D1 Hitters Shining In 2022

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's been a lot of impressive play happening in Division 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week we looked at some of the unsung heroes among the top 10 teams, but the strong play spans much deeper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the hitters that are taking on the spotlight around the state that haven't quite cracked the top 10 heading into Week 6.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66309' first='Nina' last='Horning'], Sr. OH Lake Orion</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's no real surprise to see Horning playing well, as she's been doing it for four years. While the Dragons look to find more consistency around her, the Miss Volleyball finalist is carrying the Dragons right now with over 300 kills. She's taking a lot of swings from the back row, while also taking on a lot of the serve receive and defensive effort. Horning's leaving it all on the floor in her senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66340' first='Sarah' last='Vellucci'], Sr. OH/DS Novi</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":128906,"width":144,"height":211,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/Sarah-Vellucci-699x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-128906" width="144" height="211"/><figcaption>[player_tooltip player_id='66340' first='Sarah' last='Vellucci']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vellucci, like Horning, is always going to perform at a high level. The Miss Volleyball finalist has over 200 kills to lead the Novi offense, but also is able to showcase her elite-level passing and defense with over 200 digs on the season. While we talk about outstanding players a lot, there may be no player more valuable to her team than Vellucci.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='140494' first='Rachel' last='Zurek'], Sr. MH Lakeland</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland is putting up 13.1 kills per set on the season thus far, using an array of hitters. Setter/outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108719' first='Eve' last='Martin']</strong> does a lot for the team, but she's really had a great connection with her middles this year. Zurek has been the biggest beneficiary with 96 kills to lead the team. Zurek is hitting .476 on the year as well and is putting the ball down with as much authority as I have seen from a middle in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Liv Hosford, Fr. OH/MH Rockford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you talk about freshman making an impact, you can't look past Hosford. The freshman hitter has been outstanding. She has racked up 77 blocks over 74 sets, while also adding in 172 kills. When the ball has come her way, she is finishing as well. Hosford is hitting .367 right now. She's definitely making a name for herself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222360' first='Aubrey' last='Johnson'], Jr. OH Jenison</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson has Jenison being competitive in the Division 1 picture by leading the team in kills, digs and aces. Johnson has over 170 kills, 30 aces and 160 digs thus far in 2022. She's got the ability to impact the game everywhere on the floor and still can get better when it comes to consistency finishing points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Bree Eklund, Jr. MH Gull Lake</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eklund is putting on an impressive run in 2022 thus far. She's hitting over .300 with close to 150 kills. She's also over 50 blocks through 57 sets as well. Gull Lake has a lot of offensive depth and balance, but Eklund is finding her home and making the most of each opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108761' first='Cece' last='Pelak'], Sr. OH Mattawan</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pelak is approaching 1,000 kills for her career with a 2022 season where she's already approaching 250. Pelak is hitting a solid .260, with that on its way up as she's sharpening her angles and mixing up her shots. Defensively, Pelak is one of the reliable passers in the back row as well, while also providing a challenging serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Victoria Gray, So. MH Bedford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kicking Mules have a really strong sophomore middle on their hands. The 6'2” Gray did some nice things as a freshman, but is really breaking out in 2022. This year she's put up over 140 kills while hitting an eye-opening .533. She's also recorded 70 blocks, giving her over 150 in her career already. To show her all-around ability, Gray also has 33 aces and 80 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->