All-Oakland County Dream Team – 2023 Edition
If you are looking for the future stars of volleyball in the state of Michigan, look no further than the Class of 2023 in Oakland County. This area produced a lot of freshman talent that stepped up in a major…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIf you are looking for the future stars of volleyball in the state of Michigan, look no further than the Class of 2023 in Oakland County.
This area produced a lot of freshman talent that stepped up in a major way for their prep and club teams over the last 12 months.
Here’s a look at some that made a big impact and will be names to remember for the years to come.
Nina Horning Nina Horning 6'5" | OH Lake Orion | 2023 State #50 Nation MI , OH Lake Orion/Legacy (2023)
Horning was asked to take on the primary hitting duties for the Dragons in 2019 as a freshman. She stepped up to the challenge in a big way, putting up 416 kills, 163 digs and 112 aces. A powerful swing and serve, Horning’s passing game was improving a great deal toward the end of the prep season. Playing during the club year with Legacy 15-1 Adidas gave her a chance to test her skills against the best in the nation.
Becca Apsey, RS Groves/Legacy (2023)
Apsey competed against some top hitters in the state while part of the OAA as a freshman at Groves. She showed she can hold her own, hitting over .300 for the season. Things really took off for Apsey during the shortened 2020 club season, as she was a perfect compliment to Harper Murray Harper Murray 6'2" | OH Skyline | 2023 State #2 Nation MI on the outside for Legacy 15-1 Adidas. Apsey showed she has the skills against the best in her class nationally.
Ava Sarafa Ava Sarafa 6'0" | S Marian | 2023 State #14 Nation MI , S Marian/Michigan Elite (2023)
Sarafa took over setting duties at Marian, playing for a young Mustangs squad. Marian was one of the top teams in Division 1 last fall, and Sarafa approached 1,000 assists for the season. She has settled into the position full-time for the Mustangs and will have them looking to make a run at the Division 1 title in 2020. As part of Michigan Elite 15 Mizuno, Sarafa has improved on her instincts and footwork.
Erin Kline Erin Kline 6'2" | S Mercy | 2023 State #123 Nation MI , S Mercy/Legacy (2023)
Kline isn’t able to showcase her skills at the varsity level yet, as Julia Bishop Julia Bishop 5'10" | S Mercy | 2021 State MI has that spot locked down for Mercy. However, Kline is sure to follow well in Bishop’s footsteps. Learning under Bishop will provide Kline with a lot of knowledge. We already know that Kline has the skills, as she flawlessly ran the Legacy 15-1 Adidas offense during the 2020 club season. Kline’s decision-making and execution are at an elite level already, and her leadership skills helped Legacy through some tough stretches in high-profile national matches.
Sarah Vellucci Sarah Vellucci 6'0" | OH Novi | 2023 State #97 Nation MI , OH Novi/Legacy (2023)
Another talented outside hitting option for Legacy 15-1 Adidas, Vellucci was an impact player for the powerful Novi program in 2019. The Wildcats gave her a chance to shine and she came through with 229 kills, 290 digs, 69 aces and 54 assists. Vellucci has the power in her swing and serve to be an overwhelming player as she continues to improve her game.
Megan Grose Megan Grose 5'10" | S St. Catherine | 2023 State MI , S/RS St. Catherine/Michigan Elite (2023)
Grose is a dynamic player that can hit and assist. She was very impactful for St. Catherine during the 2019 prep season, leading the Stars in most major categories. Grose is a finisher at the net and provides a great block. She also can pass and serve, or take over the leadership position at setter. Grose is only going to get better. She has all the fundamental skills to excel in multiple positions.
Allison Berent Allison Berent 5'7" | DS/L Notre Dame Prep | 2023 State #187 Nation MI , L/DS Notre Dame Prep/Legacy (2023)
As if Notre Dame Prep didn’t have enough talent in the back row, Berent came in as a freshman and only made the unit stronger. It’s a good problem for NDP coach Betty Wroubel to have, trying to find time for all her defensive talent. Berent showed a lot of poise as a freshman, putting up 345 digs and 47 aces for the Irish. She’s also part of the deeply talented Legacy 15-1 Adidas squad that was arguably the best in the nation.
Stella Day, MB St. Catherine/Team Detroit (2023)
Day was a tremendous blocker for the Stars as a freshman in the 2019 season. She racked up an impressive 172 blocks, putting her among the top leaders in the state. Her blocking instincts are one of a kind. As Day continues to work on her hitting, she is sure to become one of the top middles in the state of Michigan. Day has shined for Team Detroit this club season as well.
Paige Elliott Paige Elliott 5'6" | S Country Day | 2023 State MI , S/DS Detroit Country Day/Legacy (2023)
Elliott works with a lot of talented hitters at Country Day and with Legacy. At DCD, she has a young crop to build a connection with. She put up 441 assists and 153 digs while setting a single-season school record with 74 aces. Her ability to move in the front or back has made her a great asset for the Jackets, as well as Legacy 15-1 Adidas.
Laurece Abraham Laurece Abraham 6'1" | MB Country Day | 2023 State #111 Nation MI , MB Detroit Country Day/Legacy (2023)
Abraham is a 6’1” middle that has a high ceiling. She was part of a deep attack at Country Day, so getting a lot of swings weren’t an option. Still, she put down 104 kills and had 32 blocks for the D2 contender. Those numbers are only going to grow as she takes on a larger role in the years to come. Abraham has been a great option in the middle for Legacy 15-1 Adidas as well, getting a chance to compete against the best nationally.
Honorable Mention: Margo Sudzina, S Notre Dame Prep/Unified (2023); Kaitlyn Hoffman, L/DS Clarkston/Legacy (2023); Lauren Heming Lauren Heming 5'6" | DS/L Marian | 2023 State MI , L/DS Marian/Team Detroit (2023); Sophia Dawkins Sophia Dawkins 5'9" | S Berkley | 2023 MI , S/DS Berkley/Legacy (2023); Gabrielle Kaminski Gabrielle Kaminski 5'10" | S South Lyon | 2023 MI , S/OH South Lyon/Michigan Elite (2023); Reagan Sass Reagan Sass 5'10" | OH Marian | 2023 State MI , OH/MH Marian/Michigan Elite (2023); Ella Schomer Ella Schomer 6'0" | RS Marian | 2023 State #142 Nation MI , OH Marian/Michigan Elite (2023); Ella Shields Ella Shields 5'5" | DS/L Mercy | 2023 State MI , L/DS Mercy/Legacy (2023); Rylie Madison, L/DS Novi Franklin Road Christian/Legacy (2023); Irena Thomas, OH Roeper/Force (2023).