2026 Top 250 Expo Player Evaluations Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Michigan Top 250 Expo was an opportunity for the Class of 2026 showcase the talent it has.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A group of 29 members from the class put their skills on display and had a solid Expo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the first of two player evaluations from the 2026 prospects that competed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264759,"width":232,"height":173,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/1-Ella-Azbell.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264759" width="232" height="173" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='261140' first='Ella' last='Azbell']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261140' first='Ella' last='Azbell'], OH Holly/High Performance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Azbell seemed a little apprehensive at times, but when she pushed herself she got in on some impressive plays. Azbell could put down a high-speed ball and also was able to quickly scramble on defense. She needs to have a little more trust in her skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226877' first='Olivia' last='Beaudrie'], DS/L SMCC/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beaudrie was a great hustle player throughout the showcase and was able to make a lot of tough plays. Her effort and ability to make a difficult pass look easy allowed her to shine through. She's surrounded by a lot of strong passers at SMCC, so she will be well-coached for the next three years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261135' first='Clare' last='Beazley'], MB Saline/HVVC</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Approaching 6-foot, Beazley is likely to continue to grow and be a towering middle. She's already got a wingspan that's hard for others to compete with. I think she can tap into her size a little more and use it to her advantage, but that should come as she develops more aspects of her swing. Beazley has the basics down, so she's got a high ceiling over the next three years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame'], DS/L Northville/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burlingame was a prospect that really attacked the day. She went for every ball on every play. She didn't always make the play, but it never slowed her down from continuing to play aggressively and with energy. Her work ethic will be a great asset as she continues to sharpen her technical side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226885' first='Allie' last='Davison'], S Marian/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davison had a very smooth set and showed a lot of athleticism in her feeds, making quality sets from a variety of challenging angles and speeds. You can tell Davison is a well-coached prospect that is technically sound.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264764,"width":235,"height":163,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/7-Aubree-Deshetsky.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264764" width="235" height="163" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'], OH North Branch/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deshetsky plays with a veteran level of poise and focus that you don't see from many young prospects. She's technically sound in all areas of the game and never looks rattled. There isn't a play she can't make and she's only getting better. Don't mistake her poise for a lack of intensity though, as you can tell she is a driven athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261181' first='Laurin' last='Edwards'], MH Cass Tech/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 5'8” Edwards may not have looked too intimidating in the middle, but she sure left an impression. She was a deceptively quick and powerful player that made up for her size with a lot of good footwork and athleticism. Edwards made blocks that you didn't expect, then delivered some thunderous kills as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226895' first='Jillian' last='Ferrill'], OH Lake Fenton/High Performance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ferrill was working out at a variety of positions and looking like a standout at each of them. She's long and athletic but can move very well in the back row. Ferrill also has very active eyes. She's laser focused on seeing the play develop and being one step ahead. Her diverse skills and being able to excel in so many places made her a definite standout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261147' first='Emma' last='Flick'], DS/L Traverse City West/NorthShore</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flick was a lunch-pail player. She arrived and was ready to get to work. Flick put a lot of effort and energy into her drills and was good at finding ways to improve with each session. She was also a vocal player, both in support of her peers, but also in controlling the back row and taking command when need be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226897' first='Charlotte' last='Gramzow'], DS/L Lutheran High Northwest/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gramzow was an explosive defender that could make a lot of athletic plays that some of her other defenders couldn't. With that said, she also showed a lot of impressive skills offensively. She had a back row swing that brought a lot of velocity and hit sharp angles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264769,"width":241,"height":159,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/13-Marleigh-Hemstreet.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264769" width="241" height="159" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='261194' first='Marleigh' last='Hemstreet']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261194' first='Marleigh' last='Hemstreet'], S Linden/High Performance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hemstreet didn't overthink her sets and kept a steady performance throughout the Expo. She wasn't as flashy as others, but still was very effective. One of her top traits was her communication skills. She directed her hitters very well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping'], S Imlay City/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keeping did a good job of quickly getting a feel for new cycles of hitters she worked with. She also was a very coachable player, as she applied tips that the staff were giving to her right away. Keeping was a prospect that got better and better throughout the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226906' first='Reagan' last='Lesley'], MB Chippewa Valley/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lesley was one of the most consistent hitters in the class when it came to putting a pop on each swing. She was able to generate steady power with each attack. Lesley also had a nice swing while fading back from the net, allowing her to finish points on out-of-system balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261202' first='Peyton' last='Lowes'], S Northville/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lowes had a good motor, as she was great at sticking with the play and being ready to make a set from a tough angle or challenging speed from her passer. Her quickness and attentiveness also allowed her to come through with some challenging defensive plays during a scramble at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261208' first='Skylar' last='Marteen'], OH Northville/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marteen was one of the more explosive players in this class. She lifted off the floor with a lot of ease and had a lot of arm speed to go with it. Once the ball was hit, it was on the floor in a flash. With the power and the quickness there, she's going to develop into a great all-around player as she improves on her defensive skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->