2025 Rankings Update Breakdown: Liberos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We updated our&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2025-rankings/">2025 Player Rankings</a>&nbsp;this week, which is one of the best collective classes the state has seen in some time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The latest rankings were comprised by the Prep Dig Rankings Team. Here's a breakdown of the liberos and defenders, which has a lot of depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2025","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"32926","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"19892","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66184ff14b3f5"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Diverse leaders</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the top-ranked defenders, two have been excelling at different positions for their respective prep teams. Top-ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne']</strong> is undoubtedly the leader of the pack when it comes to being a libero. The Utah commit is as smooth as they come in the back row. However, for SMCC, Payne has played nearly every position and still helped the Kestrels perform at a high level. She's been a defender, a hitter, and a setter. No matter where she goes, Payne finds a way to succeed. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156339' first='Layna' last='Waselewsky'] </strong>of Forest Hills Eastern was a kill machine for her team this fall as a hitter. She was able to show her athleticism to be an offensive power, while still maintaining her elite play as a defender. Waselewsky is heading to Eastern Michigan in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Complete players</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top part of our rankings also feature liberos that are dig machines and have cemented themselves as the best of the best. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange'] </strong>of Gull Lake has a nose for the ball and great instincts to be able to make a clean pass. She already is committed to Wright State and is going to head to the next level already playing with a lot of confidence. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156322' first='Madison' last='Peal'] </strong>has been the foundation for Grand Rapids Christian for years and her defensive play has carried her team to Division 2 success. Her serving ability and consistency in serve receive rank up there with anyone. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185683' first='Alivia' last='Brown']</strong> is a Bowling Green commit that is part of a Bedford program that was in the thick of the state race. Brown was able to contribute a fair amount offensively as well, but her first contact is her strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Dark Horses</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a deep class of liberos, but there's a few to note that have put in a lot of work to raise their game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223048' first='Avery' last='Nance'] </strong>was a star during the D3 finals weekend for St. Francis. She's an energy player that raised her game to make the Gladiators a threat to win it all. Nance is well-coached and stays laser-focused on the play. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156310' first='Kylie' last='Kennedy'] </strong>is another player that you can never question her energy level. The Lakeland defender brings everything she has each point. She stays light on her feet and covers a lot of space to be able to make some very challenging digs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288963' first='Marley' last='Onken'] </strong>is another defender that is a polished defender that gets overlooked at times. The Portage Northern talent is part of an explosive offense, but they couldn't do what they do without her consistent play. Onken plays with a lot of determination and controlled intensity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->