Ten players making a name for themselves early in 2020 season

Evelyn Doezema

Drew Ellis September 22, 2020 @ 07:21 AM

The 2020 season is in its infancy stages for most programs around the state, but there have been some noticeable performers around Michigan this year. We know many of the big names, but others are raising their games in 2020. Leah LaFontaine, Jr. OH Mercy: Mercy is looking great to start 2020. The 2019 D1 champs haven’t missed a beat despite losing a Miss Volleyball winner. LaFontaine had an increased role late in 2019 due to the injury to teammate [player_tooltip player_id="50292" first="Kaylin" last="Collins"]. That experience is helping now as she is playing with a lot of confidence at the net. Her swings and blocks are both more aggressive. She’s playing with some swagger, and she and Collins are playing at a high level on the outsides for the Marlins. [player_tooltip player_id="50322" first="Emma" last="Hall"], Sr. L/DS Lowell: The Red Arrows have been playing the best of the best thus far and Hall has faced a number of great hitters. While [player_tooltip player_id="14192" first="Jenna" last="Reitsma"] continues to shine at outside, Hall has been quite impressive at libero. Along with her 151 digs, she also has 28 aces in the early part of the season. [player_tooltip player_id="24860" first="Summer" last="Jidas"], Jr. L/DS Clarkston: Clarkston is off to a strong start to 2020 and the play of their veteran junior libero has been a big reason why. Jidas has been calm and consistent in the back row while averaging over an ace per set from the service line. Jidas is able to impact the game in many ways for the Wolves. Hallie Rittel, Sr. L/DS Grand Haven: Rittel is getting an opportunity to be featured more in the back row and she’s been able to step up thus far. Through 48 sets, Rittel has 226 digs and 32 aces. Her serve has improved noticeably and her instincts in the back row have been on point. [player_tooltip player_id="24853" first="Evelyn" last="Doezema"], Jr. OH/MH Grand Rapids Christian: The 6’3” junior is getting a chance to really step up her game this fall for GRC and she is making the most of it. Able to play all across the frontcourt, Doezema has 110 kills through 26 sets, hitting .376 in the process. She has also added 14 blocks while continuing to develop her passing. [player_tooltip player_id="50331" first="Macy" last="Brown"], Sr. OH Cadillac: No team in the state has been busier than Cadillac, which has been playing in quad after quad. That has meant monster numbers for Brown, who has over 450 kills already for the Vikings. She also has posted over 30 aces and 50 blocks as she is setting the bar for the state when it comes to production. Raegan Murphy, Sr. S Montague: Murphy is really on her game thus far in 2020. She has 452 assists on the young season, averaging 11.6 per set. She has added 77 digs, 20 aces and 17 blocks as well. Montague has put up some strong wins in D2 already and Murphy is a big part of that. Grace Williamson, Sr. OH USA: Williamson has already established her name in Division 3, but the Patriots senior is on pace for her best season yet. She has improved on her finishing rate while delivering a much more powerful serve. Her blocking instincts are also improving, as is her passing game. Williamson has all the tools to be a top star in D3. Carly Anschuetz, Sr. MH Adrian Madison: The D3 middle is picking up where she left off last year. After putting up 453 kills in 2019, Anschuetz has 41 through 12 sets in 2020 while hitting .312. She also has nine aces and 21 blocks. She’s been dominant thus far for the Trojans. Taylor Kedsch, Sr. OH Carney-Nadeau: Kedsch continues to be the go-to player for the D4 power, Carney-Nadeau. The Wolves haven’t had their season interrupted, and it has allowed Kedsch to get into midseason form quickly. She is hitting .422 on the young season and averaging a career high in kills per set right now.