Oakland County’s 2025 Standouts For 2023 Season
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In a deep talent pool of Oakland County, the Class of 2025 may have the brightest stars.
Heading into the 2023 prep season, a number of incoming juniors are set to make a big statement in the area.
Babinski is listed as a OPP, but she’s got all the skills of a six-rotation player and brings elite size at 6’2”. Babinski is a consistent finisher at the net with a good mix of power and offspeed swings. She’s also been a real force from the service line for the Cougars. As she adds dimensions to her defensive game, Babinski has the potential to become a dominant player.
Busignani came through with a big sophomore season, leading the Marian offense to the Division 1 state championship once again. Izzy can bring a lot of power on her swings, and she’s able to take on a big offensive workload. While her attacking is at an elite level, she’s been working hard to bring her defensive game to that level as well.
Collins is a defensive standout to go along with being an outside hitter option. Collins is a player that can rack up a lot of digs quickly with her good instincts in the back row and her ability to time up a lunge and dive to get under the ball for a difficult dig. As an offensive player, Collins brings a lot of sound technique and timing to the position. She mixes up her shots and angles well.
Giehtbrock has made the move to the Marian program, home of the three-time defending D1 champions. It’s unclear as of now just what Giehtbrock’s availability will be for the Mustangs this fall, but she’s been focusing on becoming a setter, playing the position exclusively this club season with L2. Along with her focus on setting, Giehtbrock has brought the skills of an outside to the prep floor in the past for Clarkston. Either way, the 6’2” Giehtbrock is motivated to make an impact wherever she finds herself.
Grenadier is also another elite-level talent in this class. She’s one of the top middles you can find in the Midwest. She’s been able to make an impact at a variety of positions for Country Day, but she steps into 2023 as the clear power arm for the offense. The 6’1” middle has big power with great blocking instincts and a competitive fire that is hard to match.
Flynn has established herself as one of the top 2025 prospects in the nation, let alone Michigan. The 6’2” Flynn has outstanding instincts and athleticism to shine as a setter. She pushes a fast pace and reads defenses very well. Flynn also has tremendous attacking skills. She can deliver a power swing as well as she can deliver a set. Flynn can impact the game in so many ways.
Johnson has been an impact player for South Lyon East already. As a sophomore she was the team block leader while also being one of the kills leaders. Johnson has been working on being a more consistent finisher, while also dialing up another gear in her effort and relentlessness at the net. If Johnson stays locked in, she will be one of the top middles in the state.
Kattula is another one of the do-everything players to come through the Notre Dame Prep program. As a sophomore, Kattula was a top attacker, a setter, a server, a passer and a blocker. With the Irish graduating a lot of senior leadership, Kattula will definitely be one NDP will turn to to be a leader in production guidance. If history tells us anything, Kattula will fill the role just fine.
Another strong middle in Oakland County, the 6’3” Miller is in line to be one of the most improved players in 2023. The Dragons will be looking for new offensive standouts and Miller showed flashes to be that player last fall. Miller hit .380 as a sophomore while leading the team in blocks despite missing nearly a third of the season.
Injuries kept Newblatt from seeing a lot of action in the 2022 prep season, but she has still displayed a lot of promise over her first two years as a varsity player. Newblatt is a high IQ kid to have on the floor. She can come through with highlight reel digs and attacks, but puts all her energy into each point and opportunity. I think this fall will be a real breakout opportunity for her.
Williams is another big piece at the net for the Cougars in 2023. She was one of the most consistent finishers for East in 2022, hitting .315 on her attacks. Williams also was a big blocking force as a 6’1” middle, slowing up a lot of opposing attacks if she didn’t make the block outright. With a great supporting cast around her, it only makes Williams a bigger threat to become a dominant player.
