Rising stars at the D4 state finals
The Division 4 semifinals and final showed us that there is a lot of young talent in the state of Michigan. Of all the players that were on display at Kellogg Arena in D4, it was a sophomore for Mendon…
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Continue ReadingThe Division 4 semifinals and final showed us that there is a lot of young talent in the state of Michigan. Of all the players that were on display at Kellogg Arena in D4, it was a sophomore for Mendon that stood out the most. Here’s a look at the talented underclassmen that left an impression in Battle Creek.
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Mendon
The state champs should remain a top contender in 2019 thanks to returning outside Anna Smith. The sophomore was dominant at Battle Creek, posting 20 kills and nine digs in the semifinal win over Southfield Christian and then posting 18 kills and six digs in the final with Leland. Smith also tallied two aces and six assists over the weekend. She is certain to be a player to watch for years to come. Sophomore Andrea Hoffman should be more of a hitting matchup for the Hornets next year. She had two kills in the final and had three aces in the semifinal. Freshman DS Isabella Smith contributed nine digs over the two matches at Kellogg Arena and will give the defense depth in 2019.
Leland
The Comets are accustomed to having big-match experience and they get that by having a good balance of upper and underclassmen on their roster. In Battle Creek, Leland had three sophomores contribute to their runner-up finish. Outside hitter Tatum Kareck had seven kills, two aces and 10 digs in the semifinal with Carney-Neadeau and followed that up with six kills and six digs in the final against Mendon. In the back row, Mia Osorio played well at libero. She had 14 digs and three aces in the semifinal and then posted five digs in the final. Sarah Elwell is a promising middle for the Comets. She had seven kills and two digs over the two matches at Kellogg Arena.
Southfield Christian
With just one senior on the roster, Southfield Christian has a lot of reasons to be excited for 2019. The team utilized three sophomores and a freshman in 2018 and those four should help give the Eagles a lot of depth next season. Freshman Juliana Helisek and sophomores Grace Hammers and Katherine Keating will each provide some hitting at the net. Helisek had three attacks in the semifinal and a block while Hammers also recorded a block. Sophomore Lauren Korotney will be a defensive specialist and serving option for the Eagles next fall.
Carney-Nadeau
The team from the upper peninsula was led by juniors and seniors, but the Wolves had three sophomores on their semifinal roster. Outside Taylor Kedsch was second on the team in kills in the loss, amassing four to go along with nine digs, a block and an ace. Middle Liana Blahnik had three kills with one dig and a block. Both should see increased hitting opportunities next year. Haley Ernst is another sophomore on the team. The setter didn’t see time on the floor but could fill into the position for graduating senior, Talisha McCullough.