Michigan Commitment Catch-Up: Who's Found Their Place? (Pt. 7)

Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!   <a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase">The Summer Showcase Season</a> is here! Do you want to be seen? Do you want to be the next one announcing your college plans? <a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase">Join us at Prep Dig this summer.</a> Get your name out there and ball out with some of the best in the country. Be sure to use the code LShotDig2025 to get $$ off at registrations!   –   It's been nearly 2 months to the date since we've had a commitment catch-up. And boy have the commitments been coming in like wild fire.   We've seen stars from the 25 and 26 class find their place in the last 2 months. It looks to be a preview to what should be an electrifying summer with a stud 2027 class' June 15th date on the horizon. As the club season comes to a close, i wouldn't be shocked to see even more news come out from the 26 group as well.   This is another installment that includes a lot of great talent from the 2026 class and maybe one LAST member from the 2025 class claiming their spot at the next level. Let's take a look at where these five are going.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='643759' first='Laynie' last='Russell'] to Northern Michigan</h2>   6'1 MB - Mona Shores/MVA   With the emergence of Mona Shores in the high school conversation came the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='643759' first='Laynie' last='Russell'] in the middle. The stout 6'1 middle blocker has quickly become quite the attraction for several in-state programs. Russell comes to the net with a lot of size and a lot of potential. As what one would call a late bloomer, Russell is continuing to elevate her game. Northern Michigan is looking to capitalize on this potential.   Russell joins some of many former MVA players to head up to the UP, including recent 2024 grad, Taylor Smaka (Grand Haven). Northern Michigan time and time again proves to be a perennial power in the mighty D2, GLIAC conference, one of the strongest Division II conferences in the country.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='555634' first='Kennedy' last='Hinkle'] to Northwood</h2>   6'1 OH - Livonia Stevenson/Michigan Elite   This commitment is one that really excites me. Much like the previous commitment, this player has an incredibly high ceiling. From a middle blocker on the 3s team at Michigan Elite to a lethal weapon on the outside for their 2s team. [player_tooltip player_id='555634' first='Kennedy' last='Hinkle'] continues to hit her marks and quickly surpass. Hinkle possesses a lot of pluses to her game. At 6'1, she is a great size on the pin. She also is equipped with a great jump touch and a fast arm.   Northwood is a program that has continually been in the conversation for the GMAC championships since their introduction to the conference. With a player like Hinkle, this could very much continue on tradition.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='706598' first='Soniah' last='Robinson'] to Aquinas College</h2>   5'7 OH - Woodhaven/Michigan Elite   It was a great week for the Aquinas College volleyball program as they picked up not one, but two exciting recruits. First of those being out of Michigan Elite with [player_tooltip player_id='706598' first='Soniah' last='Robinson']. This is a player who has long been suspected onto AQ's radar as a standout at a variety of camps throughout the last year or so. Robinson has recently joined MiElite from Passion and has seen her game elevate with the upgrade in competition. While only 5'7, Robinson is quite explosive.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='537079' first='Kaylyn' last='Tuck'] to Aquinas College</h2>   5'11 OH/MB - Northville/L2   As for that second commit, Aquinas College received an absolute STEAL in [player_tooltip player_id='537079' first='Kaylyn' last='Tuck'] out of L2 and Northville. This is a player I just recently featured as an uncommitted dandy to keep an eye on. I obviously spoke too soon. Tuck brings a wide range of versatility to the court. With her ability to mold in and out of different positions, seemingly at a snap of the fingers, she immediately skyrocket's Aquinas' stock for the next few years.   With both the addition of Tuck and Robinson, this program could see itself back into some serious national contending conversation. Tuck brings not only her versatile play, but brings with her a ton of winning tradition. This past fall, Tuck played an instrumental role in Northville's first ever state title. Could she be the magic sauce and bring Aquinas their first ever NAIA title?   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156337' first='Layla' last='Visser'] to Florida Southern</h2>   6'1 OH/MB - Rockford/MVA   I am glad to see that we will not be done seeing this one on the court. Because really, we have not been able to see much of her in the first place. [player_tooltip player_id='156337' first='Layla' last='Visser'] is one of those athletes who have come down with the serious injury bug throughout the bulk of her prep career. With a lot of buzz coming into her junior year, Visser was ultimately sidelined and left a lot of questions in the air.   The midpoint of the high school season, we saw Visser make her return to the courts. Listed as an outside, Visser tried her hand in the middle and found a lot of success. At 6'1 and an incredible jumper, this was a no brainer for the athlete. She is one of the state leaders in the High Jump, jumping over 5'5 on the regular. A kind of jump worthy enough to get her a track scholarship at Florida Southern. Nonetheless, we have not seen the last of Visser and you can find her in Florida over the course of the next four years!

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