Underclassmen Standouts At D1 Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division 1 semifinals and finals featured a lot of talent that is going to make a splash at the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But, there were also a handful of underclassmen that are the future of volleyball in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the standout freshmen and sophomores that made an impact at Kellogg Arena last weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'], So. OH Rockford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":723084,"width":"282px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Rockford-vs-Fenton-14.jpg?w=958" alt="" class="wp-image-723084" style="width:282px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not many underclassmen performed better this entire weekend than Wandel. The 6'1” outside hitter had 18 kills and four digs in the semifinal win over Fenton while hitting .444. In the championship match with Northville, Wandel had 16 kills and 19 digs. The sophomore moves really well on the floor and knows how to dial up her intensity in the key moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'], So. OH Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith was one of the primary hitters for Marian throughout the year and stepped up her game over the last month. In the semifinal, she had nine kills, 15 digs and an ace. Smith can deliver a lot of power on her swings, but it's her defensive game that has grown a lot in the last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'], Fr. L Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pelon sported the libero jersey for the Mustangs this season and proved she could handle pressure situations. She was active in Marian's semifinal with Northville, tallying 13 digs with two assists. Pelon has a high ceiling when it comes to her potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442980' first='Gabby' last='Lavoie'], So. DS Northville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs always have solid defenders and Lavoie looks to be another one for the program. She had 13 digs and two aces in the semifinal win over Marian, then followed that up with four digs and another two aces in the championship win over Rockford.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443000' first='Samantha' last='Monroe'], So MH Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monroe was a steady presence throughout the semifinal with Northville. The 6-foot middle put down four kills, while also adding a solo block and three assisted blocks. Next fall could be a big breakout season for her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='Calli' last='LeFevre'], So. OH Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LeFevre missed the last 5-6 weeks of the season with an injury, but she's one of the promising sophomore hitters in the state. Not having her on the floor was definitely a big loss for the Mustangs, as she brings a solid finishing rate and a well-balanced game to the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442984' first='Joelle' last='Mio'], So. DS Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another young defender for the Mustangs, Mio brought a strong serve to the court, but also came through with a few timely digs against Northville. She finished the semifinal match with five digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lexi Stone, So. OH Fenton</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stone was part of the Fenton offensive rotation, getting about a dozen swings during the semifinal with Rockford. She put down a pair of kills and tallied three digs in the process. She could be in line for a bigger role heading into the 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->