The Power 5 Outside Hitters in 2023
The fall of 2019 showed us some incredible freshman talent in the state of Michigan and that talent has continued to develop during the 2020 club season. Looking like it’s going to be a truly special class in the state,…
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Continue ReadingThe fall of 2019 showed us some incredible freshman talent in the state of Michigan and that talent has continued to develop during the 2020 club season.
Looking like it’s going to be a truly special class in the state, here’s a look at five power arms that have already created a name for themselves in a short time.
Harper Murray Harper Murray 6'2" | OH Skyline | 2023 State #2 Nation MI , Ann Arbor Skyline/Legacy
Murray is a no-brainer for this list and could be on the Power 5 for all classes. She’s an incredible talent that has an amazingly powerful swing at such a young age. Murray has all the tools and it showed last fall when she put up 700 kills as a freshman while hitting .361. This club season, she has been in the running for National Player of the Year in the 15’s while leading Legacy to a top national ranking. Murray is going to be haunting many liberos around the country for years to come.
Payton Rice, Harper Creek/FaR Out
Rice is another gamer that is going to really take off over the next few years. While not having the length of some of her peers, standing 5’9”, she has elite-level explosiveness. Her quick reactions show in her ability to pass and defend, but it also has become a big asset for her in her attacks. She puts out a powerful swing out-of-system and has a serve that is becoming more challenging to defend each day.
Nina Horning Nina Horning 6'5" | OH Lake Orion | 2023 State #50 Nation MI , Lake Orion/Legacy
[player_tooltip player_id="66309" first="Nina" last="Horning"]When Lake Orion needed someone to step up for it in the 2019 season, Horning wasn’t afraid to answer the call. The 6’3” outside immediately took on a go-to hitter role and was thrown into the fire from Day 1. That experience continues to pay off for Horning, who has developed into an all-around talent that is going to be a marquee player for years to come. Already with the size to play above her opponents, Horning is developing her offspeed swings to compliment the big power shots she is able to generate at the net. She put up over 400 kills for the Dragons this past prep season while leading them to a D1 semifinal appearance.
Remi Madison Remi Madison 5'9" | OH Grand Blanc | 2023 State MI , Grand Blanc/Michigan Elite
Madison stands just 5’8”, but she uses her athleticism to put down impressive attacks from the front and back row. A steady passer, Madison has been able to help keep her team in-system to get herself more chances to finish points. Her experience as a freshman at Grand Blanc has paid off during the club year for Michigan Elite 15 Mizuno. Madison is going to be a handful as she continues to develop her footwork and gain more confidence.
Becca Apsey, Groves/Legacy
The Legacy 15-1 Adidas team has a lot of great hitters, but it is Apsey that has really stepped up in the club year to prove to be a top finisher in the Class of 2023. She’s consistently been second on the squad in kills behind the aforementioned Murray, but is finishing at a high rate and really delivering a powerful swing. Last fall, Becca finished at a high rate while playing alongside another top standout in Ellie Ruprich. Apsey’s stock is rising as fast as anyone’s right now.