NCAA Tournament Guide: Former Michigan stars to look out for
The 2021 NCAA Volleyball Tournament is set to get underway this week, starting on Thursday. While we at Prep Dig always focus on upcoming college talent, it’s nice to get the occasional look at what some of past players are…
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Continue ReadingThe 2021 NCAA Volleyball Tournament is set to get underway this week, starting on Thursday.
While we at Prep Dig always focus on upcoming college talent, it’s nice to get the occasional look at what some of past players are doing at the next level.
This year’s field of 64 teams includes a lot of former Michigan prep stars that will be looking to make a name for themselves on the national stage. Here’s your guide to the former Michiganders that will be competing.
Ball State: The Cardinals won the MAC Tournament behind the play of tournament MVP Natalie Risi, a former Miss Volleyball finalist for Notre Dame Prep. Risi has been doing a little bit of everything for the Cardinals in her junior year. She has 183 kills, 335 digs, 29 blocks, 59 assists and 24 aces on the year.
Campbell: The Camels have North Branch senior Madee Miner on the roster as a setter. She leads the Big South champs in assists with 557 while adding 237 digs, 35 kills and 40 aces.
Dayton: The Flyers have Stoney Creek senior middle Molly Asmus on the roster. She has appeared in eight sets this season.
Fairfield: The Metro Atlantic Conference champions have gotten big production from SMCC freshman outside hitter Mikayla Haut. She was named Rookie of the Year in the conference with 223 kills, 48 blocks and 98 digs.
Iowa State: The Cyclones have Detroit Renaissance senior hitter Solei Thomas on their roster. She has appeared in 11 sets on the season and has seven kills for ISU.
Marquette: The Golden Eagles include Lowell freshman outside hitter Jenna Reitsma. In her freshman season, Reitsma has 123 kills, 79 digs, 34 blocks and 12 aces.
Michigan: Not surprising, Michigan has hit the in-state recruiting hard. The Wolverines have a lot of talent from the mitten. Jess Mruzik, the former Miss Volleyball winner for Mercy, is having a great sophomore season at outside hitter. She is leading the team with 376 kills and also has 266 digs, 48 blocks and 28 aces. Northville’s Hannah Grant is playing her sophomore season at libero and is leading the team in digs with 440. She also has 140 assists and 29 aces. Troy junior middle Jess Robinson has been hitting close to .300 this season with 172 kills while adding 95 blocks. Skyline sophomore outside Kendall Murray has added 86 kills and 144 digs for U-M. Marian’s Maddie Dowd is in her junior year at setter with the Wolverines, while Clarkston’s Abbey Malinowski is in her senior season at outside hitter.
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs have Troy sophomore OPP Francesca McBride as part of their roster. She has appeared in 43 sets this season with 43 kills, 18 blocks and 18 digs.
Pepperdine: Lake Orion freshman middle Reagan Goeke is part of the Waves this season. She has played in 31 sets this fall with 19 kills and 17 blocks.
Purdue: The sixth-ranked Boilermakers have former Miss Volleyball winner Madeline Chinn on the roster. The junior outside hitter has 54 kills over 33 sets of action this season. She also has 11 blocks and 21 digs.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks have sophomore middle Ellie Ruprich from Groves on the roster. The 6’3” Ruprich has 138 kills with 110 blocks on the season.
Utah: The Utes include Harrison senior Stef Jankiewicz, a transfer from Illinois State. Jankiewicz has recorded 1,036 assists this season with 258 digs, 59 kills, 43 blocks and 29 aces.
Western Kentucky: WKU includes junior outside from Lake Orion, Paige Briggs. Briggs led the Dragons to a state championship and has 265 kills, 243 digs, 33 blocks and 29 aces this season. Hudson setter Callie Bauer is in her freshman season with he Hilltoppers.