Motor City Power Series Weekend 3 Highlights: Setters

<p><em><strong>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p>   <p><em><strong>The Prep Dig Exposure Tour is coming to Michigan on December 21! This is for all 2026-2029 prospects. <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2032/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-michigan#register">Click here to register</a>, and use promo code “LSHOTPD25” to get $10 off your registration.<br></strong></em>–</p>   <p>The Motor City Power Series is one of the place to be for any one who is any one when it comes to Michigan volleyball. From the top teams in Division 1, all the way to the powers of Division 4! This is where the toughest come to get battle tested!</p>   <p>We're already on weekend 3 of 5 and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. With epic match-ups galore, we saw a lot of the state's top players shine bright and some of the underrated emerge through to make themselves known. </p>   <p>We're going to have to break this weekend down position by position, as there was just too much to talk about! Up first, let's chat setters! The one's who make it all come together. The Motor City Power Series offers up some of the BEST that the state has to offer.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi'] - Eisenhower</h2>   <p>I am not sure we're seeing anybody have a better junior campaign than [player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi']. While we got to get a taste of what she was capable of last season, after sitting out her freshman year, Tripi has come into this fall on a mission. Running one of the best offenses in the state, this past weekend was a huge example of that. Nearly going undefeated, Tripi paced Utica Eisenhower to an eye-popping .326 hit percentage. Tripi also added to the attack with over a kill per set on the weekend, batting well above a .400 clip on her own.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='709559' first='Kaelyn' last='Easton'] - Mercy</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/09/DSC08255.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-890467" style="width:207px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Avery Taggart</figcaption></figure>   <p>If you were to watch this player in action, you would be convinced she is a veteran on the court. Absolutely, no way that [player_tooltip player_id='709559' first='Kaelyn' last='Easton'] is barely halfway through her freshman season. Through an impressive undefeated run at this weekend's edition of the Power Series, Easton paced the top ranked team to a .290 clip. Take away the riches of weapons at her disposal, Easton takes over the court with a poise and security that is so beyond her years. Impressive at any level or age, when you bring yourself to realize she is just a rookie, you really begin to see just what a talent Easton is.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Avery Taggart - Traverse City Central</h2>   <p>Traverse City Central had quite the welcome to the Motor City Power Series. And despite going 1-3 on the weekend, there was a lot to love about this squad. First and foremost, their setter Avery Taggart brings a lot of good to the court. From running the offense, to her defensive moves, Taggart plays a pivotal role in this team's success. In the team's 6-2 system alongside [player_tooltip player_id='560553' first='Macaire' last='Kudary'] for added net defense, I was a big fan of Taggart's ability to spread out her offense. Particularly, when it came to getting her middles involved, Taggart was spot on.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='261175' first='Kendal' last='Quain'] - Marysville</h2>   <p>I have been very high up on [player_tooltip player_id='261175' first='Kendal' last='Quain'] for quite some time. Although i haven't seen her since the early goings of the past club season, Quain looks to be playing some of her best ball yet. Recently announcing her commitment to the D3 Powerhouse in Hope College, Quain was showcasing just what she could do at the next level. Her size offers so much bonus to what you normally see at the position, between her tempo to her own offensive takes, you see the difference. This is another team who went down 1-3 on the weekend, but still showcased a lot of potential on their side of the net. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/09/DSC07904.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-890458" style="width:234px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='490335' first='Makayla' last='Bruman']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping'] & [player_tooltip player_id='490335' first='Makayla' last='Bruman'] - Imlay City</h2>   <p>It's rare to come across a school like Imlay City with one elite setter, but for them to have two elite setters that could also double as elite attackers?! It's simply unheard of. [player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping'] and [player_tooltip player_id='490335' first='Makayla' last='Bruman'] have been long talked as one of the state's most dynamic of duos. These two bring such a dynamic look to the floor. At any given time, one or the other could run the entire show while the other acts as the team's go-to weapon. </p>   <p>This weekend was another example of why these two are so dangerous. Going 3-1 in a pretty competitive pool, Imlay City is cooking up a strong resume going into the second half of the season and into the wicked post-season that awaits them. Both Keeping and Bruman are playing at their best. This team is finding ways to find these two opportunities to score without looking one-dimensional. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454362' first='Karlie' last='Smith'] - Saline</h2>   <p>Don't let her size fool you, because [player_tooltip player_id='454362' first='Karlie' last='Smith']'s play is well more than what meets the eye. In her first season in running the entire show on her own, Smith has yet to sway from the challenge. This is a Saline squad with a much different look than that of years past. Without a big physical hitter to rely on to take the brunt of the offense, Smith has developed a really well-rounded attack plan. </p>   <p>Getting all of her hitters involved and teeing off at a high percentage, it was even more intriguing to see her work this weekend. Smith and Saline were without one of their top scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='261135' first='Clare' last='Beazley'] due to injury. Despite this, the Hornets managed to rally off 4 straight sweeps, only allowing their opponents to an average score of 25-18 per set!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='850401' first='Avery' last='Geer'] - Frankenmuth</h2>   <p>There is a lot to love about this rookie. In many ways, [player_tooltip player_id='850401' first='Avery' last='Geer'] is another one of these insane freshman that play well beyond their years. The youngest of three that have had incredibly successful careers, its to no surprise once you think about it. Geer is running the show like a seasoned player. While you see the rookie shine through her ambition at times, you cannot help but admire her go-get-it mentality shine through even brighter. </p>

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