2025 Rankings Update: Top 10 Outside Hitters
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This past week saw the release of our latest 2025 Player Rankings. It’s a deep class with a lot of promising talent. Each position has some elite-level players, including the outsides. Here’s a look at the 10 that lead the…
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Continue ReadingThis past week saw the release of our latest 2025 Player Rankings.
It’s a deep class with a lot of promising talent.
Each position has some elite-level players, including the outsides.
Here’s a look at the 10 that lead the way in this class.
1. Navea Gauthier Navea Gauthier 6'1" | OH Shelby | 2025 State #56 Nation MI , Shelby/FaR Out
Coming off a prep season where she amassed nearly 1,000 kills, there’s just no looking past Gauthier. She’s already established herself as a special talent that many colleges have their eyes on. With close to 1,600 kills in two prep seasons, Gauthier is within reach to challenge the MHSAA all-time kills record of Alisha Glass (3,584). She’s also shown improvement in her all-around game, adding in 513 digs and 136 aces during the season as well.
2. Isabelle Busignani Isabelle Busignani 6'1" | OH Marian | 2025 State #73 Nation MI , Marian/Michigan Elite
Busignani already looks like a season veteran, helping Marian win a third consecutive D1 championship while being the leading hitter on the squad. The 6’1” sophomore had 531 kills while hitting .303. She also added 331 digs, 40 aces and 33 blocks. She never shied away from being an on-court leader and she continues to add different aspects to her game.
3. Layla Visser Layla Visser 5'11" | OH Rockford | 2025 State MI , Rockford/MVA
Visser showed a lot of improvement during her sophomore season compared to her freshman year. The 6-foot outside racked up 283 kills and 67 blocks, as well as 116 digs during the fall. Her finishing rate and blocking instincts improved a lot, and showed what’s on the horizon in the years to come.
4. Jessica Costlow Jessica Costlow 5'11" | OH SMCC | 2025 State #142 Nation MI , SMCC/Michigan Elite
Costlow is a real competitor on the floor and has proven she can be the go-to outside for a program. She hit .360 this past fall for SMCC while tallying an impressive 588 kills with 415 digs and 59 aces. Costlow is a force in all areas of the game and continues to push herself to getting better. She may not have some of the flash of other hitters, but she’s as consistent and reliable a player as you can ask for.
5. Marie Laurio Marie Laurio 5'10" | OH Saline | 2025 State #147 Nation MI , Saline/Legacy
Laurio really broke out in the fall of 2022. She had 471 kills, 373 digs and 53 aces for Saline while helping the Hornets get to the Division 1 semifinals. A 5’10” six-rotation outside, Laurio has all the tools you look for when laying the foundation of a team. She’s got the drive to be great and helps lift her teammates play as well.
6. Gabriella Babinski Gabriella Babinski 6'1" | RS South Lyon East | 2025 State MI , South Lyon East/Michigan Elite
Babinski is part of a South Lyon East program that has a lot of promising talent. She’s leading the way after a fall season where she had 215 kills, 198 digs, 72 aces and 30 blocks. Babinski turned her game up another level in the later stages of the season against the top competition. Look for her to be a breakout star in 2023.
7. Adelee Kaiton Adelee Kaiton 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Eastern | 2025 State MI , Forest Hills Eastern/MVA
Kaiton packs a lot of punch on the court. The 5’9” outside can deliver a powerful attack at the net, but also has showcased a technically sound back-row swing. She moves very smoothly around the floor and is a reliable defender while also being a dominant offensive force.
8. Chloe Giehtbrock Chloe Giehtbrock 6'2" | S Marian | 2025 State MI , Clarkston/L2
Giehtbrock is part of our outside rankings, but is making a jump this club season into the setter position. She’s proven she can play any position on the floor in previous club seasons, and has the athleticism to succeed at this new venture. Giehtbrock plays very relaxed, but has a high court IQ that she can apply to setter. At 6’2”, she could find herself as a great college prospect if this position change works out.
9. Sophia Barber Sophia Barber 6'0" | OH Northwood | 2025 State IN , Marian/Michigan Elite
Barber is making the move from Indiana, so this next year will give us a chance to really see what she can bring to the state of Michigan. She took part in the most recent Top 250 Expo in the state and looked every bit the part of a sound outside. She had the powerful swing and good technique while also being a defensive stalwart.
10. Cambria Gaier Cambria Gaier 5'11" | OH Caledonia | 2025 State MI , Caledonia/FaR Out
Gaier was a leading offense force for Caledonia this past fall. She recorded 288 kills with 234 digs and 34 blocks. What stood out about Gaier was her control. She didn’t try to force a power swing when it wasn’t there. She had a good feel for her setter and was patient to get the most out of her attacks. Gaier showed the ability to finish off the net and in the back row, then really dialed it up when the offense was in-system.