2025 Top 250 Expo Player Evaluations Part 3

<!-- 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 third part of the 2025 player evaluations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264816,"width":210,"height":153,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/70-Kennedi-Miller.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264816" width="210" height="153" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='224602' first='Kennedi' last='Miller']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224602' first='Kennedi' last='Miller'], MB Lake Orion/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller is a prospect that's shown a lot of growth with her play in the last year. At 6'3”, she's got tremendous length that leads to a lot of blocking defensively. She gets to a lot of attacks and forces opposing hitters to have to change up their plans. Offensively, Miller is growing into her swing and looking more technically sound each time I see her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261187' first='Madison' last='Murry-Tinker'], DS/L Shrine/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murry-Tinker was a very scrappy defender. She played with a chip on her shoulder and looked determined to make every play. Murry-Tinker often made those plays because she's got a quick first step. Her eyes are very active as well as laser-focused on where the ball is heading.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261192' first='Makenzie' last='Nearman'], MH Bullock Creek/Five:1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nearman is very active at the net, always ready for the ball to come her way. She showcased a lot of solid out-of-system swings and isn't afraid to use offspeed shots to finish points. Nearman has a lot of different swings and angles to use, which makes her a crafty middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt'], DS/L Clarkston/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newblatt always looks very comfortable and confident on the floor. She's in complete control of her spots in the back row and makes her defensive play look effortless. Newblatt also has the athleticism to be an offensive force in the back row, as she has a strong swing from the back row that generates a lot of speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264820,"width":205,"height":156,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/74-Ava-Oleski.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264820" width="205" height="156" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156346' first='Ava' last='Oleski']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156346' first='Ava' last='Oleski'], OH Croswell-Lexington/Team 27</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oleski has a swing that consistently delivers. She does a good job and bringing the ball down at a sharp angle that's tough to defend, but also is able to attack from the back row with a lot of velocity. Oleski made the job easy for her setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='Mckenna' last='Payne'], DS/L SMCC/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best there is in the state at her position, Payne has all the skills you can ask for on a volleyball court. Her defensive play is hard to match. She's got the quickness, technique and composure to be an elite-level player. Payne's athleticism also allows her to be a force as a hitter when need be. There's no aspect of the game she isn't willing to tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236712' first='Chelsea' last='Pearce'], DS/L Mattawan</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pearce was a scrambler that was able to keep a lot of plays alive through her effort defensively. She had good anticipation for the play and where the hitters were planning to go, which allowed her to come through with some tough digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261197' first='Mikayla' last='Princinsky'], MB Brighton/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Princinsky brought some good pop to her attacks in the early going, as she put a lot of force into her swing. As she continues to work on small aspects of her swing, she can conserve a little energy per attack to stay more consistent with each individual swing. Princinsky has a lot of natural athleticism that makes her a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264824,"width":205,"height":148,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/79-Anna-Rich.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264824" width="205" height="148" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='224603' first='Anna' last='Rich']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224603' first='Anna' last='Rich'], S Troy/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rich was another scrappy player that was very quick to react to anything happening on the court. She had quick hands and good space awareness. Rich knew where to get the ball on the opposing side even during a scramble. When it came to her setting, Rich showed the ability to locate the ball anywhere across the net with a high-rate of success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261203' first='Reya' last='Rojeski'], RS Dakota/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rojeski did a good job of letting the play come to her and not trying to force a full speed swing when it wasn't there. Her out-of-system attacks were among the most consistent at the Expo. She still put some good pop on them and made them challenging for defenders. When getting in-system swings, Rojeski showed good arm speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261133' first='Chelsea' last='Russ'], MH Hanover Horton/Flight</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Russ was able to showcase her hangtime, which allowed her to put down some shots when the sets were a little high or off location. At just 5'9”, Russ has a longer wingspan, which allowed her to attack at strong angles and also make good swings when coming back down to the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261174' first='Kaylin' last='Schroeder'], S Bedford/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schroeder was an effort player that had a lot of command and communication as a setter. She was very engaged in the drills and the points. While her sets were in control and in good location, her effort was very noticeable in defense and with her ability to make plays during scrambles at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224604' first='Katerina' last='Stout'], MH Dakota/Michigan Elite</strong> </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'1”, Stout showed a lot of agility and good footwork to be a force anywhere at the net. She had her shots lined up well to hit some tough angles on the court and played ahead of her blockers. Stout was quick to get to a spot and always seemed ahead of the play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->