2024 Rankings Update: Top Outside Hitters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week saw us release a much-anticipated update to our <a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2024-rankings/">2024 Player Rankings</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a lot of movers and shakers in the list, as well as some fresh faces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the new list out, let's jump through the positions and see what the class is bringing to the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We start with the outside hitters, which has a powerful group leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'], FH Northern/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Erickson is part of a really explosive Forest Hills Northern offense and a junior captain. She's a great leader on the floor and has a standout defensive game to go with her powerful swing. She's all you can ask for in a leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110288' first='Cayla' last='Cogan'], Clarkston/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cogan can jump out of the building on her attacks and they are leading to a great finishing rate. Her athleticism seems to come very easy, which means she's got a very high ceiling as she continues to develop her defensive game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>3. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz'], Hudsonville/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a sophomore, she proved she can take on a primary hitting role while leading the Eagles to Battle Creek. This year, Swiercz is playing with all the confidence in the world and ready to show her all-around ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>4. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer'], Frankenmuth/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to say if anyone has more momentum than Geer right now. Recently committed to Marshall, her trajectory continues to skyrocket. Great footwork and a quick first step has propelled her to be one of the most valuable players to her team in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153662' first='Catherine' last='Flaharty'], Saline/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long wingspan allows Flaharty to be very impactful at the net on offense and defense. She also moves very well around the court to get to some tough digs. As she steps up her intensity, the sky is the limit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>6. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110333' first='Izzy' last='Whittaker'], Grand Haven/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whittaker is another solid hitter from the Grand Haven program. She's well-coached and fundamentally sound. A 6-footer, Whittaker plays longer than that at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>7. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110332' first='Avery' last='Weslow'], FH Central/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weslow is a very determined player that is a great leader on the court. She's tireless in her efforts in all aspects of the game, which leads her to be able to make plays others can't. Weslow really wants to be great and is a great asset to her squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>8. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110304' first='Cameron' last='Herman'], Hartland/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Herman has a lot of natural talent and athleticism that comes out in a variety of ways. Herman is able to mix up her shots and knows when she needs to dial up the intensity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110291' first='Alana' last='Deshetsky'], North Branch/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deshetsky showed a lot in last year's D2 semifinal in regard to her toughness and heart. Add to that a very technically sound skillset, and she can be a complete player at the next level. She's definitely a gamer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>10. <strong>Mia Eckholdt, Country Day/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eckholdt has been able to work alongside some great hitters in the DCD program and now has a chance to showcase herself on a bigger level in 2022. Like her past teammates, she reads the ball well and is able to power through blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->