Five 16U Outside Hitters worth hearing about
By Michael Selecky Contributing Writer The challenges of playing volleyball at the 16U level are incredibly unique. During the club season these individuals venture all across the state and then some in an effort to play the best competition…
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By Michael Selecky
Contributing Writer
The challenges of playing volleyball at the 16U level are incredibly unique.
During the club season these individuals venture all across the state and then some in an effort to play the best competition possible. How that differs from high school action is that while the travel and opposition doesn’t reach those same heights, there are only so many roster spots on any varsity team regardless of the sport.
Complicating the matter even further is everything that comes with being a 16-year old athlete. That’s a well that runs deep and it was probably the case for most of us at that age. Now top all that off by mixing in the perils associated with playing Outside Hitter and the equation becomes that much more intricate.
Here in Michigan Outside Hitters are valued at every level for all they do, and some of those worth hearing about on the 16U level include…
MADISON KINSMAN
Her highlights from 2019-20 at Athens High School in Troy on Maxpreps.com show Kinsman is the type of player who goes directly down with the ball when playing at the net. Whether finding a clear path to a point or deflecting the ball off of some part of a defender this sophomore, who also plays Defensive Specialist, knows the quickest way to anything is a straight line and uses that to her advantage. Presently she’s a member of Unified Volleyball 16-1.
KENNEDY STURGIS
With an Approach Jump of 101 inches, a 99 inch Block Jump and a 67.5 inch Wing Span according to Michigangirlssportsreport.com Sturgis currently plays for Attack Volleyball 16U National Green. That’s been her home since 2015, but during the high school campaign this five-foot-8 member of the class of 2023 wore numbers eight and 11 for St. Johns. She’s also right-handed, on the Honor Roll with a grade point average of 3.96 and has a Standing Reach of 86 inches.
KATE HORVATH
A strong right arm is the calling card of this sophomore with Unified Volleyball 16-2 and she puts it to good use both on the spike and from the serving line. Having posted 157 digs, 136 kills and 20 aces in 101 sets played during the prep season, Horvath goes deep into the defense with her shots and can utilize that skill regardless of her distance from the net. Also playing Defensive Specialist, she appears to do her best work with West Bloomfield High School from the front row going left to right.
ELLIE ROBINSON
Having played with Attack Volleyball since 2014 and currently a member of its 16U National Black squad, this right-hander is just over five-foot-10 and a member of the class of 2022 at DeWitt High School. As for what Robinson does well, not only does she have a 20.25 inch vertical, but she also sports a 71 inch wingspan and a standing reach of just under 91 inches. The ability to play Libero and a block jump of 107 inches doesn’t hurt, either.
SOPHIA SUDZINA
The word that best describes this five-foot-7 sophomore at Notre Dame Prep High School is specialist. For example, in 2019-20 Sudzina pocketed 379 kills, 114 digs, three assists and two aces over the course of 136 sets for the Fighting Irish while also spending time at Libero. Right now she is an Outside Hitter for Unified Volleyball 16-2.
The rest of the roster for Attack Volleyball 16U National Green includes Kassidy Carpenter, Julia Holden, Alexandra Chester, Hannah Kueffner, Eliana Mayhew, Paige Bigelow, Morgan Good, Valerie Proebstle and MacKenzie Olson.
As for the other players taking the court for Attack 16U National Black, this features individuals such as Ella Didion, Macey Beyerline, Danielle Ellington, Jenna Schild, Hailey Bres, Claire Waligorski, Jenna James and Madelyn Geisenhaver.