Motor City Madness Showcase: 2025 Hitter Evaluations

<p>The Motor City Madness Showcase was held Friday night with a lot of impressive 2025 hitters taking part.</p> <p>Outsides, OPPs, middles all had promising showings for college coaches on hand.</p> <p>Here’s what I saw from each of the 2025 hitters that took part.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="189713" first="Addison" last="Ashley"], MH Saline: </strong>Ashley really played the ball well and was able to often get to her attack when the set was at its peak. She was very imposing defensively as well.</p> [caption id="attachment_192168" align="alignright" width="197"]<img class="wp-image-192168" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/04/Babinski-291x300.jpg" alt="" width="197" height="203" /> [player_tooltip player_id="156284" first="Gabriella" last="Babinski"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156284" first="Gabriella" last="Babinski"], RS South Lyon East/Michigan Elite: </strong>Babinski really soared through the air on her attacks and was able to deliver some powerful shots. Her consistency at the net made Babinski really stand out.</p> <p><strong>Micalah Bottom, OH Skyline/HVVC: </strong>Bottom had a lot of strong moments offensively and defensively. She showcased a lot of all-around skill with her long frame. As she dials up the aggression a little more frequently, she can become a major game-changer.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156287" first="Isabelle" last="Busignani"], OH Marian/Michigan Elite: </strong>Busignani was definitely one of the top performers of the event. At 6-foot, she displays a lot of range and athleticism and is able to deliver a powerful attack from a variety of locations and arm angles. She adapted very well to out-of-system balls and moves very efficiently in the back row.</p> <p><strong>Amia Coates, MH Cass Tech/Fair Play VBC: </strong>Coates was at her best when she was able to display her blocking. She had a lot of good instincts for getting her hand on opposing attacks. She’s quick and athletic, but had some happy feet offensively at times. When she was able to get a good feel for the ball, Coates showed she has a high ceiling.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156292" first="Jessica" last="Costlow"], OH SMCC/Michigan Elite: </strong>Costlow was another top standout. She makes plays look quite effortless and looks like she is on auto pilot while moving on the floor. Costlow knows where to be and is prepared to make any play. She’s dominant on the outside or the middle, but also has a great serve and defensive skills.</p> <p><strong>Kimberlee Credit, MH South Lyon East/Michigan Elite: </strong>Credit got a little ahead of herself at times, but when she slowed down and got her timing right, she had a great swing. Credit was a very vocal player and also was able to take the coaching she received and apply it quickly.</p> <p><strong>Emma Harrington, OH Anchor Bay/Michigan Elite: </strong>Harrington had impressive velocity on her attacks and kept finding the openings on the other side of the net. She was one of the most consistent finishers in her grouping.</p> <p><strong>Hannah Kangas, RS Dexter/HVVC: </strong>Kangas had really good eyes in terms she was focused in on how the play was developing. That, along with her good footwork and movement, gave her great chances to succeed on her attacks.</p> <p><strong>Addison Markja, RS Trenton/Michigan Elite: </strong>Markja had some of the most powerful swings in this group. She had her timing down with her various setters very quickly. Where she can improve is on her play in the back row. She got caught a little flat-footed at times.</p> [caption id="attachment_192170" align="alignright" width="192"]<img class="wp-image-192170" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/04/Swift-283x300.jpg" alt="" width="192" height="204" /> Jonae Swift[/caption] <p><strong>Jonae Swift, MH Cass Tech/Fair Play VC: </strong>Swift really was able to catch your eye as she didn’t have the vertical of many of her peers at the showcase, but she found ways to finish points offensively and defensively. She was a real force blocking and held her own on her attacks. Swift connected at the peak of the sets that came her way and had great speed on the ball.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="191143" first="Sidney" last="White"], RS Saline/Michigan Elite: </strong>White had standout all-around skills. She could excel defensively and offensively. Early on she was having trouble with location on her attacks, but she made the necessary adjustments and proved to be a finisher.</p> <p><strong>Kennedy Williams, MH Farmington/Michigan Elite: </strong>Williams was really long on the block. She utilized her length and timing very well defensively. Along with some good swings on offense, Williams actually showcased some good passing when the time called for it.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="191749" first="Abigail" last="Wutka"], MH Dakota/Michigan Elite: </strong>Wutka was really impressive with her ability to stay in the air on her swings. She had great hang time and it lead to some eye-popping attacks. Wutka was also a player that you really saw get better over the showcase. She looked frustrated at times, but that may have just been her drive to be the best.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156285" first="Tina" last="Barnekova"], MH Rochester Adams/Michigan Elite: </strong>Barnekova is just a good all-around athlete. For being a middle, she showcased the ability to serve, pass and defend at a high level. She also had a lot of athleticism on her swings. She raised her game to match the talented hitters she was competing with.</p>