2027 Player Evaluations From Top 250 Expo: Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2027 was heavily represented at the Michigan Top 250 Expo this past Sunday in Pontiac.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>About half of the total participants came from this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the first part of our 2027 prospect evaluations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='583907' first='Megan' last='Baibak'], S Lutheran Westland/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baibak did a lot of things well on Sunday. She showed a sound all-around game. Along with her steady setting, Baibak was also able to put a good swing on the ball and she also had notable defensive play and serving ability. She did her part to stand out in any drill she took part in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='502408' first='Kayleigh' last='Miersen'], DS/L Caledonia/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miersen moved very smoothly in the back row and consistently put herself in good position to make a clean pass. Her serve receive was among some of the best at the Expo and she did a good job of directing traffic defensively during scrimmage sessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523844' first='Irelynn' last='Sedore'], OH Pennfield/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sedore showed a lot of focus and attention to detail in her play on Sunday. She kept herself ready in every rep and made a lot of good choices. Defensively, she kept herself in good position to make a clean pass. Offensively, she took what came to her and didn't force an aggressive swing when it wasn't there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442989' first='Kyler' last='Madison'], DS/L Milford/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madison was one of the quickest prospects in the group. She was very instinctive in her reactions, able to make a quick adjustment to get to a ball that looked like it was going to score. Madison stays very light on her feet and has active eyes, allowing her to keep the ball up and give her setters a chance to succeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='526729' first='Elizabeth' last='Nordstrom'], OH Salem/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nordstrom has a nice spring in her step at the net and she is able to anticipate the ball well to uncork on it at a high rate. She can hang in the air and wait on the ball to put a big swing that will power through blockers and leave defenders without much time to react.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Gabriela Simon dos Santos, Brea Olinda/ACT</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This prospect made a long trip from California to join us in Pontiac on Sunday. She made her trip worthwhile, as she impressed many with her ability to unload on the ball from either pin. The left-handed hitter was able to go toe-to-toe with any of the prospects when it came to hitting power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Emiya Franklin, OH Redford Thurston/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Franklin had an impressive showing on Sunday, displaying a well-rounded game. As a hitter, she had a long approach to the net, hanging in the air for what seemed like seconds. Defensively, she had very quick feet that allowed her to make some tough digs. Her ability to make a defensive play and transition to put the ball away on the attack was impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557447' first='Makenzie' last='Thompson'], MH Jenison/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson was a little unassuming at first, but then picked up her intensity as she got more opportunities to swing. She has good explosion off the floor and is able to time up her attacks well to stay ahead of the blockers. Defensively, she worked hard to get her hands on as many opposing attacks as she could.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='531680' first='Ava' last='Youhanna'], S Stoney Creek/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Youhanna got into a good tempo as the Expo went on. She was able to push a good pace for hitters and did a nice job of hitting the pin locations behind her to set up the right sides nicely. Youhanna also took feedback well from the coaches and hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='518956' first='Jamison' last='Aratari'], RS Lakeland/HPVBA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aratari was trying to bring the hammer to the net throughout the Expo. She swung hard and maintained good speed on her swing throughout the two-hour event. While things didn't always connect, she came back confident in the next swing. As she gets a feel for her offspeed play, she can become a consistent finisher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->