Rankings Breakdown: 2019’s top 5 outside hitters
One of the great features to Prep Dig Michigan is our expansive rankings of players from 2018-2021 that will continue to be updated and expanded throughout the year. The Class of 2019 features an extremely talented class of outside hitters…
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Continue ReadingOne of the great features to Prep Dig Michigan is our expansive rankings of players from 2018-2021 that will continue to be updated and expanded throughout the year. The Class of 2019 features an extremely talented class of outside hitters that will find themselves at some of the biggest college programs in the country in the fall of 2019. Here’s a closer look at the Top 5 Outside Hitters in our 2019 rankings.
- Jessica Robinson, 6-2, Troy High/Legacy: Robinson earned the No. 1 overall ranking for the Class of 2019. The University of Michigan commit has been the focal point of Troy’s attack for the past three years and is part of the Legacy 17-ELITE team started the club season with a top-10 ranking nationally. Robinson was the lone Michigan player named to PrepVolleyball.com’s Top 50 Junior Recruits list. Her size and athleticism make her very difficult for anyone to deal with. Robinson competes during the fall in the competitive OAA Red Conference and will look to get the Colts to a new level of success in 2018.
- Madeline Chinn, 6-3, Notre Dame Prep/Michigan Elite: It’s been hard to miss Chinn over the years, as her 6-3 frame has made her an imposing force at the net for Notre Dame Prep and Michigan Elite. This past fall Chinn helped lead the Irish to the Class B state championship while being the lone underclassman in Michigan to be named an All-American by PrepVolleyball.com. In the semifinals against Fruitport, Chinn put up 19 kills while hitting .621 in a three-set victory. The Purdue commit really adjusted her attack in the last year, using a variety of angles and velocity to get the ball to the floor. Notre Dame Prep will certainly be on of the top contenders in Division 2 for 2018.
- Paige Briggs, 6-0, Lake Orion/Unified: Briggs had a taxing 2017 prep season, as a back injury kept her off the floor late in the year and kept the Dragons from truly hitting their potential. After taking control of the OAA Red early, Lake Orion finished third with Briggs watching on the sidelines. The Dragons also had an early exit in the postseason, but they will be a top contender in Division 1 in 2018. Briggs, a Western Kentucky commit, plays well above her 6-0 size as she can get above the net and bring a lot of force with her attacks. Briggs will be one of the reasons Lake Orion could make a run at the Division 1 title in 2018.
- Lindsay Taylor, 6-1, Rockford/FaR Out: With most of this list being in Oakland County, Taylor is the top hitter on the East side of the state. A transfer to Rockford from Northview, Taylor helped lead the Rams to the regional finals this past season before losing to Grand Rapids Christian in five sets. Taylor had over 600 kills in her 2017 season while hitting over .400 on her attacks. A Miami (Ohio) commit, Taylor was Second Team All-State in Class A and should be one of the best in 2018.
- Natalie Risi, 6-0, Notre Dame Prep/Michigan Elite: Partnered with Chinn, Risi gives Notre Dame Prep an almost unstoppable duo on the outside. With Chinn drawing extra attention in 2017, Risi really stepped up for the Irish. She had over 470 kills while hitting over .350 on her attacks. She also tallied over 450 digs and over 170 aces while being named Class B All-State First Team. Risi’s best showings came in the state semifinals and finals at Battle Creek. In the sweep of Fruitport in the Class B semifinal, Risi had 19 kills and five aces. She followed that up with a match-high 17 kills to go with 12 digs in the Class B final sweep of Lakewood. A Ball State commit, Risi will give opposing coaches a difficult decision as to who to game plan for when facing the Irish.