2029 Watch List Spotlight: Hitters, Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The early signs on the Class of 2029 are that it could go down as one of the all-time greatest in Michigan history when all is said and done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because of that, there's some talented players still looking to get more of the spotlight, including a number of outside and middle hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's Part 1 of a 3-part look at some of the talented Watch List hitters in the Class of 2029 that can use a little more of that spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='765544' first='Josie' last='Anderson'] MB/OH Forest Park/UPN</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson looks like she can be a dominant player in the UP, as she generates really good power and had a respectable finishing rate as a freshman at Forest Park. She has a short and compact swing, so she can attack suddenly. There's room for her to grow as a blocker while developing new aspects to her offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880901' first='Charlotte' last='Bergeron'] OH South Lyon East/Dynamite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bergeron shows a really impressive follow through on her swing. She can get off the floor as well, which leads to some high-velocity swings. Her timing is in a good place right now and should only get better as the speed of the game picks up. Bergeron looks well-rounded in her play and has a high ceiling for where she can take her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888957' first='Sydney' last='Coffin'] OH/DS Mona Shores/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coffin has a consistent approach at the net and shows a lot of athleticism in her swing. She can wait on the ball and arch back to confuse the blockers on her timing, while still being able to generate big power. Coffin looks very comfortable at the net, which bodes well for her growth as a player in the years ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850477' first='Wren' last='Frailey'] OH/DS Troy Athens/Monsters</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frailey shows good composure on the floor, as she times out her swings well. She doesn't have the same vertical as some of her peers, but her power is right up there with the best. Frailey also has proven she can make a difference on defense. As she keeps learning new ways to score, Frailey cold be a major contributor to her squads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='858244' first='Cornelia' last='Friedrich'] RS/MB Country Day/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one to watch out for. I expect Friedrich is going to be an impact player in the years to come for DCD. She's very explosive off the floor and has a smooth left-handed delivery, with the ball flying off her hand. Friedrich makes her attacks look effortless and she can play the right side or the middle. Teams will find ways to get her the ball in the years ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885461' first='Riley' last='Harrah'] OH Tecumseh/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harrah was a major offensive force for Tecumseh last fall while competing against the best teams in Division 2. A 6-foot outside with a lot of shot range, Harrah does a really nice job of disguising where she's going with the ball, but still manages to put consistent power on each shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888956' first='Maddie' last='Hirdes'] RS Coopersville/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coopersville has produced some outstanding players at the net over the years and Hirdes shows a lot of promise to be the next. A 6-foot lefty, Hirdes is very agile and moves with a lot of quickness. She's got a long approach, but sees the court well to know when to play an offspeed shot. As she gets more reps, it should elevate her swing speed and power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849580' first='Jordyn' last='Holly'] OH/RS Plymouth/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holly has been looking better and better with each month. She's gaining more confidence in her abilities as she's got the power to get through blockers, but can come down over the ball to make it tough to get under her attacks. Holly also is a strong blocker and defender, looking more and more like a complete six-rotation player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->