Five freshmen gifts underneath the Michigan volleyball Christmas Tree
It’s holiday time and I am sure everyone is looking forward to a little gift giving and gift receiving this week. We are PrepDig Michigan hope everyone is enjoying the holidays with their families. It’s been a special year for…
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Continue ReadingIt’s holiday time and I am sure everyone is looking forward to a little gift giving and gift receiving this week.
We are PrepDig Michigan hope everyone is enjoying the holidays with their families.
It’s been a special year for volleyball in the state and with Christmas on Wednesday, I thought I would look at some of the exciting new toys the state was able to find under the Christmas Tree this year.
Here’s five freshmen that really shined this past fall and should have volleyball fans excited about what’s ahead.
Harper Murray, Skyline OH: Along with a dynamite club season in 2019 with Legacy, Murray made her prep debut this fall and immediately showed why she is not just a special talent in the Class of 2023 for the state of Michigan, but one of the best in her class nationally. Murray put down an impressive 700 kills in her freshman season, all while hitting .361 and helping the Eagles get to the Division 1 state semifinals. Murray also showed an explosive serve, racking up 156 aces and 520 service points. She added 479 digs and was one of the top serve receive options for Skyline. Murray, who was Third Team All-State in a deep Division 1 pool, certainly looks to be a once-in-a-generation talent.
Skylar BumpSkylar Bump, Lakewood S: Bump didn’t have an easy situation to jump into. The freshman setter for Lakewood had to take over an offense with big expectations coming into the year. While she had great hitters to feed, it was still up to Bump to keep the offense running efficiently. She did that quite well, as the Vikings found their way to the Division 2 state final this season. Bump had 1,278 assists and earned Second Team All-State honors in Division 2. She also tallied 88 aces and will have the Vikings as one of the top contenders for the state title in 2020.
Payton Rice, Harper Creek OH: It’s not easy for a freshman to step in and be the primary hitter for a team, but Rice was able to do just that for Harper Creek, all while standing just 5-foot-9. The season may have not gone to Harper Creek’s liking, but the Beavers have a great foundation to build off of for years to come. Rice was Honorable Mention All-State in Division 2 this fall, one of just three freshmen in the state to receive any kind of All-State honor.
Nina HorningNina Horning, Lake Orion OH: Life had to move pretty fast for Horning. A large graduating class left the Dragons in need of immediate help at outside hitter and Horning was the choice to take on the role. It didn’t come without some bumps in the road, but you could see the drastic improvement in Horning by season’s end. She led Lake Orion in kills this year with 416 while helping the Dragons reach the Division 1 state semifinal. Horning also had a powerful serve, with 112 aces. As she continues to improve her defense and serving accuracy, Horning is going to be a big-time prospect in the Class of 2023.
Ava Sarafa, Marian S: Sarafa had some big shoes to fill in taking over the Marian setter role for Maddie Dowd, a four-year player in her own right. Sarafa did a great job with a young Mustang roster, putting up 1,023 assists, while contributing 215 digs, 52 aces and 25 blocks. Sarafa really settled into the position later in the season as the Mustangs found their stride. Marian has a lot of potential in the upcoming years, with Sarafa being a big part of that.
Other stocking stuffers: Ally Berent, Notre Dame Prep DS; Kallieann Cook, Birch Run L; Megan Grose, St. Catherine S/OP; Rachel Steele, Eaton Rapids OH; Taylor Stephens, Okemos OH; Margo Sudzina, Notre Dame Prep S; Kendall White, St. Johns L; Blair Wilson, Mt. Morris OH; Corrie Wisser, Hopkins S