2025 Prospect Roulette: June Edition
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Continue ReadingPrepDig is putting on the Michigan Stock Up Showcase for Class of 2024-26 prospects on July 22 in Pontiac. Click here to sign up for the event. You can use promo code “EllisDig2023” for $10 off your registration.
Last month we did our first 2025 Prospect Roulette.
This is a way to spread the wealth of our prospect coverage, not just hitting on the top names all the time.
Here’s how it works: Each month, I’ll pop up a random number generator that includes the 2025 rankings. I’ll generate six numbers and the six that come up will be the ranking of the player. I’ll then spotlight those players in the article to help give them some more attention.
I’ll do the same for four watch list players.
There’s 40 players ranked in our Class of 2025 and 63 on the Watch List. Let’s see who has the lucky numbers this month:
27. Jillian Collins Jillian Collins 5'11" | OH Mercy | 2025 State MI , OH Mercy/Legacy
Collins is a scrappy player that is strong defensively as she is as an attacker. In the back row, she can be a real workhorse that racks up a lot of digs quickly and has the quickness and instincts to get to most balls that come in her vicinity. Offensively, Collins uses her high court IQ to mix up shots and find a home for her attacks.
38. Amelia Klos Amelia Klos 6'0" | OH Anchor Bay | 2025 State MI , OH Anchor Bay/Legacy
Klos can play anywhere along the net, both pins and the middle. Her patience is what stands out, as she doesn’t rush her swing and allows herself to process what she needs to do to succeed based on the set. With accurate feeds, she can deliver a lot of power and a make a highlight-reel kill. When out-of-system, Klos adapts well to the ball and still puts a strong touch on it without exerting much effort.
22. Mallory Reck Mallory Reck 5'10" | RS Northville | 2025 State MI , RS Northville/Legacy
Reck is able to generate a lot of power while making it look relatively effortless. She brings a lot of downward force and can power the ball through blockers while still hitting tight spots as well. Reck stays light on her feet and active in defense, giving her a solid all-around game that is very valuable for Northville to have.
4. McKenna Payne McKenna Payne 5'7" | DS/L SMCC | 2025 State #105 Nation MI , DS/L SMCC/Michigan Elite
Payne has worked hard to be one of the best defenders in the state. She’s had to face a lot of top hitters from a young age, but the countless reps and experience has paid off for Payne. The 2025 libero always looks very composed on the floor and she isn’t having to make a lot of last-second jumps or lunges to get to the ball. Payne stays low to the floor and uses her knowledge and instincts to be in good position to make an accurate pass without expelling a lot of effort.
31. Addison Newblatt Addison Newblatt 5'9" | OH Clarkston | 2025 State MI , OH Clarkston/Michigan Elite
Newblatt is a great utility player that can impact the game in a number of ways. She’s worked hard at improving her first contact, and being a better all-around defender. That goes along with being a great back-row attack option. Newblatt can deliver a lot of power and challenge defenders from the back row. She also has a strong serve that can start a lot of scoring rallies for her team.
17. Ella Taatjes Ella Taatjes 6'0" | MB East Grand Rapids | 2025 State MI , MB East Grand Rapids/MVA
A 6-foot middle from the Grand Rapids area, Taatjes is very imposing at the net, both offensively and defensively. The effort she puts in to her blocking makes her very challenging to get the ball past without slowing it down significantly. Offensively, Taatjes plays with a lot of awareness, mixing in offspeed shots to go with her powerful swing.
WL Layna Waselewsky Layna Waselewsky 5'5" | DS/L Forest Hills Eastern | 2025 State MI , DS/L Forest Hills Eastern/FaR Out
Waselewsky is a high-energy player with a drive to be great. She’s likely in line for a breakout fall season with an opportunity to take on a bigger role with Forest Hills Eastern. Waselewsky stays very active and can bolt around the floor to get to the ball. She’s never going to give up on the play and will put herself through a lot of bumps and bruises to succeed.
WL Kaitlyn Pallozzi Kaitlyn Pallozzi 5'11" | MB Mercy | 2025 MI , MB Mercy/Michigan Elite
Pallozzi is a player that got to see some time with the varsity later in the 2022 season and that should come in handy heading into 2023. She’s got the ability to play the outside or the middle and is an athletic talent that uses her high court IQ to make plays at either position. While she doesn’t have the size of some of her peers, she knows how to work around it and still make plays.
WL Keira McNutt Keira McNutt 5'9" | DS/L Mercy | 2025 State MI , DS/L Mercy/L2
McNutt is another that got a chance to play a key role down the stretch for Mercy and was able to shine. She’s in for a big 2023 season after wearing the libero jersey against some of the state’s top hitters last November. McNutt has a laser focus while moving around the court and reading opposing hitters. She gets to great positioning and her passing form shows little need for maintenance.
WL Sidney Shepherd Sidney Shepherd 5'9" | RS Whitehall | 2025 MI , RS/S Whitehall
Shepherd shows a lot of promise and is an impact player for Whitehall. As a hitter, she hit and impressive .383 last fall despite being the clear setting leader for the team as well. Shepherd just has a good feel for the game and the way a point is developing. She runs a balanced offense that saw six different players rack up over 115 kills during the 2022 season. Shepherd is the catalyst for it all, also making an impact with her serving and blocking.