2020 Prep Season Preview: Division 1’s top outside hitters
As the 2020 prep season inches closer, volleyball fans should be excited about the powerful hitters that will be featured in Division 1. Not only are these players among the best in the state, they are among the best nationally.…
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Continue ReadingAs the 2020 prep season inches closer, volleyball fans should be excited about the powerful hitters that will be featured in Division 1.
Not only are these players among the best in the state, they are among the best nationally.
Here’s a closer look at 10 of the top hitters in Division 1 for the upcoming fall season.
Harper Murray Harper Murray 6'2" | OH Skyline | 2023 State #2 Nation MI , Soph. Ann Arbor Skyline
Everyone was excited to see what Murray would do as a freshman and she didn’t disappoint. Following a great (albeit shortened) club season, Murray has pushed herself as the top player in the nation for the Class of 2023. The Skyline outside had 700 kills, 479 digs and 156 aces as a freshman while guiding the Eagles to a spot in the D1 semifinals.
Jenna Reitsma Jenna Reitsma 5'11" | OH Lowell | 2021 State MI , Sr. Lowell
Reitsma was a dominant player in 2019 while helping Lowell finish runner-up in D1 last fall and earning First Team All-State honors. This season, the Marquette-commit is ready to get the Red Arrows to the top. In 2019, Reitsma piled up an impressive 873 kills, 422 digs, 57 blocks and 86 aces. There isn’t a play she can’t make and not a spot on the floor that she can’t finish from.
Ava Brizard Ava Brizard 6'0" | OH Marian | 2022 State #16 Nation MI , Jr. Marian
Brizard has established herself as a go-to hitter for Marian since arriving as a freshman two years ago. Last fall, Brizard was Second-Team All-State in D1. In 2019, Brizard had 537 kills, 509 digs, 52 aces and 38 blocks. The fiery competitor is ready to take the next step as a player and a leader and attempt to guide this young and experienced Marian team to a title.
Claire Nowicki Claire Nowicki 6'0" | OH Clarkston | 2021 State MI , Sr. Clarkston
Nowicki is a well-balanced player that Clarkston can rely on to finish a point, or to make a crucial dig. She’s been very consistent throughout her prep career and was Second Team All-State in 2019. Nowicki recorded 404 kills, 413 digs, 68 aces and 45 blocks last fall. She’s training hard for 2020, looking to guide Clarkston to a deep postseason run.
Sydney Palazzolo Sydney Palazzolo 6'2" | OH Utica Eisenhower | 2021 State MI , Sr. Eisenhower
The High Point-commit really took a step forward as a junior, hitting over .300 for the season. Palazzolo put down 503 kills while adding 391 digs, 63 aces and 18 blocks. That earned her Second Team All-State honors. At 6’2”, Palazzolo plays well above the net and has the complete package of a game to impact the contest in many ways.
Mackenzie Gross Mackenzie Gross 6'2" | OH Grand Haven | 2021 State MI , Sr. Grand Haven
Playing alongside a great outside in Ashley Slater Ashley Slater 5'10" | OH Grand Haven | 2020 State MI , Gross didn’t get the opportunity to show her full potential in 2019. Even in a limited role, she still put down 391 kills with 243 digs and 50 blocks. Those numbers landed her Third Team All-State. Coming into 2020, Gross has the chance to be the go-to hitter for the Bucs and really show the state what she has to offer.
Kaylin Collins Kaylin Collins 5'11" | OH Mercy | 2021 State MI , Sr. Mercy (Charleston)
Collins had an interesting 2019. She was the go-to arm for the Marlins while Jess Mruzik Jess Mruzik 6'2" | OH Mercy | 2020 State MI was in international competition. It was there that she got to display all her abilities in a marquee role. When Mruzik returned, Collins was the perfect compliment to the Miss Volleyball winner before suffering a knee injury later in the year. Healed up, Collins has a chance to really breakout as a senior. As a junior, Collins hit over .350 and amassed 270 kills and 129 digs.
Taylor Humphrey Taylor Humphrey 6'2" | OH Byron Center | 2022 State #186 Nation MI , Jr. Byron Center
Humphrey was another top sophomore in the state in 2019. A Third Team All-State pick, Humphrey finished the season with 418 kills, 218 digs, 45 blocks and 45 aces for Byron Center. Humphrey was very consistent in the back row and also had a strong shot selection that improved in the second half of the season.
Seiler Hruska Seiler Hruska 6'1" | OH Marquette | 2022 State MI , Jr. Marquette
Hruska is hard to overlook, playing in the UP. However, Hruska plays so well that you can’t ignore her. She was a dominant force at the net, putting up 552 kills in 2019. She also amassed 300 digs and 98 aces. Another offseason of pushing herself against top competition in the Midwest should have Hruska ready to make a bigger name for herself statewide.
Nina Horning Nina Horning 6'5" | OH Lake Orion | 2023 State #50 Nation MI , Soph. Lake Orion
The 6’3” outside stepped up big time for Lake Orion in 2019, helping get the Dragons back to Battle Creek for a semifinal appearance. Horning amassed 416 kills, 163 digs and 112 aces for Lake Orion last fall. Her all-around game improved a great deal in the second half of the season. Coming into this fall, Horning should have the confidence to emerge as one of the best in the state.
Honorable Mention: Audrey Brown Audrey Brown 6'0" | OH Seaholm | 2022 State MI , Jr. Birmingham Seaholm; Riley Kraiza, Sr. SH Stevenson
Henly Sleight, Sr. Jackson Northwest; Sage Kissman Sage Kissman 5'11" | OH Mason | 2021 State MI , Sr. Mason; Samantha Deinek Samantha Deinek 6'0" | OH South Lyon East | 2021 State MI , Sr. South Lyon East; Sydney Tomlak Sydney Tomlak 5'11" | OH Stoney Creek | 2022 State #116 Nation MI , Jr. Stoney Creek; Jada Divita Jada Divita 6'0" | OH Grosse Pointe South | 2022 State #147 Nation MI , Jr. Grosse Pointe South; Ellia Seachrist Ellia Seachrist 6'0" | OH Walled Lake Central | 2022 State MI , Jr. Walled Lake Central; Tatum Casper Tatum Casper 6'2" | OH Marian | 2022 MI , Jr. Marian; Sarah Vellucci Sarah Vellucci 6'0" | OH Novi | 2023 State #97 Nation MI , Soph. Novi