Stock Up Showcase: 2028 Player Evaluations, Part 6

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2028 showed up for the Michigan Stock Up Showcase this past weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The incoming sophomores were the most represented of any class, and it featured a lot of impressive talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've reached the sixth and final piece of our 2028 player evaluations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849967' first='Isabella' last='Lamanna'], DS/L Fraser/Unified</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lamanna was a quick and agile defender that battled hard during drills. She put her all into each rep and played with good determination. It took her some time to come out of her shell with communication, but that improved as the event went on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849996' first='Tianna' last='Sutherland'], OH Seaholm/High Performance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sutherland can play anywhere along the net and be successful. She has smooth footwork and has a long reach to get over the top of the ball. She was steady with her defensive play as well, and was able to quickly transition from one phase to the other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'], DS/L Marian/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pelon is one of the most polished defenders in the class and she looked in great control this past weekend. She actually showed just how versatile a player she can be, making some eye-popping attacks at the net, as well. Pelon looks very loose and comfortable on the court, which leads to high-level plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587007' first='Julia' last='Kavaliauskas'], OH South Lyon/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kavaliauskas has good court awareness and a high court IQ. She did a good job of communicating with her setters of where to place the ball to allow her to finish. She was constantly staying ahead of the play and analyzing where the openings were on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850530' first='Lillian' last='Bowman'], OH Plymouth Christian/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bowman was a consistently aggressive hitter that liked to bring the heat to the net. She didn't back down from a challenge and always had a powerful follow through on her swing to challenge blockers. If the ball was coming her way, it was going to take a pounding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='536574' first='Megan' last='Putra'], OH Brighton/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Putra had a smooth delivery, but it was very effective. She doesn't need a big wind up to produce consistent velocity, and she does a good job of getting to the ball at a high point to play above blockers. Putra looked comfortable making effective shots from the pins and the back row, making her a great asset for any offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='726340' first='Stephanie' last='Lulaj'], OH/DS Notre Dame Prep/Unified</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lulaj may not have been the best in any one area, but she was among the best in all areas. She's a dynamic player that proved she can make a difference with her attacks, her defense, or her serving. She will give her teams a lot of roster flexibility, as she can be an outside or a DS and be a strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850223' first='Abbigail' last='Kline'], OH Lakeview/Redline</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kline didn't look like she was going to be a big powerhouse at the net, but she displayed some impressive and deceptive power. She did a good job of attacking aggressive angles and did so with a lot of force. She moves effectively in her approach and doesn't waste a lot of movement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768762' first='Leighton' last='Birmingham'], MH/OH Lakeview/Midwest Select</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Birmingham is able to do a good job of attacking from a lot of different arm angles to work through or past blockers. She can really reach back to extend the swing opportunity, and comes down on the ball at a good angle. As she continues to pick up her tempo at the varsity level, Birmingham should be a big presence at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->