2025 Rankings Update Breakdown: Liberos
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We updated our 2025 Player Rankings this week, which is one of the best collective classes the state has seen in some time. The latest rankings were comprised by the Prep Dig Rankings Team. Here’s a breakdown of the liberos and defenders,…
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Continue ReadingWe updated our 2025 Player Rankings this week, which is one of the best collective classes the state has seen in some time.
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.
Rank
|
Player
|
Height
|
High School
|
Commitment
|
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
5’7″
|
SMCC
|
Utah
|
||
2 |
5’4″
|
Gull Lake
|
Wright State
|
||
3 |
5’8″
|
Grand Rapids Christian
|
|||
4 |
5’5″
|
Forest Hills Eastern
|
Eastern Michigan
|
||
5 |
5’9″
|
Temperance Bedford
|
Bowling Green State
|
||
6 |
5’7″
|
Saline
|
|||
7 |
5’6″
|
Notre Dame Prep
|
|||
8 |
5’4″
|
Traverse City St. Francis
|
|||
9 |
5’9″
|
Mercy Farmington
|
|||
10 |
5’8″
|
Skyline
|
|||
11 |
5’6″
|
Mattawan
|
|||
12 |
5’4″
|
Dakota
|
|||
13 |
5’2″
|
Canton
|
|||
14 |
5’5″
|
Lakeland
|
|||
15 |
5’4″
|
Cedar Springs
|
|||
16 |
5’3″
|
Mt. Morris
|
|||
17 |
5’9″
|
Mercy
|
|||
18 |
5’1″
|
Shrine Catholic
|
|||
19 |
5’9″
|
Cass City
|
|||
20 |
5’4″
|
Regina
|
|||
21 |
5’1″
|
Forest Hills Central
|
|||
22 |
5’5″
|
Rockford
|
|||
23 |
5’7″
|
South Lyon East
|
|||
24 |
5’7″
|
Portage Northern
|
|||
25 |
5’6″
|
Hudsonville
|
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingDiverse leaders
Of the top-ranked defenders, two have been excelling at different positions for their respective prep teams. Top-ranked McKenna Payne McKenna Payne 5'7" | DS/L SMCC | 2025 State #105 Nation MI 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. Layna Waselewsky Layna Waselewsky 5'5" | DS/L Forest Hills Eastern | 2025 State MI 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.
Complete players
The top part of our rankings also feature liberos that are dig machines and have cemented themselves as the best of the best. Taygan Corstange Taygan Corstange 5'4" | DS/L Gull Lake | 2025 State MI 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. Madison Peal Madison Peal 5'8" | DS/L Grand Rapids Christian | 2025 State MI 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. Alivia Brown Alivia Brown 5'9" | DS/L Temperance Bedford | 2025 State MI 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.
Dark Horses
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. Avery Nance Avery Nance 5'4" | DS/L Traverse City St. Francis | 2025 State MI 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. Kylie Kennedy Kylie Kennedy 5'5" | DS/L Lakeland | 2025 State MI 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. Marley Onken Marley Onken 5'7" | DS/L Portage Northern | 2025 State MI 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.