiley' last='Manyen'] - Rockford</h2>   <p>When the conversation about Rockford comes about, there are some names that very many are quick to point out and for good reason. But there is most certainly one that we do not talk about enough that is very warranting. She shows herself when it matters most and can sneak up to be an underrated MVP. [player_tooltip player_id='834257' first='Kiley' last='Manyen'] was just that in the Ram's sweep over Traverse City Central on Tuesday. With a near double-double, logging 9 kills and 9 digs in the sweep, it was the efficiency of the pin hitter with a .645 clip!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='836790' first='Paige' last='Thelen'] - Fowler</h2>   <p>If there is a will, there is way to get the ball to this hitter. [player_tooltip player_id='836790' first='Paige' last='Thelen'] is the go to arm on this team for several reasons. Beside the fact of her heavy arm, Thelen is able to clock it in from a variety of spots. Fowler does an incredible job at moving her around in transition play to open up her range of attack. In their sweep over Traverse City Christian, Thelen had 13 kills to take down the Northern Michigant eam.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] - St. Mary Catholic Central</h2>   <p>To see the evolution of this player has been quite extraordinary over the years, [player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] has become the next superstar from the Kestrels. When SMCC made their appearance in Kellogg Arena Dettling's sophomore year, Dettling felt the pressure of the big stage. Fast forward to now, she is the undisputed catalyst to SMCC making their run to a repeat championship. In the upset win over Plymouth Christian, Dettling was teeing off at a percentage the Eagles just couldn't contain with 17 kills in four sets.</p>

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