Six 17U Outside Hitters on the rise in Oakland County
By Michael Selecky Contributing Writer According to Betteratvolleyball.com an Outside Hitter is defined as, “The position on the team that typically plays the left front or position four on the court. It’s also known as the ‘left-side hitter’”. In…
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By Michael Selecky
Contributing Writer
According to Betteratvolleyball.com an Outside Hitter is defined as, “The position on the team that typically plays the left front or position four on the court. It’s also known as the ‘left-side hitter’”.
In Macomb County that can mean an assortment of things. To some, at the top of that list are organization’s including the Legacy Volleyball Club’s Sterling Heights training center and Michigan Elite Volleyball in Warren. From those locations the next generation of college recruits will spring forth and that’s a process the class of 2021 has been working towards for quite some time.
When it comes to Legacy and Michigan Elite they both have 17U Outsider Hitters as ready to ascend to that plateau as they are willing and able, some of which even have statistics and game tape available via Maxpreps.com, such as…
CLAIRE NOWICKI
This Clarkston High School junior and member of the Legacy 17-1 ADIDAS team is as deadly as she is defensive. That may seem like a bold claim, but, in 114 sets played Nowicki posted 404 kills and 413 digs, figures she complimented by adding 68 assists and 45 triple-blocks during the prep season. She also stands in at 5-foot-10, wears jersey number four with both the Wolves and Legacy and helped her squad win 42 of its’ 48 regular season games. That included a record of 7-0 in league play and rankings of seventh in the state and 332nd nationally.
MIKAYLA HAUT
While this five-foot-10 junior presently competes for Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno, during the high school season she was a key part of the effort at St. Mary Catholic in Monroe. That’s where, in 2019-20 for the Kestrel’s, she logged 157 kills, 115 digs, 30 assists and 22 triple-blocks over the course of just 42 sets played. In turn, that team finished 50-2 overall, 14-0 league, and was ranked 10th in the state and 373rd nationally.
LARYSSA IMBUZERIO
Stepping in at five-foot-9 this Northville High School student falls into position and claims her territory every play. At the net she employs a right arm that can send out straight, blistering shots in-close on the short side just as well as it can go long to the opposite side. Currently Imbuzerio is an Outside Hitter for Legacy’s 17-2 ADIDAS squad. She also spends time at the Middle Blocker position.
ASHLEY NORDMANN
Lining up at Middle Hitter and Opposite, Nordmann was solid during the high school season for Lansing Christian, posting 441 kills, 223 digs and 59 assists in 72 sets played. This Outside Hitter took part in 32 triple-blocks and wears number 13 for the Pilgrims and number 12 for Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno, as well.
HENLY SLEIGHT
This past season for Northwest High School in Jackson Sleight knocked down an astounding 513 kills. Add to that 126 assists and 35 triple blocks in 125 sets played and it’s easy to see how this junior drew the attention of Grand Valley State. In turn, what all this equated to for the Mounties was a record of 36-11-5 overall, 5-2 league. Presently this Outside Hitter suits up for Legacy 17-2 and is five-feet-10.
KAYLIN COLLINS
During the high school season this Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno team member was in action for 96 sets for Mercy in Farmington Hills. During that time she racked up 270 kills, 129 digs, 32 triple-blocks and 25 assists. One notable point is that she played for the top-ranked squad in the state in 2019-20 as the Marlins were 58-1 overall, 10-0 league. Also, the club was ranked 52nd in the nation and Collins split her time playing Opposite and Outside Hitter.
Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno’s other Outside Hitters include Jenna O’Brien Jenna O’Brien 6'0" | OH Regina | 2021 State MI . For Legacy Sydney Palazzolo Sydney Palazzolo 6'2" | OH Utica Eisenhower | 2021 State MI and Jada DiVita also play the position for the 17-1 ADIDAS team and those fulfilling the same role with 17-2 ADIDAS include Rea Marfatia. Until quarantine restrictions are lifted no one is exactly sure when either of these squads will be able to return to this seasons’ schedule.