MHSAA Post-Season Watch-List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And the road to Kellogg Arena has officially begun!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After one heck of a 2022 season, we have finally entered the point in the season where you leave it all on the table. It's do or die. This post-season is looking to be one of epic proportions as the hunt for a Wooden Mitten has begun.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it's go time, look no further than these players to deliver their team to the promise land. Here are some of the top players to watch over the course of the next three weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] - Cass City (D3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She may have been sidelined due to a minor injury earlier in the season, but it was the perfect recharge for the high flier. [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] has been playing some of her career best volleyball in these last few weeks and has become a dominant force for this Division 3 contender. Despite her size, Gray can jump out of the gym and bring some serious heat behind her ball while backing it up with some elite IQ. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] - Forest Hills Northern (D1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1495461435878555652?s=20u0026t=umNWSwwsmG6O5xhNocTbXQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true,"align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed alignright is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1495461435878555652?s=20&amp;t=umNWSwwsmG6O5xhNocTbXQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of attention may surround her outside hitters, but you simply cannot overlook this dynamo in the middle for Forest Hills Northern. I've said this before and I'll say it again, [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] is the X-factor for this team. A monster at the net with her blocking and attacking prowess, you'll be shocked to see how top-notch her back court play is too. For a middle, Hopewell is not one to put on your scouting report as a serving target. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'] - North Branch (D2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going from an X-factor to a total revelation, [player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'] was just that for North Branch this season. I would argue that Gyomory's glow up on the court from last season to now is one of the best in the state. Gyomory leads the No. 2 team in Division 2 in kills and is one of the leaders in blocks. She knows just when to deliver her best play and the Bronco's are so famous for their post-season domination.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='156299' first='Olivia' last='Grenadier'] - Detroit Country Day (D2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Detroit Country Day wasted no time finding their next dynamo in the middle and she's quite intimidating to see across the net. [player_tooltip player_id='156299' first='Olivia' last='Grenadier']'s emergence in this program is one of the biggest reasons for their No. 1 status in Division 2 as they enter the tournament. She's averaging almost four kills per set on a .450 clip, leading a lot of DCD's momentum entering the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] - Marian (D1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She may have been a part of the Mustang's second straight title last season, but [player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] is now entering a whole new role this time around. From watching on the sidelines, Busignani is coming into Marian's hunt for a third straight as the top dog on the court. With a killer whip of an arm to knock out the toughest of defenders, her back court play can also rival most liberos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='140484' first='Anna' last='Hesse'] - Saline (D1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another big time glow up story from a season ago, this senior outside hitter can be credited much to this squad's success this season. Saline enters the tournament as one of the top teams in Division 1, [player_tooltip player_id='140484' first='Anna' last='Hesse'] is the Hornet's leading scorer on the left pin. Hesse has a high ceiling with a knack of playing her best ball against the top teams in the state and that habit will come up huge the further Saline makes it into the tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='173609' first='Isabelle' last='Kirkendall'] - Lenawee Christian (D4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This player could go toe-to-toe with the best of them in Michigan, no matter of division. Lenawee Christian has become a Division 4 powerhouse under her tenure in the program and are looking to go all the way this season. She's one of the most prolific attackers in the entire state, hitting just above the .500 mark which is so impressive for a player getting a huge chunk of the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172199' first='Sophie' last='Crawford'] - Richland Gull Lake (D1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most underrated names in the state of Michigan, if you aren't aware of this setter, you better get ready! Richland Gull Lake is a heavy favorite for a deep run into the tournament because of Sophia Crawford. She ranks amongst the top of her team in about every statistical category. While running the offense, her high IQ offers much of an offensive play and some pretty stellar defense as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] - St. Mary's Catholic Central (D3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] was huge for SMCC in last year's Runner-Up finish. She'll be a huge factor in a change of results this time around. Like this year, SMCC was top dog going into the tournament and were upset by Cinderella-team, Reese. Costlow and company beefed up their schedule big time this year and are well tested. Costlow's high-flying nature and eye for the court will be hard to contend with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith'] - Pewamo-Westphalia (D3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If anyone were to upset the mighty beasts of SMCC, it'll be the the Pirates of Pewamo-Westphalia led by S [player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith']. One of the top setters in the state, Smith has been playing on a whole other level as of late. She's got the magic touch when running her offense, which will be a big difference down the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Join us at the<a href="https://prepdig.com/2022/09/the-prep-dig-top-250-expo-series-is-back-2/">&nbsp;Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! Use code LShotPDExpo250 for 10% off your registration fee.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->