Michigan represented well in 2019 NCAA Tournament
The 2019 NCAA Tournament field was announced on Sunday night and the state of Michigan will be a big part of this year’s crop. Showing the continued growth of volleyball in the state, here’s a look at the in-state prep…
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Continue ReadingThe 2019 NCAA Tournament field was announced on Sunday night and the state of Michigan will be a big part of this year’s crop.
Showing the continued growth of volleyball in the state, here’s a look at the in-state prep players that will be competing for a national championship this season.
*Teams are listed in alphabetical order. For a complete look at the bracket, click here.
Alabama State: The SWAC champions have a roster that includes Detroit University Prep Science & Math freshman outside Courtney Brown. She appeared in 18 sets and had five kills with seven digs.
Albany: The American East conference champ didn’t get it done without the aid of St. Catherine Academy freshman OPP Emma Schlagheck. She appeared in 71 sets this year and had 83 kills, 44 blocks and 21 digs.
Ball State: The MAC champs have a pair of Michigan natives in Cadillac junior setter Ali Finch and Notre Dame Prep freshman outside hitter Natalie Risi. Risi had a huge year for the Cardinals, putting up 348 kills, 338 digs, 28 aces and 21 assists. Her efforts earned her MAC Freshman of the Year honors. Finch appeared in four sets this season and had 12 assists, six digs and four kills.
Baylor: The Bears are the Big 12 champs and the top-ranked team in the nation coming into the tournament. Former Romeo product and 2015 Miss Volleyball winner Gia Milana is a contributor to the team. She has 201 kills and 27 blocks on the year.
Cincinnati: The Bearcats have had strong contributions this year from Anchor Bay sophomore outside hitter Maria Mallon. She put up 397 kills, 329 digs and 41 aces this year over 105 sets, earning All-Conference honors.
Dayton: The Flyers won the Atlantic-10 automatic bid. They feature Stoney Creek alum Molly Asmus at middle blocker. She has played in 14 sets this year and has three kills and four blocks for Dayton.
Denver: The Summit League champs have Lakeshore senior OPP Taylor Joachim on the roster. She has appeared in one set this season.
Howard: The MEAC champs have a pair of Michigan natives in Detroit Country Day junior libero Abby Morrow and Father Gabriel Richard junior outside hitter Jurnee Tipton. Tipton had a team-high 263 kills this season to go along with 226 digs, 24 blocks and 29 aces. Morrow had 199 digs and 18 aces this season. Tipton earned All-Conference honors.
Illinois State: The Missouri Valley Conference champs have Farmington Hills Harrison alum Stef Jankiewicz at setter. She earned first team All-Conference honors this year by racking up 1,302 assists, 302 digs, 73 blocks, 103 kills and 23 aces.
Michigan: The Wolverines have a strong in-state presence. Included on the roster is Brighton senior middle Cori Crocker, Clarkston sophomore outside Abbey Malinowski, Troy freshman middle Jess Robinson and Marian freshman setter Maddie Dowd. Robinson has had a strong freshman year with 190 kills and 63 blocks while Crocker has added 155 kills and 73 blocks. Malinowski had nine kills and six digs in limited action this season while Dowd had 13 assists over five sets.
Northern Kentucky: The Horizon League champs have Grosse Pointe North alum Abby Kanakry at MB/OPP. The redshirt freshman has been one of the top attackers for the Norse, putting down 271 kills, 79 blocks and 66 digs. She ranks third on the team in kills and blocks.
Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish roster includes Marian sophomore middle blocker Lauren Wenzel. She’s second on the team in blocks with 88 while also adding 108 kills and 29 digs.
Purdue: The Boilermakers are ranked No. 16 and have a pair of former Michigan prep stars. 2018 Miss Volleyball winner Madeline Chinn is a freshman outside for Purdue while Joy Chen is a sophomore setter. Chinn played for Notre Dame Prep while Chen played for Ann Arbor Huron. Chinn appeared in 36 sets this year and had 46 kills, 22 blocks and 14 digs. Chen appeared in set sets and had seven assists.
Samford: The SoCon Conference champs have East Grand Rapids freshman libero Andie Salasky on the roster. She was one of the top servers on the team with 32 aces while also adding 34 digs.
USC: The Trojans have Grosse Pointe South alum Chandlar Duff on the roster. The redshirt freshman saw action in 27 sets this year and had 10 kills with 26 blocks.
Western Kentucky: The Conference USA champs are ranked No. 15 heading into the tournament and the Hilltoppers feature two Michigan natives. Notre Dame Prep defensive specialist Emma Kowalkowski is in her senior year while Lake Orion outside hitter Paige Briggs is in her freshman season. Both have been very impactful. Briggs had 358 kills, 330 digs, 36 blocks and 25 aces. Kowalkowski had 218 digs in 2019. Briggs earned Freshman of the Year and All-Conference honors.