Ten Standouts From Opening Weekend Of 2025’s Prep Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 MHSAA season got underway last Thursday and there were a number of players around the state that impressed in the opening weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Reese Booms, Jr. DS/L Hart</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hart didn't get off to the best start, going 1-2-1 over four matches this past weekend, but that wasn't because Booms wasn't doing all she could. The junior libero collected an incredible 73 digs over nine sets of play, including a staggering 38 digs in a three-set battle with Sandusky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587564' first='Lexi' last='Coleman'], Fr. OH South Lyon East</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coleman built up a reputation for herself this club season, but we didn't know what to expect from the freshman as she started her varsity career. Well, she didn't disappoint. Coleman had 53 kills over five matches to open the season on Aug. 20, including 22 kills against Grand Haven. Coleman then followed that up with 45 kills in four matches of the Power League, where she hit .474. It's a great start to what should be a very impressive high school career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher'], Sr. S Rockford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams got off to an 8-0 start without dropping a set, including wins over the likes of Lakewood, Byron Center, Mona Shores and TC St. Francis. Rockford is hitting just under .350 as a team thanks to Delacher, who has recorded 164 assists through 16 sets. She also has 35 digs and 12 aces. Rockford has big hopes for this fall and Delacher looks to have the offense already in midseason form.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Kennedy' last='Duncan'], Jr. OH South Lyon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions come into the season with some buzz and they have started 6-0 over the first weekend of play. Duncan was a big catalyst for the wins, as she played a well-balanced game. Duncan led the Lions with 51 kills over 13 sets of play. She also had 24 kills with six aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226905' first='Delaney' last='Gilmore'], Sr. S Brighton</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs are out to a quick 10-0 start and doing so with a balanced attack. Gilmore has led the offense with 100 assists, but also has amassed 42 digs and 15 kills during her time on the floor. Brighton has a lot of weapons to utilize, but Gilmore's experience and leadership has been a highlight in the opening weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'], Jr. OH/DS Byron Center</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson was known as being one of the best liberos in the state, and one of the best in her class nationally. So, it was a little surprising to see her step up as an outside for the Bulldogs to open the season, but it shouldn't be surprising that she performed at a high level. Over five matches, Johnson had 45 kills. That included 11 over East Grand Rapids and 14 against TC West. If she can continue to be a strong finisher at the net, she becomes a major double threat to go with her elite defensive play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732293' first='Ella' last='McMillan'], Sr. OH Croswell-Lexington</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers had six matches this past week and went 5-1 thanks to the play of McMillan, who was dynamite from the service line. She had 20 aces over the six matches, including nine in a win over Waterford Kettering. McMillan also tallied 33 kills and 36 digs for the Pioneers over a total of 13 sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'], Sr. MH Bloomfield Hills</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nwabueze is already well known for her talents, but the senior really showed out to open the 2025 prep season. She led the Blackhawks to seven wins last week, including wins over Fenton and South Lyon East. Over 15 sets, Nwabueze hit .356 with 84 kills while adding 46 digs, 11 aces and seven blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Alayna Schiller, Jr. DS/L Hart</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those looking for a dig leader to chase in the 2025 prep season may be looking up to Schiller. The junior played in six matches this past weekend and amassed an impressive 84 digs over 13 sets of play. That was highlighted by a 20-dig effort in a three-set match with Coopersville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808192' first='Reese' last='Williams'], So. OH Roscommon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bucks earned seven wins this past weekend and did so with a lot of offensive options, but it was the sophomore outside that led the attack with 51 kills. Her top effort game against Tecumseh, where Williams recorded 13 kills. Junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586777' first='Nemiah' last='Carper'] </strong>also deserves credit, as she had 41 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->