2025 Top 250 Expo Player Evaluations Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2025 put on a real show at the Michigan Top 250 Expo in Pontiac this past weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a total of 54 prospects in the class at the Expo, there's a lot of analysis to get through.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's our first part of the 2025 player evaluations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Julia Angert, DS/L St. Joseph Academy/ClevPRIME</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264788,"width":225,"height":149,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/41-Julia-Angert.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264788" width="225" height="149" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Julia Angert</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Angert was crossing the border from Ohio to join these prospects in Pontiac. She represented Ohio defenders well as she was fundamentally sound with her passing and also had a quick sprawl to get to tough digs. Angert also had a very upbeat and positive attitude despite being in an unfamiliar environment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156284' first='Gabriella' last='Babinski'], RS South Lyon East/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Babinski is a long hitting option at 6'2” and she uses her length well with an athletic swing to go with it. She generates a lot of velocity on her attacks and is able to put points away at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Sophia Barber, OH Northwood/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barber had a good energy when she was on the court. She adapted well with every drill and looked at home on the floor during 6 on 6 matchups. Barber never appeared to be forcing swings or plays, she let things come to her and made some nice plays offensive and defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156285' first='Tina' last='Barnekova'], MH Rochester Adams/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barnekova is a player that always looks very determined and like she has something to prove. That leads to a lot of powerful swings that get through opposing blocks. She's got a chip on her shoulder and is a good athlete to boot, so Barnekova is going places.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261206' first='Sarah' last='Bradley'], OH Everest Collegiate/Unified</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bradley had a smooth swing that you look for in a young hitter. She was also quick to transition from offense to defense and make a key play. Bradley also was an effort player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'], OH Marian/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's not much you need to say about Busignani, as she has clearly established herself as one of the top prospects in the class. She's got all the shots in her arsenal. She can dial up a heater that competes with anyone, but also has a high court IQ to work in her offspeed attacks with great placement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261152' first='Grace' last='Cooney'], MB Hartland/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooney showed good endurance throughout the Expo, as she never tired on her blocking efforts and was committed to each rep and point. Her attacks were difficult for opponents to handle, as she plays well above the net as a 6-foot middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange'], DS/L Gull Lake/Dead Frog</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264795,"width":230,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/48-Taygan-Corstange.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264795" width="230" height="192" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corstange was sometimes a blur as she flew around the back row to get to the ball. She was a high-effort, high-motor defender that was willing to get beat up to make a play. That's not to overshadow her form, which was solid as well, but her energy level was inspired.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'], OH SMCC/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Costlow is another that's established her name in this class. She's got the good mixture of shots and arm speeds and has proven to be a finisher on the outside and the middle. Costlow also has always improved upon her defense and serving while always staying very composed on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'], S Northville/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Craggs also finds herself as a top prospect in the class. Things just seem to come very naturally for her on the court. Her performance during drills looked effortless, but still got the top results. She brought the best out of each hitter she worked with as well, putting the ball in a high-percentage spot for them time and time again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261190' first='Makayla' last='Credit'], OH South Lyon East/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Credit caught some eyeballs with a handful of her swings as she was able to deliver highlight-reel kills. Credit had a lot of explosion off the floor and her swing looked like it was in slow motion at times with how long she was able to hang and build up her arm speed. Credit was someone that also quickly applied instruction that coaches gave her and improved throughout the Expo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='196766' first='Tara' last='Creekmore'], OH Plymouth/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Creekmore was able to get the most out of a lot of her swings. Whether the sets were off, or she was out-of-system, Creekmore still got solid contact and placed the ball in a spot that challenged the defense. She also was able to take impactful swings from the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222957' first='Breanna' last='David'], OH Bay City Western/Five:1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>David got a little dinged up during the Expo, but she fought through and showed a lot of heart and determination. What impressed about David was her ability to adapt to some inaccurate sets on the fly and still find ways to score. She had quick reactions and instinctively knew where to place the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261163' first='Jenna' last='Dziekan'], MB Brighton/Dynamite</strong> </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dziekan had some promising swings throughout the Expo, but her blocking is what stood out. At 6'1” with athleticism, she was slowing down a lot of opposing attacks and just had a good feel for being in the right spot and when to go up for the block. As her hitting continues to improve, Dziekan will be a real force.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->