2023 Michigan Miss Volleyball Award: Meet the finalists
Ten high school players have been named finalists for Michigan Miss Volleyball 2023; this is the 20th anniversary year.
Only seniors are considered for the award, sponsored by the Free Press since 2003.
Finalists are selected by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association. This year’s nominees, in alphabetical order:
Gianna Bender
School: Hudsonville.
Position: Libero.
Height: 5 feet 6.
2022 stats: Played all 128 sets, 90% serve accuracy, 2.27 points per set, 5.33 digs per set, 0.65 dig percentage.
The buzz: Bender earned all-league, all-region and second team all-state last year. Also reached 1,000 career digs last season. Helped team to district championship in 2022, and the final four in her sophomore season. Carries a 3.957 grade-point average.
College plans: San Diego State.
Cayla Cogan
School: Clarkston.
Position: Outside/middle hitter.
Height: 5-10
2022 stats: None provided.
The buzz: Led the Wolves to the regional championship and the Division 1 state quarterfinals. Made all-regional team. MaxPrep's No. 1 ranking for kills and hitting percentage.
College plans: George Washington.
Zoey Dood
School: Grandville.
Position: Setter.
Height: 6-2.
2022 stats: 380 assists, 168 digs, 176 kills.
The buzz: Team each year had a winning record with Dood as the setter. All-region and all-state second team last year and had a match-high 35 kills against East Kentwood last season in the OK Red conference tournament. Ranked No. 1 in PrepDig for Michigan. Carries a 3.8 GPA.
College plans: Virginia.
Elana Erickson
School: Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern.
Position: Outside hitter.
Height: 5-10.
Career stats: 6.79 points per set, 1,390 serves, 220 aces, 3,282 attacks, 1,252 kills, 913 digs.
The buzz: Four-year starter at Northern, earning All-OK Conference her first three years, all-region as a sophomore and junior, and all-state second team as a junior. Northern went 44-5-1 last year, losing in the state semifinals to state champ Birmingham Marian.
College plans: Western Michigan.
Hailey Green
School: North Branch.
Position: Libero.
Height: 5-2.
Stats: None provided.
The buzz: First team all-state as a sophomore and junior, earned Division 2 Dream Team MVP at the state finals. Co-led team to the state championship last season with a 3-0 sweep in the semifinals over Grand Rapids South Christian and Cadillac in the finals.
College plans: Undecided.
Adrienne Greschaw
School: North Branch
Position: Setter.
Height: 5-8.
Stats: Ranked No. 21 nationally with 1,286 assists, 254 digs, 64 aces and 70 kills.
The buzz: First team all-state as a junior, when she was conference player of the year. Co-led team to the state championship last season with a 3-0 sweep in the semifinals over Grand Rapids South Christian and Cadillac in the finals.
College plans: Undecided.
Carley Piercefield
School: Lake Odessa-Lakewood
Position: Libero.
Height: 5-6.
Stats: 2,149 digs, 186 serve aces, 402 assists and 1895 serve reception attempts in her career.
The buzz: All-state first team as a sophomore and junior. Led team to three conference, district and regional titles, two final four appearances and one state runner-up finish. Team career record 125-27-1.
College plans: Western Michigan.
Taylor Smith
School: Pewamo-Westphalia.
Position: Setter.
Height: 6-1.
Stats: 208 kills, 2153 assists, 170 serve aces, 607 digs and 150 blocks in her career.
The buzz: Team is defending Division 3 state champions with a 46-2-2 record, made first team all-state last year and second team as a sophomore.
College plans: Eastern Michigan.
Isabelle Swiercz
School: Hudsonville.
Position: Outside hitter.
Height: 6-1.
Stats: 872 kills in the last two seasons combined, played all 128 sets with 4.44 kills per set and 0.31 blocks per set last year.
The buzz: Helped team to district championship in 2022 with a 44-6 record, and to the final four in her sophomore season. All-OK Red Conference the past two years, first team all-state as a junior. Carries 3.874 GPA.
College plans: Central Michigan.
Avery Weslow
School: Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central.
Position: Outside hitter.
Height: 5-11.
Stats: 871 kills, 915 digs, 227 serve aces, 1,017 serve receptions in her career.
The buzz: All-state second team, all-region. In the district tournament alone, Weslow had 52 kills, 36 digs and four serve aces. Carries a 3.8 GPA.
College plans: Undecided.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2023 Michigan Miss Volleyball Award: Meet the finalists
