Return of the Mack: Top Pin Attackers (MI)

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;<strong>@lshotvb&nbsp;</strong>on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the introduction to the 2023 season, it's time to take a look at who's who to watch this coming fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going down the list positionally, we have to start out with the middle blockers. Who are the big returners in the middle and poised for huge seasons? We got you covered</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at the top returning middle blockers in the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":450305,"width":183,"height":235,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_5221.jpg?w=796" alt="" class="wp-image-450305" style="width:183px;height:235px" width="183" height="235" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] - Forest Hills Northern</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming in as the top prospect in the 2024 class, Erickson is poised to go out with a BANG! With a stellar junior year under her belt, Erickson will look to lead Forest Hills Northern back to Kellogg and return with a trophy this time around. Erickson brings so much to the table, with her passing excellence and attacking prowess, its difficult to overcome her on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='226886' first='Gabby' last='DiVita'] - Grosse Pointe South</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She's coming off of her second straight All-American campaign in the club world. Returning to Michigan High School ball, DiVita is going to have to continue her prowess for Grosse Pointe South to go the distance. This is a very young and inexperienced squad with DiVita leading the pack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] - Marian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of a team looking pretty youthful this season, Marian is going to have to rely a ton on Busignani this season to reel in a slew of freshmen. Busignani returns to Marian from a really spectacular Sophomore year. Going for a 3rd state title in a row and earning All-State honors. Busignani went on to lead her club team to a National Championship appearance and another All-American honor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":411582,"width":250,"height":166,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/DSC09108.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-411582" style="width:250px;height:166px" width="250" height="166" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] - Saline </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While last fall was a breakout season for Laurio, junior season will become a real test. Laurio not only led Saline in kills a season ago, but played six rotations as well for both Saline and Legacy. Her heightened responsibility seemed to bode her well as the year went on. It'll really come up big this fall with the loss of <strong>Anna Hesse</strong> as her left side counterpart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'] - North Branch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top freshman in the state a season ago. [player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'] was critical in the epic championship run for North Branch. The Bronco's had returned just about everybody from the title run in 2021 that saw them lose to NDP in the final. It was apparent that Deshetsky was the missing piece to the puzzle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'] - North Branch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about a player on the rise, Gyomory has had her stock increase so much as her career has gone on. A practice player for the Broncos as a freshman to the 3rd or 4th option attacker as a sophomore. Gyomory has cemented herself as the go-to arm on this team now. Earning First Team All-State honors last fall, Gyomory returns with a lot of fire power and experience under her belt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer'] - Frankenmuth</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season showed a lot of promise for the Eagles, but just come up short to a red hot team in the post season. If [player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer'] has anything to say about things this season, we will be seeing Frankenmuth in Kellogg Arena. The 5'11 high flyer is one of the most tenacious in Michigan. She's a top tier passer while bringing epic heat on every ball she swings at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] - SMCC</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a heavy dose of the 2025 class on this list. Costlow is another one of those '25s that are just so good. Arguably one of the craftiest players in the state, there is not a shot that Costlow doesn't know how to hit. While to some, an undersized player, Costlow can leap off the ground and take great cuts on the ball that are virtually unstoppable to grab.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier'] - Shelby</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From one of the craftiest attackers to maybe one of the hardest attackers in Michigan. If you happen to come in path with a Gauthier attack, you may need help getting off the ground. Her swing is so deadly, it popped off with nearly 1,000 kills just in her Sophomore year alone. A feat that often takes the best, all four years to achieve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] - Plymouth Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team could be a real power player in the state this season. A huge reason why is the play of [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat']. Last season, not only did Plymouth Christian move to Division 3, but Pilat moved over to the left pin from playing in the middle her first two seasons. This proved to be a revelation in her play. A long arm with an amazing contact on the ball, Pilat brings the heat and some choppy shots in her arsenal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":403670,"width":180,"height":223,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/5-Kacee-Gray.jpg?w=827" alt="" class="wp-image-403670" style="width:180px;height:223px" width="180" height="223" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] - Cass City</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On an epic run to the Division 3 semifinals, [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] had a hand in it all. One of the top returning players to Division 3, Gray may be small but she packs a mighty punch in her swing. Since Gray's inception to the Cass City volleyball program, this program has seen never before heights and will only look to go higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156284' first='Gabriella' last='Babinski'] - South Lyon East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Lyon East may be one of the scariest dark horses of the incoming fall. Get Babinski going on a hot streak and it may be game over for whoever is across the net. One of the most effective attackers with her deep power shots, Babinski is a really effective scorer and natural leader on the court. I wouldn't be surprised to see SLE make a deep run in the tournament behind the arm of Babinski.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->